The Spectrum review: Relive the ZX Spectrum’s 80s gaming glories

1982 saw the arrival of the ZX Spectrum, a British home computer from Sinclair that was both small and cheap. It was made with as few components as possible and connected easily to the TV. Programs ran from compact cassettes, some of you may remember listening to music from these before the advent of CDs. It was possible to program in Basic and play some games. The ZX Spectrum’s competitor was the Commodore 64, a popular machine that Retro Games had already recreated.

Nowadays we’ve got The Spectrum, which is ready to take you back to the 80s (but with a modern twist).

The Spectrum: Feeling true to the original

The Spectrum is incredibly similar to the original. Best of all, Retro Games has managed to recreate the feel of everything from the rubber keys to the gaming experience. However, I wouldn’t recommend playing on a large modern TV, as it just feels wrong. Go for a smaller screen with HDMI instead. The cables that come with it aren’t long enough to sit comfortably with the computer on your lap on the sofa anyway.

The press release comes with a thick and comprehensive manual, which is gratifying. It describes all the games, including their controls, as well as explanations of the missions. I was able to navigate more difficult games thanks to this manual. I’m also grateful that The Spectrum has modern features like the ability to save (four slots per game). There’s even a feature that lets you rewind 40 seconds to correct mistakes.

You get 48 classic games built into the machine, but you can also run your own from USB sticks. The Spectrum supports USB hand controllers (though you may have to program the buttons yourself), but everything can be run directly from the keyboard. I was a little to young to have experienced this machine when it first came around, so the controls were an adventure to master.

In the box you’ll find an HDMI cable (provides 720p at 50 or 60 Hz) and a USB cable (power adapter not included). It may look modern with USB-C, but you need to choose a simpler power adapter with 5V and 1A. My modern GAN charger did not work, but an older iPhone charger did.

The Spectrum: Not for everyone

As with all retro consoles that are re-launched as a new edition, The Spectrum isn’t for everyone. For new users, there’s a steep learning curve. I don’t have any memories of Sinclair’s wonderful little home computer, but my first gaming memories have the same graphics and feel, so it was a pleasure to take on this experience. For those who had a ZX Spectrum and want to experience it again, The Spectrum is a fun purchase where you get a lot for your money.