Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega Portable Console Runs Entire Spectrum of ZX Spectrum Games

Posted on 03/12/2014 by Lambert Varias

It may not have been as popular in the U.S., but the Sinclair ZX Spectrum holds a special place in British home computer history. Sinclair founder Sir Clive Sinclair was freakin’ knighted mainly because of the ZX Spectrum. Heck, until today people are still developing software for the 8-bit computer. Keep all those things in mind when you hear about the ZX Spectrum Vega’s price.

The ZX Spectrum Vega is a pocket-sized plug-and-play version of the ZX Spectrum and will be compatible with all ZX Spectrum games. As shown in the prototype above, Sinclair ditched most of the original ZX Spectrum’s keys and opted for a gaming controller layout, though the Vega will have an onscreen keyboard. The company is also considering adding hardware inputs such as USB or Bluetooth.

Software-wise, the Vega will be preloaded with 1,000 games and will have an SD card slot so you can load more.

I can’t even tell if the video is tongue-in-cheek or sincere in its aesthetics. I choose to believe it’s the latter. Speaking of outdated, keep an eye on Sinclair’s website to see when the Vega will go on sale. Sinclair already sold its first 1,000 units of the Vega on Indiegogo for £100 (~$156 USD) each; the company believes succeeding batches will be cheaper.

[via Eurogamer]

LEGO Classic Computer Set Concepts: Building Blocks

Posted on 03/11/2014 by Lambert Varias

Professional LEGO builder Chris McVeigh is known for his miniature kits and building guides, including those of classic computers. But wouldn’t it be nice if there were LEGO sets of the machines you grew up with? If you think so too, support these concepts by LEGO Ideas member Fbsarts.

As of this writing, Fbsarts has four different concept sets. They all include pieces for the components inside each computer as well. There’s a Macintosh set…

A Commodore 64 set…

A ZX Spectrum set…

…and an Amiga 500 set.

As you can see, Fbsarts’ concepts add stickers, labels and pieces that have no existing official counterparts, which is why it would be great if LEGO gave these the green light.

If you’re a LEGO Ideas member, you can go to Fbsarts’ profile page to see all of his projects in one place. If you’re not a member and you don’t want to sign up, you can support the Macintosh 128K set here, the Commodore 64 set here, the ZX Spectrum set here and the Amiga 500 set here.

Sinclair ZX Spectrum turns 30, gets immortalized as a Google Doodle

Posted on 23/04/2012 by Daniel Cooper

Today's Google UK doodle celebrates both St. Georges Day and the little home computer that became a British phenomenon, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. To be competitive with the rival Commodore 64, the 16KB of RAM-packing machine retailed for just £130 ($210 in today's money), punched well above its own weight and was often the first computer bought by techno-phobic families. Designed to be as programmer-friendly as possible, the founders of Shiny, Rare and Blitz Games studios all cut their teeth on the computer that introduced the world to Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy and Dizzy. It lasted a full decade in production, selling five million units before Amstrad purchased the money-losing unit and closed it down. Despite its demise, it's still got a loyal following from a generation of fans, something we doubt can be said about the Amstrad machines that replaced it.

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Sinclair ZX Spectrum turns 30, gets immortalized as a Google Doodle originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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