The Spectrum review: Relive the ZX Spectrum’s 80s gaming glories
Image: Ida Blix
At a glance
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Wonderfully faithful to the original
- Can run custom games from USB
- HDMI and multiple USB ports
Cons
- No power adapter included
- Difficult controls for some
- Games can be difficult
Our Verdict
The Spectrum faithfully recreates the 80s original with its rubber keys and classic games, delighting older gamers, while younger players may face a steep learning curve due to tricky controls and tough gameplay. However, modern features like save and rewind help mitigate that frustration.
Price When Reviewed
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Best Pricing Today
Best Prices Today: The Spectrum
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.
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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.
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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.
Specifications: The Spectrum
Product: The Spectrum
Manufacturer: Retro Games
Tested: February 2025
In the package: Console, HDMI cable, USB cable
Connections: 1 USB-C (for power), HDMI, and four ports for hand controllers or USB sticks
Number of games: 48
Price:
Rating: 4 out of 5
Included games
- Alien Girl: Skirmish Edition
- Ant Attack
- Army Moves
- Auf Wiedersehen Monty
- Avalon
- Bobby Bearing
- Cosmic Payback
- Devwill Too
- Exolon
- Fairlight
- Firelord
- Football Manager 2
- Freddy Hardest
- The Great Escape
- Head over Heels
- Highway Encounter
- The Hobbit
- Horace Goes Skiing
- Jack the Nipper
- Knot in 3D
- The Lords of Midnight
- Manic Miner
- Match Day II
- Movie
- Nodes of Yesod
- Penetrator
- Phantis (Game Over II)
- Pheenix
- Pyracurse
- Quazatron
- Robin of the Wood
- Saboteur! Remastered
- Shovel Adventure
- Skool Daze
- Snake Escape
- Spellbound
- Starquake
- Starstrike II
- El Stompo
- Stonkers
- TCQ
- Target: Renegade
- Technician Ted – The Megamix
- Tenebra
- Trashman
- The Way of the Exploding Fist
- Wheelie
- Where Time Stood Still
Best Prices Today: The Spectrum
This article originally appeared on our sister publication M3 and was translated and localized from Swedish.
Author: Ida Blix, Editor, Sweden
Responsible for video and social media on our Swedish sister sites, Ida Blix is an experienced journalist with a great interest in technology. She is a creator with a penchant for video, podcasting and photography. For many years she covered everything Apple, but more recently has broadened her interest to AI services, social media, mobiles, wearable devices and smart home.
