[BITList] Video: First look at relaunched ZX Spectrum - Telegraph

[Michael Feltham]

> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/11471430/First-look-at-relaunched-ZX-Spectrum.html <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/11471430/First-look-at-relaunched-ZX-Spectrum.html>
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> Video: First look at relaunched ZX Spectrum - Telegraph
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> The ZX Spectrum was a landmark home computer of the 1980s. Along with the Commodore 64 and the BBC Micro, it introduced an entire generation to computing. And, for many, to the wondrous and pixilated world of games such as Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy and Chuckie Egg.
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> It launched in 1982 and for some years it was the best-selling computer in the UK.
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> The ZX stopped production in 1990.
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> But it is being brought back to life by a company called Elite Systems <http://sinclairzxspectrum.elite-systems.co.uk/index.php>, which has tried to replicate the PC as closely as possible, including the rubberized keyboard and metal casing. The new machine is being called the Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
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> Elite is run by Steve Wilcox, a long-time ZX Spectrum fan and a former computer salesman.
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> Earlier this year, he rapidly raised £64,000 on Kickstarter, the crowd funding platform. He has signed up Ceratech, a Hampshire keyboard manufacturer to help recreate the new ZX Spectrums, though they will be manufactured in a Chinese factory.
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> Original users had to load software on cassettes into a separate tape recorder, which was connected to the keyboard. The keyboard was, in turn, plugged into a television screen, which acted as a monitor.
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>  Chuckie Egg: new Spectrum puts vintage games back on our screens for first time in decades
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> The new ZX Spectrum connects to either a tablet or phone via Bluetooth. You need to download an app onto your device before the keyboard works.
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> The devices will go on sale at the end of July. They have just been priced at £99.99 and are available to pre-order at the Hut <http://www.thehut.com/games/the-recreated-sinclair-zx-spectrum/11092093.html> and iWoot <http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/games/the-recreated-sinclair-zx-spectrum/11092093.html> and Zavvi <http://www.zavvi.com/games/the-recreated-sinclair-zx-spectrum/11092093.html>.
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> The Telegraph had a play about with the machine when Wilcox came into the office to demonstrate the Recreated Sinclair ZX Specturm. Both the feel, and the sound, of the original ZX Spectrum has been very faithfully replicated, and there were a good host of games pre-loaded onto the app.
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> The 40 best video games of 2014 </technology/video-games/11068426/best-video-games-2014.html>
> The key question is why has Wilcox gone to such lengths to recreate an obsolete machine: “Because we can,” he said.
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> He also made the point that all of the games -- many of which are already popular in tablet formats -- were designed to be played on a physical keyboard, with buttons. Swiping on a touchscreen device is a completely different experience.
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> Sir Clive Sinclair sold the brand to Amstrad, founded by Alan Sugar (now Lord Sugar) in the mid-1980s. Amstrad, in turn, sold the brand to Sky, which still owns the rights to the name.
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> Elite is paying a royalty to Sky to use the name.
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> And Sir Clive himself is attempting to bring back his own version of a ZX Spectrum -- not a full keyboard, more a stripped down version that will act as a games console. His version is being called the Sinclair Spectrum Vega and is being made in the UK. It is due to go on sale in April.
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> Retro video game quiz - can you name the games? </men/the-filter/10442204/Retro-video-game-quiz-can-you-name-the-games.html>
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