TheSpectrum from Retro Games Ltd. *Your Questions Answered* in English

If you're getting TheSpectrum from Retro Games then this review video covers common questions and problems.

It's the longest video I've made so far but you're not meant to sit down and watch this video from the very start until it finishes.

You can if you want to, but I divided it into sections that you can jump in and find the information and advice you're looking for.

Here's the breakdown...

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:06 The Original Sinclair ZX Spectrum

If you're not familiar with the original Sinclair ZX Spectrum then this is a bit of historical context. And some reasons why TheSpectrum is a better idea.

00:15:29 What was the original supplied with?

The box for TheSpectrum is smaller than you might remember. This is why.

00:18:47 Microdrives

Some more history and even more encouragement to use TheSpectrum and a USB stick rather than the original 40 year old technology. The microdrive was introduced as mass storage for the Spectrum. Each cartridge held 85k of data - which was impressive at the time but soon became problematic.

After 40 years the main issue is the tiny bit of felt that's in each cartridge to push the magnetic tape against the read/write head inside the drive. It an endless tape loop inside and the felt will almost certainly have deteriorated. There's a risk that the felt will detach and get pulled inside the cartridge - which will destroy it.

00:24:01 Unboxing

Here I unbox TheSpectrum and show you what it comes with.

00:31:02 Manuals

A bit of clarity on the documentation situation. The main manual for TheSpectrum can be downloaded or you can buy a printed version. It's partly a manual for carousel interface on TheSpectrum and mostly the instructions for the 48 games that come with it. Note that it's not the BASIC programming manual that came with the original Spectrum. And the printed version isn't ring bound - only the pre-release press packs came with a ring bound version.

00:38:45 Crash Magazine

The UK version of the Spectrum is supplied with a special copy of Crash magazine which covers the 48 included games. This part of the video discusses the original magazine.

00:42:03 Keyboard Overlay

If you've got some of the original games they they may have a keyboard overlay. These will fit on TheSpectrum perfectly.

00:44:20 Which Charger?

The first question people ask when they discover that TheSpectrum doesn't come with a charger - just a USB-A to C cable. You can use any charger you have, but I would suggest buying this one instead..

https://thepihut.com/products/raspber...

Other retail outlets sell it and I am not sponsored.

00:48:43 Turning in on

Here's what you do when you turn it on for the first time. And what to expect. This genuinely was the first time I powered up my TheSpectrum.

1:00:06 Media Not Found

If your USB doesn't work with The Spectrum then this is probably why. And clear instructions for how to fix it.

1:09:14 Finding Games

Here's how you unlock the 9 hidden games...

   • Unlock The 9 Hidden Games on The Spectrum ...  

Updating the firmware seems to reset the unlocks though. Which is irritating.

You can add more games - here is where you can find them.

https://archive.org/details/zx_spectr...

Here's where you'll find information about the file tags...

https://archive.org/details/TncV20110...

Here's the different file types...

https://worldofspectrum.net/legacy-in...

Generally you just need to copy the .z80 files onto your prepared USB stick. That's what I use without any problems.

If the games seem harder than you remember then have a look at this:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/zx-p...

There's also a database of tips and cheats here:

https://www.the-tipshop.co.uk/

It includes various hints from old magazines too.

1:12:22 Updating Firmware

Vital if you want your device to work at it's best. Especially if you want to use a Joypad or controller with it.

Here's where you can download the firmware file.

https://retrogames.biz/support/thespe...

1:15:04 The Gamepad

This is the official controller - unboxed and tested. I discuss alternatives.

1:23:02 Original ROMs

If you get issues with some games crashing then this is probably why.

Here's where to find them... I might get asked to remove this link, but here it is anyway...

https://speccy4ever.speccy.org/_SIN.htm

1:25:47 Summary

This is my current TheSpectrum setup and a summary of everything I found.

I'm never going to get rich from this, but it is nice to get something... So if you've watched this video and it influenced or helped you then please click Like and Subscribe.

You can also buy me a coffee using the Ko-fi link if you think I deserve one...

https://ko-fi.com/nicbunting

#retrogames
#sinclairzxspectrum
#thespectrum
‪@RetroGamesLtd‬