Have you ever wanted to own a ZX Spectrum, but do more with it that you could previously? Well now you can with the Recreated ZX Spectrum from Elite Systems and here is our review.
Take a look at the video below to see all about the Recreated ZX Spectrum:
What’s in the Box?
The box contains the Recreated ZX Spectrum, and manual and a USB cable.
A Closer Look
Pairing the Recreated ZX Spectrum
Pairing the Spectrum with something like an iPad or iPhone (or any other Bluetooth enabled device) is simple. You just switch it on and press the Pair button. You will then see Recreated ZX Spectrum appear in the list of Bluetooth devices and just select it – and that’s it!
Using the Recreated ZX Spectrum
You can use the Spectrum to play games or as a Bluetooth keyboard, or both!
Playing Spectrum games via the App
There is a Recreated ZX Spectrum app that you can download onto iOS (and Android). The app itself is free, but most of the games need a small fee to unlock them.
The app has a nice swipe feature enabling you quickly and easily work through the games to see what there is to play and then to choose and play.
Playing Spectrum games via the Website
You can also play games via the Recreated ZX Spectrum website. These are free to play but you will need an Internet connection to get it to work. You can scroll through the lists of games and choose one.
Obviously my first choice was Jet Set Willy!
At the time of writing this review there is a problem with sound via the website and so there isn’t any sound on any game. Elite are aware of the problem and are working on it.
Using as a Bluetooth Keyboard
If you want to use the Spectrum as a Bluetooth keyboard you need to go through a series of steps to unlock it, which is done via the app.
Final Thoughts
As someone who grew up playing on the ZX Spectrum in the early 80’s, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the Recreated ZX Spectrum. It looks and feels exactly like the Spectrum I had over 30 years ago, even down to the rubber keys!
Setting up the Spectrum was easy – you just pop some batteries in, pair to the device you want to use and that’s it. The battery lasts for a considerable amount of time and there is also a USB cable provided too!
I did want to use it as a Bluetooth keyboard, so I had to go through the whole process of unlocking it – I’m still not 100% sure why it couldn’t have come unlocked, although the instructions to unlock it are very clear.
The games are exactly as I remembered them, although without the very long loading times and the fear that right at the end of the loading sequence something would go wrong because the tape may have been a little chewed. I still laugh today when I hear people complaining about loading times on the latest AAA console game. Believe me, they have never had it so good!
All in all the Recreated ZX Spectrum is a great piece of kit, you can play all your favourite Spectrum games on it, and even use it as a keyboard.
Elite also plan on improving and adding to the Spectrum features with software and firmware updates which will be as simple as visiting a website to install.
My only negative point is the cost, at £99.95 it’s rather expensive for a Bluetooth keyboard and if you want to play all the games you either have to pay for them separately in the app or have a constant Internet connection to play them for free. If that doesn’t bother you then the Recreated ZX Spectrum is a great additional to your collection.
You can learn more and order the Recreated ZX Spectrum from the Elite website.
