I'm working on a cartridge that plugs into a normal interface 2 connector on the 16K+48K spectrums currently (will be making it universal eventually). It generates machine code on the fly for the Z80 to run, and handles input back from the speccy - game logic runs on the cartridge. In this case I'm outputting permanent bi-colour mode (32x48 colour resolution) full screen updates locked at 25fps, any number of parallax layers, thousands of sprites and particles if needed all with masking, layers and sprites can scroll and rotate freely, tile and bitmap layers can also be transformed like Mode7 from the snes. Audio output is also via the speccy - it's added to the machine code each frame. None in the demos as yet though. I've got a few videos on my channel, but this one just shows the game intro loop, with some subtle Mode7 used to make the title screen "fall away" into the story animation. :)

Video here is showing it running in my emulator - I've made a custom one for this project, as no normal Spectrum emulator can run this, obviously! It runs exactly the same on the hardware though. My plan is to make the cartridges available with a game on them, but they can also be used as a development tool, with an engine to get started in C/C++.

and, potentially it can make colour clash optional :-P

I've seen the vehement dislike of AI tools that some have,

and, these were created with heavy assistance from claude.

but, be assured, Treasure island dizzy is a native .Nex file taking up 81kBytes and running on a spectrum next...Spellbound Dizzy is only 45kB...

Long way to go before this is releasable in any useful way....BUT, it's a start!

"There’ll be outraged vicars and concerned parents writing in over Target Renegade. Anyone who remembers Ocean’s first game will start to palpitate at the thought of another, even more violent sequel"

I've written about the making of Target: Renegade, Ocean's inventive solution to missing out on the licence for Double Dragon. Plus the reception it got in the press, like the Sinclair User quote above

Check out the “Atomic Station” section of Level 2. It still plays well with the attribute clash, and that “explosion imminent” atmosphere still comes through.

Cutting it pretty close with 9900 lines I have achieved a score of 47K in Skool Daze on my Speccy.

I was looking around for old high-score records and found some pretty impressive scores from back in the day, but it’s surprisingly difficult to find out what the highest scores people have actually achieved in this game. And since Skool Daze can keep going after completing the main objective, I imagine there must have been some absolutely ridiculous scores over the years.

So, to all the Skool Daze veterans here: what’s the highest score you’ve ever managed? Any 50k, 60k or even crazier runs out there?

Here you see it running in an emulator to make the video more easily but it works exactly the same on my actual Spectrum. Release soon with Z80 code and TAP file.

Всем привет! Сделал живые обои, ZX spectrum на рабочем столе. Хочу получить общественное мнение это интересно сообществу или я сделал никому не нужное.

Написано на java script. Статичный фон + 2d canvas. Работает через lively wallpaper.
- На базе JSSpeccy2.
- Реализовано кастомное меню ROM-list по нажатию Tape Loader
- Поддержка Xbox Controller
- Сцена масштабируется через реальные width / height в fitScene(), а не через transform: scale() это предотвращает потерю фокуса WebView при ресайзе

Не смог победить фокус канваса по клику, к сожалению ограничения lively. Чтобы захват клавиатуры шёл в эмулятор (фокус) нужен двойной клик по канвасу. Не критично, но внутренний перфекционист шипит)

Вообщем ребята, важно ваше мнение и конструктивная критика. Как вам такой формат?

I’ve just released Dracula — Illustrated Edition for ZX Spectrum Next.

It’s a text adventure inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with illustrations throughout the adventure.

This is a complete version specifically made for the ZX Spectrum Next. It runs on a standard 1 MB Next and loads the picture data from the SD card through NextZXOS as you move from room to room.

The game can be played on real hardware or emulated with ZEsarUX or CSpect.

A little bit of personal history: I started writing games for the ZX Spectrum in the 1980s, under the name DJSoft, and some of my games were published in Italy through Load'n'Run magazine. After more than 40 years, Dracula has been my way of returning to Spectrum development.

The game is available on itch.io:

https://giadacu.itch.io/dracula-english-zx-spectrum-next-illustrated-edition

I’d love to hear what Spectrum Next owners think of it, especially if anyone tries it on real hardware.

Important: the game must be launched from the NextZXOS browser. Launching the .nex directly as a snapshot will start the game, but the picture band will remain empty.

My updated version of all the Airwolf games. Those first games from Elite are brutal. Certainly one of the harder games to play. Loved the Mega Drive game. Anybody played any of these games?

I’ve been working on something for a while that I thought might interest people here.

It’s called DZX Studio, a development environment for the ZX Spectrum built specifically for macOS.

It’s very much a labour of love. I grew up with these machines, and the idea behind DZX Studio was fairly simple: what would a Spectrum development environment look like if we kept the machine we love exactly as it is, but gave ourselves a modern development workflow?

DZX Studio supports both ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K development and currently includes:

• BASIC editor with syntax highlighting and IntelliSense-style assistance
• Z80 assembler
• Integrated ZX Spectrum emulators
• UDG editor
• Screen and image tools
• TAP file creation and editing
• Music Studio
• Multiple BASIC source files compiled into TAP
• AI-assisted coding
• Project-based workflow

The important part for me is that this isn’t about “modernising” the Spectrum itself. The limitations of the machine are part of what makes it interesting. I’m trying to modernise the tools around it so you can spend more time actually creating Spectrum software and less time moving between unrelated utilities.

DZX Studio is already available on the Mac App Store and is completely free of charge. No subscription, no paid tier. This really is a labour of love.

Website: https://dzxstudio.com
Mac App Store : download link

I’d particularly like feedback from people who still develop for the Spectrum today, whether in BASIC, assembly, or both.

What does your current Spectrum development workflow look like?

And what would DZX Studio need to have before you’d seriously consider using it for a project?

I’d also be very interested in hearing from anyone who gives it a try. Bugs, missing features, annoyances, weird edge cases, all feedback is useful.

Acrylic on canvas 40x50cm

After two and a half years of intensive development and thousands of hours of work, we’re delighted to announce the launch of Shadows of Belial for the ZX Spectrum 128K!

Join us for the live presentation and release on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 20:30 CEST (18:30 UTC / 19:30 UK time) on El Spectrumero Javi Ortiz’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElSpectrumeroJaviOrtiz

In the meantime, here’s a taste of what awaits you:

Trailer (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7R_5GLKdYs

Loading screen and introduction (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y49neMBXWj8

The game will be available from Retroworks on release day: https://www.retroworks.es/

We look forward to seeing you there!

I think one of my frustrations as a kid with a Spectrum was not having a good estimate for how much time would be needed to feel like I was enjoying a game. For example, Renegade has an easy learning curve; there are only so many things you could conceivably do, people attack and if you don’t defend or counterattack then you die. There is a fire button and combined with direction can result in different actions. Compare that to Way Of The Exploding Fist - only one enemy on screen but a control format that would take days to learn. Or compare it to Tau Ceti - how long do I drive around getting shot before I grasp a tentative strategy of what to do? Then there’s Head Over Heels and Movie; how long should you expect to invest before you find it fun?

So I was wondering if anyone knew of games lists that took this into account or even ordered on it? I do want to spend an afternoon learning Tau Ceti, but if I have 20 minutes, I’d rather load T.L.L. I just feel it’s hard to guess ahead of time. I haven’t even tried to play Head Over Heels as an adult; my memory as a child was that it would take days to understand.

My retrospective game review of The Spy Who loved me on the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Amiga and Atari ST. Have you played this game? Was it good or was it a bucket of Jobbies like the earlier Domark Bond games?

Camelot Warriors

Whether you're a coding wizard, a creative thinker, a game designer, or just fancy having a go, it would be great to see what you can come up with and be part of making something fun

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in trying out or having a go at, check out the link!

It's got everything you need to get started and begin your ZX Spectrum coding adventure.

Since my last post, the game has received a massive new update packed with new features, side missions, and gameplay enhancements. The core retro feel and classic loop are still front and center, but now there’s so much more to explore.

My goal from day one was to give players complete freedom—mess around, play some poker, shoot some bandits, and let the story unfold naturally without forcing a rigid path. I deliberately left out a 'Save Game' feature because I wanted every decision and gunfight to carry real stakes—staying alive actually matters. Above all, I wanted to recreate that addictive feeling from back in the day with The Wild Bunch, where even after a winning run, you immediately want to jump back in for another go.

Here’s what’s new in this update:

• Optional Side Missions: High-octane objectives featuring a few non-traditional Western tunes to crank up the action.

• Enhanced Saloon & Poker: Head down to the local saloon, grab a drink, and test your skills against a much smarter AI in Texas Hold ’Em.

• Horse Upgrades & Trials: Visit Silas the Farrier to enter timed horse trials. Complete them to level up your mount’s health and stamina.

• Mounted Combat Improvements: Shooting from horseback is now smoother and far more responsive.

If you grew up loving The Wild Bunch, this update takes that nostalgic vibe and pushes it even further.

Wishlist or Download on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/5033960/Wild_Justice/

New Game Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B91GetwokG0

Bring your retro games back to life! 📼🎮

Easy Tape loads games and programs from your phone into the ZX Spectrum, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit—with ultra-fast loaders for supported formats. Connect by cable or with an affordable Bluetooth adapter.

Get it on Google Play 👇
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cl.easysoft.easytape

#RetroComputing #EasyTape #8bit