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Post by c64stuff on Aug 27, 2024 21:30:33 GMT
It says authentic rubber keys. Wonder if that means they actually work? Also since the original Spectrum was a small machine, is it the original size or a "mini" that's somewhat smaller?
It's great looking but I personally would have liked it to have been a Spectrum 128 Plus with a working keyboard, because it's also a great looking machine and had a much better conventional keyboard. Most Spectrum fans consider the 128 Plus to be the best of all the Spectrum models.
If this original model's keyboard actually works then they probably did this original Spectrum model to keep costs down, but even if it doesn't work this original model was the most popular by far (just like the breadbin C64) so it makes sense to sell a replica of the original Spectrum. Maybe they're planning a later "full size" model just like the C64 and Amiga, and that will be a Plus 128 with working keyboard?
I should re-watch their timeline ad to refresh my memory on what future products they're mentioning to see if any are a full size unit that hasn't been named yet.
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 27, 2024 22:19:28 GMT
Looked on their website. Don't see anything mentioned about the authentic rubber keyboard actually working or not. If it doesn't I'm sure there will be mods to make it work by people just like the C64 mini keyboard has been modified.
They also mention it has 128k model compatibility, you can set the border around the tv screen to 12 different frames, and that you can also set the original color palette of the Spectrum to different ones of your liking because it supports the ULAplus™ colour mode for richer colour palettes that can be applied to any game. Is that a "standardized" modification that's found on other Spectrum emulators?
They mention too that it has 50 or 60khz modes with no mention of there being two different products for the UK and the US with different games like the C64 mini and maxi have, which would make sense since the Spectrum was never popular in the states. Hope they offer it on Amazon everywhere though because many North America retro gamers these days like to play classic Spectrum games too.
You can load games in simulated cassette mode just like the original would load them, or skipping all that for instant loading too of course. There's a few other features talked about on their website or in the video ad, like save states and rewinding gameplay or that it comes with Spectrum Basic, but that's the highlights.
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Post by Wizart on Aug 27, 2024 23:04:22 GMT
all of the full size of RGL have working keyboard so i asume this one too gr Wizart  |
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 28, 2024 0:59:17 GMT
Is it a full size Spectrum or smaller like the Amiga and C64 mini? I'm guessing since they haven't come out and said the rubber keyboard actually works then it doesn't, because you'd think that would be a big selling point they'd want to advertise?
Edit: I just rewatched the Updated Timeline ad video. It says Quarter 4 of 2024 they'd be releasing a new full size console after the Atari 400 mini, so I guess this is a full size Spectrum. Hope that means the keyboard works, but why not say it in the Spectrum ad?
Then Q1 of 2025 the new full size Amiga, then Q2 of 2025 two new accessories launch.
Noticed in the Spectrum ad they didn't mention a controller or joystick coming with it? Maybe the keyboard does work then, because how are you going to navigate or play games without at least using the keyboard or supplying your own controller?
Maybe one of the two new accessories coming later is going to be a joystick, because I heard they bought the rights to a classic joystick name?
There's nothing listed other than the above quarterly announcements, other than them saying more to come in 2025 and timelines could accelerate.
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 28, 2024 1:07:47 GMT
Another Update: Freezing the video when the back of the Spectrum is being shown, there's a HOME button all the way to the left. Guess the keyboard does work then? No sense putting that on there if it didn't.
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Post by Wizart on Aug 28, 2024 10:45:46 GMT
iam sure they have working keyboard because when you see the carousel you see its uses keys gr Wizart |
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 28, 2024 13:34:44 GMT
After checking out a few videos on it, apparently news leaked and there were already videos two or three days before the official announcement video.
If you read the comments under some of the videos you'll find some people with further interesting info. Such as they couldn't use the name Sinclair because a satellite company owns it. Or do I have that wrong and it's that they had to call it The Spectrum because Spectrum is owned by a satellite company?
In the states and Canada it was a pretty rare machine, because Timex added features like a cartridge port that made most Spectrum software incompatible, which was a really stupid move. The Timex version is a good looking machine though and has a real keyboard, and if you swap out the ROM for the original Spectrum version it will run most if not all Spectrum software. It will still have a slight color matching issue with I think one of the black colors looking brown, but I think there's even a modification to fix that.
If Timex would have made it's Rom fully compatible and sold it for about 1/3rd to one half the price of a C64 I'm sure it would have sold much better.
Many US and Canada retro fans these days are into all the old computers and consoles even if they didn't own it, and that includes platforms from overseas. There's even younger crowds into retro "pick up and go" retro games because they are usually arcade style themes that usually don't require days to play or complicated research or reading to fully understand like many modern console games require.
And there's even many out there, both those who grew up in the retro era and younger people these days, who simply like to collect mini consoles because they're small enough to display on a shelf as a collection and far easier to just simply plug in and play games without messing with setting up original hardware or having to research how to properly use it. Many of them also don't know how or want to bother with buying and setting up something like a Raspberry Pi either.
Just the simple GUI front end and easy HDMI hookup along with ability to use USB controllers and USB thumb drives for storage right out of the box is a big selling point to both hardcore and average casual modern consumers that buy these mini consoles.
I love watching videos or listening to podcasts on obscure or European machines I never heard of years ago, such as the Spectrum, Amstrad, Dragon, Oric, etc. There's some great history videos out there by channels like Nostalgia Nerd, The Laird's Lair, Newsmakers, Kim Justice, 8 bit guy, Retro Man Cave, and Modern Vintage Gamer. And some great podcast video channels like The Retro Hour.
I plan to eventually get this new Spectrum even if I have to pay extra to get it shipped from overseas. I have a feeling Amazon North America will carry it though just because these days there's a huge retro gaming scene in the states and people are well aware of the Spectrum's large library of classic games.
Wouldn't surprise me if some retail store outlets like Cosco also carries it, because Retro Games Ltd designs their products (especially the mini versions) to be small plug and play consoles with easy to use front ends for your average consumer, and prices their products low enough to be impulse buys off store shelves for even the casual shopper who isn't necessarily into the retro scene. And I'm sure retail stores that specialize in retro gaming in Canada and the US will also carry it.
If you read the comments under many videos reviewing Retro Games Ltd minis or maxis most people are completely happy with the quality of their products for the price. Remember these minis aren't not necessarily meant for just hardcore fans, but also casual buyers at major retail stores. It's the maxi versions with working keyboards that hardcore users will buy, and most seem to think The C64 maxi is a quality product with a quality keyboard for the price.
I do agree though that I wish they'd not be so closed minded about opening up the firmware access more easily. But then again they do deserve praise for a decent GUI and actually allowing you to load games and other software off USB right out of the box when most other mini style console makers won't do that.
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Post by spannernick on Aug 28, 2024 15:42:03 GMT
Probably the ZX Spectrum Next has the rights at the moment to the name so why they can not use it... I removed the post above I made, I am not in my right mind at the moment...  I just didn't like how RGL is using the same carousel over and over now from THEA500 Mini because it looks the same and is not any different, it should have its own character, but I guess its a Android thing so now a RGL Standard with all there consoles now, its just a bit off putting. |
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Post by spannernick on Aug 28, 2024 15:43:54 GMT
But if its the same size as The Recreated ZX Spectrum you might be able to use that case with it but will have to make some holes in the back of it..  |
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Post by spannernick on Aug 28, 2024 17:57:17 GMT
I wounder if it will use a Gamepad or just the keyboard..?
I used a joystick on my ZX Spectrum using a adapter that plugged in the back of it so you could use DB9 port joystick with it.
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Post by Wizart on Aug 28, 2024 18:49:30 GMT
I wounder if it will use a Gamepad or just the keyboard..? I used a joystick on my ZX Spectrum using a adapter that plugged in the back of it so you could use DB9 port joystick with it. just keyboard i think Gr Wizart |
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Post by c64stuff on Aug 29, 2024 4:53:29 GMT
Probably the ZX Spectrum Next has the rights at the moment to the name so why they can not use it... I removed the post above I made, I am not in my right mind at the moment... I just didn't like how RGL is using the same carousel over and over now from THEA500 Mini because it looks the same and is not any different, it should have its own character, but I guess its a Android thing so now a RGL Standard with all there consoles now, its just a bit off putting. Totally understand your frame of mind at the moment, and don't think you should have removed your post. You made some valid points. I completely agree the firmware should be more open and different among the different machines and easier to modify. I was only saying that's true but compared to other mini style consoles it's still far better just because if not for anything else other than the fact that they allow you to USB load more software right out of the box. When you look at things like the seemingly endless models of the Atari Flashback minis, each one with perks or negatives to each other in everything from SD card access, games that come with it, or joystick/paddle compatibility or quality issues, I actually gave up after trying to research the Flashback for days to find the right one to buy. It's almost like they intentionally flawed each one with this issue or another so you'd buy them all over the years to fill in the holes of what you wanted. Trying to sort that out among many (what is it up to now, like around ten?!) models was maddening. |
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Post by vic2020ian on Aug 30, 2024 9:13:45 GMT
I wounder if it will use a Gamepad or just the keyboard..? I used a joystick on my ZX Spectrum using a adapter that plugged in the back of it so you could use DB9 port joystick with it. just keyboard i think Gr Wizart It will use Joystick, they could rerelease the TheC64 joystick in Black and make it look like a Kempston. It has the USB ports and will be emulated so it is very unlikely to be keyboard only. It may or may not have the joystick included. If it is a lower price point with optional extra to buy it will be better value for those with C64 Mini, 400Mini, TheC64 or TheAmiga already. |
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I just didn't like how RGL is using the same carousel over and over now from THEA500 Mini because it looks the same and is not any different, it should have its own character, but I guess its a Android thing so now a RGL Standard with all there consoles now, its just a bit off putting.
