2016
The ZX Spectrum Vega+ is announced
A new handheld machine carrying the ZX Spectrum name is announced by Retro Computers Ltd. The ZX Spectrum Vega+ was designed as a portable successor to the previous year's Vega, this time incorporating a built-in colour LCD screen.
The machine was intended to run ZX Spectrum software while providing a more portable experience. It included 1,000 licensed Spectrum games, a microSD card slot for additional software, rechargeable battery power and the ability to connect to a television. Later specifications also included a keyboard facility and support for both 48K and 128K Spectrum software.
The project was launched through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, with a target of £100,000. The target was reached within 48 hours, and the campaign eventually raised £366,655, or 367% of its original target.
The handheld was designed by Rick Dickinson, who had also designed the original ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum, while engineering work was led by Chris Smith.
Although a launch date of 20 October 2016 was subsequently announced, production and delivery were repeatedly delayed. The difficulties surrounding the project became an important part of the Vega+'s story, with many backers still waiting for their machines long after the originally promised delivery date.
Image: Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ — Phills4125, CC BY-SA 4.0.
The machine was intended to run ZX Spectrum software while providing a more portable experience. It included 1,000 licensed Spectrum games, a microSD card slot for additional software, rechargeable battery power and the ability to connect to a television. Later specifications also included a keyboard facility and support for both 48K and 128K Spectrum software.
The project was launched through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, with a target of £100,000. The target was reached within 48 hours, and the campaign eventually raised £366,655, or 367% of its original target.
The handheld was designed by Rick Dickinson, who had also designed the original ZX80, ZX81 and ZX Spectrum, while engineering work was led by Chris Smith.
Although a launch date of 20 October 2016 was subsequently announced, production and delivery were repeatedly delayed. The difficulties surrounding the project became an important part of the Vega+'s story, with many backers still waiting for their machines long after the originally promised delivery date.
Image: Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ — Phills4125, CC BY-SA 4.0.
