Retro is back, and there’s no point arguing about it. Products that imitate old designs, restorations, modifications to old systems, and a long list of side projects reveal a certain decline in consumer satisfaction, as people turn to nostalgia to find what they want. A while ago we talked about the return of the ZX Spectrum as a console, but this time the historic computer will return in the role of a Bluetooth keyboard compatible with iOS and Android.
At first, you can't help but ask why. Why do the best indie games increasingly incorporate '80s elements like pixel art, chiptunes, and general 8-bit graphics? Why do we restore arcade machines with a Raspberry Pi and LCD panels? Why do we eagerly await projects like PSIO, which is about to enter beta? The answer is that the market doesn't give us what we want. In the name of mass production and eleven-digit fiscal closings, companies treat the retro consumer as if they were a bit crazy, but deep down we know they lose sleep trying to capture their money. If we're talking about home computers, two stand out above the rest in terms of nostalgic impact: the Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum.
The creation of Sir Clive is what brings us here today. Last December we talked about the Vega project, which aims to turn the ZX Spectrum into a console, but now it's the turn of a replica developed by the team at Elite Systems. Basically, you have to look at the back to tell the original from the replica, because the key size, fonts, and even the color of the rainbow are exact. Of course, the differences become much more evident on the inside. While the original ZX Spectrum often has keyboard issues and generates a huge amount of interference, the Elite replica works as a Bluetooth keyboard compatible with iOS and Android (some support for Smart TVs has been mentioned). It also has a micro USB port to recharge its internal battery, and the keyboard will be accompanied by an app that will deliver a package with ten free games.
A very interesting aspect of this replica's development is that its creators had to purchase several units on eBay and subject them to 3D scanning, as the original “molds” were made of wood and lost over time. The new ZX Spectrum will be available before the end of the year, and its pre-order system assigns a price of £99.95, about €140. Expensive? Yes. But also fabulous.
