Sinclair ZX Spectrum to return as a handheld console

Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+

Back in the early 80s, before he became a Sir, Clive Sinclair headed up the design and creation of early mass-market personal computers, including the classic ZX81 and the multi-million-selling ZX Spectrum. The Spectrum made a return of sorts last year as the mini-console Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega, and now a mobile version called the Vega+ is in the works.

The Vega+ is functionally the same as the Vega and maintains the composite television connector, but also sports a built-in LCD screen. Like its predecessor, it will have 1000 ZX Spectrum games built into its hardware, and will also be able to download additional games—roughly 14,000 of them have been made over the years—at no charge.

“The present surge of interest in retro products inspired me to plan the Vega+ as a handy games console which can be played anywhere,” Sinclair told Metro.co.uk.

Sinclair's company, Retro Computers, raised more than £130,000 ($186,000) on Indiegogo to support the creation of the device, well past its £100,000 goal. The Vega+ devices are available for pre-purchase for £100 each through the campaign, which runs for another month.

Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.

Latest in Gaming Industry
Former Treyarch studio co-head and Black Ops 3 director is heading up a new first-party PlayStation studio
Discord Social SDK
Your Discord friends list may soon appear directly in the games you play
Aloy - Horizon
'I feel worried about this art form:' Unsurprisingly, the real Aloy from Horizon isn't a fan of AI Aloy
Geralt, two swords on his back, in the wilderness
2011 was an amazing comeback year for PC gaming
Assassin's Creed meets PUBG
Ubisoft is reportedly talking to Tencent about creating a new business entity to manage Assassin's Creed and other big games
Possibility Space concept art.
Possibility Space owners sue NetEase for $900 million over allegations it spread 'false and defamatory rumors' of fraud at the studio that ultimately forced it to close
Latest in News
Image for
Rise of the Ronin's PC troubles continue as players report disappearing saves on Steam
Former Treyarch studio co-head and Black Ops 3 director is heading up a new first-party PlayStation studio
Metro Exodus
'I want to raise this glass to our fans, to our community': 4A Games celebrates Metro 2033's 15th anniversary and hints at next Metro game
Assassin's Creed Shadows promo image
Ubisoft reportedly has an anti-harassment plan in place for Assassin's Creed Shadows developers
Avowed Kai holding out his hand toward camera while explaining something to the player.
Avowed's new patch just gave you 6 more talent points to muck around with, along with a heap of fixes and improvements
In-game recreation of iconic Indiana Jones stealing the idol in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Silent Hill 2 remake and Indiana Jones are at historically low prices this Steam Spring Sale—so long as you don't buy them directly from Steam