ZX Spectrum Next


Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next is a modern 8-bit home computer, backwards compatible with the ZX Spectrum, but also featuring enhanced capabilities.. It is intended to appeal to retro-computing enthusiasts and also to "encourage a new generation of bedroom coders", according to project member Jim Bagley.

History

The ZX Spectrum Next started life in 2010 in Brazil, as a variant of the TK95 Spectrum clone. The design is based on an Altera DE1 FPGA, which implements the original ZX Spectrum's Z80 CPU.
In 2016 Victor Trucco and Fabio Belavenuto announced the "TBBlue" board, named for the two creators and the color of the solder mask of the motherboard, a bare circuit board implementation of the product for advanced hobbyists.
With the help of Henrique Olifiers the duo wanted to export the TBBlue to the UK, the ZX Spectrum's original home, having received moderate success with the board in Brazil.
The Next was first announced as a distinct product in 2016 after the participation of original Spectrum industrial designer Rick Dickinson was secured. A crowdfunding campaign was launched on the Kickstarter platform in January 2017 with an initial funding goal of £250,000,
After some design and production delays, the first batch of finished units were delivered to backers in March 2020.

Models

Four models of the Next have been produced:
Further options include 2x 512 kb memory, internal beeper speaker. A real-time clock, Wifi and Pi Zero can easily be user-installed in the standard model.

Reception

The Next has received generally favorable reviews in the specialist press. In the official Raspberry Pi magazine "MagPi", Lucy Hattersley called it "a lovely piece of kit", noting that it is "well-designed and well-built: authentic to the original, and with technology that nods to the past while remaining functional and relevant in the modern age".
In PC Pro magazine, columnist Gareth Halfacree called the Next "undeniably impressive" while noting that the printed manual lacks an index, and that some features are "not quite ready".

Clones

Clones of the ZX Spectrum Next include:
The Next's case design is by the late Rick Dickinson who designed the original 48K Spectrum, but sadly passed away during the development of the keyboard of the computer.

Hardware Specifications

Software

All ZX Spectrum software can be run on the Next, some require VGA output and for some you need to select appropriate personality. There are more than 60 exclusive games, apps and demos already available for the Next.
Some titles were available through Next's official shop.
Many were sold as physical releases in DVD or PS Vita boxes with software on the SD card. The Curse of Rabenstein adventure game by Stefan Vogt/Puddle was sold as Collector's Edition.