What’s next for the ZX Spectrum Next?

The ZX Spectrum Next is on a roll. As the modern-day version of Sinclair’s ZX Spectrum – a computer celebrating its 40th anniversary this year – it has caught the imagination of retro enthusiasts who are not only enjoying the nostalgia of it all but also the growing number of games and apps being released for the system.

The stats are impressive. “We’re currently tracking around 110 games and apps and around 60% of them are done and available, which is significant,” said the project’s main driver, Henrique Olifiers, co-founder of game maker Bossa Studio. “We have also heard of developers being able to ship more than 5,000 units of their software for the Next. That’s twice what we ever expected.”

With so much going on, it’s no surprise to hear that thousands of people are waiting to get in on the action. But therein lies a problem. The ZX Spectrum Next initially got off the ground courtesy of 3,113 Kickstarter backers pledging a total of £723,390 in 2017. By February 2020, they had the machine in their hands and quickly got stuck in.

A further 5,236 people stumped up £1,847,106 for a second production run in August 2020, along with 594 people who bought direct, and they’re still waiting for a delivery about 18 months on. It’s a situation that has frustrated Olifiers, but one that a lot of manufacturers can sympathise with.

“The first campaign was a spectacular success and