Latest news with #Speccy
The Courier
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
The best games from Dundee's ZX Spectrum in 1990 - as beloved Speccy entered 'twilight era'
The end was nigh for Dundee's ZX Spectrum in 1990. The home computer produced by Dundee Timex workers was nearing the end of its commercial life after Sega and Nintendo burst on to the scene. Did it go out with a whimper? The Spectrum of Adventure author Tom Christie says there was still gas in the tank. 'By now, programmers had learned how to squeeze every scintilla of power out of the machine's creaking processor, and it seemed hard to believe that any original games were still to arrive for the famous system at this late stage,' he said. 'And yet, somehow, game designers were still able to come up with the goods. 'While the ZX Spectrum may no longer have been cutting-edge, it could still boast a vibrant, highly creative, and community-driven gaming scene, with a dedicated fan base across the UK and beyond. 'This was something of a twilight era for these early computers, but the gaming scene remained active and imaginative, with some surprisingly inventive games.' Tom has chosen 10 classic games to arrive on the platform in 1990. These include the popular SimCity and the brilliant Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge. How many of these games can you remember? Turrican was one of the most hotly-awaited titles of 1990. The shoot 'em up released by Rainbow Arts won big with magazine awards. It involved blasting through five alien environments. 'The game boasted huge levels which invited players to go exploring rather than encouraging them to complete each stage in a linear way,' said Tom. 'The mutant warrior hero was robust enough to handle anything thrown at him.' The tagline was: 'Never forget: shoot or die'. Crash magazine described Turrican as 'one of the best Speccy games seen this year'. The long-running Sim series all started here with SimCity. Tom said: 'It's easy to forget that this game appeared on the Spectrum in a hugely ambitious port released by French company Infogrames. 'All of the classic options were there. 'As mayor, the player had to balance their communities between different zones, while having to keep citizens happy with reliable services. 'The game was just as addictive on the Speccy as it would be on other platforms.' The city management game cost £9.99 on release. Your Sinclair's magazine review stated that the game was 'beautifully simple in concept and hangs together perfectly.' Tom said Activision produced something quite original with Time Machine. The player takes on the role of an eccentric scientist who must 'manipulate history' through five different time zones. Tom said: 'Professor Potts is cast adrift in time, and his every decision can have vast implications – for instance, failure to safeguard a species of clever little mammals will mean that the human race never comes to evolve. 'The game certainly wowed the reviewers of the time, with Sinclair User noting that Time Machine was an absorbing and innovative game. 'It also highlighted its excellent mono graphics.' The game cost £9.99 on release. Lotus Esprit Turbo Challenge was a highly playable racing game. There was even a two-player head-to-head mode to race against a friend. Tom said: 'It was a big hit on later systems so Spectrum owners may well have been surprised by how well the game translated to their computer. 'Gremlin Graphics were long-time veterans of the Speccy. 'The third-person perspective works well with smooth gameplay throughout. 'The racing retains the excitement of the game's more powerful versions.' Crash magazine said it was 'one of the best two-player car simulations around.' This puzzle game was heavily hyped by publisher US Gold. Tom said the game played 'like an inspired cross between Thrust and Asteroids'. He said: 'The player has control of a spaceship which must nudge spheres – each of them containing a shape – into each other with force and momentum. 'If the spheres contain identical shapes, they will disappear on impact, but if the shapes are different then smaller spheres will be produced which must also be dealt with. 'It may sound simple, but in execution it could be maddeningly difficult to master.' Crash magazine described E-Motion as 'frustratingly addictive'. And now for something completely different… Were you a fan of Monty Python's Flying Circus? Tom said: 'One of the most surprising game licenses of 1990 was an adaptation of the surreal 1960s sketch show that immortalised the dead parrot. 'Published by Virgin Software, the game was based on Terry Gilliam's bizarre animations – only now repurposed as a sideways-scrolling shoot 'em up.' Reviewers were as impressed as they were mystified. Sinclair User commented: 'There's enough gameplay to keep you engrossed even if you don't know what the hell's going on.' The Spectrum tape included a free Mr Gumby badge. Gremlin Graphics' famous mascot Monty Mole was back in 1990. This was the sixth title in the series. Monty was given a Hollywood-style makeover in this superhero-inspired platformer. He was faced with five different alien environments to tackle. The hapless mole had been called upon to save an alien planet from disaster. Hidden rooms were craftily positioned on each level. Sinclair User said: 'It offers a stiff challenge, full of colourful graphics.' Super Off-Road went down well with gamers at the time of its release. The game was published by Virgin Games. It was endorsed by professional off-road racer Ivan Stewart. Tom said: 'The arcade original had been a brightly-coloured affair. 'Meanwhile, the Spectrum version was monochromatic, making it occasionally difficult for players to keep track of their car. 'That said, the game was never less than fast-moving or addictive.' Your Sinclair agreed. They said it was 'the best super sprint-type game ever seen on the Speccy'. The Last Ninja series had a huge fan following on the 8-bit systems. Tom said System 3 Software produced something special with this Remix edition which was an updated version of Last Ninja 2 from 1988. He said: 'Using an isometric view, the player can employ ninja fighting skills against enemies, improvising weapons and gathering useful items as they go. 'With brilliant stylised backdrops and an atmospheric playing environment, this was a real treat to explore.' Crash said the game was a clever arcade adventure with appealing graphics. Rainbow Islands was a classic platform game. Players could fire rainbows that had multiple uses: to act as weapons, create makeshift platforms, or collect items to increase their score. Tom said: 'Arguably one of the most perfect arcade conversions ever released, Rainbow Islands first hit the coin-ops in 1987. 'Ocean Software brought it to the Speccy in 1990. 'The Spectrum version retained the large, colourful sprites of the original, along with flawless scrolling and excellent in-game music. 'The expansive multi-level worlds also carried over from the arcade version.' The game won several awards from the trade press at the time. 'Rainbow Islands was the kind of game that saved the best for last,' Tom said. 'It showed that the revered Speccy still had life left in it even at this late stage, which is why – even all these years down the line – retro gamers are still enjoying these titles.'
Economist
22-05-2025
- Business
- Economist
Hong Kong says goodbye to a capitalist crusader
David Webb was quick to get his hands on the ZX Spectrum or 'Speccy', a computer launched in 1982 with up to 48 kilobytes of memory and rubber keys. Before he turned 18, he had written a book, 'Supercharge Your Spectrum', showing how to get the most out of the contraption with his favourite machine-code tricks and techniques. What set him apart from other tinkerers was how he spent the royalties. He would cycle to his bank in Oxford to place an order in London for some shares. ('Which stock, young man, do you want to buy?')
Time Business News
24-04-2025
- Time Business News
Top 10 Things to Test When Buying a 2nd Hand Gaming Laptop
Buying a 2nd hand gaming laptop can be a smart move, especially if you're looking to get high-end performance at a fraction of the price of a new one. But buying used tech always comes with risks. From hidden hardware issues to outdated components, there's a lot that could go wrong if you don't test things properly. Here's a comprehensive checklist of the top 10 things you must test before buying a second-hand gaming laptop—whether you're shopping locally or online. Check the outer body first. Look for cracks near the hinges, dents on the corners, missing screws, or worn-out rubber pads. These signs can reveal how the laptop has been treated. Make sure all ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet) work by plugging in actual devices. If you're unsure about specific models, browsing a PC product reviews section can help you compare real user feedback and durability reports before deciding. Visual performance is crucial in gaming. Boot up the laptop and look closely at the screen. Dead pixels, backlight bleed, or odd color tints are red flags. Try switching through different brightness levels and open a dark image to reveal any screen issues. Gaming requires precision, especially with keys like WASD, spacebar, and shift. Test all the keys to ensure none are sticky or unresponsive. The touchpad should be smooth, with no jitter or lag. Older batteries degrade over time. Use tools like HWMonitor or Windows Battery Report (powercfg /batteryreport) to see its health, cycle count, and wear level. A poor battery won't ruin gameplay if you're plugged in, but it limits portability. Use free tools like Speccy or CPU-Z to verify: CPU model and speed Installed RAM Graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD) Storage type (preferably SSD) Make sure the 2nd hand gaming laptop matches the specs advertised. Sellers sometimes misrepresent configurations, especially with older GPUs. Install a benchmarking tool like Cinebench, 3DMark, or even a popular game to stress test the system. Listen for any weird noises, and watch out for overheating or sudden frame drops. Gaming laptops can run hot, especially under load. Make sure the fans spin up properly and aren't excessively loud or grinding. A noisy fan could mean dust buildup or wear and tear on the bearings. You can also feel around the vents to see how well it's dissipating heat. Play a video or game trailer to check the speaker quality—make sure there's no buzzing or crackling. Use the built-in webcam and mic to confirm they work properly, even if you typically use an external headset or cam. A fresh OS install is always best. Ask the seller if they've wiped the system clean and reinstalled Windows. Check for: Genuine activation No unnecessary startup apps No malware or suspicious software A cluttered or unlicensed OS can lead to instability and performance drops. Some refurbished laptops still come with manufacturer warranties. If not, make sure the seller offers at least a short return window. This gives you time to test it thoroughly at home. Before finalizing any deal, it helps to read a trusted gaming laptops review on models you're considering. Real-world feedback can reveal common issues, performance quirks, and long-term durability. Before finalizing any deal, it helps to read a trusted gaming laptops review on models you're considering. Real-world feedback can reveal common issues, performance quirks, and long-term durability. A 2nd hand gaming laptop can be a great investment—if you know what to look for. From checking internal specs to testing real-time gaming performance, this guide covers everything you need to make a smart purchase. Spend a little time testing now, and you'll enjoy worry-free gaming later. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
