ZX Spectrum Vega+
A crowdfunded handheld ZX Spectrum emulator plagued by delays and controversy.
The ZX Spectrum Vega+ is a handheld console that emulates the ZX Spectrum, designed by Rick Dickinson as the successor to the 2015 ZX Spectrum Vega. Very few units ever reached backers before Retro Computers, the company behind it, ceased operations. The device’s industrial design was handled by Dickinson, who also designed the original ZX Spectrum. It runs on the Fuse emulator and ships with 18 pre-loaded games, stored on a removable microSD card. Development was funded through Indiegogo, where the campaign surpassed its £100,000 target within two days of launching in March 2016. The original plan was to include 1,000 pre-loaded games, matching the earlier Vega model. Before backer funds were released to Retro Computers, managing director Paul Andrews and Chris Smith—author of a book on the ZX Spectrum’s ULA—both resigned, citing “irreconcilable differences.” This split marked the beginning of ongoing controversy. Retro Computers claimed development was complete and a prototype was ready by February 2016, with UK manufacturer SMS Electronics stating production had begun in April. Despite this, no consoles were released, and the project’s future grew uncertain. To address concerns, Retro Computers posted photos of a “life-size model” on 25 August 2016, insisting the console was still on track for a September release. On 26 September, they announced a launch date of 20 October 2016, and Indiegogo updates claimed production had started, though no shipment date was given. A review of a “production model” appeared in The Inquirer on 4 November 2016, with Retro Computers promising backers their units would arrive by Christmas. Three weeks later, on 25 November, they revealed a button defect had been found during testing, causing further delays. The Inquirer later reported that the reviewed unit was from a limited test run, and Christmas delivery could no longer be guaranteed. On 23 December 2016, Retro Computers announced the button had been redesigned and that first units would ship in February 2017. However, on 25 February, The Daily Telegraph reported that Indiegogo had closed the crowdfunding campaign due to the continued failure to deliver. Suzanne Martin, speaking for the company, blamed unnamed game developers for pulling support but said they still intended to deliver.
Quick Facts
- Manufacturer
- Retro Computers Ltd
- Release Date
- 2018 · 07
- Lifespan
- July 2018-February 1, 2019
- Units Shipped
- At least 400
- System On Chip
- Freescale MCIMX233DJM4C
- Cpu
- ARM9
- Memory
- 16MB
- Storage
- 64MB SPI Flash
- Memory Card
- microSD card
- Memory Type
- DDR SDRAM
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The ZX Spectrum Vega+ was announced and funded through Indiegogo in March 2016, surpassing its £100,000 target within two days. The original plan was to supply the console with 1,000 pre-loaded games, as the earlier Vega had done. The industrial design was produced by Rick Dickinson, the designer of the original ZX Spectrum. The Vega+ uses the Fuse emulator to run ZX Spectrum software and stores games on a removable microSD card. Before backer funds were handed over, managing director Paul Andrews and Chris Smith resigned from Retro Computers due to 'irreconcilable differences', miring the project in controversy. Despite claims of a prototype ready for production in February 2016 and statements that production had started in April 2016, no consoles were released. Retro Computers released photos of a 'life-size model' in August 2016 and announced a launch date of 20 October 2016, but delays continued. A problem with one of the buttons was identified in November 2016, and delivery to backers was postponed. Indiegogo closed the campaign in December 2016 due to continued failure to deliver. In March 2017, Indiegogo halted the campaign amid concerns about the lack of a firm release date and poor communication. The BBC reported that Retro Computers had threatened legal action in December 2016 if the delays were reported. The company announced shipment of units in August 2017, but again blamed button problems in November 2017. In February 2018, Retro Computers indicated an estimated delivery of April 2018, but Indiegogo threatened to appoint a collections agency if the console was not released by the end of May. In June 2018, Indiegogo stated that Retro Computers had failed to fulfill requirements, including providing a finished console. A backer won a small claims court action in January 2018. In April 2018, 75% of shareholders demanded a meeting to replace directors. In August 2018, Sky revoked the licence to use the Sinclair and ZX Spectrum brands. One backer received a unit in July 2018, but reported that sample games did not work and build quality was poor. Retro Computers was wound up on 1 February 2019.
Reader's Guide
The ZX Spectrum Vega+ is notable primarily for the extensive controversy and delays that surrounded its development and delivery. Crowdfunded in March 2016, it was intended to be a handheld follow-up to the ZX Spectrum Vega, but only a small number of units ever reached backers. The project was plagued by internal disputes, including the resignation of key personnel, repeated delays attributed to button problems, and licensing issues that led to the revocation of the Sinclair and ZX Spectrum brand rights. Indiegogo eventually halted the campaign and sought to recoup funds through a collections agency. A backer successfully sued the company in small claims court. The few units that were delivered were criticized for poor build quality and non-functional pre-loaded games. The company was wound up in February 2019, marking the end of a project that had raised over £100,000 but failed to deliver on its promises. The Vega+ stands as a cautionary example of crowdfunding mismanagement in the video game hardware space.
Did You Know?
- The Vega+ was designed by Rick Dickinson, who also designed the original ZX Spectrum.
- Only a small number of Vega+ units were ever delivered to backers.
- Indiegogo appointed a collections agency to try to recoup funds from Retro Computers.
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