The ZX Spectrum was 1982's major rival to that of the Commodore 64. Those of you who have seen my earlier reviews may know I was not in the ZX camp, but I hold no grudge against the beastly home computer and in fact the opportunity to play some classic titles on Elite System's latest release, 'ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection' was a fascinating insight in to the past.
Much like similar console emulating titles, each of the games feature a unique control scheme that's adapted to fit in landscape or portrait orientations - with the former being semi-transparent to make life easier. The addition of tiny angled buttons helps immensely in titles that require quick taps between two directions and thanks to comprehensive help menus players can familiarize themselves with the controls ahead of time.
The emulation itself is quite solid, with smooth frame-rates and clear audio emulation that may not wow some, but much like the graphics it was a different era and things were more functional than fancy. Oh and while you're at it, check out the awesome vocal audio in Chuckie Egg - it's the stuff of nightmares! ;)
Elite Systems has promised to keep their updates to a regular schedule, planning considerably far in to the future after securing agreements with major publishers from the time. While ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection may not appeal to those who aren't already fans of nostalgic gaming, it's a great bargain for those who are and at its 'fixed' price there's no reason not to give it a whirl.
Description
Note: if this app is crashing, following the latest update, please delete the app from your device then go back to the App Store and download it again. You will NOT be charged again.
This the sixteenth update of ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection arrived in Dec '13
It contains 13 ZX Spectrum games.
It also contains an in-App ‘shop’ offering:
- the next twenty four 'Collections' (Vol. #3 to Vol. #26 - priced £1.49/€1.59/US$1.99 per volume), each volume containing 6 ZX Spectrum games and
- the first sixty two 'Singles', each priced £0.69/€0.79/US$0.99, featuring DARK SCEPTRE - By Mike Singleton
LIMITED TIME OFFER: use the "Buy Vol. 3-25" button to buy the next twenty three 'Collections' (Vol. #3 to Vol. #25) from the in-App 'shop' and SAVE 65% compared to the price of buying each 'Collection' separately.
What We Did Recently:
- launched of the ‘C64: Elite Collection / Free’, a pair of Apps for all iOS devices.
What We Did Previously:
- announced that ‘Signed Limited-Edition Collectors’ Prints’ are now available to order, from within the app and from http://www.elite-systems.co.uk/elite/htdocs/ltdeditionart.php
- reviewed our plans for updating the App. Settled upon: making two new ZX Spectrum games available to purchase as 'Singles' from the in-App 'shop' every other month, more frequently if possible, commencing Dec ‘12.
- reviewed our plans for raising awareness of the App. Settled upon: releasing a small number of ZX Spectrum games every other month, more frequently if possible, as stand-alone Apps, (as well as making them available as in-App purchases).
- Published (in full at www.elite-systems.co.uk) and in part here, the list of games currently included, or currently included as in-app purchases, in ZX Spectrum: Elite Collection, that is:
Alternative Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring SKOOL DAZE
Alternative Collection Vol. #2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring BACK TO SKOOL
Audiogenic Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring EMLYN HUGHES INT. SOCCER
Cascade Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring ACE
Cronosoft Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring 'various'
Cronosoft Collection Vol. #2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring 'various'
Data East Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring MIDNIGHT RESISTANCE
Elite Collection Vol. #1 - included,
- featuring, CHUCKIE EGG
Elite Collection Vol. #2 - included,
- featuring ROLLER COASTER
First Star Software - in-app purchase,
- featuring BOULDER DASH II
Gremlin Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring MONTY ON THE RUN
Gremlin Collection Vol. #2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring JACK THE NIPPER
Hewson Collection Vol.1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring CYBERNOID
Hewson Collection Vol.2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring CYBERNOID II
Julian Gollop Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring CHAOS
Microgen Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring EVERONE’S A WALLY
New Generation Software Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring TRASHMAN
Nexus Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring MICRONAUGHT ONE
Odin Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring NODES OF YESOD
Palace Software Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring BARBARIAN: THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR
Palace Software Collection Vol. #2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring BARBARIAN II
Software Projects Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring MANIC MINER
Software Projects Collection Vol. #2 - in-app purchase,
- featuring JET SET WILLY
Steve Crow Collection - in-app purchase,
- featuring STARQUAKE
Vortex Collection Vol. #1 - in-app purchase,
- featuring TLL
Vortex Collection Vol. #2 – in-app purchase,
- featuring CYCLONE
What We’re Doing Next:
- continuing to work toward the achievement of our ambitious goals.
What's New in Version 4.2
Announced and added in-app link to exclusive news about the Bluetooth ZX Spectrum: "Recreating the Sinclair ZX Spectrum".
The recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum will be a Bluetooth keyboard, initially for iOS and subsequently Android / Windows phones & tablets.
Added Game of the month:-
- 'Dark Sceptre'
Other minor fixes.
$2.99
