Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ console with 1000 retro games smashes crowdfunding target
The Vega+ is a new low cost hand-held games console with a colour LCD screen and 1,000 licensed games already installed. The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo is based on Sir Clive Sinclair's hugely successful Spectrum products from the early 1980s.
It incorporates all the features of the ZX Vega, including stereo output for reproduction of gaming sounds and music.
The team claims that the Vega+ is the only games console that exists with 1,000 licensed games already included. It has an LCD screen for use on the go and the capability to connect to a TV for home use.
The Vega+ was developed by Chris Smith, expert on Sinclair Spectrum technology and author of "The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to design a microcomputer".
Special Feature
The design concept of the Vega+ is by Rick Dickinson, who designed of all of Sinclair's ZX computers in the 1980s.
The Vega+ has raised over 320 percent of its original campaign target in three weeks.
With another two weeks left of its campaign, it looks set to become one of the most successful Indiegogo campaigns to date.
A new Indiegogo referral scheme awards prizes to those backers whose referrals bring in the most new pledges for the Vega+ perks.
Backers promote the campaign to friends with Indiegogo's share tools while logged into their Indiegogo account.
Vega+ takes advantage of major advances in technology to achieve big cost savings by replacing most of the electronics in earlier computer products.
The Vega+ uses a low cost micro-controller and software to enable the Vega+ to run all of the games.
There are over 14,000 available games, developed during the years when around million of the original Sinclair Spectrum were being sold.
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ is as simple to use as any of the popular games consoles, but less expensive.
The user will also be able to download additional games free of charge from the thousands that are available on the web.
There is no need for users to pay any more than the cost of the basic product, which will be in the region of $150 from the company's web site and from various online retailers and outlets.
Sir Clive Sinclair says that the success of the original Spectrum was due to the fact that: "it was adaptable, approachable, very easy to program, and simple to use".
Of the Vega+ Sir Clive said: "The present surge of interest in retro products inspired me to plan the Vega+ as a handy games console which can be played anywhere."
If the synthesised 'mini moog' sounds of retro games fill you with nostalgia, then you will love the new Vega+.
Related content: