** Hi everyone I'm sorry for all of the unanswered comments. I was planning to take the weekend off to recharge after the countdown but I've been informed that RGL have pulled their firmware update as it has had 'compatibility issues' for a few people. I was planning to re-edit my 'guide' video but as RGL have taken the firmware update down from their website now I felt like it's fine for the time being. I will most likely do a refresher video on how to update firmware when a stable version has been released. I have altered the thumbnail to the video however. I'm not happy right now with RGL. It was pretty irresponsible of them to release this in a broken state, but I guess if we give them the benefit of the doubt then these things sometimes happen. I hope you're all doing ok and I promise I will get to comments soon. Apologies. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! **
I am a Commodore guy through and through.. but I do have memories of playing speccy games at friends houses back in the 80s. Your Videos have inspired me to buy one of these, although I had to drive an hour today to find somewhere that had one in stock! Currently playing football manger 2 :)
Haha, there was something so beautifully poetic when Ghosts n Goblins crashed! Good ol Spectrum, all these years later and it's still up to its old tricks! I love it 😀
Yeah there's plenty of vintage Speccy gear around here or the Next if i want to get some gaming in - To be fair, I'm giving the C64 some love at the mo but yeah it would suck royally if i opened it at Christmas and it didn't work ...however, i'm going to chance it :-)
I am picking mine up tomorrow. First game I ever played on my Spectrum was FULL TROTTLE so I intend to play that one first on this new machine for old times sake.
It's amazing how triggering the sights and sounds of the proper loading screens are from the TZX roms. Instantly transported back to 14/15 years old, drinking a cup of tea, mind wandering on other things while watching the games load. Incredible nostalgia! 😍
@@spidericemidasiosmusicprod1309 I totally agree! I had the biggest grin on my face when it started loading. It was also unexpected which made it even cooler
Hello got the Spectrum from Argos on launch day. Tried to do my stick but couldn't get get some things to work so I do another day. Love your videos BTW and enjoy your fun and enthusiasm. Seeing loading screens and many old and new classic games which spectrum gamers have made me aware of like scuba dive is so much fun to see. It's funny I have a spectrum +2 also and some games won't load now on cassette and I now rely on the div mmc I have to load games. Such a joy tho to see games I remember from back in the day I have played like Penetrator and the very brilliant Stsrquqke on here and Nodes of yesod which I have heard good things about amongst other games. Its great there's so much love for the Spectrum and many thanks look forward to more of your videos 😊
Just picked one up from Smyths Castle Vale Birmingham. They had 9 left in stock at half 5. Crazy how people have pre ordered from Amazon and not got them... Ghost Goblins may need to be on a certain Spectrum model in game settings or like you say it was a bad snapshot/dump.
I have already done, but No speccy tho. I will wait, so will get used. Thanks for sharing 😉😉, I had to use the 16gb on my 32gb, as it said it was too small.
Noe'ls Retro Lab had something on this. You have to use the POKE 23388,16 command to get them working. You may also be able to use an original 48k ROM from the USB, there are details in the manual on how to use other firmware.
Great video 😎 got mine sitting ready for Christmas and doing the usb preparation. Shame we can’t add the games to carousel with the cover image? Is this something they might add later? I don’t know if that was possible with the Amiga 500 mini? Or if we could have an cover image show in the usb menu?
I ordered 2 which came this morning. Not me being greedy, but my 75 year old Auntie wanted one too! Perhaps too many pre-orders were taken and they don't have to stock to send them all out, so they're waiting for another batch? Pain in the ass though no matter what, as you expect it on the day with pre-order.
Yeah, chap at work who ordered from Amazon also told me he got the same date range. Hopefully it's sooner for you rather than early Jan. I was just looking online at local Argos stores around me and some have stock you can collect the same day. Not sure if that's an option in your area if you don't want to wait?
I have a question, I don't if anyone in the comments can help. The manual and the back of the Spectrum says to use a 1amp power adapter but the update firmware page has a warning telling you to use a 2amp adapter, which is right? what are everyone else using?
Amazon has told me Monday, even though I ordered way back before the official announcement. I then found it was available to collect from Argos this morning, so Amazon has been cancelled, and I'm just back from Sainsbury's with it in my sweaty mits! 😂 (also technically cheaper at Argos, because I get Nectar points 😆)
I can't believe Amazon have screwed so many people. Mind you after some of the horror stories I've heard you actually didn't do too bad, although I appreciate it probably doesn't feel like it though. I would have been mad too in your situation
Wow that worked out well. This time yesterday I'd heard nothing from Smyths and I was deeply regretting not ordering from Amazon. I really dodged a bullet
@@YouveBeenGamedthanks to you I got one from Smyths, ordered from amazon, due by 8pm, then expected delivery Dec 4 - Jan 4, so cancelled and ordered click and collect, they had 7 left So happy I have it now
there was a folder limit on the A500 Mini but that was 250 games. I have to say I haven't heard of a limit this time around and so far I've only added a few games, but I would work with the 250 games per folder rule. Seems odd you've run into issues at 100. Were they all unzipped? Because none of my zipped files showed
@@YouveBeenGamed Ah yes, that was the problem. Just a headsup, if you use ZX Pokemaster it will scan a huge folder of roms, and export into alphabetical folders, and you can set each folder limit to 250... so basically I now have a USB stick full of literally thousands of games lol
I'm sorry, I know you are trying to help, but you don't need to do all that you did to create a key. It's not your fault, they made the page a little cryptic.. They say you are to format as fat32 and to be careful of modern systems that format exfat or ntfs. Basically when formatting, choose fat32 from the format dialog. For those not savvy, they provide disk images of fat32 partitions. They said go less than your capacity because the max capacity is 32gb. So why do they provide a 32gb image? I think what they meant was 32gb or lower (not less than). Balena etcher may be familiar with anyone that has put an os on a raspberry pi. It simply writes an image (in this case an empty fat32 partition) to an sd card or key. If your comfortable formatting, format fat32. If not download the image the size of your key and use balena to write the image to the key. Personally, I would format fat32 as if you select the wrong drive on balena you may be wiping something you don't want to (maybe even your operating system)
The spectrum files are that small why would you need anything bigger than 32GB was going to use a 64GB myself as thats all iv got atm but see if it works. Will let you know if it works.
Ive downloaded shed load of roms in both TZX and TAP format and they load and work fine..but they are not recognising my joypad (im using the a500 mini joypad which the system recognises and works with the pre loaded games no problem) how do i get it to work on my installed roms? I know kempston is the defaul but it doesnt work with sinclair or interface either
Got mine today, turned up with outer packaging badly bashed, main spectrum box badly bashed and the small spectrum box (that the actual spectrum is in) badly bashed with no film on the keyboard to peel off. Very disappointed, should I return it? What’s your thoughts guys pls.
@ I got it from Argos. I’ve just been in to our local store and because it was preordered in September they can’t give me a refund in store. They have to go through the home delivery department, they then pass my details on to the supplier, the supplier then organise for it to be picked up and a refund issued!
that's so frustrating. I would also say the retrun option, but then everywhere seems to be sold out now so your chances of getting a replacement seem low
Every time I try to download one of the img files (4, 8, or 16) I always get a message saying 'The disc image file is corrupted' when I try to open it once it's saved on my laptop. Has anyone else had this problem?
A better way is to forget balena and images.. Format the key and in the format dialog make sure fat32 is showing, not ntfs. The images are pretty formatted partitions..
I doubt you need to use the disk image if you know how to format the stick to fat32 (don’t have mine yet but I’ll be trying that first rather than waiting for etcher)
Quite possibly but I wanted to do it the way RGL was telling people to just in case it actually needed it as it was a guide. I do take your point though for sure
for the purposes of the guide I did it the way RGL said to do it just in case as I' sure many people will try and do it that way as it says to on the website
** Hi everyone I'm sorry for all of the unanswered comments. I was planning to take the weekend off to recharge after the countdown but I've been informed that RGL have pulled their firmware update as it has had 'compatibility issues' for a few people. I was planning to re-edit my 'guide' video but as RGL have taken the firmware update down from their website now I felt like it's fine for the time being. I will most likely do a refresher video on how to update firmware when a stable version has been released. I have altered the thumbnail to the video however. I'm not happy right now with RGL. It was pretty irresponsible of them to release this in a broken state, but I guess if we give them the benefit of the doubt then these things sometimes happen. I hope you're all doing ok and I promise I will get to comments soon. Apologies. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! **
I am a Commodore guy through and through.. but I do have memories of playing speccy games at friends houses back in the 80s. Your Videos have inspired me to buy one of these, although I had to drive an hour today to find somewhere that had one in stock! Currently playing football manger 2 :)
@@ritchwaghorn6541 that's so cool! Retro Games Ltd should put me on commission 😂
Haha, there was something so beautifully poetic when Ghosts n Goblins crashed! Good ol Spectrum, all these years later and it's still up to its old tricks! I love it 😀
@@PlattLineker2Pen 😂 apparently it's a known problem with that game. I might have a video up soon with a fix
Got mine delivered today but shall save it unboxed until Xmas day. Interesting to see if we can get USB games to appear on the carousel. Happy gaming.
Hope you enjoy it! I admire your willpower!
Exactly my thought.
Madman!!
I would check that at least it works first. i would hate to wait to christmas only to find it did not work.
Yeah there's plenty of vintage Speccy gear around here or the Next if i want to get some gaming in - To be fair, I'm giving the C64 some love at the mo but yeah it would suck royally if i opened it at Christmas and it didn't work ...however, i'm going to chance it :-)
I had an old 1GB stick knocking about in a draw from 15years ago. Works a treat!
@@MikeRooker that's great!
I am picking mine up tomorrow. First game I ever played on my Spectrum was FULL TROTTLE so I intend to play that one first on this new machine for old times sake.
ah that's cool. Full Throttle is a great game
It's amazing how triggering the sights and sounds of the proper loading screens are from the TZX roms. Instantly transported back to 14/15 years old, drinking a cup of tea, mind wandering on other things while watching the games load. Incredible nostalgia! 😍
@@spidericemidasiosmusicprod1309 I totally agree! I had the biggest grin on my face when it started loading. It was also unexpected which made it even cooler
Using Guiformat, I formatted a 64GB pendrive, 128GB pendrive and a 512Gb sd card and they all works fine with no problems.
@@joeegg124 that's very cool!
I just got mine yesterday and I am loving it!!!
@@ronald48 love it my friend!
Yesssss, I just got one smyths toy still have them in stock, got to go to harlow to pick one up, very happy 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nice!!
Hello got the Spectrum from Argos on launch day. Tried to do my stick but couldn't get get some things to work so I do another day. Love your videos BTW and enjoy your fun and enthusiasm. Seeing loading screens and many old and new classic games which spectrum gamers have made me aware of like scuba dive is so much fun to see. It's funny I have a spectrum +2 also and some games won't load now on cassette and I now rely on the div mmc I have to load games. Such a joy tho to see games I remember from back in the day I have played like Penetrator and the very brilliant Stsrquqke on here and Nodes of yesod which I have heard good things about amongst other games. Its great there's so much love for the Spectrum and many thanks look forward to more of your videos 😊
It's now sitting on my desk, still in stock in Smyths
@@derekcopsey6989 awesome!
Just picked one up from Smyths Castle Vale Birmingham. They had 9 left in stock at half 5. Crazy how people have pre ordered from Amazon and not got them... Ghost Goblins may need to be on a certain Spectrum model in game settings or like you say it was a bad snapshot/dump.
@@pbarratt73 apparently it's a known issue with that game. I think I've got a fix, just not tested it yet
I have already done, but No speccy tho. I will wait, so will get used. Thanks for sharing 😉😉, I had to use the 16gb on my 32gb, as it said it was too small.
I guess you're putting it to good use now!
@@YouveBeenGamed Oh yes, it's going to be a Lonnnnnggg night 😀😀
Regarding the Ultimate games you are trying to load, try changing the version eg 48k, 128k , +2 etc and see how it goes
thanks I will. Haven't tried one myself yet I just heard a whisper
This makes sense cause on the Spectrum Next and PC emulators have same fix. Some games just need the right machine 😊
Noe'ls Retro Lab had something on this. You have to use the POKE 23388,16 command to get them working. You may also be able to use an original 48k ROM from the USB, there are details in the manual on how to use other firmware.
Great video 😎 got mine sitting ready for Christmas and doing the usb preparation. Shame we can’t add the games to carousel with the cover image? Is this something they might add later? I don’t know if that was possible with the Amiga 500 mini? Or if we could have an cover image show in the usb menu?
There is a delay with amazon orders. I am now have a delivery date of December 4th - January 4th☹
I ordered 2 which came this morning. Not me being greedy, but my 75 year old Auntie wanted one too!
Perhaps too many pre-orders were taken and they don't have to stock to send them all out, so they're waiting for another batch?
Pain in the ass though no matter what, as you expect it on the day with pre-order.
Yeah, chap at work who ordered from Amazon also told me he got the same date range. Hopefully it's sooner for you rather than early Jan. I was just looking online at local Argos stores around me and some have stock you can collect the same day. Not sure if that's an option in your area if you don't want to wait?
My Amazon one came this morning, I didn’t realise there was a separate controller they’re selling to go with this.
@phoenix029 indeed, it's the joy pad fir the Amiga mini they did.
One with Speccy colours would be cool.
Pre ordered mine in August mine arrived from amazon at about 5:30pm today
They've just pulled the firmware update as it was causing issues
I have a question, I don't if anyone in the comments can help. The manual and the back of the Spectrum says to use a 1amp power adapter but the update firmware page has a warning telling you to use a 2amp adapter, which is right? what are everyone else using?
I pre-ordered mine on Amazon, but they're not delivering until tomorrow, the day after launch. I feel cheated.
Amazon has told me Monday, even though I ordered way back before the official announcement.
I then found it was available to collect from Argos this morning, so Amazon has been cancelled, and I'm just back from Sainsbury's with it in my sweaty mits! 😂 (also technically cheaper at Argos, because I get Nectar points 😆)
I can't believe Amazon have screwed so many people. Mind you after some of the horror stories I've heard you actually didn't do too bad, although I appreciate it probably doesn't feel like it though. I would have been mad too in your situation
Wow that worked out well. This time yesterday I'd heard nothing from Smyths and I was deeply regretting not ordering from Amazon. I really dodged a bullet
Ordered mine 15th Sep, got an email saying delay. No idea what sort of delay, days, weeks...
@@YouveBeenGamedthanks to you I got one from Smyths, ordered from amazon, due by 8pm, then expected delivery Dec 4 - Jan 4, so cancelled and ordered click and collect, they had 7 left
So happy I have it now
I read today that someone installed the Firmware update and it basically turned their Spectrum into a brick. Not good.
Yeah I just read a story about that on RGL's facebook. My heart sank
Was 1.00 firmware, now is 1.01, smyths has sold out, online orderiing, but do still have some in stores 😉 at this time of posting of course
Does anybody know if wireless controllers will work with this? Not Bluetooth obviously, but with a usb receiver dongle like 8 bit Do etc.
very helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
How many games are you able to access on your thumbstick? I downloaded the top 100 games and it doesn't show them all. is there a limit?
there was a folder limit on the A500 Mini but that was 250 games. I have to say I haven't heard of a limit this time around and so far I've only added a few games, but I would work with the 250 games per folder rule. Seems odd you've run into issues at 100. Were they all unzipped? Because none of my zipped files showed
@@YouveBeenGamed @BeKindMofos I can confirm there is a limit around 250 per folder.
@@YouveBeenGamed Ah yes, that was the problem. Just a headsup, if you use ZX Pokemaster it will scan a huge folder of roms, and export into alphabetical folders, and you can set each folder limit to 250... so basically I now have a USB stick full of literally thousands of games lol
I'm sorry, I know you are trying to help, but you don't need to do all that you did to create a key. It's not your fault, they made the page a little cryptic..
They say you are to format as fat32 and to be careful of modern systems that format exfat or ntfs. Basically when formatting, choose fat32 from the format dialog.
For those not savvy, they provide disk images of fat32 partitions. They said go less than your capacity because the max capacity is 32gb. So why do they provide a 32gb image? I think what they meant was 32gb or lower (not less than).
Balena etcher may be familiar with anyone that has put an os on a raspberry pi. It simply writes an image (in this case an empty fat32 partition) to an sd card or key.
If your comfortable formatting, format fat32. If not download the image the size of your key and use balena to write the image to the key.
Personally, I would format fat32 as if you select the wrong drive on balena you may be wiping something you don't want to (maybe even your operating system)
The spectrum files are that small why would you need anything bigger than 32GB was going to use a 64GB myself as thats all iv got atm but see if it works. Will let you know if it works.
I heard you are limited to 256 folders/files per directory.
Ive downloaded shed load of roms in both TZX and TAP format and they load and work fine..but they are not recognising my joypad (im using the a500 mini joypad which the system recognises and works with the pre loaded games no problem) how do i get it to work on my installed roms? I know kempston is the defaul but it doesnt work with sinclair or interface either
Got mine today, turned up with outer packaging badly bashed, main spectrum box badly bashed and the small spectrum box (that the actual spectrum is in) badly bashed with no film on the keyboard to peel off. Very disappointed, should I return it? What’s your thoughts guys pls.
I would ask for a replacement or your money back and get it from somewhere like argos.
@ I got it from Argos. I’ve just been in to our local store and because it was preordered in September they can’t give me a refund in store. They have to go through the home delivery department, they then pass my details on to the supplier, the supplier then organise for it to be picked up and a refund issued!
@@dangerclosemofo6306 blimey...sounds like a right faff on!
that's so frustrating. I would also say the retrun option, but then everywhere seems to be sold out now so your chances of getting a replacement seem low
agree
Every time I try to download one of the img files (4, 8, or 16) I always get a message saying 'The disc image file is corrupted' when I try to open it once it's saved on my laptop. Has anyone else had this problem?
A better way is to forget balena and images..
Format the key and in the format dialog make sure fat32 is showing, not ntfs.
The images are pretty formatted partitions..
I doubt you need to use the disk image if you know how to format the stick to fat32 (don’t have mine yet but I’ll be trying that first rather than waiting for etcher)
I've done that. Formatted to FAT32 and just dragged the games I own in to the root folder and they worked fine
@@lukemackenzie3396 I did that and it didn't work.
Quite possibly but I wanted to do it the way RGL was telling people to just in case it actually needed it as it was a guide. I do take your point though for sure
Really? That's interesting
glad it worked for you
Where do you get your games from?
Google will be your friend
Worldofspectrum
Got mine today. Need to order a power supply for it.
I use one I have for an iPad. Works wonders
Just a usb connection, so a simple usb plug will do the trick
@@pennysteam Specifically says to use a 5v/1A adaptor.
@@Rich_H_1972 im sure it said 5v/2amp ?.
@@davethorne3925 No, says 1A
Is it similar to the zx touch?.
Not really. They both play spectrum games, but the touch is primarily a handheld device.
Yeah completely different really
agreed
First thing I did. Turned off that damn menu tune. It gets old. Quick.
Just choose a usb stick 32GB or smaller and format it FAT32 only. Then copy your Spectrum files to it. Simple!
Done that. Doesn't work.
did you try the way I did it?
for the purposes of the guide I did it the way RGL said to do it just in case as I' sure many people will try and do it that way as it says to on the website
FAT32 only, worked for me.
I just bought 10x 2GB USB sticks from Amazon for £17. No dicking about lol