Editing ZX Spectrum (section)

== Legacy ==
{{Quote box
|quote = "You cannot exaggerate Sir [[Clive Sinclair]]’s influence on the world [...] All your UK video game companies today were built on the shoulders of giants who made games for the ZX Spectrum."|source = — Television presenter [[Dominik Diamond]] on Sinclair's death in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Video games industry mourns death of ZX Spectrum creator Sir Clive Sinclair |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/16/games-industry-mourns-death-of-zx-spectrum-creator-sir-clive-sinclair-15271911/ |website=The Metro |publisher=Associated Newspapers Limited |access-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605094352/https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/16/games-industry-mourns-death-of-zx-spectrum-creator-sir-clive-sinclair-15271911/ |archive-date=5 June 2022 |location=London |language=en |date=16 September 2021}}</ref>|width = 30em}}

The importance of the ZX Spectrum and its role in the early [[History of personal computers|history of personal computing]] and [[history of video gaming|video gaming]] has left it regarded as the most important and influential computer of the 1980s.{{sfn|Leigh|2018|p=69}}<ref name=bbclegacy/><ref name="tech40">{{cite web |last1=Casserly |first1=Martyn |title=ZX Spectrum: 40 Years of the Punk Rock PC |url=https://www.techadvisor.com/article/746263/zx-spectrum-at-40-why-its-the-most-important-computer-in-history.html |website=[[Tech Advisor]] |publisher=[[IDG Entertainment]] |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130170959/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/746263/zx-spectrum-at-40-why-its-the-most-important-computer-in-history.html |archive-date=30 January 2023 |language=en |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> Some observers credit it as being responsible for launching the British information technology industry during [[early 1980s recession|a period of recession]],<ref name="reg25">{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Chris |url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/04/23/spectrum_zx_25/ |title=Sinclair ZX Spectrum: 25 today |website=The Register|location=London |access-date=14 September 2008 |date=23 April 2007 |publisher=Situation Publishing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174459/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/23/spectrum_zx_25/ |archive-date=18 July 2018 }}</ref> while introducing home computing to the masses.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jowitt |first1=Tom |title=Tales In Tech History: ZX Spectrum |url=https://www.silicon.co.uk/workspace/pc/tales-tech-history-zx-spectrum-207004 |website=Silicon UK |publisher=NetMedia International |access-date=20 May 2024 |location=London |date=10 March 2017}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, it is also one of the best-selling British computers of all time, with over five million units sold by the end of the Spectrum's lifespan in 1992.<ref name="backlash" /><ref name="slice" /> It retained the title of Britain's top-selling computer until the [[Amstrad PCW]] surpassed it in the 1990s, with eight million units sold by the end of the PCW's lifespan in 1998.<ref name="typewriter" /><ref name="slice" /> The ZX Spectrum is affectionately known as the "Speccy" by elements of its fan following.<ref name="ys-70">{{Cite journal |date= October 1991 |title= The YS Top 100 Speccy Games Of All Time (Ever!) |journal= [[Your Sinclair]] |issue= 70 |page= 31 |url= http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100.htm |access-date= 13 June 2007 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060816053829/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/ystop100.htm |archive-date= 16 August 2006 }}</ref>

The ZX Spectrum was popular in communist [[Czechoslovakia]], with an estimated 100,000 in the country by 1988 making it the most popular home computer of the time. This was despite only briefly being officially distributed, and never advertised. Its small size made it easier to smuggle into the country to avoid high customs fees.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Švelch |first=Jaroslav |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XWB9DwAAQBAJ |title=Gaming the Iron Curtain: how teenagers and amateurs in Communist Czechoslovakia claimed the medium of computer games |date=2018 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-03884-3 |series=Game Histories |location=Cambridge, Massachusetts |pages=47–49}}</ref>

A number of notable games developers began their careers on the ZX Spectrum. [[Tim and Chris Stamper]] founded [[Ultimate Play the Game]] in 1982,{{sfn|Hunt|2010|p=24}} who found success with their blockbuster hits ''[[Jetpac]]'' (1983), ''[[Atic Atac]]'' (1983), ''[[Sabre Wulf]]'' (1984), and ''[[Knight Lore]]'' (1984).{{sfn|Hunt|2010|pp=24–31}} The Stamper brothers later founded [[Rare (company)|Rare]], which became [[Nintendo]]'s first Western third-party developer.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=McLaughlin |first1=Rus |title=IGN Presents the History of Rare |website=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|location=Chicago|date=28 July 2008 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/28/ign-presents-the-history-of-rare |access-date=30 May 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810005739/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/07/28/ign-presents-the-history-of-rare |archive-date=10 August 2016 }}</ref> [[David Perry (game developer)|David Perry]], the founder of [[Shiny Entertainment]], moved from Northern Ireland to England to focus on developing games for the ZX Spectrum.<ref>{{cite web |title=David Perry of Shiny |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/dperry |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=25 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523024139/https://www.eurogamer.net/dperry |archive-date=23 May 2022 |location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] |language=en |date=20 October 1999}}</ref>

Some programmers have continued to code for the platform by using emulators.<ref name="Kelion">{{Cite news |last=Kelion |first=Leo |date=23 April 2012 |title=Sinclair's ZX Spectrum turns 30 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17776666 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629131805/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17776666 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |access-date=15 July 2019 |work=BBC News}}</ref> A [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew]] community continues into the present day, with several games being released commercially from new software houses such as [[Cronosoft]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About us - What we do |url=https://cronosoft.fwscart.com/storepage5357726.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920062525/https://cronosoft.fwscart.com/storepage5357726.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |publisher=[[Cronosoft]]}}</ref> In 2020, a museum dedicated to the ZX Spectrum and other Sinclair products opened in [[Cantanhede, Portugal|Cantanhede]], Portugal.<ref name="loadzx">{{Cite web |title=LOAD ZX Spectrum |url=https://www.loadzx.com/en/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022065054/https://loadzx.com/en/ |archive-date=22 October 2020 |access-date=19 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Recreations ===
In 2013, an [[FPGA]]-based [[List_of_ZX_Spectrum_clones#PLD-based_clones|clone]] known as the [[ZX-Uno|ZX Uno]], was formally announced. All of its hardware, firmware and software are [[open source]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=By|date=13 January 2017|title=Retro ZX Spectrum Lives A Spartan Existence|url=https://hackaday.com/2017/01/12/retro-zx-spectrum-lives-a-spartan-existence/|access-date=30 July 2020|website=Hackaday|language=en-US|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725020214/https://hackaday.com/2017/01/12/retro-zx-spectrum-lives-a-spartan-existence/|url-status=live}}</ref> released as [[Creative Commons licence]] Share-alike. The use of a [[Spartan (FPGA)|Spartan]] FPGA allows the system to not only re-implement the ZX Spectrum, but many other 8-bit computers and games consoles.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Back this Crowdfunding "ZX-UNO" in Verkami|url=https://www.verkami.com/projects/14074-zx-uno|access-date=30 July 2020|website=www.verkami.com|language=en|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905095017/https://www.verkami.com/projects/14074-zx-uno|url-status=live}}</ref> The Uno was successfully [[crowdfunding|crowdfunded]] in 2016 and the first boards went on sale the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml|title=ZX-Uno|access-date=20 February 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105191835/http://zxuno.speccy.org/index_e.shtml|archive-date=5 January 2018}}</ref>

In January 2014, [[Elite Systems]], who produced a successful range of software for the original ZX Spectrum in the 1980s, announced plans for a Spectrum-themed [[bluetooth]] keyboard that would attach to mobile devices.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/29/sinclairs_zx_spectrum_to_live_again/|title=Sinclair's ZX Spectrum to LIVE AGAIN!|first=Simon|last=Sharwood|work=The Register|date=29 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131073309/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/29/sinclairs_zx_spectrum_to_live_again/|archive-date=31 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/zx-spectrum-is-coming-back-as-a-bluetooth-keyboard-1211655|title=ZX Spectrum is coming back as a Bluetooth keyboard|first=Alex|last=Hamilton|work=TechRadar|date=2 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204231450/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/zx-spectrum-is-coming-back-as-a-bluetooth-keyboard-1211655|archive-date=4 February 2014}}</ref> The company used a crowdfunding campaign to fund the ''Recreated ZX Spectrum'', which would be compatible with games the company had already released on [[iTunes]] and [[Google Play]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10546696/ZX-Spectrum-to-be-resurrected-as-Bluetooth-keyboard.html|title=ZX Spectrum to be resurrected as Bluetooth keyboard|first=Sophie|last=Curtis|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=2 January 2014|access-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106031043/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/10546696/ZX-Spectrum-to-be-resurrected-as-Bluetooth-keyboard.html|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref> Elite Systems took down its Spectrum Collection application the following month, due to complaints from authors of the original software that they had not been paid for the content.<ref>{{cite news |author=Alex Hern |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2014/feb/13/zx-spectrum-kickstarter-over-unpaid-developer-bills |title=ZX Spectrum Kickstarter project stalls over unpaid developer bills |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627035003/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2014/feb/13/zx-spectrum-kickstarter-over-unpaid-developer-bills |archive-date=27 June 2015 }}</ref> ''[[Wired UK]]'' described the finished device, which was styled as an original Spectrum 48k keyboard, as "absolutely gorgeous" but said it was ultimately more of an expensive novelty than an actual Spectrum.<ref name="Rundle">{{Cite magazine|last=Rundle|first=Michael|date=1 October 2015|title=Which of the 'retro' Spectrum remakes is worth your £100?|language=en-GB|magazine=[[Wired UK]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|location=New York City|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/recreated-spectrum-zx-vega-review|access-date=30 July 2020|issn=1357-0978|archive-date=4 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904141917/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/recreated-spectrum-zx-vega-review|url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2019, ''[[Eurogamer]]'' reported that many of the orders had yet to be delivered due to a dispute between Elite Systems and their manufacturer, Eurotech.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=8 July 2016|title=When Kickstarters go bad: chasing down the Recreated ZX Spectrum|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-07-08-when-kickstarters-go-bad-chasing-down-the-recreated-zx-spectrum|access-date=30 July 2020|website=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]|language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011181505/https://www.eurogamer.net/when-kickstarters-go-bad-chasing-down-the-recreated-zx-spectrum|archivedate=11 October 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega.png|thumb|The ZX Spectrum Vega TV Game Console, made by Retro Computers]]

Later in 2014, the [[ZX Spectrum Vega]] retro video game console was announced by Retro Computers and crowdfunded on [[Indiegogo]] with the backing of Clive Sinclair.<ref name=guardian20121202>{{cite news |author=Samuel Gibbs |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/02/zx-spectrum-vega-games-console |title=ZX Spectrum gets new lease of life as Vega games console |date=2 December 2014|newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=26 June 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625225821/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/02/zx-spectrum-vega-games-console |archive-date=25 June 2015 }}</ref> The Vega, released in 2015, took the form of a [[handheld TV game]]<ref name=guardian20121202/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10547681/8-reasons-you-should-be-excited-about-the-return-of-the-ZX-Spectrum.html|title=8 reasons you should be excited about the return of the ZX Spectrum|author=Theo Merz|date=3 January 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323011350/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10547681/8-reasons-you-should-be-excited-about-the-return-of-the-ZX-Spectrum.html|archive-date=23 March 2016|url-status=live|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> but the lack of a full keyboard<ref name=syntax>{{cite news|last=Kelion|first=Leo|date=2 December 2014|title=Syntax era: Sir Clive Sinclair's ZX Spectrum revolution|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30333671|url-status=live|access-date=8 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207122843/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30333671|archive-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> led to criticism from reviewers due to the large number of text adventures supplied with the device.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McFerran|first=Damien|title=ZX Spectrum Vega Review|url=https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/zx-spectrum-vega|access-date=30 July 2020|website=Trusted Reviews|date=16 September 2015|language=en|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905014409/https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/zx-spectrum-vega|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sinclair Vega|url=http://www.thespectrumshow.co.uk/Feature12.aspx|access-date=30 July 2020|website=www.thespectrumshow.co.uk|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812162113/http://www.thespectrumshow.co.uk/Feature12.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> Most reviewers branded the device cheap and uncomfortable to use.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ZX Spectrum Vega vs Recreated ZX Spectrum|url=https://www.stuff.tv/features/zx-spectrum-vega-vs-recreated-zx-spectrum/zx-spectrum-vega-ps100-pp|access-date=30 July 2020|website=Stuff|language=en|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803180757/https://www.stuff.tv/features/zx-spectrum-vega-vs-recreated-zx-spectrum/zx-spectrum-vega-ps100-pp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Rundle"/> The follow-up, the [[ZX Spectrum Vega+]] was designed as a [[handheld game console]]. Despite reaching its crowdfunding target in March 2016,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Merriman|first1=Chris|title=ZX Spectrum Vega+ raises three times its Indiegogo target in three weeks|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2450038/zx-spectrum-vega-raises-three-times-its-indigogo-target-in-three-weeks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309104916/http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2450038/zx-spectrum-vega-raises-three-times-its-indigogo-target-in-three-weeks|url-status=unfit|archive-date=9 March 2016|access-date=25 August 2016|website=The Inquirer|publisher=Incisive Business Media Limited}}</ref> the company failed to fulfil the majority of orders. Reviewing the Vega+, ''[[The Register]]'' criticised numerous aspects and features of the machine, including its design and build quality and summed up by saying that the "entire feel is plasticky and inconsequential".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2018/08/09/zx_spectrum_vega_plus_hands_on_review/|title=ZX Spectrum Vega+ blows a FUSE: It runs open-source emulator|last1=Corfield|first1=Gareth|website=The Register|date=9 August 2018|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=22 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622013509/https://www.theregister.com/2018/08/09/zx_spectrum_vega_plus_hands_on_review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Retro Computers Ltd was placed into liquidation in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Corfield|first1=Gareth|title=Is this a wind-up?|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/02/05/retro_computers_ltd_wound_up_private_planet/|access-date=5 February 2019|website=The Register|publisher=Situation Publishing|date=5 February 2019|archive-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205212610/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/02/05/retro_computers_ltd_wound_up_private_planet/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[ZX Spectrum Next]] is an expanded and updated version of the ZX Spectrum computer implemented with FPGA technology<ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.specnext.com/about/ |website=Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next |date=29 April 2017 |access-date=13 February 2020 |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105135454/https://www.specnext.com/about/ |url-status=live }}</ref> funded by a [[Kickstarter]] campaign in April 2017,<ref>{{cite news|date=24 April 2017|title=Celebrate the Sinclair ZX Spectrum's 35th anniversary with… yet another retro console|newspaper=Metro (UK)|url=https://metro.co.uk/2017/04/24/celebrate-the-sinclair-zx-spectrums-35th-anniversary-with-yet-another-retro-console-6594446/|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=6 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006190020/https://metro.co.uk/2017/04/24/celebrate-the-sinclair-zx-spectrums-35th-anniversary-with-yet-another-retro-console-6594446/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> with the board-only computer delivered to backers later that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.specnext.com/instructions-for-the-2a-next-board/|title=Quick Start Guide / Instructions for the 2A/B Next boards|website=ZX Spectrum Next|date=3 December 2017 |access-date=15 May 2024|archive-date=29 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329112652/https://www.specnext.com/instructions-for-the-2a-next-board/|url-status=live}}</ref> The finished machine, including a case designed by [[Rick Dickinson]] who died during the development of the project,<ref>{{Citation|last=Rick Dickinson|title=specnext1.1157|date=28 September 2017|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/9574086@N02/37361836341/|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=24 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124074656/https://www.flickr.com/photos/9574086@N02/37361836341/|url-status=live}}</ref> was released to backers in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=First ZX Spectrum Next delivered |url=https://www.specnext.com/first-zx-spectrum-next-delivered/ |website=Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next |date=6 February 2020 |access-date=13 February 2020 |archive-date=30 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530115336/https://www.specnext.com/first-zx-spectrum-next-delivered/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''MagPi'' called it "a lovely piece of kit", noting that it is "well-designed and well-built: authentic to the original, and with technology that nods to the past while remaining functional and relevant in the modern age".<ref>{{cite news|last=Hattersley|first=Lucy|date=April 2020|title=ZX Spectrum Next Accelerated review|newspaper=MagPi Magazine|url=https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/zx-spectrum-next-accelerated-review|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725062422/https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/articles/zx-spectrum-next-accelerated-review|url-status=live}}</ref> PC Pro magazine called the Next "undeniably impressive" while noting that some features are "not quite ready".<ref>{{cite news|last=Halfacree|first=Gareth|date=June 2020|title=ZX Spectrum Next|newspaper=PC Pro Magazine (UK)}}</ref> A further Kickstarter for an improved revision of the hardware was funded in August 2020.<ref name="bbc-news-2020-08-13">{{cite news |title=ZX Spectrum Next Issue 2 blasts through Kickstarter goal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53765852 |access-date=23 July 2021 |work=BBC News |date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=23 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723092838/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53765852 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[ZX Touch]] is a handheld gaming console, released by Elmar Electronic in November 2023, that uses [[Bare machine|bare-metal]] emulation to play ZX Spectrum games. It features a 7-inch touchscreen, built-in games, and microSD support for loading additional games.<ref>{{cite web |title=ZX Touch – ZX Spectrum handheld console |url=https://zx-touch.com/ |website=ZX Touch |access-date=12 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2024, Retro Games announced that they would be releasing a recreation of the ZX Spectrum titled "The Spectrum" which would include 48 built-in games, a save game option, rewind mode and pre-owned titles load up. It was released on 22 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Games |first=Chris Smith, Retro |date=2024-01-11 |title=The Spectrum |url=https://retrogames.biz/products/thespectrum/ |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=retrogames.biz |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Matt Wales News |date=2024-08-27 |title=ZX Spectrum recreation coming this November from team behind Atari 400 Mini, rubber keys and all |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/zx-spectrum-recreation-coming-from-team-behind-atari-400-mini-rubber-keys-and-all |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}</ref>

=== In popular culture ===
A running gag in ''[[Scott Pilgrim vs. the World]]'' features character [[Julie Powers]] being censored with the sound effects of the ZX Spectrum. The director of the film, [[Edgar Wright]], who was a big fan of the Spectrum, stated that he always used to wait for Spectrum games to load when he was a teenager.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Spitznagel |first=Eric |date=2010-08-12 |title=Scott Pilgrim Director Edgar Wright Sees No Difference Between Video Games and Heroin |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2010/08/scott-pilgrim-director-edgar-wright-sees-no-difference-between-video-games-and-heroin |access-date=2024-09-01 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref> 

On 23 April 2012, a [[Google doodle]] honoured the 30th anniversary of the Spectrum. As it coincided with [[St George's Day]], the Google logo was of [[Saint George and the Dragon|St George fighting a dragon]] in the style of a Spectrum loading screen.<ref name="St. George's Day">{{cite web|title=St. George's Day / The 30th Anniversary of the ZX Spectrum|url=https://doodles.google/doodle/st-georges-day-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-zx-spectrum/|access-date=8 May 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507223012/http://www.google.com/doodles/st-georges-day-the-30th-anniversary-of-the-zx-spectrum|archive-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> 

One of the alternate endings in the [[interactive film]] ''[[Black Mirror: Bandersnatch]]'' (2018) included the main character playing data tape audio that, when loaded into a ZX Spectrum software emulator, generates a [[QR code]] leading to a website with a playable version of the "Nohzdyve" game featured in the film.<ref name="Bandersnatch">{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/bandersnatchs-stockpile-of-black-mirror-easter-eggs-inc-1831365758|title=Bandersnatch's stockpile of Black Mirror easter eggs includes a playable video game take on an old episode|last=Hughes|first=William|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=28 December 2018 |publisher=[[G/O Media]]|location=New York City|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011181122/https://www.avclub.com/bandersnatchs-stockpile-of-black-mirror-easter-eggs-inc-1831365758|archive-date=11 October 2023|url-status=live|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>