Spectaculator
ZX Spectrum Emulator
£2.99 · In-App Purchases · Designed for iPad. Not verified for macOS.
Now over 150 licensed ZX Spectrum games available!
In April 1982, Sir Clive Sinclair launched what was to become one of the most popular home computers ever made - the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Spectaculator takes you back to the 1980s - to the golden era of 8-bit gaming!
Play the following 22 officially licensed classic ZX Spectrum games:
- 3D Starstrike by Realtime Games Software
- Auf Wiedersehen Monty by Gremlin Graphics
- Avenger by Gremlin Graphics
- Bounder by Gremlin Graphics
- Cyclone by Vortex Software
- Dark Star by Design Design
- Dynamite Dan by Rod Bowkett/Mirrorsoft
- Forbidden Planet by Design Design
- Halls of the Things by Design Design
- Highway Encounter by Vortex Software
- Jack The Nipper by Gremlin Graphics
- Krackout by Gremlin Graphics
- Jekyll & Hyde by Zenobi Software
- Metabolis by Gremlin Graphics
- Monty On The Run by Gremlin Graphics
- On The Run by Design Design
- Revolution by Vortex Software
- Tau Ceti by Pete Cooke/CRL
- The Way Of The Tiger by Gremlin Graphics
- Albatrossity by Jonathan Cauldwell
- Battery's Not Precluded by Jonathan Cauldwell
- The Fantastic Mister Fruity by Jonathan Cauldwell
... with more available from the in-app shop.
Spectaculator gives you the most authentic ZX Spectrum experience available on your iPhone, iPod and iPad, and comes with lots of additional features:
• Universal App - runs on iPhone, iPod and iPad.
• Supports iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5th generation screen.
• Play in portrait or landscape orientations
• Save your game progress (four saved game slots + one iCloud saved game slot per game).
• Save your progress to iCloud from one device (e.g. iPod) and load to continue playing on another (e.g. iPad).
• Enter pokes (cheats) for infinite lives, shields etc.
• Lookup game hints, tips and maps
• Play in black and white with TV screen simulation for the ultimate 1980s experience!
• Battle to the top of the (Game Center) leaderboards!
• Type on a virtual ZX Spectrum keyboard
• Use an external Bluetooth keyboard for playing adventure games
• Choose authentic cassette loading or fast play
• Program in Sinclair BASIC
• Enjoy high resolution graphics on Retina screens
• Play using an external arcade controller (iCade or iControlPad)
Additional Game Packs
-------------------
The following games packs are available from the in-app shop:
Design Design Games Pack
- 5 Games. Includes Halls of the Things, Dark Star, Forbidden Planet
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 1
- 6 games. Includes Wanted! Monty Mole, Skate Crazy, Thing Bounces Back
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 2
- 6 games. Includes Jack The Nipper II: In Coconut Capers, North Star, Grumpy Gumphrey, Supersleuth
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 3
- 6 games. Includes Switchblade, Trailblazer, Super Scramble Simulator, Percy The Potty Pigeon
Odin Computer Graphics Anthology
- 9 games. Includes Nodes Of Yesod, Robin Of The Wood, Heartland
Realtime Games Pack
- Starstrike II
- 3D Tank Duel
Stephen Crow Anthology (Free!)
©1983-2013 Stephen Crow. All rights reserved.
- 5 games. Includes Firelord, Starquake, Wizard's Lair
Vortex Anthology
- 6 games. Includes Alien Highway, Deflektor, T.L.L. (Tornado Low Level)
Zenobi Adventure Pack Vol. 1
- 6 games. Includes Aura-Scope, The Gods of War, Leopold The Minstrel
Zenobi Adventure Pack Vol. 2
- 6 games. Includes The Khangrin Plans, The Krazy Kartoonist Kaper, A Murder Mystery Weekend
Zenobi Adventures Vol. 3
- 5 games. Includes The Apprentice, The Bardic Rite, Jester Quest, Knight Life, Mutiny!
The following single games are available from the in-app shop:
- Carrier Command
- Dynamite Dan II
- Frank N. Stein
- Laser Squad
- Lords Of Chaos
- The Lords Of Midnight
- Doomdark's Revenge
- Everyone's a Wally
- KWAH!
- Redhawk
- Skool Daze
more I’ve been using speculator for quite a few years now on an off and I think it is possibly the very best spectrum emulator available, being an 80s teenager it’s a been a dream come true, with first the windows versions and now iPad &iphone. Great all around.But one thing I miss on the iPad version is being able to load original tape versions of games. Especially ones that aren’t available to download such as Knightlore and other “ultimate play the game” games. And I’ve noticed lately that this facility doesn’t work so well on the pc versions of speculator ether, which is a bit disappointing as it definitely used to. But otherwise fantastic stuff. Really like some of the newer games being created. Cool.
I’ve been using speculator for quite a few years now on an off and I think it is possibly the very best spectrum emulator available, being an 80s teenager it’s a been a dream come true, with first the windows versions and now iPad &iphone. Great all around.But one thing I miss on the iPad version is being able to load original tape versions of games. Especially ones that aren’t available to download such as Knightlore and other “ultimate play the game” games. And I’ve noticed lately that this facility doesn’t work so well on the pc versions of speculator ether, which is a bit disappointing as it definitely used to. But otherwise fantastic stuff. Really like some of the newer games being created. Cool.
Back in the 90s I would never have thought one day I'd have my whole Spectrum game collection playable on a portable device in my pocket, but that's what Spectaculator can do.In the app itself it's not too clear how to import games, but you just need to plug your phone into your Mac, find the Spectaculator folder in Finder and drag files into here. Then pull down on the app's games list to refresh it. Or presumably some equivalent file copying procedure if you have a PC.
Back in the 90s I would never have thought one day I'd have my whole Spectrum game collection playable on a portable device in my pocket, but that's what Spectaculator can do.In the app itself it's not too clear how to import games, but you just need to plug your phone into your Mac, find the Spectaculator folder in Finder and drag files into here. Then pull down on the app's games list to refresh it. Or presumably some equivalent file copying procedure if you have a PC.
The main failing of this app. for me, is the lack of storage space for programs one might type in. Ok I know it’s really for playing Spectrum games but from an educational POV it would have been nice to be able to type in old BASIC programs, many of which are still available and still do a good job of introducing the novice to programming concepts, despite being a very out of date language. Life is not all about playing games but I guess they were thinking of the commercial side when designing this app. They knew many people would be more interested in playing games than programming. It’s a pity because it would have kept Spectrum BASIC alive and shown there is more to life than playing games.
The main failing of this app. for me, is the lack of storage space for programs one might type in. Ok I know it’s really for playing Spectrum games but from an educational POV it would have been nice to be able to type in old BASIC programs, many of which are still available and still do a good job of introducing the novice to programming concepts, despite being a very out of date language. Life is not all about playing games but I guess they were thinking of the commercial side when designing this app. They knew many people would be more interested in playing games than programming. It’s a pity because it would have kept Spectrum BASIC alive and shown there is more to life than playing games.
Any potential enjoyment you may gain revisiting the retro games included with this emulator is destroyed by the terrible controls. You are forced to use on screen buttons akin to a mini tracker pad and fire button. The tracker pad is almost impossible to control with any accuracy which immediately negates the gameplay. I’ve played other 48k spectrum games online via iPad using a Bluetooth keyboard with no issue so cannot understand why the app hasn’t been updated to accommodate for this option. Extra star given for the 128k BASIC programming option which isn’t perfect but does allow for programs to be inputted and run. Some introductory Sinclair BASIC instructions re keyboard setup/ shortcuts/etc would be useful for the uninitiated. Time for an iOS update, especially as this is not freeware. Could do better.
Any potential enjoyment you may gain revisiting the retro games included with this emulator is destroyed by the terrible controls. You are forced to use on screen buttons akin to a mini tracker pad and fire button. The tracker pad is almost impossible to control with any accuracy which immediately negates the gameplay. I’ve played other 48k spectrum games online via iPad using a Bluetooth keyboard with no issue so cannot understand why the app hasn’t been updated to accommodate for this option. Extra star given for the 128k BASIC programming option which isn’t perfect but does allow for programs to be inputted and run. Some introductory Sinclair BASIC instructions re keyboard setup/ shortcuts/etc would be useful for the uninitiated. Time for an iOS update, especially as this is not freeware. Could do better.
- Add your own games (.tap/.tzx/.z80/.szx/.dsk)
- Physical keyboard support (iOS 13.4+ only)
- Various bug fixes
8.0 01/08/2024
• Refreshed for the latest versions of iOS.
• Fixed iCloud Saves
• Stomped various bugs.
7.11 28/06/2024
• Refreshed for the latest versions of iOS.
• Fixed iCloud Saves
• Stomped various bugs.
• *** STAY TUNED *** Major update incoming in the next few weeks!
7.1 24/06/2024
This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
Now over 150 licensed ZX Spectrum games available!
• Updated for iOS 9
• Added an additional 20 licensed games:
- Splat! (1987)
- Strike Force Cobra (1986)
- Julian Gollop Anthology:
• Chaos
• Laser Squad
• Lords Of Chaos
• Rebelstar
• Rebelstar 2
• Rebelstar Raiders
- Cronosoft: Bob Smith Anthology:
• Farmer Jack - Treasure Trove
• Farmer Jack and the Hedge Monkeys
• Farmer Jack in Harvest Havoc
• splATTR
• Stranded 2.5
• W*H*B
- Cronosoft: Jonathan Cauldwell Anthology:
• Egghead 4: Egghead Entertains
• Egghead 5: Egghead Round the Med
• Gamex: The Games Exchange
• Loco Bingo
• Quantum Gardening
• Slubberdegullion
Miscellaneous bug fixes.
7.0 15/10/2015
• iOS Game Controller support
• Added an additional 24 licensed games:
- Wheelie
- Rex
- Magic Knight Anthology
• Finders Keepers
• Spellbound
• Knight Tyme
• Stormbringer
- Alternative Software Pack 1
• Skool Daze
• Dead Or Alive
• River Rescue
• Eliminator
• Gun Boat
• Hideous
- Alternative Software Pack 2
• Back to Skool
• Confusion
• Turbo Bike
• Revolver
• Slug
• Combat Zone
- Alternative Software Pack 3
• Pheenix
• Punch and Judy
• The Big Sleaze
• Excalibur
• Hysteria
• Mad Flunky
6.1.0 26/03/2015
Refreshed for iOS 7.
Added more licensed games:
- Bear Bovver
- Doomdark's Revenge
- Everyone's a Wally
- KWAH!
- Redhawk
- Skool Daze
6.0.0 14/09/2014
Added the following single games to the in-app shop:
- Laser Squad (free!)
- Lords Of Chaos (free!)
- The Lords Of Midnight
Added a new game pack to the in-app:
Odin Computer Graphics Anthology:
- The Arc Of Yesod (both 48K and 128K versions)
- Crosswize
- Heartland
- Hypaball
- I.C.U.P.S.
- Nodes Of Yesod (both 48K and 128K versions)
- The Plot
- Robin Of The Wood (both 48K and 128K versions)
- Sidewize
5.3.0 12/12/2013
Minor bug fixes for iOS 7.
Added leaderboards for:
• Factory Breakout
• Firelord
• Laser Snaker
5.2.2 07/10/2013
Minor update to 5.2 that re-enables iCloud saved game slots.
What's new in 5.2
Greetings Specchums! This updates adds more classic ZX Spectrum games from Stephen Crow, winner of the 1985 Computer and Video Games Programmer of the Year award.
For adventure gurus, another pack of Zenobi adventures has been added.
[NEW!] Stephen Crow Anthology
©1983-2013 Stephen Crow. All rights reserved.
- Factory Breakout (1984)
- Firelord (1986)
- Laser Snaker (1983)
- Starquake (1985)
- Wizard's Lair (1985)
[NEW!] Zenobi Adventures Vol. 3
- The Apprentice
- The Bardic Rite
- Jester Quest
- Knight Life
- Mutiny!
Other changes:
• Rearranged landscape controls to make better use of the iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5th gen's wider screen.
5.2.1 25/07/2013
Greetings Specchums! This updates adds more classic ZX Spectrum games from Stephen Crow, winner of the 1985 Computer and Video Games Programmer of the Year award.
For adventure gurus, another pack of Zenobi adventures has been added.
[NEW!] Stephen Crow Anthology
©1983-2013 Stephen Crow. All rights reserved.
- Factory Breakout (1984)
- Firelord (1986)
- Laser Snaker (1983)
- Starquake (1985)
- Wizard's Lair (1985)
[NEW!] Zenobi Adventures Vol. 3
- The Apprentice
- The Bardic Rite
- Jester Quest
- Knight Life
- Mutiny!
Other changes:
• Rearranged landscape controls to make better use of the iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5th gen's wider screen.
5.2.0 06/07/2013
Greetings Specchums! This updates adds more classic ZX Spectrum games from Vortex Software. Additionally you can now save your game progress to iCloud.
Three additional games have been added to Spectaculator itself (free to existing users):
- Cyclone
- Highway Encounter
- Revolution
A further game pack from Vortex (six games) has been added to the in-app shop:
Vortex Anthology:
- Alien Highway
- Android One
- Android Two
- Deflektor
- H.A.T.E.
- T.L.L. (Tornado Low Level)
Other changes:
• iCloud saved game slots. You can now save your game progress to iCloud on one device (e.g. iPhone) and reload on another device (e.g. iPad) to continue playing.
• Fixed a layout issue with the in-app shop in some countries (thanks Arjun!)
• Thumbpad now displays as a digital joystick or analogue joystick depending on the game.
5.1.0 20/06/2013
Greetings Specchums! This is probably the biggest update yet. An additional 26 games have been added, courtesy of Sheffield's finest - Gremlin Graphics.
Eight additional games have been added to Spectaculator itself (free to existing users):
- Auf Wiedersehen Monty
- Avenger
- Bounder
- Jack The Nipper
- Krackout
- Metabolis
- Monty On The Run
- The Way Of The Tiger
A further three game packs (six games each) have been added to the in-app shop:
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 1:
- Wanted! Monty Mole
- Skate Crazy
- Thing Bounces Back
- Dark Fusion
- Future Knight
- Moley Christmas
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 2:
- Jack The Nipper II: In Coconut Capers
- North Star
- Grumpy Gumphrey, Supersleuth
- Alien Evolution
- The Final Matrix
- Impossamole
Gremlin Graphics Vol. 3:
- Switchblade
- Trailblazer
- Super Scramble Simulator
- Percy The Potty Pigeon
- Monty Is Innocent
- Super Cars
Other changes:
• Added support for ZX Spectrum +3 disk-based games (Super Scramble Simulator, Super Cars & Impossamole).
• Now supports iPhone 5 and iPod touch 5th generation screen.
• Added 'Mimic TV Screen' option to simulate a 1980s TV screen.*
• Added 'Black & White TV' option.*
• The ZX Spectrum screen is now much sharper on Retina-equipped devices.
• Added leaderboards for Monty On The Run, Krakout & Bounder.
• All games now have higher resolution cassette box artwork.
• Fixed a few typos in the help.
[*] The irony of this is not lost on the developer who himself aspired to a better picture in 1984 than the one on his crusty old 14" B&W portable TV.
5.0.0 23/04/2013
Greetings Specchums!
This update revises the controls for all the included games and the ones available as in-app purchases.
The correct controls are now automatically selected and locked for each game. For most of them, just press the Red button to start.
Other changes:
• Carrier Command. Up/down in direct control mode now works like other Realtime games (Starstrike/Starstrike II) where up is up and down is down (and not the other way around!)
• Forbidden Planet. Map/codes screens can now be toggled with the yellow button or a single swipe to the screen.
• Starstrike II. When choosing a system, up/down now works as expected (and not the opposite way around).
• Tau Ceti. Demo mode can be exited by tapping any button.
4.0.0 05/03/2013
• Improved controls for Carrier Command
• Minor changes to controls for Tau Ceti
Note: Please use the 'Download Previous Purchases' option in the shop to pick up the updated controls for Carrier Command.
3.1.0 22/02/2013
• Added an additional 10 games to the in-app shop.
• Brand new retro look and feel.
• Added demos of Halls of the Things, Dark Star and Forbidden Planet by Design Design.
• The whole app now runs in portrait or landscape modes - no need to rotate to portrait to use the menus.
• Added separate iControlPad and iCade control schemes for the best physical layout on each device.
• Touch screen controls are now hidden when using an iCade or iControlPad.
• Moved app settings into the app itself.
• Stomped various bugs when using a Bluetooth keyboard to play adventure games.
3.0.0 20/12/2012
• The in-app shop is now open! An additional 28 games are now available.
• Game Center leaderboards! Think you're the best at 3D Starstrike? Now's your chance to prove it!
• The games in the free version are now included.
• Added support for external arcade controllers such as the iCade and iControlPad.
• Search now matches on publisher and authors as well as game title.
• Pixel smoothing can be disabled via the Settings App.
• Improvements to Bluetooth keyboard support
2.0.0 08/10/2011
Fixed an issue with the controls in later levels of Battery's Not Precluded.
1.2.1 04/08/2011
• Native iPad support. Spectaculator is now a universal application.
• Added new game, Jekyll & Hyde (thanks Zenobi Software)
• Sticky Shift keys to make entering BASIC program easier on an iPhone screen.
• Bluetooth keyboard support (Jekyll & Hyde)
1.2.0 27/06/2011
• Added several new games
• Automatic saving of game progress
1.1.0 20/05/2011
- Add your own games (.tap/.tzx/.z80/.szx/.dsk)
- Physical keyboard support (iOS 13.4+ only)
- Various bug fixes
more Version 8.0 01/08/2024
Data Not Collected The developer does not collect any data from this app.
