Pioneering ZX Spectrum Games Led the Way in 80s Home Computing
By Jane Duncan, freelance writer
May 31 2022
Centipede

Screen grab from ZX Spectrum version of Centipede (1982 game) by dK'tronics
Manic Miner

Manic Miner ZX Spectrum cassette game by Software Projects (1983). This was originally released by Bug-Byte limited earlier in 1983.
Robocop
Not only was Robocop one of the best-selling ZX Spectrum games, it also made full use of the joystick controls. The Spectrum joysticks had 9 input functions to make the gaming experience more immersive, these were 8 movement directions and of course the big, red fire button. Although the actions were limited, this really was an early predecessor of the more advanced controllers that are used for gaming consoles today. When you are waving around your Wii remote, playing tennis, just think about how far we have come.
Clive Sinclair’s beautiful ZX Spectrum brought home gaming to the masses. In doing so, it also paved the way for software producers to learn and grow for the future.

Robocop by Ocean Software (1988) - ZX Spectrum screenshot. This was a loose adaptation of the Data East arcade game.