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Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 3:46 pm
by clarkkent

Is there any archive with Spectrum Next games online available somewhere? I’ve noticed that there are so many good games for the new machine. There are a lot of archives with games for MiSTer but I didn’t find any for the Next specifically…


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 6:47 pm
by rhester72

Maybe not, as a lot of Next games are sold.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:38 pm
by Swainy

A lot of the games can be found on itch.io

https://itch.io/search?q=Spectrum+next


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2024 11:03 pm
by hitm4n

https://www.clivetownsend.com/next/ - Nice directory, mostly with direct downloads or at least a link.
https://www.specnext.com/software-directory/ - Another good list, but not up to date.
https://www.rustypixels.uk/category/spectrum-next/ - Released quite a few demos and "stuff". Have to look through their blog posts.
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/list?machine_id=27 - Spectrum Computings list.
https://zxnext.uk/p - This one has links for some of the games, but mostly its a database for a tool called "GetIt" which runs on a real Next and pulls the games off the web.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:21 pm
by clarkkent

Thank you for all this links!

Best would be a collection like the MegaAGS for the Amiga.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 3:15 am
by akeley
clarkkent wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:21 pm

Thank you for all this links!

Best would be a collection like the MegaAGS for the Amiga.

In theory you could download them all and put on a vhd, but I think many of the authors prefer distribution through their own channels such as itch.io (even for the "free" games).


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 3:24 pm
by clarkkent

If somebody has already done that or is planning to do that - please share! A collection with all programs would be very much appreciated!


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:46 pm
by clarkkent

I could get an image of the sd card delivered with the kickstarter 2 shipment of the Spectrum Next.

First it was very promising as latest firmware was on it - but the games that are delivered with that new batch do not work flawlessly on the MiSTer core as it obviously checks it’s a real Spectrum Next and the MiSTer core doesn’t pass that test and the games doesn’t work.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:55 pm
by rhester72
clarkkent wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:46 pm

First it was very promising as latest firmware was on it - but the games that are delivered with that new batch do not work flawlessly on the MiSTer core as it obviously checks it’s a real Spectrum Next and the MiSTer core doesn’t pass that test and the games doesn’t work.

What?

The creators of the Next have encouraged folks to spin off and port the core.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:27 pm
by clarkkent

Yes, playing the games that come as an extra for the batch 2 buyers results in a message after some minutes that these games are only for batch 2 buyers and if you want to continue to play it you have to buy them. So there must be some kind of hardware check on the Spectrum Next that allows these games to verify the computer they are running on.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 5:59 pm
by Chris23235
clarkkent wrote: Tue Feb 20, 2024 3:27 pm

Yes, playing the games that come as an extra for the batch 2 buyers results in a message after some minutes that these games are only for batch 2 buyers and if you want to continue to play it you have to buy them. So there must be some kind of hardware check on the Spectrum Next that allows these games to verify the computer they are running on.

The 2nd Kickstarter Nexts have a different FPGA running a differen core, this means the games can check which core they are running on.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:06 pm
by clarkkent

Sad for us.

Are there any servers with commercial backups for the Next somewhere?


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2024 7:10 pm
by Chris23235
rhester72 wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:55 pm
clarkkent wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 9:46 pm

First it was very promising as latest firmware was on it - but the games that are delivered with that new batch do not work flawlessly on the MiSTer core as it obviously checks it’s a real Spectrum Next and the MiSTer core doesn’t pass that test and the games doesn’t work.

What?

The creators of the Next have encouraged folks to spin off and port the core.

It is a simple check for the games delivered to buyers of the KS2 Nexts. These games won't even work on KS1 Nexts. They are part of the package KS2 backers paid for. You can buy non KS2 versions of these games.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:21 pm
by clarkkent

The Detour would be interesting but there is no digital download version available


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2024 6:42 pm
by clarkkent

Just saw that Head over Heels has been released for Spectrum Next - but only for KS2 backers! Can this restriction removed in some way? This would be just such a great game...


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 1:16 am
by akeley

If there's a restriction, then it was probably placed there for a reason. This is not really a cracking forum. I'm all up for distributing old games, but Next is a current, active affair, and going against the wishes of its creators would be bad manners, so to speak.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 7:35 am
by clarkkent

I would pay for this game and not be a pirate! It’s a weird thing to exclude certain customers even if they pay. That’s the reason why I ask if this lock can be removed.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:05 am
by Chris23235

The game was a KS2 backer reward it will be made available for backers first but I am pretty sure it will come to KS1 Nexts/clones at a later date.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:44 pm
by Swainy

Yeah Head Over Heels will be released for KS1 users but you will have to buy it either in digital forum or physical.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:40 pm
by clarkkent

This would be great! Where did you read this?


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 6:44 am
by Swainy
clarkkent wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 6:40 pm

This would be great! Where did you read this?

On the Spectrum Next Facebook group. I own a KS1 Next and I know the guy who is doing the graphics for the game. Trust me, it will be available for both versions.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:53 am
by clarkkent

That’s wonderful!

As you have a KS1 Next - what’s your opinion on the MiSTer Next core? Is it equal to the Next or are there differences?


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:28 pm
by Swainy
clarkkent wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:53 am

That’s wonderful!

As you have a KS1 Next - what’s your opinion on the MiSTer Next core? Is it equal to the Next or are there differences?

It was spot on but since recent core updates on the real hardware, some newer games are not compatible with the current build on MiSTer which is a shame.

I was mainly using the Spectrum Next core to record videos, all the footage in this video was actually taken from my MiSTer rather than my real Next because I didn’t have to keep unplugging cables :)

https://youtu.be/Y0JNRSGsi2o?si=83WU2URKl7FfmTDl


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:29 pm
by Swainy
Swainy wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:28 pm
clarkkent wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:53 am

That’s wonderful!

As you have a KS1 Next - what’s your opinion on the MiSTer Next core? Is it equal to the Next or are there differences?

It was spot on but since recent core updates on the real hardware, some newer games are not compatible with the current build on MiSTer which is a shame.

I was mainly using the Spectrum Next core to record videos, all the footage in this video was actually taken from my MiSTer rather than my real Next because I didn’t have to keep unplugging cables :)


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2024 6:31 pm
by clarkkent

Then we urgently need a core update for MiSTer!

I also wanted to buy Q*bee but it doesn’t seem to be available as digital download anymore!?


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 3:56 am
by Fallon

"Head over Heels" confirmed to be avaible to buy for non KS2 participants ~ ' The physical copy and non-KS2 digital version will be available shortly in a few weeks.'

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/sp ... ts/4044269


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:22 am
by clarkkent

Great!

Does somebody have Q*bee? Isn’t available anymore.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:38 am
by Chris23235
clarkkent wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:22 am

Great!

Does somebody have Q*bee? Isn’t available anymore.

The game is still sold in physical form

https://d-logames.es/product/qbee-for-zx-spectrum-next/


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:03 pm
by clarkkent

Only as backorder. Can be years before release. Do not need a physical copy, digital download prefered.


Re: Spectrum Next Games?

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2024 6:27 pm
by Swainy
clarkkent wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 5:03 pm

Only as backorder. Can be years before release. Do not need a physical copy, digital download prefered.

Try contacting the author. It’s in his interest to sell the game digitally, I’m sure that if you ask him he can arrange something: https://d-logames.es/contact/