ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3: Third and Final Kickstarter Campaign Announced for July 2025

The ZX Spectrum Next, a modern homage to Sinclair’s legendary ZX Spectrum home computer, continues to capture the imagination of retro gaming enthusiasts.

Built on advanced FPGA technology, the ZX Spectrum Next is designed to run classic Spectrum software as well as next-generation titles, combining nostalgia with cutting-edge compatibility.

Since its debut, the hardware has become a cult hit among Sinclair fans—despite its rarity due to limited production runs and high demand. The dedicated team behind the ZX Spectrum Next has financed the system’s previous production runs through crowdfunding, bypassing traditional mass manufacturing methods.

Now, they have officially announced the third, and potentially final, Kickstarter campaign, which will go live on July 19th, 2025.

Henrique Olifiers, a leading figure in the ZX Spectrum Next project, confirmed the date and shared the campaign’s broader vision.

According to Olifiers, the hope for this third campaign is to further expand the user community, creating more opportunities for developers of games and applications to see tangible rewards for their work.

In his words, the more people who get their hands on a Next system, the more vibrant and productive the ecosystem becomes for all users and creators involved. Olifiers also noted that while alternative hardware options such as the N-Go and X-Berry Pi boards exist, there remains a strong demand for an officially cased, fully boxed ZX Spectrum Next that includes a manual—an experience reminiscent of the original hardware.

With the existing community estimated at around 16,000 units, including clones, the team is committed to meeting this demand once more.

“If this is what it takes to grow our community, then we’re ready to do it again,” Olifiers emphasized. In addition to expanded production, the upcoming ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 will enhance its appeal with support for new FPGA cores—among them a Commodore 64 (C64) core—broadening compatibility and potential uses for the platform.

This new functionality is poised to attract even more retro computing fans. The ZX Spectrum Next’s distinctive case, created by the late Rick Dickinson (renowned for his work on the original ZX81 and the Spectrum’s iconic design), pays homage to the system’s storied past while innovating for the future.

The first Kickstarter campaign for the Next launched in 2016, raising £723,390 and establishing a strong foundation.

The project’s follow-up campaign in 2020 was even more successful, raising an impressive £1,847,106. With the next and likely final crowdfunding effort set for July 19th, 2025, the ZX Spectrum Next community is preparing for another milestone in retro computing.

For Sinclair fans and hardware collectors, this third campaign may be the last opportunity to own a new, official ZX Spectrum Next and help further enrich its unique developer-driven ecosystem.

Kickstarter ZX Spectrum FPGA ZX Spectrum Next Sinclair Henrique Olifiers Rick Dickinson