Was the Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ Ever Re-released as a Clone?

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ remains an iconic piece of computing history, leading many enthusiasts to wonder about its production legacy beyond the original UK launch. This article explores whether the ZX Spectrum+ was officially re-released by other manufacturers or if it survived primarily through unauthorized hardware clones. We will examine the global market for Spectrum compatibles, the impact of Amstrad’s acquisition of Sinclair, and the distinction between licensed successors and third-party replications of the classic machine.

The Original Sinclair ZX Spectrum+

Released in 1984, the ZX Spectrum+ was an updated version of the original ZX Spectrum 48K. The primary improvement was a new injection-moulded keyboard with harder keys and a dedicated reset button, addressing the notorious “dead flesh” feel of the original rubber keys. Internally, however, it remained largely identical to the preceding 48K model. Sinclair Research manufactured and sold this unit until the company was purchased by Amstrad in 1986. During this specific window, Sinclair did not license other manufacturers to produce an official branded re-release of the Spectrum+ model.

The Rise of Unauthorized Clones

While no other company officially re-released the Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ under license during its prime, the hardware architecture was extensively cloned globally. In regions where importing original British hardware was expensive or difficult, local manufacturers produced compatible machines. In Brazil, Microdigital released the TK90X, which was heavily based on the Spectrum architecture but featured a different casing. Similarly, in Eastern Europe, particularly within the Soviet Union and later Russia, clones like the Pentagon and Scorpion ZK became ubiquitous. These machines replicated the functionality of the Spectrum 48K and Spectrum+ to run the vast library of software, though they rarely carried the Sinclair branding or the exact “+” cosmetic design.

Amstrad and Official Successors

When Amstrad acquired Sinclair Research in 1986, they halted production of the ZX Spectrum+ to focus on their own iterations. The Amstrad Spectrum +2 was the direct successor, featuring a built-in cassette deck and a grey case, followed by the +3 with a built-in floppy disk drive. While these were official continuations of the brand, they were distinct hardware models rather than re-releases of the Spectrum+. Amstrad controlled the trademark, preventing other manufacturers from legally producing machines marketed as a Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ re-release during this era.

Modern Reproductions and FPGA Clones

In the 21st century, the landscape changed with the advent of retro-computing initiatives. Projects like the ZX Spectrum Vega and the ZX Spectrum Next were crowdfunded and produced by third-party teams with varying levels of official endorsement from the trademark holders. These devices are modern reinterpretations rather than direct clones of the 1984 Spectrum+ hardware. Additionally, FPGA-based cores allow users to load Spectrum+ architectures onto modern hardware. While these keep the spirit of the machine alive, they are classified as modern recreations or compatible hardware rather than historical re-releases by other manufacturers from the original era.

Conclusion

To answer the central question, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum+ was never officially re-released by other manufacturers during its commercial lifespan. Sinclair retained exclusive production rights until the Amstrad takeover, after which the model was superseded by the +2 and +3. However, the hardware design lived on extensively through unauthorized clones in South America and Eastern Europe, ensuring the architecture survived long after the original unit ceased production. Today, while modern replicas exist, they stand as tributes rather than official re-releases of the classic 1984 model.