A new horizontal-scrolling shoot-'em-up titled as Shadow Fields has officially arrived for the ZX Spectrum, and it is already getting great feedback throughout the retro gaming community! Feedback such as "Damn, that looks like it couldn't be a Speccy game" and "Gorgeous shoot-em-up". Developed by Manuel Ferreira Moreno, better known as Gandulf, the game is being hailed as a technical marvel that pushes the classic hardware to its absolute limits.
With all the news that's been posted this week you'd think I'd take a break, but not so! As Micro Chops has announced the release of the eagerly awaited ZX Spectrum game called Super Hair 2 : Revenge of the Wizard. A game which doesn't just star the character Super Hair, but unlike all the previous platformers we've featured with this character, SuperHair 2 Revenge of the Wizard has gone isometric. In light of this news, provided below is a new screenshot, as well as gameplay footage from Saberman.
Another ZX Spectrum homebrew to add to a massive list of featured titles, as a new game has appeared called A Mouse Life 2: Escape from Science Lab, a new title from developer BAD BITS. Built using the XPAGD Gen2 engine by Xavisan, this sequel puts players back in the paws of a resourceful rodent desperate for freedom. Players must navigate perilous screens to deactivate shimmering force fields by hunting down hidden buttons. However, finding the switch is only half the battle; to unlock the exit, you must scavenge the environment to collect every letter of the word "DOOR."
The Atari Jaguar wasn't the only system to see a decent game release this week, as retro gaming developer FlunkyRetro has just unleashed a haunting new challenge for the ZX Spectrum titled THE TOWER OF OCHATE. Built on the versatile MPAGD engine, this title invites players to step into the shoes of a paranormal investigator trapped within the most infamous enclave of northern Spain. To coincide with this news, we've got the full details below as well as the latest gameplay footage from Saberman.
Saberman has contacted us to let us know that tiboh'24-26 has announced the release of a hack/mod of Commando for the ZX Spectrum. A new version of the game which not only overhauls the intro graphics, but it now features AY-Music which brings it more in line with other systems such as the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST and Commodore 64. Not to be confused with the awesome Arnie flick of the same name (though equally as awesome), Commando is a 'one man takes on all' shooter (also like the awesome film) whereby it is your mission to kill anything that moves to progress to the next level.
The world of footy retro gaming is buzzing with the news that the father of the football management genre, Kevin Toms, has officially returned to his roots. In an exciting new collaboration, the legendary creator of the original 1982 Football Manager has teamed up with Glen Anderson to launch ZX Football Manager Revisited: International Edition for the ZX Spectrum. This new project sees Kevin Toms serving as a consultant to adapt the timeless gameplay of his original masterpiece for a 2026 World Cup setting. Developed by Glen Anderson—the mind behind the first Football Manager Revisited—this edition aims to capture the "simple charm" of the early '80s while modernizing the scope of the tournament.
The legendary 1991 Amiga shooter Alien Breed has unofficially landed on the ZX Spectrum 128k in a new, high-performance demake demo. Developed as a "loose adaptation" rather than a carbon copy, this project aims to fill a long-standing gap in the Spectrum’s library: the lack of fast, fluid, top-down shooters with full-screen scrolling. While the original Alien Breed was one of the games that put Team17 on the map, this demake brings that same intense sci-fi atmosphere to the humble Speccy. The developer noted that the goal was to capture the "fast and fluid" feel of the 16-bit original, leveraging the advanced capabilities of the ZX Spectrum 128k.
The ZX Spectrum Next continues its renaissance with the highly anticipated release of ViceCityBlues, a noir-inspired adventure that pushes the boundaries of the platform’s capabilities as a port from the ZX Spectrum by award winner Mário Armão Ferreira, creator of Star Carrier Ruffien, and Quivira: The adventure. Built on an improved version of the Quivira Engine, ViceCityBlues represents a significant leap forward in the developer’s work. It offers a much more evolved adventure experience, leveraging the Next's advanced hardware to deliver a deeper, multi-day story for retro enthusiasts.
RETRO CITY — The 8-bit era is alive and kicking as PuttyCAD officially releases Baby-Man VS Terminatots PT.2, a high-octane "100 Tin Soldiers" game for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. The sequel follows our diaper-clad hero as he faces his most "terrifying" challenge yet, blending chaotic action with the developer’s signature offbeat humor. To coincide with this news, provided below is a couple of screenshots and a gameplay video soon from Saberman.
Homebrew developer sisko_MSX has officially released Syrion II – The Six Stones of Nefertiti, a brand-new exploration platformer for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. This sequel follows the developer's previous 2025 hit, Syrion - The Time of The Dragon, continuing the journey of the heroic protagonist as he moves from the mythical Valley of Ecos into the sun-scorched lands of ancient Egypt. To coincide with this news, Saberman has provided the latest gameplay footage.
If you've been following Richard Langford of Langford Productions, you would've known that throughout our time writing on IndieRetroNews he has released a number of remakes and remasters of some well known classics that many have grow up with, games such as PSSST, Cookie, and even The Hunch. But that isn't all that has come out of Langford, as after previously releasing the retro inspired hit of REX, he has now made not one, but two PC remasters of some great speccy classics. Games such as Automania, and Turmoil.
We've featured Street Fighter many times now on IndieRetroNews, either as a 'What if' for the Commodore Amiga, or with the 2022 hit release called Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition for the Commodore 64. Well here's one that will blow your minds! As I've been told that Sweet Fightin' +2 has been released for the ZX Spectrum. An incredible version of Street fighter 2, that is getting such feedback as, "New Street Fighter 2 for the ZX Spectrum by Presh is an absolute gem to play" and "A bleep masterpiece, there are no other words to describe this. How is this even possible? What kind of black magic did you use to pull this off?". So to coincide with this incredible news, here are two gameplay videos and the full details below.
Here we are with another great conversion, because if you remember playing the 1981 Arcade game called Lock 'n Chase, then you may be interested to learn that while the game was unofficially converted over to the Atari 5200, Amiga, and C64 throughout the last few years, it wasn't until recently that Bob's Stuff had made available a very decent port over to the ZX Spectrum as a free download. A game that originally appeared back in 2025 as a physical cassette, as part of The Midnight Brew Collection 2025
If you're fed up with all the Commodore news, then worry not! As looking through the itch io website, we've come across what looks to be a high quality RPG game called 'Demon Pages' for the ZX Spectrum 128k. A game that has got some very positive feedback such as "A game that represents a fairly big change of third with points of strategy, farming, etc.... one of your best games." and, "you have created an RPG for our beloved machine and it has been a great development, congratulations on the result".
Some rather cool news speccy owners, as if you fancy playing two great games with both a unique graphical style and gameplay, then come and play Magenta Sky and Welcome 2 - The Machine by Radical Reflux. A series of games in which you play as Clark, and must earn your place among the rebels by obtaining a secret source code, as well as taking on the oppressive u_corp and learn more about project u_nvrz. To coincide with this news, provided below is the latest footage from both of these games.
We've just been informed through Twitter, that the ZX Spectrum version by Sausageware Games, is not only available to buy as a tape through BitmapSoft, but as of today the game has gone completely free as a digital download. A much deserved and more enjoyable Knightmare inspiration for the ZX Spectrum, which in itself is based around a 1980's TV show in which children had to not only guide a friend wearing a "Helmet of Justice" – a headpiece that blocks their field of vision. But this had to be done through a very creepy medieval environment, using their wits to overcome puzzles, obstacles and the unusual characters they meet along the journey.
It felt like it was only just yesterday, that I spoke about SausageWareGames awesome reimagining of Knightmare for the ZX Spectrum. A much deserved and more enjoyable Knightmare game, which in itself is based around a kids TV show from the 1980's. Well this developer is back in the news, as after previously releasing S.C.I.O.N through BitmapSoft, which is an intense run and gun game. The developer has now made the game free as a digital download.
Fancy playing a new game that's received very decent feedback such as "Like a cross between R Type and Lifeforce. Looks great" and "that's amazing, brilliant"? Then come and check out this latest release for the ZX Spectrum called 'Go-Go BunnyGun'. A bold and colourful new shoot-'em-up for the 48K Sinclair ZX Spectrum from Ionian Games. To coincide with this news, provided below is the latest gameplay footage from the game.
Chikubi Ninja wasn't the only decent game to see a release over the weekend, as I've also been told to let you all know about Jhonnystorm's new game for the ZX Spectrum called 'Pulplife'. An underwater adventure, whereby you play as a little octopus on his journey to find and rescue all his little siblings before they are devoured by the numerous predators in the vast ocean. If this sounds like your sort of game, then as always feel free to check out the gameplay footage and the game linked below.