So here it is, the list of my 5 favourite games from a strong year of ZX Spectrum homebrews. It should be noted that there were literally dozens of games that could’ve just as easily staked a claim for a place in the top 5, but these were my favourites after much deliberation.
5. S1NCLA1R C1TY
This is not my usual type of game at all, but I completely fell for it. I love the style and the references to classic Speccy characters.
It’s an extremely clever mix of genres with arcade elements, adventure elements, map making, shooting and driving all in the mix. I really recommend giving this one a try.
Top tip, make sure you keep yourself topped up on food to counter the effects of the acid rain.
Download: https://javierfopiani.itch.io/s1ncla1r-c1ty
4. GORF
I love GORF it’s a veritable smorgasbord of golden era single screen shoot em ups. This conversion from Deanysoft absolutely nails the gameplay of the original and totally looks the part too. I love it.
Download: https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/zxdb/sinclair/entries/0044271/Gorf.tap.zip
3. SkillTeam
This one was a really pleasant surprise. A conversion of a Fancade game, SkillTeam utterly won me over with it’s simple puzzle mechanics and perfect level design and difficulty curve. I lost a couple of entire evenings to this one and didn’t mind one bit.
Download: https://davidprograma.itch.io/skillteam
2. Zak McDruken Saves the Chickens
It should come as no surprise to see a RetroSouls game in the top 5.
The technical skills on display in this one are unmatched. The colours, the slickness and the music are all top drawer.
This would mean nothing however if the gameplay wasn’t there, but this has it in spades.
Zak McDruken has all this and is stuffed with humour too. It just missed out on top spot by an absolute whisker.
Download: https://retrosouls.itch.io/zkmcdstc-zx-spectrum
1. Football Manager Revisited 2025
I am so late to the party with this one, Glen Anderson has been producing annual updates of Kevin Toms’ classic Football Manager for 12 years now.
Each iteration brings with it new features and player updates, while never straying too far from its roots and remembering what made the original a classic.
I found myself getting utterly addicted to this one, look out for a glowing review in the upcoming issue of Break Space.
Download: https://fm1982-revisited.yolasite.com/fmr-2025-26.php
So there you have it, roll on 2026, where the ZX Spectrum is entering it’s 45th year and still going strong. Do let me know what YOUR favourite Speccy game of 2025 was in the comments.
With the 3rd Next Kickstarter, new gaming engines and talented boffins at the height of their power, there’s no telling what delights away us.
Happy New year Spec-Chums!
Glentoran in shambles.
Looking forward to Gorf, see if it holds up. not played any of your top 5 (‘cept original footy manager) and I have felt a lack of new games in 2025. There has been loads but nothing I really want to play. Hoping Pats team and Retrosouls create something new in 2026 as they have been some of the best games EVER on the Spectrum for me.
I think waiting on my Magenta is part of the reason I have felt less inspired. I just kinda back burnered it all in anticipation.