The 20 Greatest Sinclair ZX Spectrum Games Of All-Time 

A lot of people have been questioning this list or asking where their favourite games finished so here is the full Top 50: 50 - Rebel Star 49 - Starion 48 - Lunar Jetman 47 - Harrier Attack 46 - Star Quake 45 - Midnight Resistance 44 - Driller 43 - Fantasy World Dizzy 42 - Spy Hunter 41 - Head Over Heels 40 - Laser Squad 39 - Star Strike 38 - T.L.L. 37 - The Hobbit 36 - Dan Dare 3 35 - Match Point 34 - Star Wars 33 - The Way of the Exploding Fist 32 - Horace Goes Skiing 31 - Kikstart 2 30 - Batman 29 - R-Type 28 - Skooldaze 27 - Nether Earth 26 - Bubble Bobble 25 - Saboteur 24 - Lords of Midnight 23 - Emlyn Hughes Soccer 22 - Elite 21 - Match Day 2 20 - Commando 19 - Light Force 18 - Back To Skool 17 - Atic Atac 16 - Highway Encounter 15 - Robocop 14 - Bomb Jack 13 - Deathchase 3D 12 - Formula 1 Simulator 11 - Renegade 10 - Bruce Lee 9 - Sabre Wulf 8 - Turbo Esprit 7 - Knightlore 6 - Target Renegade 5 - Chase H.Q. 4 - Chuckie Egg 3 - Jetpac 2 - Jet Set Willy 1 - Manic Miner

Wow, this video actually brought tears to my eyes. I remember going to town with my late younger brother, we were dead excited because we had our pocket money and all the way into town we were talking about which speccy game we were going to get. We got 2 in the end because both were 2 players, it was Matchday 2 and Target Renegade. We spent hours and hours playing it together. I miss him so much, he would have loved this video. 😓🙂

I’m surprised Elite didn’t get a mention. I loved that game. My other favourite was the Bards Tale.

I'd definitely need Lord's of Midnight, Barry Mcguigans boxing and Daley Thompsons Decathlon on the list.

I got a Spectrum with 16K for Christmas 1982. The one game I wanted but couldn't play was The Hobbit. It was the first game I played after an upgrade to 48K and I was blown away by the graphics! How times changes and it makes me laugh when I hear complaints about things like games not running at 60FPS.

At 55 years old this brings back so many memories from my childhood lol. Thanx for this well presented video. Subscribed.

Elite. Revolutionary in its day. True 3D open world game, and the only speccy game that really took my imagination. Chaos. A game you can play with up to 7 friends all gathered around the computer. Superb!

Ant-Attack would have been on my list as well as a few others.

Ultimate Play the Game certainly brought out some incredible games for the time. Kids today have to remember really we’d only been on colour TV’s for a while so playing games like this felt out of this world. Sir Clive Sinclair what a genius, may he rest in peace.

My additional favourites: The Hobbit, Lords of Midnight, Tir Na Nog, Valhalla, Spy vs Spy, Dark Scepter

My most played zx game was Steve Davis Snooker. Spent loads of hours on that playing a mate. 103 my highest break. Barry Mcguigans boxing was another I loved. Psions Chequered Flag the first of many racing games I've bought. Still racing but now its GT7 on the PS5. 60 years old and still gaming 😂. Oh and i still got my original ZX 48!

I'm surprised that the ZX Spectrum conversion of Elite didn't make the list.

Gauntlet and Gauntlet 2 wasted most of my teenage years on first a 48k rubber key and then a +3. But we had Horace Goes Skiing (and Chess and some other long-forgotten stuff) when the 48k first arrived, and that was fabulous fun for all the family. We literally all had a go on that every time it was loaded up. Even mum, who wouldn't normally play anything.

Chaos. A game for 2 to 8 wizards developed by the fantastic Julian Gollop. Its been re done for the pc & now called Chaos groove. A few mates & i still have a round or 2 on today. Timeless. Many thanks to Julian Gollop 👍

Criminal not to have 'Green Beret' on there.........still remember the pattern for the dogs at the submarine.

What a great time for gaming the 80’s were. My favourites included The Way of the Exploding Fist, Avalon, and Lords of Midnight.

Three spectrum games I played and loved back in the 1980s early 90s were footy management sim “The Double”, western “The Wild Bunch” and daily Thompson’s decathlon. Thanks for the memories

Wow that's a trip down memory lane. I can remember me and my cousin sitting there for hours trying to load the games and usually failing because we had the volume wrong on our cassette player. RIP cousin Chris

Rebelstar. I'd play it today if I had it. 2 player turn based strategy. Truly a pioneer of the genre.

I completed Manic Miner about 4 years ago. Was a great triumph. Still fascinated by how they were able to pack in so much entertainment using less memory than a pixel-challenged jpeg.

Personally, whilst Miner Willy will forever be in my heart, I would have to bump both outings down 2 notches. Doomdark's Revenge would have to take top place, followed by Lords of Midnight. I would have to also throw into the mix somewhere: Arnhem, Tir na Nog, Marsport, Astro Clone, Avalon, DragonTorc, The Sentinel, .......... The problem is, there are more than 20 games that need to go in the top 20.

The only thing that shocks me in that last is that every single game on the list was a big part of my childhood. I think the 2 notable absences that would have been on my list are Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands and R-Type. But what they would replace on the actual list I couldn't tell you 😅

Operation Wolf was incredible, better than many on this list but its hard anyway to create a list with so many good games. I believe there could be some cases that having the spectrum was more fun than a 16bit, namely chase hq, op.wolf, robocop and many other original titles.

I'm surprised at the lack of text/graphics adventure games or strategy games, such as The Hobbit or Lords of Midnight. Interesting lack of puzzle games, but I suppose the puzzle game genre didn't really blow up until the Tetris craze. In the modern era, I think puzzle games have been a particular strength of ZX Spectrum games - I means stuff like Old Tower. Of course, modern games can't compete with 80s era for popularity and name recognition.

Atic Atac, absolutely outstanding.

I loved a game called Chaos. Multi player game turn based. Up to 8 I think. And when there were a large number of us player it was loud. Especially when all the moves were made. Great fun. Manic miner, that was my first game ever on a computer. Loved it.

Harrier Attack was awesome.

9:04 Bruce Lee was one of very few games that teenage me could beat. Then 50 year old me disassembled the whole thing during lockdown, which also kind of meant that i had to play it quite a lot recently. Yeah, who needs lives, but a bloody good game all the same.

"I love Commando!" "Alright, alright, keep your pants on!"

The game that persuaded us to buy a ZX Spectrum when the 48k version came out at £159.00 was "Halls of the Things". Fast paced, amazing scrolling, and devious, it kept us going back for just one more go for hours on end. My brother and some of his friends also bought Spectrums to play that particular game. I suspect that the reason it didn't make the list is because none of the people who voted have ever played it. A lot of other games on the list were personal favourites, such as Jet Set Willy and the Ultimate series of games. Happy days.

I think my all-time favourites would be Quazatron, Robocop, Chaos (and the sequel Lords Of Chaos) and Head Over Heels (how is this not in the list?). Can't argue with most of your list though. Spent a lot of time playing Target Renegade with my buddy Stuart back in the day, and the Ultimate games were always good fun.

Formula 1... wow what a memory. Our whole family played this together. Each chose their cars, drivers and changed tyres. Was brilliant seeing your brother do lap records and so far in front... and then.... where is my car??? Message.... crashed... ❤ Or just sending car out of pit... and then ppprrrrrr... engine sick 😂

I liked the 48k Scrabble game. Unfortunately, it made my speccy run so hot, it crashed. I had to stand the spectrum on a freezer icepack to make it load and run!

Lotus Esprit was the only one on the list I played - and it got played a lot! A few favourites not to make the list: Flying Shark, Kane, Saboteur, Disco Dan, Sport of Kings and Scumball.

My personal "missing from this list" favourites would be R-Type, Rainbow Islands and Midnight Resistance.

Target Renegade was probably my most favourite game, playing 2 player with my mate before walking to school. Also Pole Position and Daley Thompson’s Decathlon has to be up there as well ❤️

It makes me sad that Lords of Midnight never makes these lists. It was such a stand out game for me and captured such an epic quest in such a neat manner, giving the choice of single character quest or full on wargame, or both. Mike Singleton was a man ahead of his time and I think honestly that a 'universe' would not be captured as well until Elite came along. It's also a shame that so many amazing text adventures are ignored... I guess while others were playing F1 I was too immersed in the Hobbit, Bugsy, Runestone. and others.

Hi ! Great selection ! Back in the days, I used to play with flight simulators, and we had great ones on the Spectrum, like "fighter pilot" or "Combat Lynx". I really enjoyed Skooldaze ! So much fun !

I still have my original speccy from 1982 ( it still works too!) and i also have Manic Miner, Jet Set Willy, Jetpac and Chuckie Egg

Daily Thompson's Decathlon (Track & Field rehash), Paper Boy, International Karate +, Airwolf, Gauntlet, Barry McGuigan's Boxing (honourable mention Frank Bruno's Boxing) were all popular games worthy of the top ten. Rommels Revenge wasn't a bad vector graphic game.

Never actually seen any video of Zx spectrum games before. This was a good video for getting an idea of how they played.

"Aliens" by Electric Dreams was a superb movie conversion, really captured the tension of the film. Brutally hard, though 🙂

Moon Cresta, Jet Set Willy, Hero, Match day. Just to name a few of my favourites.

Just about nailed it, maybe Starquake in there somewhere but otherwise a sound selection

Was absolutely obsessed with Sabre wulf, Kightlore. I loved Turbo Esprit too. The way it was a whole world and you could drive where you wanted shoot any cars and create gridlocks 😅

I can never understand why Lunar Jetman by Ulimate never makes these lists. My most loved speccy game!

Bruce Lee was amazing! I can’t remember if it was 2 or even 3 player? Commando was also one of my favourites I absolutely loved playing that. Ant Attack might have been the first game I played on the Spectrum - happy days!

Nice video. Used to play Commando and many others on or with ZX Spectrum 48k. It is always a pleasure to see and hear others reviweing games ... which I either played, not heard of ever or anything in between. It's... just nice! Cheers...

all of my favourite moments in ZX Spectrum gaming were those moments where animation happened quickly and colour clash was circumvented by way of very clever arrangement. Maybe Jetpac and Manic Miner are the best. Brilliant

I haven’t got my Spectrum anymore 😔, I used to love Attic Attack, Manic Miner, Jetset Willy, Airwolf, Knight Rider, Streethawk, Daley Thompson Decathlon, Spy Vs Spy, RoboCop, Renegade, I do miss those days. I still have my C16, C64, Amiga500+, Amiga 1200, which I think all still work. Who remembers Outrun? I remember all of these games. I would have been 12/13 years old when I started playing games. You forgot about Starwars. Happy Days.

I'm surprised the likes of Starquake, Wizards Lair, Rollercoaster, Boulderdash & Bounder aren't on this list,especially Starquake, awesome game!!!

I played a ton of Horace and the Spiders, Trader, Thrust, Tau Ceti, Élite, Mad Martha, Spy Vs Spy, Tomohawk, Penetrator, TransAm, Hunchback. So many great games for that thing.

Great video. Manic Miner deserving the top place. Still play it now, and after 40 years of trying, I still haven't completed it yet. Surprised at how few of these games I had from the list. There's a few I thought would make the list. Rock Star Ate My Hamster and Dan Dare stood out as obvious omissions. Two classic Speccy games in my books. I had a lot of those Firebird budget games as I was just a poor Secondary school kid at the time. Yet some of those I still love. Viking Raiders springs to mind.

Glad to see Lightforce (surprisingly) in there which I agree with. Manic Miner in top 2 I agree with as well but I would have *Lords of Midnight* either 1st or joint first with Manic. Both are examples of _perfect_ game design. Worth a mention: although it was technically a bit inferior to versions for other computers I would have *Elite* well up the list. Actually, I think the basic line graphics on black gave the Spectrum version a great outer space feel.

How did I forget bomb jack? Had a 35 year flashback in that one moment. Thank you for the trip down memory lane

Always had a soft spot for Kokotoni Wilf for some reason!

Completely agree with your top 3, they were cracking games and the 3 top games I thought of when clicking on this video!

I was surprised to not see Heavy on the Magic on this list :) Awesome adventure game for it's time!

I loved the sounds and simplicity of Knight Lore. That kindaof monochromatic theme and perfect isometric pov

Those sound effects! Took me right back to my teenage years... Ive got my 48k in a cupboard still with loads of original games!

I'm fairly certain 3D Deathchase was 16k which was nuts,great game.

River Rescue! I always went to my mate’s house to play games after school. His sister was really nice. River Rescue was the only game she would join us to play. 🥰

A copy of Chaos, friends, and a teenth of red seal. Wizarding memories...

Multiplayer Soccer Manager, Gunfright, R-type, Renegade, Nether Earth, Robin Hood .... there are just too many to choose from

Maybe these were in the top 40 but a few classics I played and enjoyed more than most of those are. The Hungry Horace games, like Horace goes Skiing The Dizzy games (mentioned, I know) especially treasure island dizzy. Halls of the Things Match of the Day Daley Thompson’s Decathlon, even though that game broke my keyboard.

Surprised not to see Wheelie in the top 50. Loved that game :-)

Nice list, though I suggest missing - * The Lords of Midnight (and Doomdark's Revenge) - the atmosphere and size of the game for 48k was amazing. Like the Skyrim of its time. * The Hobbit - again, amazing atmosphere and graphics for its time. Got me to read to too with its included Hobbit book. * Shadowfire - even just for the music, but something about it felt special, like playing a movie. * Laser Squad was awesome

I can't believe how had this list is. No Super Robin Hood, Rick Dangerous, Dizzy, Ghouls and Ghosts, Daley Thompson's Decathlon, Outrun, Rainbow Islands, Green Beret and Super Stuntman. Chuckie Egg and , Bruce Lee were awesome!

Cant believen none of my favourites made it. Ranarama, Firelord, Aufwiedersehen Monty, ..and the greatest game of all time Head over Heels!

i never knew there was a follow up to Skool Daze in Back to Skool. I feel my childhood wasn't complete now as loved Skool Daze. I did love Bruce Lee, Turbo Esprit, Way of the Exploding Fist, Chase HQ, Chuckie egg, Matchday, Kokotoni Wilf, Manic Miner, Airwolf, Rambo ...so many memories

Lords of Midnight by Mike Singleton DESERVES a spot, best game on the spectrum!

My first computer was the good old Sincliar ZX81 it took me 1 hour to build and after a while i built a keyboard and memory expansion. My next one was the ZX Spectrum then came Commodore 64 and many more computers after that and now i repair and build computers and laptops as a side line now iam retired at 70.

Scuba Dive, 3D Ant Attack (+Zombie Zombie).. Lords of Midnight (+Doomdarks Revenge).. Fairlight and Elite.. These would probably have been in my top 10.

Spy vs Spy ... iconic and 2 players playing at the same time not one after the other

Really surprised at the lack of a mention for Uridium, Head Over Heels, or even The Great Escape 😢😂

Chuckie egg 2: is like a dream, such a bizzarely long game for its genre, makes JSW2 seem short. Cauldron 2. great fun. suprised no dizzy games made the top 20.

Two words that struck fear into ZX81 and ZX Spectrum owners at the time: Ram Wobble......

Mike Singletons 'Lords of Midnight' was beyond doubt the no.1 Spectrum game.

I think Underwulde is the underated gem in Ultimate's catalog. It had all the smoothness of Ultimate's 2D games, but the jumping and bouncing made the gameplay more interesting. My favorite of the bunch.

Rebel Star, Lords of Midnight, even Viking Raiders would make my list

Games missing from this list: Head Over Heels. Batman (the Ritman/Drummond one). Elite. Exolon. And my favourite which is always forgotten - Wriggler.

Elite, Green Beret, Uridium, Tomahawk, Rambo, Lunar jetman, Fighter Pilot. Still that was one of the few lists that I played and loved a good % of the games.

The introduction of the 3D isometric game technology was a great leap forward! I would have put 'Head Over Heels' in my top 10.

"Just give me a ZX-81, and I'd control the world." Sad to see Trashman not make a top 50 :(

Elite for the Spectrum was a massive achievement at the time and by all-time favourite game on that computer.

This list says more about the voters than the games! No Ghostbusters, no Elite, and many of the other non "platform" games!

I think a top 20 is not enough! You would need at least a top 60 to cover all the outstanding ZX games.

No surprises in the top3 but where are Lords of Midnight and Doomdark's Revenge. My first love in RPG games.

Still remember run for gold. Loved it

Man it hurts not seeing Saboteur on it. Great list though!

This was my childhood on a 128k! The first game I ever completed was fantasy land dizzy, I loved The New Zealand story, all the dizzys especially spellbound, chuckie egg 1&2 and rainbow islands. I got the mags with tapes (The great 8) from Ocean and Sinclair User. I had 1427 seperate tapes some with 50 games on em. ah the good old days! LOAD""

Nice to see some 16k games in there (I didn't get a 48k Spectrum until later). I know this is subjective but my top 20 would have included The Sentinel and The Great Escape

Omg, this brings back memories. Spent countless hours in all of these games.

Loved JetPac and Knight Lore! Ultimate made some great games. Something in me misses the simplicity and naivety of these days, the struggle for programmers to achieve lots with very little. Also the nostalgia of popping into the local news agents which had a downstairs section for video games.. always fun to dive in there after a visit to the video library, see if they had anything interesting. I'd add to these Pool, Chequered Flag, Trans-Am and Light Cycle.

Hardly any of those would make my list. Target renegade and jetpac would be the only ones. Gunship, Battlechess, Gauntlet/gauntlet deeper dungeons, International Karate +, The Way of the Exploding Fist, Dreadnoughts, Hunter Killer (one of the first games you could play against a friend using two computers) and of course, for the sound track alone, Bubble Bobble.

"swords and sorcery" was kinda like a turn-based dungeon crawler rpg...you had to go round collecting a set of armour...in the first dungeon you had the greaves and sabatons (feet and shins)...i managed to usually get through to the 2nd dungeon but always ended up falling into a pit... the monster (in the first dungeon anyway) were skeleton and nagas...cant remember how many hours i spent on that game... 😁

Death Chase 3D holds a special place in my heart December 83 Xmas eve my parents let me stay up well into xmas day to play this game whilst xmas songs were playing in the background and mum and dad preparing the xmas spuds and veg...

Ad Astra, for the alternating screen buffer, and Tir Na Nog were also pretty good.

Laser Squad was amazing and still holds up today, following on from the amazing Rebel Star

Tornado Low Level or TLL is a game i still think about now! Ant Attack was amazing and I remember Trashman as being a good laugh. There’s loads!