I touched a ZX Spectrum for the first time in decades – and I liked it | Dominik Diamond
Dominik Diamond reflects on reconnecting with retro gaming culture during a UK visit, sparked by holding a ZX Spectrum cassette of Daley Thompson’s Super Test after 40 years. He shares experiences from a book signing in Stewarton, visits to Pleasureland in Arbroath, and the OLL 26 Video Games Show in Norwich, where fans reminisced about 80s and 90s gaming. Diamond emphasizes the tangible, social nature of early gaming experiences compared to today’s digital era.
- ▪Dominik Diamond held a ZX Spectrum cassette of Daley Thompson’s Super Test for the first time in 40 years.
- ▪He attended events at Forgotten Worlds in Stewarton, Pleasureland in Arbroath, and the OLL 26 Video Games Show in Norwich.
- ▪Diamond hosted the 90s gaming show GamesMaster for seven series and was recognized by fans at recent events.
- ▪He contrasts the physical, social experience of 80s and 90s gaming with modern digital practices.
- ▪The article highlights the emotional resonance of retro gaming and the strong community surrounding it.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Spectrum superstar … Daley Thompson's Super Test. Photograph: Ocean/MobyGamesView image in fullscreenSpectrum superstar … Daley Thompson's Super Test. Photograph: Ocean/MobyGamesRetro gamesI touched a ZX Spectrum for the first time in decades – and I liked itDominik DiamondMeeting ‘my people’ – video gamers with very long memories – took me back to an era of machine play that lacked megabytes but had far more tangible presenceFri 1 May 2026 05.00 EDTLast modified on Fri 1 May 2026 05.18 EDTShareI want to tell you about the game that has made me the happiest this month. It’s a game I didn’t complete. It’s a game I didn’t even start. I just held it. And smiled. I have played the game before, but not for many years.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Guardian — Tech.
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