It's on! Well, nearly anyway. MetroSpec, the ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows Phone we previously covered from the recent WPUG meetup in London, has almost hit beta. Lead developer Glenn Edwards is now on the hunt for eager testers who wish to take the app and run it through its paces to squash possible bugs and provide feedback on functionality and features.
MetroSpec enables Windows Phone users to load up homebrew or other Spectrum titles and enjoy a smooth gaming experience while on the go. Game states can be exported to SkyDrive allowing users to continue on the larger screen from a different platform / emulator, games can be imported from both SkyDrive and a known web server, and a number of intuitive features ensures the UI is efficient and easy-to-use.
So we don't repeat ourselves in this article, Edwards gave us a quick run through of the app in action at the WPUG event. The video (accompanied by a feature list) can be found below to get you up to speed with what's included in MetroSpec.
- Download compressed titles from webservers and SkyDrive accounts
- Features sound emulation
- Configurable game controls
- Landscape and portrait mode support
- Save / load game states with export functionality
- Pin favourite games to the home screen for convenient access
- Code in Spectrum BASIC using the provided console
- Virtual keyboard included (excluding rubber keys)
- Bundled with Homebrew titles
- Supports 'pokes' (cheats)
Be sure to head on over to the MetroSpec Beta thread on our forums for more information if you're interested. Beta is expected within the next few days. Free and premium (£0.79 / $0.99) versions will be available on the Marketplace once testing is complete and a final version submitted.
