One of the most exciting retro highlights at PLAY Expo Blackpool 2025 wasn’t a game, but a book — the new remastered edition of Andrew Hewson’s classic programming guide, 20 Best Programs for the ZX Spectrum.
Although I didn’t get the chance to speak to Andrew himself this time (he was understandably busy), his presence at the event drew plenty of attention from retro computing fans. For many Spectrum enthusiasts, Hewson’s books were a defining part of their early coding journeys — teaching a generation how to make their own games and utilities on Sinclair’s iconic 8-bit computer.
The Kickstarter campaign for the remastered edition launched over the same weekend as the expo, and it’s already seen remarkable success. With under two weeks still to go, the project has smashed its £10,000 funding target, currently sitting at around £16,272 (approximately $21,800). That’s an incredible response from the retro community, showing just how much affection remains for Hewson’s work and the ZX Spectrum era as a whole.
Given the speed at which the campaign has grown, it’s safe to say this remastered edition will find its way into plenty of nostalgic hands when it’s released.
👉 Support the 20 Best Programs for the ZX Spectrum remaster on Kickstarter while you still can — and relive the golden age of bedroom coding with one of the most influential programming books ever written.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
