The ZX Spectrum homebrew scene continues to deliver some quietly intriguing releases, and Pulplife ZX Spectrum Edition is a good example of how much life the platform still has left in it.
Available now on itch.io, Pulplife is a newly released Spectrum title that puts you in control of a small octopus navigating underwater environments, avoiding predators and rescuing lost siblings. It’s a simple premise, with a clear lineage from the classic era, and as such suits the Speccy’s strengths, particularly when it comes to readable visuals and clear objectives.
A game with an unusual history
Interestingly, Pulplife didn’t begin life as a Spectrum project. The game was originally developed for the largely forgotten GP32 handheld, a platform that never quite got the attention it deserved. Rather than abandoning the idea completely, the developer has reworked the design for the ZX Spectrum 128k, trimming and reshaping it to fit the hardware.
That rework shows. Rather than a lazy port, tools such as ZX Game Maker and ZXpaintBrush were used during development, and the result fits comfortably alongside modern Spectrum releases, rather than standing out as something awkwardly transplanted.
Underwater action that suits the Speccy
Gameplay is built around movement and positioning rather than twitch reactions, which suits both the Spectrum’s input methods and its visual limits. Watching the gameplay video, it’s clear the focus is on navigating space carefully, with enemies and hazards creating pressure without overwhelming the screen.
Visually, Pulplife makes good use of colour and contrast, avoiding the clutter that can easily creep into Spectrum games. Animation is smooth enough to feel deliberate, and the underwater setting helps mask some of the machine’s usual constraints in a way that feels natural rather than convenient.
Another reminder the Spectrum isn’t done yet
New Spectrum games no longer feel unusual, but releases like Pulplife still manage to be quietly impressive. It’s not trying to reinvent what a ZX Spectrum game should be, nor does it rely on nostalgia alone to carry it. Instead, it feels like a modern indie game that just happens to be running on 1980s hardware.
For anyone who still loads up Spectrum emulators, or keeps real hardware alive, Pulplife ZX Spectrum Edition is well worth a look. It’s another reminder that the platform continues to attract developers who understand both its limitations and its appeal — and are still finding interesting ways to work within them.
A Spectrum tradition that feels very Spanish
It’s also worth noting Pulplife’s Spanish roots. The ZX Spectrum enjoyed a particularly strong following in Spain, and that legacy still shows in the number of new games emerging from Spanish developers decades later. In many ways, the country has kept the Spectrum spirit alive more consistently than almost anywhere else.
That connection still feels relevant today. I even ended up buying my own modern Spectrum model from Retro Games Ltd via Spanish Amazon, which says a lot about where the demand and enthusiasm still sits. Pulplife fits neatly into that tradition — a contemporary take on Spectrum development that understands the machine, respects its limits, and still tries something a little different.
For anyone still paying attention to new Spectrum releases, Pulplife ZX Spectrum Edition is another reminder that the platform’s afterlife isn’t just nostalgia-driven. There’s still creativity here, and Spain continues to play a big part in keeping the Speccy relevant well into the 2020s.
You can get Pulplife in English, Spanish, and Portuguese from itch.io now.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
