Now this is how you run a Kickstarter. The campaign for the 2026 annuals covering legendary magazines like ZZAP! 64 and CRASH didn’t just meet its £15,000 target—it absolutely smashed it, and with 18 days left to go! Clearly, the passion for these classic 8-bit magazines is alive and well.
The team is offering four publications: ZZAP! 64, CRASH, FUSION, and the Spectrum NEXT annuals, providing a fantastic lineup for any serious collector of vintage computer gaming culture.
What’s in the annuals and why size matters
The core offerings are the annuals themselves, packed with content, and the team is giving collectors multiple format options—a nice touch that shows they know their audience.
- ZZAP! 64 Annual 2026 and CRASH Annual 2026: These are the flagship titles for Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum fans, respectively. They are both 116-pages, hardback, and available in either the standard A5 size or a larger A4 version for better display. Both feature 40+ pages of new content mixed with the best reviews and features from the past six issues of the magazines. Critically, the covers are graced by classic art—an Oliver Frey gem for ZZAP! 64 and a typical Oliver Frey battle scene for CRASH.
- FUSION Annual 2026: This one is a pure injection of new material (116 pages, A5, hardback) covering all gaming aspects, from retro history to reviews of current consoles.
- Spectrum NEXT Annual 2026: Designed for the modern ZX Spectrum Next machine, this is 112 pages and available in A4 only.
Every single backer who supports the campaign will also get the PDF versions of all four annuals.
The collector perks are genuinely wild
Beyond the books themselves, the campaign is loaded with some seriously interesting add-ons and perks that should excite any long-term collector:
- Exclusive Games: A brand new game for the ZX Spectrum 128K (above) written by Matt Birch (of Heavy Spectrum Ltd) is being offered. Plus, there are Deluxe editions of classic Spectrum Next games like O, Night Knight, Warhawk, and Head Over Heels.
- Art and Display: You can pledge on an A3 Displate—a metal art print—and choose from the iconic covers of the first ten issues of CRASH or ZZAP! 64. They’re also offering an A3 framed map of Samera, signed by the game’s author and designer.
- The Ultimate Prize: The most eccentric item on offer is an O-themed arcade machine that houses a Spectrum Next compatible device inside—a true centrepiece for a retro games room.
- Digital Goodies: They are offering an exclusive ‘Nextcade’ cover SD card, packed with a curated selection of games and apps for the Spectrum Next.
The entire campaign is built for fans to mix and match their purchases through BackerKit, allowing for custom combinations of annuals (A5 and A4) and add-ons. If you’re looking for new reading material or rare physical items for your collection, this campaign has definitely got you covered.
Pledge your support on the FusionRetroBooks 2026 Annuals Kickstarter.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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.
