The Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64 are well-known for bringing 3D gaming into the mainstream in a way that preceding consoles just couldn’t. The ZX Spectrum, on the other hand, is known for text adventures and barebones graphics. However, it now has a rudimentary version of a Quake-like engine, as demonstrated by [Modern ZX-Retro Gaming].
As you might expect, the basic ZX Spectrum that sat in front of your dodgy old TV in the 1980s isn’t really up to the task of running a full 3D game. The engine runs at a fairly jerky frame rate on a 3.5 MHz ZX Spectrum, with purely monochrome graphics. However, the game can run more smoothly on 7, 14, and 28MHz ZX Spectrum compatibles. As with many such projects, most of the video you’ll see is of the game running in emulators. Impressively, the game features sound effects, three weapons, and a standard WASD control layout as per modern FPS games.
If you’re wondering about the confusing visuals, there’s a simple explanation. Yes, the UI and weapons are straight out of Doom. However, the game is running on a true 3D engine, with 3D enemies, not sprites. It’s inspired by the full 3D engine pioneered by Quake, hence the designation.
Files are available for those wishing to try it out at home. We do see a fair bit of the ZX Spectrum around these parts. Video after the break.
Cool, now let’s do that with a Sinclair ZX81/Timex 1000 or compatible! 😁
There was “hires” graphics, I remember..
Or let’s use graphics features of Laser 100/110 or Laser 200/210 or 310 (aka VZ-300).
VZ-300? A computer with worse color graphics than IBM CGA?? Hilarious :D
Hey, it’s still better than the Spectrum. CGA has 640×200 mono mode, at least and can do 80 columns. 😝
The MC6847 could do 256×192 monochrome, but this mode was not supported on stock VZ hardware :( You needed to add some discrete gates mod to bring it back IIRC.
What about 3D deathchase for first person many more had that feature , Ant attack and zombie zombie where in 3d .I kove my ZX Spectrum and collect retro computer stuff
What about 3D monster maze on the sinclair zx81.
It’s cool, but no 3D Monster Maze
https://youtu.be/tGf4jdRbCuk?si=SNFaC-iGBA8VROim
There was Castle Master in 1990…
Yes but that hadmuch simpler geometry and and a 1 to 2 fps
But will it run Doom?
Don’t worry everything can run doom
Even Doom itself. 😄
Doomception!
WASD? Surely you mean Draw/New/Save/Dim.
^ comment of the day
Driller w is from 1987 and had similar capabilities; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driller_(video_game)
Well played.I was about to post about Driller and all those other 3D games. Amazing what a bit of research could add to a news article.
Driller already did this on the actual Spectrum in 1987
cholo on vic/64 looked better with wireframe :D
It’s quite an achievement, but it looks more like Doom than Quake. Also, the Quake engine uses BSPs, lightmaps, and precomputed Vis’ability. Quake also has the ability to put one floor over another.
Yeah, this is Doom, not Quake. Looks neat but given cpu speed one would think it should be able to run at a better framerate.