MetroSpec, a ZX Spectrum Emulator for Windows Phone, is looking for beta testers to help provide feedback about functionality and performance, so that the app can be polished before its first formal release later in the summer. We normally don't talk about limited beta's here on AAWP, but we decided this one was too good an opportunity to miss.

MetroSpec will let the older geeks amongst the audience relive the glories of their youth by playing games such as All or Nothing, R-Type, Chuckie Egg, Manic Miner, Lords of Midnight and many more. The app will also supports homebrew titles (generally less of a grey area legally), many of which have been released after the Spectrum's heyday.

MetroSpec includes support for sound emulation, configurable game controls, a virtual keyboard (but sadly no rubber keys), game play in landscape or portrait orientation, import of games from SkyDrive (or web address), save states, pokes (cheats), and the ability to code in Spectrum BASIC.

As the developer, Glenn Edwards, explains the ZX Spectrum is an important part of computing history (especially in the UK):

For those who don't know, the ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit computer released by Sinclair Research in 1982, and which was active well into the early 90's It was based around a Zilog Z80 CPU, with 48Kb of RAM, and 16Kb of ROM. Over 25,000 titles were released for the Spectrum (www.worldofspectrum.org), and even today there is an active community of homebrew coders.

More information on MetroSpec is available on the developer's website and if you're interested in taking part in the bta you should send an email with your Live iDto metrospec.beta@starquakemobile.com.

Bonus links: WPCentral have also posted a great preview article on MetroSpec, plus a 15 minutes video walkthrough of the app (embedded below) and a video Manic Miner game play.

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