While last year's officially licensed ZX Spectrum Vega—a plug-and-play games-only version of the UK's finest 1980s home computer—didn't quite live up to expectations, creator Retro Computers is hoping that a that new portable version will be more successful. The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Vega+ ditches the boxy design of the Vega in favour of Vita-like curves and a built-in LCD screen that lets you play the 1000 pre-installed licensed games on the go.

The smart design features a segmented D-pad on the left, four face buttons on the right, and a row of smaller rectangular buttons underneath. Up top there are volume buttons, a headphone jack that can also output composite video to your TV, a micro SD card slot for loading extra games, a charging port, and an as yet unused "Ext" port. With a simple button layout and a standard 4:3 aspect ration screen, the Vega+ could prove to be quite the portable retro gaming machine, so long as both are up to snuff.

Unfortunately, Retro Computers hasn't yet revealed exactly what's inside the Vega+, and whether or not it has the processing chops to run anything other than Spectrum games. The original Vega featured a speedy-enough ARM chip, but suffered from poor video quality thanks to the composite output and a flaky power supply. Hopefully the internal display of the Vega+ will fare better.

Like the original Vega, the Vega+ is starting life on crowdfunding site Indiegogo with a "flexible goal." That means even if you plunk down £100 for a Vega+ right now, there's no guarantee you'll get one come September, which is when the first units are scheduled to be released. The project has currently raised £25,000 of its £100,000 goal, and seems to be moving quickly. The original Vega eventually raised £155,000.

If you'd rather have something that resembles the original Spectrum, be sure to check out the £99 Recreated Sinclair ZX Spectrum, a full-size recreation that works as a custom Bluetooth keyboard for use with the emulator of your choice. Or, you know, just have a rummage around in the attic and see if you can dig out an old one. Nothing beats the nostalgic rush of waiting half an hour to load a game in from a cassette tape after all.