iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 3h

Looks fab. 3D Printing isn't something I've derived into as yet. Haven't the need to be fair. Still admire what can be done with it though.

000

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

I did put an air horn on my push-bike back in the 90s, exclusively for pedestrians on bike lanes. Funny at the time but in hindsight, a bit dickish.

120

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I'd love to get my mitts on a copy of that issue. Great cover!

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I remember the advert vividly, and being too scared of the potential finger bite to want to play it.

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I played Planet Crafter to death a while back and loved it, but boy did it make my laptop fans work overtime! Didn't seem particularly GFX intensive, so I wasn't sure if it was a code optimisation issue or just my computer?

000

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I was lucky enough to get one of the Evercade Alpha desktop arcade machines. Really feels like being on a proper arcade machine; I love it! What I really want to do though is crack it open and install a Pi. Too nice a machine to murder though.

020

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

In have this specific memory of Bros - doing my paper round on a specific day at a specific block of flats and Bros in the charts, coming to mind for some random reason. The weird, random stuff that sticks in our minds!?

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

First time I've had all the windows shut today since .. can't remember when this year. 🥶

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

No need - I can use the pic you've shared here no probs. Is that the entire strip from that week (any more over the page?) Looks like the story continues after that - probably week by week I imagine.

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing that. I have zero memory of that strip. Might be because I was 15 in '89. Think I'd stopped getting Look-In by then.

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Crikey, that book really was a self-indulgent sh**-show, wasn't it? 😣

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Ooh! That's super-helpful. I hadn't come across that when researching.

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Looking at this particular show now, the charm, simplicity and innocence of that old style has a purity to it that's even more appreciable now we're surrounded by so much cynical slop.

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Halloween coming up soon ... 😊

020

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I've felt I had to unfollow a couple of retro gaming outlets/accounts on social media that have started posting about how great AI-made retro games can be. It's not just a difference of opinion, it is literally a gutteral feeling of revulsion. Can't get away from it. It just feels wrong.

3130

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Played it once at a last-day-of-term session at school. Never actually owned it myself. Glowing skull definitely was a selling point.

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Definitely need to grab a copy of that Ghost Castle Board game (80s version) too from eBay. Was planning to do a Halloween special video on it, but with recent circumstances I just didn't get on to it.

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Yep, timeless. Quality kids' TV that was built to last, and you're right about that theme tune too. I haven't had a proper listen yet but there was a full version of it released as a single. Easy to find on YouTube.

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I had a Speccy & those graphics were jaw dropping at the time. Like a real cartoon on the computer screen. Puzzles were really obtuse though, without some kind of guide to help out.

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In my next upcoming video (due on October 15th) we're taking a look at "The Trap Door" - a 1986 claymation cartoon (and computer game) starring Berk, Boni the Skull, The Thing Upstairs, and Drutt. Any memories you can share would be appreciated, some of which will be featured in the video.

Montage of images related to the 1986 cartoon, "The Trap Door."

5144

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Sometimes, sucking is just as good as licking.

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I wonder what Bungle would look like emerging from a swimming pool?

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Only examples I've seen in the wild were a range of 'paintings' in a garden centre selling for silly money. Animals with human bodies sat on the toilet reading newspapers, fyi.

100

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I've been trying not be too reactive on the subject of AI, so I'm gonna calmly share my opinion since you've asked nicely; if I don't have the time and skill to create something, I'll leave it to someone who was willing to put in the time to develop the skill.

070

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Do you have an original Next? Speaking as someone with the actual hardware, and considering how hard they are to come by, I'm really happy to see emulation coming along nicely so everyone can sample the joy.

121

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It is, completely different. I've seen footage of the other versions - good stuff. The Speccy version is spectacularly badly designed. Didn't have to be, but there we have it.

000

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

No problem. She always got a lot of that and didn't mind.

010

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

A little off-topic this one, but I really wanted to do a tribute to my Mum who passed away recently, (video is on my IRL channel.) Hopefully a positive message to take away too about looking after ourselves as we get older. Thanks Mum! 🫂🕊️

youtu.be

Looking After Yourself - a Positive Lesson from my Mum (RIP)

YouTube video by RetroSteve IRL

150

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Oh yeah .. that as well, but still ... 😉

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Also this (for historical purposes) .. hidden text in the loading screen. 🤭

Hidden text in the Agent X II ZX Spectrum loading screen, revealed.

000

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Best just clarify .. the drum sound is from the 128k's AY chip, mixed over the beeper, so ignore the drum for the pure 48k beeper music experience.

000

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Oh no ... Here, this one's on me: 🍔

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

We have a relatively new one in our turn. It's fookin' awesome!

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

It's like ordering a takeaway and claiming you made it yourself because you asked for those ingredients.

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Tried to copy my friend's Speccy version of that on my Saisho twin deck. Forgot to flick the 'dubbing' switch and ended up wondering why a cassette with a recording of our conversation wouldn't load into my Spectrum. True story.

120

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The temptation to seemingly be able to achieve something without putting in the years of training required to do that thing is strong enough to blind a person to any underlying issues.

020

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Something about that box of 5 Scotch cassettes just hits right.

061

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Agent X II has some of the best 1-channel ZX beeper music I've ever heard. I mean, check this out ... youtu.be/gNc_xczyGLc

youtu.be

Agent X II Spectrum Title Music

YouTube video by Otouto72

231

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

I've only ever played the Speccy version. I both love and hate it in equal measure.

110

RetroSteveUK @retrosteveuk.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

My God, I'm 52 and I STILL miss PROPER Saturday morning kids TV programming from back then. 😢

020