A TRULY DINAMIC COLLECTION
Our latest collector has an impressive set of 8-bit classics
This month’s collector, Jesús Martinez del Vas, not only has an impressive collection, but also works on the Spanish edition of Retro Gamer. “I think the first step in collecting was the decision to keep my old Spectrum games and my Nintendo Game & Watch machines,” he tells us, going on to say he’s kept all his systems since.
Look through Jesús’ gorgeous collection and you’ll notice two companies are particularly prolific: Ultimate Play The Game and Dinamic Software. “Ultimate was a magical company,” Jesús tells us. “Everything was steeped in mystery and fantasy. Their originals are precious. Dinamic knew how to sell their games in Spain like no one else, and surrounded themselves with great programmers and graphic artists.”
While he clearly loves both software houses, Jesús collects titles from many other popular developers of the time and has over 2,000 games. He’s still looking for certain
Ultimate games though. “I would like to get some Interface 2 ZX Spectrum cartridges I am missing, and some Spanish versions for Amstrad,” he admits. “And of course, an autograph from the Stamper brothers, if possible on an original unpublished game of Mire Mare…”
Despite owning numerous consoles, Jesús’ main focus is home computers, particularly the Spectrum. “The ZX Spectrum was my first computer and I think that marks you,” he says. “I would have loved to live that phenomenon while being in the United Kingdom. The companies showed enormous creativity, with constant releases every week. The covers were beautiful, with well-designed boxes. Deus Ex Machina had an interior poster that was a crazy design, while artists like Bob Wakelin and David Rowe made legendary works of art.”
If you’re wondering why so many of the images Jesús has shared look like they’re on tables, it’s because he often takes his collection on the road. “I run the website elmundodelspectrum.com with my friends Alejandro Ibáñez, Juan Francisco Torres and Javi Ortiz,” Jesús says. “We have been doing a podcast for 11 years and we take our games and computers to retro videogame events all over Spain. We have also written two books.” A podcast interview with Jon Ritman led to Jesús chatting to the legendary coder via email, which resulted in Jon writing a prologue for Jesús’ second book. Jesús, who also illustrates, later presented Jon with one of his illustrations at a Retromadrid event (see right).
So before he returns to the Spanish edition of Retro Gamer, what 8-bit collecting advice does Jesús have for readers? “It is always advisable to first think about what your main interests are and try to focus on them,” he says. “You also have to select the material you want to collect and think about economic limitations and the space available at home! When I look at my collection, I think that I have not followed any of my own advice: one day my family is going to kick me out of the house.”