atomicpoet, 
Not many people know this, but the ZX Spectrum was actually released in North America.
Over here is was called the Timex Sinclair 2068. It actually improved on the hardware in multiple ways:
- an AY-3-8912 sound chip
- twin joystick ports
- a cartridge port to the right of the keyboard
- higher resolution
It sold for $200. Unfortunately, it flopped – which is why so few people in North America ever played Spectrum games.