So, I've been toying with the idea of getting an old 8-bit computer to play around with. I'd be using it for gaming and maybe programming. Here are the ones I'm considering:

-Commodore 64
-ZX Spectrum
-BBC Micro
-MSX

The z80 ones would be cool since I'm kind of familiar with the platform already. Commodores still have a huge user base even today and a lot of software titles. The MSX was more popular in Japan, and it might be a bit difficult to find support. The ZX Spectrum and BBC Micro were more popular in Europe/ the UK, but have a good amount of titles. If you have oppinions, experience, or any insight to share it'd be appreciated, or even a suggestion of a different platform.

Well the familiarity I have with z80 is a (very)little bit of asm experience. That's really about it. I'm not familiar with any of the Oses these machines are running or anything else.

Z80 computer? I recommend you the latest technology of our glorious GDR: the KC85!

Nah, just kidding, it's total crap (except for the fact that the OS is called CAOS).

I'd recommend the ZX Spectrum - it's easy and straigthforward to program, and, unlike certain other 8-bit communities, the Speccy community is really friendly, cooperative, and active. You can load stuff directly from your PC via soundcard, no fancy datasette required. Plus, modern peripherals (IDE interfacing) are much cheaper than eg. for Commodore. Also the Speccy is probably the closest to a TI calc that you'll find in the 8-bit world.

Commodores - I have a ton of them, but 6502 assembly is just not my cup of tea. If you can look beyond that, then Atari 8-bit computers are also great, if you can find one.