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A timeless classic is being given a new lease of life with the launch of THEC64 Mini.

Developed by Retro Games Ltd. - and distributed by Koch Media – THEC64 Mini is a fully licensed reimagining of the 80’s bestselling home computer.

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Half the size of the original, THEC64 Mini connects directly to your television and comes with a classic joystick, that plugs into one of the two USB ports available, allowing you to play the built-in games.

Launched in 1982, the C64 home computer went on to dominate the home computer scene throughout the 1980s. Millions of units were sold across the world and have a special place in the hearts of its former owners.

35 years later and it’s back. THEC64 Mini plugs into any modern TV via its HDMI port and gamers can play any one of the 64 licensed classic pre-installed games. This includes games from original legendary developers such as Epyx, Gremlin Graphics, Hewson and The Bitmap Brothers; and boasting titles such as California Games, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid and Impossible Mission. Most of these were rated over 90% by leading publications of the day, with many winning coveted awards. From sports to shooters, platformers to puzzlers, there’s a plethora of titles to keep the most discerning retro enthusiast happy.

“We are delighted to be able to bring back some of the most loved retro games ever, on one of the most successful formats of all time”, said Paul Andrews, Retro Games’ Managing Director.

“THEC64 mini is a reimagining of the classic C64 computer and the first in a planned series of products on the way.”

As befits a home computer you can also plug in a standard USB PC keyboard and use as a classic C64 to type in those old BASIC computer listings or program new games.


THEC64 Mini will hit the shops in early 2018 with a suggested retail price of £69.99/$69.99/€79.99.

www.thec64.com

 

[RedoLane]

INB4 Sega Dreamcast Mini. NO WAIT, I WANT A SEGA SATURN MINI!

 

[simbin]

that's nice to get something like this, but I'd hope they allowed disk access too (Floppy).
A lot of people still have their original floppy disk, it would be great to still being able to insert in an official Floppy2USB reader and use them.

I still have my Amiga600 floppy disks, maybe one day I will use them again without a real Amiga600 hardware.

But what about all my cassettes?

 

[TVL]

Wait. They made a mini version out of this keyboard-computer and then added a USB port to be able to plug a keyboard onto it?
At least this time no brick is needed to get colour on PAL TVs thanks to the HD standard.
I also wonder about the amount of buttons on the joystick. Where it really that many back then? (Don't let me begin with the used plastic)

Joysticks could have an unlimited number of buttons... it's just that they all did the same thing. When emulating the C64 I always have up assigned to a button (and up) so I get a jump button. And I regard that as a huge mistake they made when designing the original C64 to not have joysticks that used more than one button... and that lived on even on the Amiga (even if there was a handful of games that supported more than one button joysticks there).

Regarding the joysticks I would have rather seen the Tac 2, then again I usually use the Sega Saturn 3D Control pad or DS4 when emulating those systems and wouldn't have bothered to buy one anyway.

 

[Bladexdsl]

But what about all my cassettes?

BURN THEM!

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

THEC64 Mini

i am really getting the urge to call it THICC64

 

[lordkaos]

this is getting ridiculous.

 

[Deleted User]

Just from a quick Google search, the going price here in the US is between $75-$800 depending on condition and box/manual/etc.

hmm...
my brother bought a functioning c64 with the box and all that was in great condition for $40
you should try finding a person localy to buy from
usually cheaper that way

 

[sarkwalvein]

hmm...
my brother bought a functioning c64 with the box and all that was in great condition for $40
you should try finding a person localy to buy from
usually cheaper that way

I have a C64 sleeping since many decades ago in some attic room back in Argentina, I wouldn't ask more than U$S1 for it. Though actually it would be hard to find (specially considering I am more than 12.000Km away).
Also some months ago I saw a C64, 1541 included, lying in the sidewalk with the classic banner "zu verschenken", I even posted pictures here in the temp.
You can sure find them for cheap, even if you don't look too hard.

 

[Subtle Demise]

hmm...
my brother bought a functioning c64 with the box and all that was in great condition for $40
you should try finding a person localy to buy from
usually cheaper that way

I have a C64 sleeping since many decades ago in some attic room back in Argentina, I wouldn't ask more than U$S1 for it. Though actually it would be hard to find (specially considering I am more than 12.000Km away).
Also some months ago I saw a C64, 1541 included, lying in the sidewalk with the classic banner "zu verschenken", I even posted pictures here in the temp.
You can sure find them for cheap, even if you don't look too hard.

Interesting, I kinda still wish I had picked one up when people weren't into retro games and computers and they were going for $1-2 at garage sales. These mini ones aren't really looking good price-wise. I'd be willing to pay half of what they're asking. At this point it might be cheaper to just get the real thing. I'm sure there's an easy to install mod or adapter to hook the thing up to my tv too. Tape drive isn't required either as you can just as well use any sound source and regular stereo cable. I changed my mind and I'll pass on this unless it gets cheaper later on.

 

[Bladexdsl]

this is getting ridiculous.

blame nintendo they started it

 

[tiduscrying]

Man, this is actually pretty neat. My Dad's first real computer was the C64. He still had the CRT he bought to hook it up to to this day, but he ended up trading the computer up towards an Atari. This might be a pretty cool birthday present for him and I to mess around with!

Wonder with the size and price how the keyboard feels... Probably not identical to the original in the least bit, but hopefully it doesn't feel like complete trash...

Edit: aw hell, didn't read the entire thread before posting. Guess the keyboard is just there for looks, that sucks. Oh well, maybe for Dad's birthday I'll just get him an OG one and spiff it up for him

 

[kumikochan]

Nice will def get this. Loved my cmd64. First gaming system i owned. Well my dad owned but that i could use

 

[Thirty3Three]

Half way asleep... read "N64 Mini"

 

[chartube12]

what? the commendor 64 was infamous in the US as one of the worst PCs ever invented! Filled with tons of issues! Why the h would they rerelease one?

 

[Pacheko17]

what? the commendor 64 was infamous in the US as one of the worst PCs ever invented! Filled with tons of issues! Why the h would they rerelease one?

It's actually pretty loved by a lot of people.
Was the first PC of many many kids out there.

I don't see this selling well though, I think this "Classic" console fad will die soon.

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

Nice. Our C64 was given away long time ago. I hope this will have lots of games (unlikes SNES Mini).

Can sb bring me up to date on homebrew regarding NES and SNES Classic? Can you play any games on them? Will you be able to play NES games on SNES Classic (since it's apparently the same hardware).

 

[Retinal_FAILURE]

blame nintendo they started it

Let's be honest. They started it with the gba micro. A little smaller than a mini. And that's extremely portable, and can play most all your nes and snes ports np. Hah pay for a snes mini. No thanks I have a Vita TV or...or to go retro a softmodded XBox. Lol pay money for stuff I have...NO!
But on a serious note soon to be retroarch support for OG XBOX!

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

The SNES controllers though... exactly like the original (which I didn't have back then - only 3rd party controllers which broke easily).
BTW is the D-Pad on a SNES different from Wii Classic Controllers?

 

[raphamotta]

Great news! I miss my Apple II Plus...

 

[sarkwalvein]

Great news! I miss my Apple II Plus...

Erm... Oh, I understand, that is great news because you realized you can still feel! j/k