​

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

 

[AmandaRose]

I'm not familiar with the commodore 64, but from that front list of included games I only recognize chip's challenge (which was a pretty decent puzzleplatformer I played on a windows 3.11 computer). And googling a list of "best commodore 64 games" yields pretty much an entirely different list (of which, as Youkai mentions, only California games seem to be included, as far as I can tell. Oh...and Impossible mission). Granted, the c64 had a pretty massive game library, but still...shouldn't they at least add some games of which the franchises aren't dead yet? (pac-man, bubble bobble, R-type ?)

As I am old enough to have actually owned a C64 back when it first came out and as someone who has actually played pretty much all the games that will be on the C64 mini I can tell you the games line up is actually really good. Surprised though that you have never heard of speedball as it is a franchise that is still around today the last on coming out on PC a few years ago.

 

[migles]

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.

so, the keyboard in the device is just fake :'(

 

[TVL]

I had a C64 as a kid and I love the SID-chip, it's just the best soundchip ever. Those games included though, haven't heard of half of them. How hard would it be to get Last Ninja 1,2,3 on there?

I wonder how they'll do this, for me I usually make a loadable image (save state) of the game at the start screen, because otherwise you have to emulate the loading every time you want to play, and even if it's sped up it's still boring and not even possible with all games.

 

[Jayro]

This was my first home computer, so I'm excited.

 

[VitaType]

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)

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

I now wait for a PC Engine mini...... Please come with Blazing Lazers and Bonks....

 

[supergamer368]

Wowzers! I’m so glad that every single game company on earth thought to rerelease a classic console as a smaller version that you still can’t play on the bus because it’s not portable!!!

 

[emmanu888]

I didn't grew up with the C64 but thanks to emulation and thanks to owning one i do have a soft spot
for the C64. But for the price of this i could get the SD Card reader and play a whole lot
of games on my C64.

 

[ItsMetaKnight]

Hardware looks great (if they keyboard is functional), but software library is abyssal.
Seriously, where is Maniac Mansion, Zak McKracken, Giana Sisters, Last Ninja, Buggy Boy, Spy vs Spy, Bubble Bobble etc.?
I almonst wanted to buy it, but I'll pass.

 

[Alex4U]

Great, now everything is mini, what's next? Virtual Boy Mini? Windows 7 Classic Mini Edition?

 

[sarkwalvein]

I'm not familiar with the commodore 64, but from that front list of included games I only recognize chip's challenge (which was a pretty decent puzzleplatformer I played on a windows 3.11 computer). And googling a list of "best commodore 64 games" yields pretty much an entirely different list (of which, as Youkai mentions, only California games seem to be included, as far as I can tell. Oh...and Impossible mission). Granted, the c64 had a pretty massive game library, but still...shouldn't they at least add some games of which the franchises aren't dead yet? (pac-man, bubble bobble, R-type ?)

California games, impossible mission, creatures, nebulus were all good well known games.
Anyway I see no last ninja, mayhem, etc.

 

[Subtle Demise]

So this is pretty cool. Are the USB ports only for keyboards? Maybe there's some way to get all those old tape games and rom files working with this and bypass the limited library of built in games. This thing still has BASIC enabled so I'm sure we'll see some cool stuff if this does well. An original system costs a pretty penny these days, not to mention all the restoration work needed to get them in working order.

 

[Veho]

so, the keyboard in the device is just fake :'(

Awww Sucks.

 

[SLiV3R]

Now we are talking!!!

 

[AmandaRose]

So this is pretty cool. Are the USB ports only for keyboards? Maybe there's some way to get all those old tape games and rom files working with this and bypass the limited library of built in games. This thing still has BASIC enabled so I'm sure we'll see some cool stuff if this does well. An original system costs a pretty penny these days, not to mention all the restoration work needed to get them in working order.

Hmm you say an original C64 costs a pretty penny. Not sure about the rest of the world but here in Scotland you can easily get a working C64 for about 15 to 20 pounds which is like half the price of a game for a modern system.

 

[Bladexdsl]

great another emulator in a box and they want to charge for it

 

[Subtle Demise]

Hmm you say an original C64 costs a pretty penny. Not sure about the rest of the world but here in Scotland you can easily get a working C64 for about 15 to 20 pounds which is like half the price of a game for a modern system.

Just from a quick Google search, the going price here in the US is between $75-$800 depending on condition and box/manual/etc. Plus the cost of replacing capacitors, faulty floppy/ tape drives. This has no moving parts and can plug and play with any modern television. No need to search for an old TV or computer monitor with the right inputs or make/buy an adapter.

 

[gamesquest1]

I'm always concerned when I see a product being announced without a real working example product to show, everything in that trailer seems to be just 3d renders.

 

[slaphappygamer]

But does it display in 4K hd ultra super hyper fighter turbo 2 alpha max?

 

[Eastonator12]

View attachment 100722
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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.

View attachment 100723
​

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

lmao when I first saw this thread I thought it said "n64 Classic" I was like holy sh!t