Nintendo’s “Mini’s”? Pah! Here comes the C64 Mini!
A timeless classic is being given a new lease of life with the launch of THEC64 Mini… Yes, hot on the heels of Nintendo’s two “mini” releases, the classic Commodore 64 is getting the same treatment – this time courtesy of Retro Games Ltd. and distributors Koch Media. And as someone who grew up with the C64 (I didn’t get an NES ’til very late in the consoles life – mainly because it was too expensive, as were the games) I’m even more excited for this re-release of the classic home computer than the just-released SNES Mini!
THEC64 Mini is a fully licensed re-imagining of the 80’s bestselling home computer, half the size of the original (hence the mini), which 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. 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… 10 Goto 20; 20 Print “Squee!”; 30 Goto 10… Or something like that.
From the press release:
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.”
Much like those “other” mini consoles, included in the box with THEC64 Mini is a 1.5m (5 foot – take note Nintendo) wired USB classic joystick – with added function keys for game specific modes, a USB charging cable and an HDMI cable (both 1.2m (4 foot) in length) allowing full compatibility with all modern TVs. Other features include a save game function and pixel filter options such as pixel perfect, CRT and scanline emulation. More importantly, future software updates can also be assured by firmware revisions via USB flash drive!
Oh and did I mention the games included with the machine? Check out this vast list of popular titles – though me it’s all about Chip’s Challenge, Chip’s Challenge, Chip’s Challenge, Chip’s Challenge, Chip’s Challenge, Chip’s Challenge!!!!
AlleyKat, Anarchy, Armalyte: Competition Edition, Avenger, Battle Valley, Bounder, California Games, Chip’s Challenge, Confuzion, Cosmic Causeway: Trailblazer II, Creatures, Cyberdyne Warrior, Cybernoid II: The Revenge, Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine, Deflektor, Everyone’s A Wally, Firelord, Gribbly’s Day Out, Hawkeye, Heartland, Herobotix, Highway Encounter, Hunter’s Moon, Hysteria, Impossible Mission, Impossible Mission II, Insects In Space, Mega-Apocalypse, Mission A.D, Monty Mole, Monty on the Run, Nebulus, Netherworld, Nobby the Aardvark, Nodes Of Yesod, Paradroid, Pitstop II, Rana Rama, Robin Of The Wood, Rubicon, Skate Crazy, Skool Daze, Slayer, Snare, Speedball, Speedball II: Brutal Deluxe, Spindizzy, Star Paws, Steel, Stormlord, Street Sports Baseball, Summer Games II, Super Cycle, Temple of Apshai Trilogy, The Arc Of Yesod, Thing Bounces Back, Thing on a Spring, Trailblazer, Uchi Mata, Uridium, Who Dares Wins II, Winter Games, World Games, and Zynaps.
THEC64 Mini will hit the shops in early 2018 with a suggested retail price of £69.99/$69.99/€79.99. For more information check out www.thec64.com
