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Retro Games Limited has just introduced a new model of its compact Commodore 64 home computer. The C64 Mini – Black Edition is a limited edition that honors the skilled developers responsible for creating contemporary Commodore games. The Black Edition is pre-loaded with The C64 Mini’s original lineup of 64 games along with 25 modern titles, featuring timeless C64 classics like Sam’s Journey and A Pig Quest.
The C64 Mini – Black Edition is priced at $120 and is available exclusively on Amazon in the United States. Amazon was “temporarily out of stock” on the release day (October 24), yet orders can still be placed. The initial C64 Mini was released in 2018 with a suggested retail price of $70–you can acquire one today from Amazon for just $51. The considerable price increase is likely linked to economic fluctuations and tariffs, but the addition of the modern games probably had a significantly greater impact.
The majority of the new games–19 to be precise–are available on itch.io from notable Commodore 64 publishers, such as Psytronik and Protovision. Psytronik’s games typically cost five dollars or less, but titles from Protovision often come with higher price points. There are four preloaded Protovision games that would generally amount to around $55 combined: Sam’s Journey ($24), A Pig Quest ($11.61), MW Ultra ($11), and Yeti Mountain ($9). These are some of the most ambitious C64 games available. For example, the developer Knights of Bytes crafted over 2,000 screens for Sam’s Journey’s 30 exceedingly long levels. It stands among the finest retro platformers I’ve ever experienced (it’s also accessible on NES). In summary: The $50 price increase seems entirely justified.
The C64 Mini – Black Edition (89 Games)
$120 | Available Now
The Black Edition includes the same components as the original: The C64 Mini device, a classic USB joystick, USB power cable, HDMI cable, and an instruction manual. Similar to many other mini consoles, it lacks an AC adapter, but practically any USB brick will suffice. Alternatively, you can power it through one of the USB ports on your television.
The C64 Mini measures roughly half the dimensions of the original Commodore 64 computer. The “keyboard” is primarily for decoration–none of the mini home computers feature operational keyboards. However, if you wish to utilize the BASIC interpreter to write your own software and/or launch games added to The C64 Mini via USB stick, you can connect nearly any keyboard to the second USB port. Additionally, a second joystick can be connected for multiplayer gaming. A dependable, economical option is the
Hyperkin Trooper for approximately $18.
The C64 Mini showcases games in 720p resolution in pixel-perfect or classic 4:3 formats. You have the option to add scanlines (CRT filter) if you wish to emulate the vintage appearance. All pre-installed games provide four save slots, allowing you to preserve your advancement at any moment.
Here’s the complete compilation of contemporary Commodore 64 games packed with The C64 Mini – Black Edition right from the start. The amounts beside each title represent the costs on itch.io. Titles without prices are available for complimentary download. Just to note, this is merely the list of the new games; the Black Edition still contains the original 64 games.
25 New Titles:
- A Pig Quest ($11.61)
- Caren and the Tangled Tentacles (~$80, Physical)
- Galencia ($5)
- Good Kniight ($4)
- Grid Pix ($2)
- Guns ‘N’ Ghosts ($3)
- Hessian ($2)
- Hunter’s Moon Remastered ($5)
- It’s Magic 2 ($2.22)
- Joe Gunn: Gold Edition
- Metal Warrior Ultra ($11)
- Millie & Molly ($2)
- Nixy and the Seeds of Doom
- Ooze: The Escape
- p0 Snake
- Pains ‘N’ Aches ($5)
- Planet Golf (~$43, Physical)
- Rocky Memphis: The Legend of Atlantis ($5)
- Runn ‘N’ Gunn ($2)
- Sam’s Journey ($24)
- Shadow Switcher
- Spinning Image
- Steel Ranger ($5)
- Yeti Mountain ($9)
Countless additional modern C64 homebrew titles can be discovered on itch.io. If you obtain a ROM from itch.io or any other platform, you can upload it to The C64 Mini through USB.
Take a look at the original C64 Mini below to view the range of timeless ’80s games.
The C64 Mini – Original Edition (64 Games)
$51 (previously $70)
The C64 Mini and The C64 Mini – Black Edition come with the following pre-installed games from the ’80s.
- Alleykat
- Anarchy
- Armalyte – Competition Edition
- Avenger
- Battle Valley
- Boulder Dash
- Bounder
- California Games
- Chip’s Challenge
- Confusion
- Cosmic Causeway
- Creatures
- Cyberdyne Warrior
- Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine
- Cybernoid II: The Revenge
- Deflektor
- Everyone’s a Wally
- Firelord
- Gribbly’s Day Out
- Hawkeye
- Heartland
- Herobotix
- Highway Encounter
- Hunter’s Moon
- Hysteria
- Impossible Mission
- Impossible Mission II
- IO
- Jumpman
- Mega Apocalypse
- Mission A.D.
- Monty Mole
- Monty on the Run
- Nebulus
- Netherworld
- Nobby the Aardvark
- Nodes of Yesod
- Paradroid
- Pitstop II
- Ranarama
- Robin of the Wood
- Rubicon
- Skate Crazy
- Skool Daze
- Snare
- Speedball
- Speedball 2 – Brutal Deluxe
- Spindizzy
- Star Paws
- Steel
- Street Sports Baseball
- Summer Games II
- Super Cycle
- Temple of Apshai Triology
- The Arc of Yesod
- Thing Bounces Back
- Thing on a Spring
- Trailblazer
- Uchi Mata
- Uridium
- Who Dares Wins II
- Winter Games
- World Games
- Zynaps
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard: C64 Edition
As highlighted, any USB keyboard should be compatible with The C64 Mini, but it’s worth emphasizing the remarkable 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard: C64 Edition. This Commodore-themed keyboard features removable Super Buttons and a detachable arcade joystick. It operates wirelessly with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth capabilities for PC, Mac, SteamOS, Android, and iOS. However, it can also function as a wired keyboard by connecting the provided USB cable.
The C64 Edition 8BitDo Keyboard is on sale for $93.49 (previously $110). Should this offer vanish, there’s another option for $95.
8BitDo also produces keyboards themed around various classic gaming systems, including NES, Famicom, and the original Xbox. The transparent green Xbox-themed model is officially sanctioned by Microsoft and is currently priced at $92.40 (down from $120) on Amazon. The NES-themed edition costs just $80 (down from $100). Review the list below for additional offers:
- 8BitDo Xbox Edition TKL — $92.40 (
$120)- $65 at Woot
- 8BitDo N Edition TKL — $80 (
$100) - 8BitDo N Edition Full-Size — $92 (
$120) - 8BitDo Fami Edition Full-Size — $108 (
$120) - 8BitDo C64 Edition TKL — $93.49 (
$110) - 8BitDo M Edition TKL — $85 (
$100) - 8BitDo N Edition TKL + Super Stick — $80 (
$100) - 8BitDo Mecha Break TKL — $79.19 (
$120)
The Atari 400 Mini
Retro Games Limited has produced several mini retro computers apart from The C64 Mini. The other model available for purchase in the United States at its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is The 400 Mini. It supports all Atari 8-bit titles, including games for the 400, 130XE, 800XL, and various other home computers. Additionally, it plays games from the Atari 5200 console.
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