35 years old, millions of units sold, a solid game library, and hundreds of mods. The Commodore 64 is historic, unforgettable, and for many of its users, irreplaceable. However, the nostalgia market keeps gaining strength, and Retro Games Ltd. is planning to launch a miniature edition of the computer. It's set to debut in the first months of 2018 at $70, and it will include a total of 64 games.
The public reaction to the announcement of the Super NES Classic was a mix of caution, skepticism, and fury. Nintendo made many mistakes with the NES Classic distribution, and the feeling is that the exact same thing will happen once the new console hits store shelves. The Japanese giant assured that the NES Classic will return in 2018, and also asked us not to fall for the resale trap with the Super NES Classic. The madness for mini versions of classic systems led to the development of pirated clones, but it also reached the computers of yore. The ZX Spectrum already had several "returns" so to speak, and now it's the turn of none other than the Commodore 64.
Retro Games Ltd. announced the Commodore 64 Mini, and to be honest, nothing is known beyond what the official images show. Miniature case (50%) with its corresponding keyboard, two USB ports compatible with PC mice and keyboards (I want to imagine that the built-in keyboard isn't decorative), an HDMI output, a micro USB port, and a physical power button. It includes an eight-button joystick, and 64 games preloaded. The system can save game progress, emulate effects like scanlines or CRT, and receive firmware updates with the help of a USB drive.
The Commodore 64 Mini will be available from 2018 at a price of $70, and Retro Games confirmed that they are working on a full-size model. So, what's the problem? Actually, I think there are several. On the one hand, the most likely thing is that Retro Games follows the same path as Nintendo and installs a generic SoC with a compatible emulator. Then... the catalog. Granted: there are California Games, Speedball 2, Pitstop 2, Paradroid and Impossible Mission, but may an asteroid strike us all if there isn't Bubble Bobble, Giana Sisters, Karateka, Elite, Lode Runner, Pitfall, Microprose Soccer, Barbarian, Bomb Jack... I could go on until the day after tomorrow. And finally, all the images are renders, meaning there isn't ready hardware yet. Crowdfunding in the works?
