Retro Games-made TheC64 Mini retro console, i.e. the Commodore 64 Mini has been officially announced for the North American market a few months after it first debuted in Europe. The Commodore 64 Mini will join the retro console market in North America on October 9, 2018, complete with 64 fully licensed classic games built right into the system, including World Games, Summer Games, Winter Games, and Street Sports Baseball. The console will be accompanied by a retro-styled joystick, which will be the main input device for many users considering that the console’s miniature keyboard is non-functional.
Nevertheless, Commodore 64 fans who might want to get a fuller experience or write simple programs in C64 BASIC are not left without an option, as the modern Mini recreation does feature two full-sized USB ports which can be used to plug in regular USB keyboards. Alternatively, the same ports can also accommodate an additional joystick for 2-player games, or likewise be used for firmware updates via USB flash drives. The Commodore 64 Mini is equipped with an HDMI port outputting high-definition video at a resolution of 720p, and for an extra touch of retro goodness for modern television sets, the built-in emulation software provides a CRT filter and pixel-perfect graphics rendered in a 4:3 image format. Another modern touch lies in the inclusion of a save state functionality and a Carousel menu screen in a somewhat similar fashion to Nintendo’s own NES Classic and SNES Classic retro consoles.
Although the Commodore 64 Mini comes with 64 built-in titles, the console allows users to load and run additional programs including demos, full games, utilities etc. with the help of a USB memory stick. The official C64 Mini website provides all the necessary instructions, although users will have to acquire additional software on their own. Judging by the console’s launch in Europe, the North American retail box should include the retro console itself, a single joystick, an HDMI cable, a USB power cable, and a user manual; however, the box doesn’t contain an AC adapter, presumably for the sake of keeping costs lower. Although the October 9 NA launch is not yet accompanied by pricing details, the Commodore 64 Mini is expected to hit the shelves in the US for around $70.