Retro Games is back, and this time they’ve dipped their tiny Commodore homage in a vat of sleek matte and gloss black plastic. Introducing the THEC64 Mini Black, launching October 24, 2025—because nothing says “innovation” like re-releasing the same product in a different color and expecting us to trip over ourselves for it.
Let’s not pretend this isn’t exactly what it looks like: a glorified aesthetic update designed to lure die-hard fans into shelling out again for something they probably already own—but now in black. Because, you know, black = premium. It worked for Batman, why not a shrunken Commodore 64?
What’s Actually New (Spoiler: Not Much)
Let’s be clear. This isn’t the full-sized THEC64. It’s the Mini. Meaning:
- The keyboard is still fake.
- It’s still 50% scale.
- It still outputs via HDMI.
- It still comes with a joystick that looks good but feels like you’re playing with a stapler.
But wait, there’s more. This time it glistens. The black finish, both matte and gloss, makes it look like a stealth C64 meant to infiltrate your nostalgia and steal your wallet.
However, credit where it’s due: this version includes 25 hand-picked modern C64 games. That’s right—this isn’t a museum of retro bangers from the ’80s. It’s actually a celebration of modern homebrew heroes keeping the C64 flame alive. Games like Sam’s Journey, Steel Ranger, A Pig Quest, and Yeti Mountain make the lineup genuinely impressive. It’s like giving your favorite childhood console a chance to hang with the cool new kids.
For Fans, By Marketers
THEC64 Mini Black tries very hard to be the collector’s item nobody asked for. It’s like Apple releasing a “Space Gray” version of the same iPhone six months later. You know it. They know it. But you still want it on your shelf.
There’s no functional upgrade. No enhanced joystick. No new firmware magic. Just the same solid retro-emulator-in-a-box, now ready to match your black coffee mug, black desk, and black soul—assuming you’ve already bought every previous version and your bank account is running on fumes.
But let’s be honest. You’re not buying this because you need it. You’re buying it because you have a C64 tattoo, a framed copy of Commodore Format magazine, and a shelf that demands symmetry. And because deep down, you love giving Retro Games your money. They know it. You know it. Everyone wins—except your wallet.
