In their latest video, TheRetroChannel explores some big white boxes that arrived in the mail. Inside the boxes is something unexpected: new Commodore 64 breadbin cases, manufactured by RetroFusion. These cases were part of an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, which TheRetroChannel supported. Upon receiving the items, they were eager to open the boxes, although the exact colors ordered were unclear, as RetroFusion offered multiple options, including a transparent case.
The first box revealed a clear case, crafted with UV-resistant plastics and brass screw inserts. The case also includes new features like matching accessories, compatibility with original and modern C64 motherboards and keyboards, and new color options. RetroFusion’s packaging is praised for its care and attention to detail, though some minor imperfections in the cases are noted.
The second box contains a black case with a shiny, metallic side cover, which appears to be made of aluminum. Similar to the first, it includes new hardware like screws, a power LED, and the RetroFusion badge. Upon inspection, both the clear and black cases exhibit cracks in the same spots, indicating potential issues with the mold or tooling used during manufacturing. Despite these flaws, the cases still look great overall.
The final box contains a MechBoard64, a mechanical replacement keyboard featuring new key switches and LED backlighting. The keyboard is compatible with original C64 keycaps, and TheRetroChannel plans to add their own. The board has a DuPont connector and offers various jumpers for adjusting the shift-lock behavior. Although some connectors differ for different C64 models, the MechBoard64 seems like a solid addition to the setup.
Despite the minor issues with the cases, TheRetroChannel is excited about assembling the new gear and trying it all out with compatible keycaps and C64 components.
