Full-sized The C64 retro computer out this Christmas with proper joystick

June 26, 2019

A not-so mini version of the world’s favourite 8-bit computer is being planned, with a working keyboard and more games than ever.

The Commodore 64 is getting yet another chance at fame, with a new version of the ‘80s home computer that this time features a full-size, working keyboard and an old school micro-switched joystick.

The innards are likely to be the same as The C64 Mini that was released last year, which was pretty good in terms of emulation and the range of games but almost ruined by a terrible joystick that was far too imprecise for most of the action games.

That’s the problem the new one will be looking to fix, although the fact that the keyboard works this time (the original was just a miniaturised replica) will also make games easier to play.

The full line-up of games hasn’t been confirmed yet but it already seems to be different to the mini version, as it now includes Jeff Minter classics such as Attack Of The Mutant Camels, Gridrunner, and Hover Bovver.

Thanks to the keyboard there’s also text adventures for the first time, with the inclusion of Planet Of Death, and new indie games such as Galencia that have been made by fans in only the last few years.

The C64 will be released on 5 December this year and will cost around £110, around a third more than the original mini version.

Although it’s not technically a mini console, The C64 is one of a host of similar devices released recently, following Nintendo’s successful Mini Classic NES and SNES, and Sony’s rather less well-received PlayStation Classic.

Later this year though you’ve also got the Capcom Home Arcade device and the much-anticipated Mega Drive Mini.

And while the news got a bit lost during E3, Konami has announced a mini version of the PC Engine, to include games such as R-Type, New Adventure Island, Ninja Spirit, Ys Book I & II, Dungeon Explorer, and Alien Crush.

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