Is the C64 Mini Still Awesome in 2024? | Commodore 64 | Mini Console from Retro Games | Review

[@ArttuTheCat]

I bought The C64 Mini from a local retro game store in Tikkurila, Vantaa (Finland 🇫🇮) in 2019. It only cost 60€, and it was pretty cool. But i am still lucky to have the original hardwares of the Commodore 64 (tapes / disks / cartridges) and Amiga 500 😺👍🕹️. I still love collecting the original games in the original boxes - and with the manuals, cards etc.. I also love listening to the loading sounds on the Commodore 1571-II disk drive and Amiga 500 floppy disk drives and also the external disk drives 😺👍🕹️. Your channel deserves a big retrospective like 👍🕹️ from Vantaa, Finland 🇫🇮.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Thank you! I appreciate the support. I don’t have an original C64 anymore but still have my original Amigas! And yes, the loading sounds are a great part of the experience 😊

[@shelby_snake]

Given how many awesome aftermarket games are released every year for the C64 and how useful the save state feature is these are DEFINITELY worth buying!

[@Michael.Talbot]

I remember games like Rambo, Commando, Raid over Moscow, Monty on the run, Way of the exploding fist. Happy days :)

[@bryanmillar8103]

Never had a 64 growing up, but did have a vic-20, unfortunately it wasn't until TheVic20 had sold out that I knew of their existence. Recently bought an original Vic-20 case on ebay and I'm in the process of making my own TheVic20.

[@infindebula]

I have one of these. I find the lack of usable keyboard to be a showstopper, particularly when you start loading your own games. USB keyboards are a poor substitute for the C64 keyboard because the key layout tends to be VERY different, which diminishes the whole experience, especially when you start loading in cracked games. The bundled joystick is an annoyance - it is covered with buttons that I find myself accidentally pressing, and it is not at all suitable for my old left-handed style (operating the fire button with my right index finger while I secure the base between my thumb and remaining outstretched fingers, so I can hold the stick in my left hand). Also the stick operation is way too clicky for my taste. I believe TheC64 MINI uses VICE as its emulator. If you have a computer hooked up to your TV, you are farther ahead to just install VICE and use GameBase64. It's all free, you'll just need a game controller. I have a Mac Mini and this is flawless. It doesn't address the keyboard layout problems of course. There is something to be said for having a box that plugs in to your TV via HDMI and allows you to play some games. If you're happy with the included games, the Mini is decent. If you want to add games consider the Maxi, or VICE on a modern computer, or, dare I say ... an actual C64.

[@endwigast5212]

There's an Indiegogo campaign for the BlingBox standalone C64-layout keyboard. It can be plugged into and used with THEC64 Mini, or a PC if you'd prefer to emulate the C64 that way. It's a bit pricey, but it's going to be a high quality item.

[@infindebula]

@@endwigast5212 already backed!! Thx

[@bluefox9er]

These are the points I wanted to know. I was going to get one, but I can’t see how much of an improvement it will be on using my pc and an Xbox controller as it’s my understanding that you can’t just plug in any old usb controller on this device, it’s very picky about controllers straight out of the box

[@infindebula]

@@endwigast5212 I have a couple Blingbooards coming! For those who missed the indiegogo campaign, these mechanical keyboards (Blingboard drops into your real C64, Blingbox is a perfect standalone keyboard for emulators) will be available for purchase. Probably in spring 2025.

[@PlaydatePlayer]

Was a Speccy kid. Nodes of Yesod was an obsession, didn't know it also came out on the C64....ooh....may sell it for me alone :) I did love Exploding Fist and Thing On A Spring, MI, Paradroid. I ended up getting a C128 (first tech purchase regret). I'd get a Spectrum Mini day one if they ever brought one out. Sorry, off topic :)

[@GeekBattleGaming]

There was the Spectrum Vega which I will review in a future video, and it’s not the greatest. but I have a feeling the guys who made this will bring out a mini ZX Spectrum within the next year or so.

[@ExtremeImprov]

Bubble Bobble and Dizzy were the best games on C64

[@GeekBattleGaming]

Dizzy is probably my favourite series from back then. I have a video series covering them. Feel free to check it out 😊

[@steviehope7718]

Really good video this

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

Most of my games on the mini and maxi were homebrews, including Star Wars remakes, D Kong Jr, Sonic C64 REU, and many of the classic shooters such as Galaga, galaxian, and Tetris remade. There's some great modern games INCLUDING classic puzzlers such as columns.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

That’s a good list of home brew games. I need to check out Sonic for C64.

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

It's truly great. Sideload it from usb. Choose compatible loader. Enjoy. It's console quality gaming.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@EnjoySynthSounds cool thanks for the info! I’ll check it out

[@davidwhaite3330]

Great review i've just received the new...SPECTRUM and its Brilliant,

[@TheRetroRaven]

The mini's were never awesome to begin with. They're console versions of our beloved home micro computers. They fine for a quick-fix if your only desire is to play an emulated game. The Maxi's on the other hand, are fun devices that really provide the nostalgic feeling that we all love and remember. It's about the nostalgic experience and feeling as a whole. My biggest issue with these, is that there's no official tool to add your own games to the carousel. You have to use community-provided "hacks" to do so. And once we venture down that road, then you might as well go with a complete custom setup anyway. So from a pure customer and User Experience perspective, there's really nothing "awesome" about it.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

If they’d added a way to add your own games to the carousel they’d get people contacting them every time a game didn’t load correctly. This way people understand that it’s just a bonus feature. I think they opened up the world of official devices allowing users to add their own software which previously was only ever seen as hacking, so think they probably pushed this as far as they could get away with.

[@theyamo7219]

Tower Toppler and Coil Cop were just the US names for Nebulus and Thing Bounces Back

[@wuzjackalz2880]

Was looking at getting a C64 mini but decided not to based strictly on the fact that it lacks support for VIC20 games.

[@Michael.Talbot]

You VIC-20 fan boys never give up. 🤣🤣

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

I believe the firmware is more solid on the maxi. Maybe I had a bad issue, but my mini was failing to boot, or boot in a reasonable time. Both mini and maxi are supported in the maxi game tool, and I added games to both, but the mini was struggling. That's just my experience - yours may differ. I like the way you can edit the carousel. The software gui is easy to use. What do you guys think of the bare metal C64 pi?

[@GeekBattleGaming]

I’ve never got into pi. It’s an area that’s always on my bucket list to do. I remember when a pi was given away on the front of a magazine and always wanted to find another like that lol

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

Sure. Just check out Bare metal C64 pi on KZbin. It utilises at the minimum a pi zero 2 and a break out board for io, with bespoke C64 software. HDMI out of course. You'll pay about £100 but cheaper than C64 maxi and real C64 with SD iec. It's a hybrid way of doing C64, for sure, but still uses your hardware as in your keyboard, case and ports. Many C64's fail. So the Pi route is genuinely useful. I've been thinking of getting a Speccy with Pi Pico, so I've held back on the C64. I had to sell my C64 gear to pay for something important.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@EnjoySynthSounds I’ll certainly explore that. I like these mini and maxi consoles as dedicated ways to use old software. Then I have a steam deck for my portable and one device to run everything options. But am interested to see what the pi can offer

[@theyamo7219]

Never had any issue with booting mine, but I got a lot of freezes midway through playing a game.

[@1stacbats]

Majority of the new games are excellent

[@larsenmats]

C64 mini became pointless when TheC64 fullsize was released. TheC64 is just a tad more expensive VS C64 mini, has working keyboard 4 USB ports and a much better Joystick.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

The joystick is better, but otherwise I think the mini is still useful if you use a usb keyboard with it. My Maxi cost me loads more than the mini

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

It's way more expensive. Cheapest I've seen the maxi for us £90, the mini you can get for £25-30.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@EnjoySynthSounds yeah same. Took me a while to bite the bullet and get a maxi. £100 on Amazon for just a few extras but the nostalgia was my main factor to have it full sized lol

[@larsenmats]

@@EnjoySynthSounds here in Norway I bought TheC64 and TheVic20 for like 100 Euros a piece and the mini goes for like 60 Euros

[@infindebula]

@@larsenmats in Canada you can get a used Mini for about $30, but the full-size “Maxi” can’t be found for under $200.

[@TheBencadiz]

lUse pcuae full or fakes updates to real ntsc to pal change, load more carrousels, use retroarch and more syatems on it, etc...

[@GeekBattleGaming]

You have reproach on the C64 mini? I’ll have to look up how to do that. What other systems does it play?

[@scorch33]

It wasn't awesome in the first place with all the input lag.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

I didn’t notice lag on mine. Was it with all the games or just some?

[@namor18]

with the latest firrmware update the lag is barely noticeable now, even the 8bit guy tested it

[@ShaunBebbington]

There is no Commodore 64 "Maxi" - there is only THEC64, THEVIC20 and THEC64 Mini.

[@GeekBattleGaming]

There is no Dana only Zuul!!!!! But Maxi is the name people call The C64. Like how people called the PlayStation PSX

[@ShaunBebbington]

@@GeekBattleGaming Well they should stop as THEC64 is not adult incontenience wear

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@ShaunBebbington that’s actually hilarious. To be honest I don’t like the Maxi Joystick. I prefer the Maxi pad 😂😂

[@ShaunBebbington]

@@GeekBattleGaming clearly I'm one of the few people who would associate "Maxi" with incontenience pads. Who ever coined the term did not think. Like when Susan Boyle's Twitter team came up with the hash tag #susanalbumparty

[@GeekBattleGaming]

@@ShaunBebbington 😂😂 that’s great. Maybe genius marketing