Review: TheC64 Mini. Is it worth buying?

My review of TheC64 Mini. Is it worth picking up in 2023? I take a look at the miniaturised beige wonder and give it The Retro Dandy review treatment. Expect grainy video, a deep voice, and some footage of me playing games badly. If that doesn't sell it to ya, I don't know what will.
Outro music: Stardust (From Lazy Jones) - Composer: David Whittaker
Controller compatibility list: gurce.net/c64mini/hardware_co...
TheC64 Mini: retrogames.biz/products/thec6...
#c64 #retrogaming #retrogames #commodore64 #commodore #speedball

[@robertarnold9815]

I bought one years ago and immediately started tearing it down, added new ports, keyboard, mouse, extra storage, etc. and then re-cased it with LED indicator and reset/power button moved to the front of the new case. I’m currently looking at a rebuild that will improve on the initial layout, switching all the corded stuff to wireless, and going into the firmware to add sideloaded games directly to the "carrousel" and making the other modes so it can easily run Geos and implementing the virtual REU options. One odd thing is I'll be adding additional weight in the case to keep it from sliding around so much. Yes, all rather silly since I can just emulate it in a modern PC with VICE but I’m retired at 64 and other than golfing/mowing the lawn I need something to putter around with.

[@DR20005]

I bought it as a gag gift for my dad - his first PC was C64 and he loved it.

[@skRapKlan]

The good old Commodore64 was my first experience with a home computer, and the first gaming machine in our household. Still to this day one of my top favorites! Amazing to see there are still games being made for it, and these mini consoles is a great way to play them! Thanks for the great review - Keep up the good work!

[@TheRetroDandy]

It’s such an iconic system with such a supportive fan base. The scene will never die, which is great. The same can be said of the Spectrum and Amiga.

[@ryanmillar8315]

I actually just grabbed a loose one of these today for $30 Canadian from a 2nd hand store (no cables but did have the controller). I've been intrigued by them since it was first announced but seemed a little pricy at launch, but for what I paid it was worth playing. I'm sure I can get most that back if I loose interest

[@SonicusZ]

Still love my C64. Been wanting my GF to check out some of the games I played as a kid like Law of the west, Project Firestart, airborne ranger, Rastan, and so many more!

[@thedarkside4308]

I git it and loved it now im looking at retro computers

[@TheRetroDandy]

I’d love to get the full size A500 when it comes out later this year. I think Retro Games are planning on bringing out more mini consoles too.

[@patkelley8293]

You can use a PS4 controller or even better a Fight Stick. I use a Mayflash. Hook the USB Joystick to the Mayflash and you should be able to map the buttons. I tried to type in a program with USB keyboard but certain required Commadore key commands to program are not possible with a non Commadore key board. Favorite games on the Mini would be Temple of Apshi, Sword of Fargoal. I wish they would have made it possible to play games or ROMs with "multiple disks" I haven't figured it out.

[@TheRetroDandy]

I’ll have to try the PS4 controller. Have you tried the micro switched version of the C64 joystick? I just wonder if it’s significantly better than the one included with the mini.

[@patkelley8293]

@@TheRetroDandy Haven't tried micro switch. I like using the fight stick. Feels more like an arcade.

[@SirMo]

Can confirm PS4 controller works!

[@cecilm3720]

Having been there the 1st time around (true 80s teenager) I'm intrigued... mainly because my ZX Spectrum, C64, C128, Amiga 500, and Amiga 1000 are in a basement in another country. ;) Just having Paradroid would make it quite worthwhile. Did you review the US or EU version? (There seem to be differences in which games are preinstalled.) But the bad controller is a let-down. (Even though I've read somewhere that the controller is supposed to be with micro switches.) Regards.

[@TheRetroDandy]

Looks like I got the US version as it was missing Armalyte (added this myself).

[@synchro62]

Hell Ye especially on Ebay for used about £15 ..Know what your looking for .. The UK version has the Green 7 Pegi logo on the box .. If not its the European which runs to fast in the UK. Over 10, 000 games to play how could it not be worth buying :)

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

The keyboard overlay could have been better implemented- only essential keys on it and been bigger. Most emulators don't have it shoved to the side. Also swap out the crappy joystick, with a gamepad.

[@VEGANVANIA]

Six out of ten is a fair score: for the vast majority of people, _even if_ you spend a ton of time and money improving the controls and loading software onto an S.D. card, _this thing will nevertheless just gather dust,_ and you'll get dismally little use out of it. As bad as the joystick included with the system may be, the more expensive microswitch joystick (made by the same company and sold as an upgrade) _is even worse._

[@TheRetroDandy]

Mine is currently gathering dust. I’ve been thinking about getting the 8 bit do arcade stick for use with Switch and PC. I think it’s compatible with this too.

[@gdawwg1125]

ive got the maxi and i love it. i also have a real C64 and many emulators. There is somthing about sitting at a desk with the breadbin keyboard that i really enjoy using. And the real c64 is just a hassle. my Maxi is my go to for c64

[@steveelston4016]

Hi I am having trouble updating the firmware. I have tried half a dozen flash drives and it will not read any of them. Any suggestions ?.

[@TheRetroDandy]

Is it the official firmware?

[@steveelston4016]

@@TheRetroDandy yes.

[@TheRetroDandy]

@@steveelston4016 Make sure the USB drive is formatted to FAT32, otherwise the C64 might not read it. This site covers how to do it: www.howtogeek.com/902632/format-usb-flash-drive-to-fat32-windows/#:~:text=On%20Disk%20Management's%20main%20window,when%20your%20drive%20is%20formatted.

[@steveelston4016]

@@TheRetroDandy this is the message I get when I try to view the file. It seems Cool File Viewer could not open this file correctly, maybe the file is damaged. Would you like to contact support for more help?

[@TheRetroDandy]

@@steveelston4016 Hmm, not sure about that. You may need to get on to Retro Games Ltd for support: retrogames.biz/support/thec64-mini/upgrade/

[@anthonyt219]

Can you type on it? Or is it made for ants?

[@justbenelson]

Question is, is the Commodore 64 worth buying in 2024?

[@TheRetroDandy]

I think maybe 2024 is the year of the Amiga.

[@SirMo]

It absolutely is! And you can't beat the price. For about $40 the whole thing is cheaper than a modern game for a PC or console. And you get potentially countless hours of entertainment. The crazy thing is the new games seem to be on the rise in the last decade. C64 (and ZX Spectrum) are going through a bit of a renaissance. And the newly released games are quite good too.

[@george._sir._gemini.175]

Yes

[@TheRetroDandy]

@@george._sir._gemini.175 I could have made a much shorter video with just that one word 😂

[@user-vc9sh9hz8n]

Literally had to come and comment. Is it worth buying in 2023? It's a console from 1982 it's not that it's going to get out of date.😊

[@TheRetroDandy]

It’s a fair point. I probably could’ve left off the year as it’s irrelevant.

[@TheRetroDandy]

And as if by magic, the title’s been changed!

[@user-vc9sh9hz8n]

Hey I wasn't trying to be mean. I just found it amusing. I was born on that year and actually spent a lot of time playing all the crap games. A lot.

[@TheRetroDandy]

@@user-vc9sh9hz8n I know you weren’t being mean, I just thought you made a valid point. It’s a retro console, it doesn’t matter whether it’s 2023 or 3023, it’s still going to play C64 games. It made sense to change the title 🙂

[@user-vc9sh9hz8n]

@@TheRetroDandy cool. Just thought I'll explain. :-)