The Commodore 64 is a legend that refuses to fade away. After the successful launch of THEC64 Mini and the Fullsize model, the retro gaming world is buzzing with excitement once again. Why? Because the “Breadbox” is officially going portable.
A Modern Take on a Classic Icon
Announced for release on October 15, 2026, THEC64 Handheld is more than just a nostalgia trip – it’s a carefully designed piece of hardware for the modern era. Taking inspiration from the beloved clamshell design (reminiscent of the Nintendo DS), it comes in that iconic C64 beige that we all know and love.
Key Features at a Glance:
- The Display: A 4.3-inch IPS screen with 800×480 resolution, ensuring your pixels are sharper than ever.
- The Controls: Dedicated physical function keys (F1, F3, F5, F7) and a tactile D-pad for an authentic experience.
- The Storage: A Micro-SD slot that lets you load your own personal library of .D64 or .CRT files.
- Connectivity: A USB-A port on the back for external joysticks or keyboards—perfect for serious gaming or coding sessions on the go.
Old Meets New: The Games
The handheld comes pre-loaded with 25 curated games. What makes this collection stand out is the inclusion of modern C64 homebrew hits like Sam’s Journey and A Pig Quest alongside all-time classics like Speedball 2 and Boulder Dash. It proves that the C64 scene is still very much alive and kicking.
Why I’ve Already Pre-ordered
Retailing at €129.99, this device bridges the gap between a collectible and a functional gaming powerhouse. For me, the ability to take the SID-chip sounds and classic gameplay anywhere is a dream come true.
I have already secured my unit via Funstock, and I will be posting a full, in-depth review right here on the blog and my YouTube channel as soon as it arrives in October. We’ll be testing everything from battery life to the responsiveness of the action buttons.
Stay tuned for the full review this October. Until then—Stay Retro!