Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum Get Retrofuturistic Handheld Makeovers
▼ Summary
– Blaze Entertainment announced two new handhelds, the Spectrum Handheld and The C64 Handheld, based on iconic ’80s personal computers, focused on gaming.
– Each handheld comes with 25 retro games and supports game expansion via a microSD card; they can also connect to a keyboard and joystick over USB.
– Preorders for The C64 and The Spectrum start at $129.99 each, with shipping not expected until October 2026 at the earliest.
– The handhelds’ appeal lies in their designs inspired by original ’80s-era counterparts, despite being more expensive than devices that can emulate the same games.
– Both handhelds feature a 4.3-inch 800×480 screen, remappable controls, stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and a three-hour battery recharged over USB-C.
Blaze Entertainment, the company known for its cartridge-based Evercade systems, has unveiled two new handhelds that transform classic 1980s computers into portable gaming devices. The Spectrum Handheld and The C64 Handheld strip away the productivity features of the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum to focus purely on play. Each portable comes preloaded with 25 retro titles, and additional games can be added via a microSD card. For those seeking a more traditional desktop feel, both units can connect to a keyboard and joystick through USB.
Shipping is not expected to begin until at least October 2026, but preorders for The C64 and The Spectrum are available now through Funstock, starting at $129.99 each. That price point may seem steep, especially since even Anbernic’s most affordable model, the $48 RG28XX, can easily emulate these classic games. However, the true draw lies in the retro-inspired designs of both handhelds, which feature colors and cases directly modeled after their iconic 1980s predecessors.
Each handheld boasts a 4.3-inch screen with a crisp 800×480 resolution, along with remappable D-pads, action buttons, and additional function keys. They also include stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and a three-hour battery that recharges via USB-C. The Commodore 64 edition comes bundled with titles like Boulder Dash, Aztec Challenge, and Nebulus, while the ZX Spectrum version offers classics such as Manic Miner, Switchblade, and Starquake, among others.
(Source: The Verge)