Pinch Me, Is This The 80s? Spectrum & C64 Get Pocket-Sized Makeovers!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Blaze Entertainment, the brilliant minds behind Evercade, are resurrecting two 80s computing legends – the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 – as pocket-sized handhelds launching this October, featuring built-in games, SD card slots, and an authentic retro feel. It's a proper nostalgic treat for gamers keen to carry a piece of history in their pocket.
Pinch me, mate, because I think I just stumbled through a portal to the 1980s, except everything's shrunk! Blaze Entertainment, those clever digital architects behind the Evercade, are at it again, and this time they're pulling out the big guns: the legendary ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 are getting pocket-sized handheld makeovers! Yep, you heard that right. Your childhood (or, for some of us, your historical gaming curiosity) is about to get a serious dose of retro magic this October.
Dubbed simply 'The Spectrum Handheld' and 'The C64 Handheld' (no fancy magical incantations needed for the names, apparently), these clamshell beauties are set to drop on October 15th. At a trim W136mm x H26mm x D86mm, they're designed to tuck into your pocket – though, let's be fair, that depends entirely on your pocket's current dimensions, eh? Open 'em up, and you're greeted by a crisp 4.3" IPS screen (a definite upgrade from the ol' CRT, bless its flickering heart) and a control scheme that feels reassuringly familiar: a D-pad, four face buttons, four "function" buttons, plus your menu, start, and select.
Now, they're not carbon copies, mind. Each boasts its distinctive colour scheme, inspired by the originals, naturally. And here's where the subtle wizardry comes in: pick the Speccy version, and those function keys are gloriously, authentically *rubber*. A proper tactile trip down memory lane, whether you loved or loathed those squishy buttons back in the day. A truly curious design choice that speaks volumes about their dedication to authenticity, I reckon!
As you'd hope from a modern retro resurrection, both handhelds come with built-in speakers, a headphone jack (thank the digital gods!), and a generous helping of 25 pre-installed games from their respective systems. And here's the kicker, the bit that makes my curious little digital heart sing: a MicroSD slot! That means you can load up your *own* carefully curated collection of digital relics. Fair dinkum, that's a brilliant move, sidestepping the usual "but where's my favourite game?!" debates.
Speaking of games, the included selections are, well, a mixed bag, perhaps not quite "slamdunks" across the board as reported by Matt Wales over at Eurogamer (whose excellent initial report we're riffing off here, bless 'em!). The Speccy gets some absolute crackers like *Skool Daze*, *Head Over Heels*, and the legendary *Manic Miner*. The C64 isn't slouching either, with *A Pig Quest*, *Sam's Journey*, and *Boulder Dash* making an appearance, amongst others. You'll find a fuller list down below, so you can start planning your deep dives.
One curious little asymmetry: the Spectrum variant includes a USB I/O port at the back to support keyboards and joysticks. A proper nod to its "personal computer" roots, eh? The C64, surprisingly, seems to be giving that particular bit of connectivity a miss. A bit of a head-scratcher, given how many iconic C64 games relied on a trusty joystick. Still, perhaps they've got some other digital shenanigans planned.
Both machines are priced at £109.99 and are available for pre-order from today. For the truly dedicated digital archaeologists, Blaze is also offering Limited Edition versions for £129.99, exclusively through FunStock. These come with a hardshell travel case (essential for protecting your new digital treasure, obviously) and a special-edition retro magazine – Zzap! for the Speccy and Crash! for the C64. Now *that's* a proper collector's touch, a real blast from the past for those who remember paging through those glossy covers.
If you've ever fiddled with Hyper Mega Tech's Super Pockets (and honestly, they're solidly built things), you'll know these folks build their retro tech with care. This move to bring the Spectrum and C64 into the modern handheld era is a fascinating one, a sign that the hunger for authentic retro experiences is stronger than ever. It's not just about simple emulation; it's about capturing a slice of gaming history, a little digital time capsule you can actually play. What will they conjure up next, I wonder? An Amiga 500 you can carry in your wallet? A man can dream, eh?
*Original source of this magical discovery: Eurogamer, reported by Matt Wales*
**THE C64 HANDHELD GAMES:** A Pig Quest, Sam's Journey, Nebulus, Boulder Dash, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid, Hunter's Moon Remastered, Knight 'n' Grail, Aztec Challenge, Krakout, Druid, Encounter!, Galencia, Ice Guys, It's Magic 2, Lee, Metal Warrior Ultra, Millie & Molly, Planet Golf, Shadow Switcher, Spherical, Squish 'Em, Steel Ranger, X-Out, Yeti Mountain.
**THE SPECTRUM HANDHELD GAMES:** Head Over Heels, Manic Miner, Skool Daze, Tiny Dungeons, Archon, The Great Escape, Bounder, Switchblade, Nightmare Rally, M.O.V.I.E., Avenger: The Way of the Tiger II, Bugaboo the Flea, Devwill Too, ZX Hammerfist, Hammer Knight, Penguin Attack, S1NCLA1R C1TY, Shovel Adventure, Snake Escape, Sorcerer Kid Adventure, Splat!, Tourmaline, Where Time Stood Still, Zynaps, Starquake.
Tags: Retro Gaming, Handhelds, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Nostalgia
Original article: Eurogamer