Commodore 64 mini

[Simon Geddes]

I read a few review articles about the C64 mini, a year or two back. This is
the minaturised c64-like plastic box, with the faux keyboard (in the 'breadbox'
c64 style). It came with a few dozen c64 games built in I believe, and most
reviewers thought the games selection was a little below par. The developers of
the unit defended this, saying you could load your own games via the USB port,
and even access BASIC should you want.

Has anyone had any experience of this device? Most interestingly, has anyone
taken to using it was their main c64 machine, perhaps for development or tasks
beyond games? Would be interested to hear of anyone's experiences.

[Tom Lake]

Post by Simon Geddes
I read a few review articles about the C64 mini, a year or two back. This is
the minaturised c64-like plastic box, with the faux keyboard (in the 'breadbox'
c64 style). It came with a few dozen c64 games built in I believe, and most
reviewers thought the games selection was a little below par. The developers of
the unit defended this, saying you could load your own games via the USB port,
and even access BASIC should you want.
Has anyone had any experience of this device? Most interestingly, has anyone
taken to using it was their main c64 machine, perhaps for development or tasks
beyond games? Would be interested to hear of anyone's experiences.

If you really want to connect with Mini users, try the Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/

[Simon Geddes]

Re: Re: Commodore 64 mini
By: Tom Lake to Simon Geddes on Sun Dec 22 2019 11:38 am

Post by Tom Lake
If you really want to connect with Mini users, try the Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/

Thank you for digging out the link for me. I don't have Facebook/easy internet
access anymore though.

I'm probably reading too much into your reply, but it sounds like there's a
community of mini users, but they may be viewed with suspicion by the
longer-term true 64 users?

[Tom Lake]

Post by Simon Geddes
Re: Re: Commodore 64 mini
By: Tom Lake to Simon Geddes on Sun Dec 22 2019 11:38 am

Post by Tom Lake
If you really want to connect with Mini users, try the Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/209280506324242/

Thank you for digging out the link for me. I don't have Facebook/easy internet
access anymore though.
I'm probably reading too much into your reply, but it sounds like there's a
community of mini users, but they may be viewed with suspicion by the
longer-term true 64 users?

Not just for Minis but Maxi (unofficial term for the full-sized model) and anyone interested in the C64 in general. The differences between TheC64 and the original are not trivial, though, so if you use a real C64, you'd be better off finding a group for that machine specifically.

[Rudolf Harras]

Post by Tom Lake
Not just for Minis but Maxi (unofficial term for the full-sized model) and
anyone interested in the C64 in general.

Luckily you can also connect to these groups without needing Facebook...

[Rudolf Harras]

Post by Simon Geddes
Has anyone had any experience of this device?

The C64 mini has too much lag.
The C64 (maxi) should be better there.

[Michael Freitag]

Post by Rudolf Harras

Post by Simon Geddes
Has anyone had any experience of this device?

The C64 mini has too much lag.
The C64 (maxi) should be better there.

Well, I've got THE_C64 (maxi) around christmas and tested it.

Now here he is, a modern C64 with on current state of the art.

The basic features like CRT mode which simulates a tube monitor with stripes etc, have been mentioned in other reports. It's running cool as well as the delivered games. The look&feel is exactly as I am used to from my C64 time.

I'd like to give some additional infos not being mentioned.

The first impression of the new C64 is of high quality. Original size with love to the details. The place where the power plug was one is a pushbutton for on/off now. Power supply is by micro USB. All in all you got 4 USB ports. It is able to read .d64 files of own disk images on usb port. So playing of other games is no problem at all.

You get the menu with the delivered multi use joystick. Here you can switch
between VC20 and C64 as well as BASIC console or carousel mode to choose the games you want to play.

And here is the only bad point I've seen so far. Playing is only possible with this Joystick. Original C64 joysticks with SUB-D connector and USB adapter didn't work for me so far. The manual says, there are many other joysticks supported. They also give the buttons for special things like menu. I will check if the adaptors are being supported by trying with 2 player games like spy vs spy, etc.
And there is a possibility to update the core os of THE_C64. So maybe in future there will be more.
OK, to be honest, I never was a big fan of the competition pro. It's not handy at all and the stick is very motion-intensive due to long ways. The microswitches trigger after a long way and a fast movement e.g. from up to right are quite are very slow by this. I am a pilot stick freak but it's everybodys own decision. Apart from that, the joystick gives also the impression of good quality. This is also very important as the joystick is being needed for the menu and "Summer Games" are being delivered :)

Every C64 of mine have been opened as I am electronic technician. So also this :)
My first fear was, that there would work a Raspberry with some VICE. This is definitely NOT the case. The small mainboard has a smd mounted custom chip and lots of internal connectors. Whatever it is, it's no raspi. It looks like they put the complete C64 hardware and their own system on a custom chip. I've not seen any lag, so I think its original hardware pressed in the chip or a very very fast emulation. Not bad anyway!
THE_C64 boots also without the delivered masterjoystick. And there shall be a way to use it (also the menu, etc) with key combinations.

All in all "felt original" C64 with modern features.

The price of below 120€ (119,99€ in germany) definitely worth.




Website: https://retrogames.biz/thec64
Supportfiles (Manuals, Firmware, etc): https://retrogames.biz/thec64/support
Manuals: https://retrogames.biz/thec64/support/manuals-thec64

[Ez]

Post by Michael Freitag
Every C64 of mine have been opened as I am electronic technician. So also this :)
My first fear was, that there would work a Raspberry with some VICE. This is definitely NOT the case.

No, it is a cheap SOC running VICE just like the original "mini", and
without any credits to the VICE team or source code as required by the GPL.

Post by Michael Freitag
It looks like they put the complete C64 hardware and their own system on a custom chip. I've not seen any lag, so I think its original hardware pressed in the chip or a very very fast emulation. Not bad anyway!

No it is not "original hardware pressed in the chip", it is running
VICE. If it was "original hardware" you'd be able to use a normal
joystick like you could on a DTV (which was a hardware implementation,
not an emulator).

The other give away is you can boot into a VIC-20 which has completely
different hardware to a c64 (other than the keyboard).

[Andreas Kohlbach]

Post by Ez

Post by Michael Freitag
Every C64 of mine have been opened as I am electronic technician. So also this :)
My first fear was, that there would work a Raspberry with some
VICE. This is definitely NOT the case.

No, it is a cheap SOC running VICE just like the original "mini", and
without any credits to the VICE team or source code as required by the GPL.

Post by Michael Freitag
It looks like they put the complete C64 hardware and their own
system on a custom chip. I've not seen any lag, so I think its
original hardware pressed in the chip or a very very fast
emulation. Not bad anyway!

No it is not "original hardware pressed in the chip", it is running
VICE. If it was "original hardware" you'd be able to use a normal
joystick like you could on a DTV (which was a hardware implementation,
not an emulator).
The other give away is you can boot into a VIC-20 which has completely
different hardware to a c64 (other than the keyboard).

And still uses VICE.

[Gary McCulloch]

Nice read-up. I have an orgininal C64 and not long ago purchased a
RS232 WiFi modem. From there I was able to load up CCGMS Terminal and call out
to boards like I did back in the 90's. Can this be done with THE_C64? If its
just for games, then it is not worth the price in my opinion. Your thoughts?

-Spitfire Inc presents 2 Unique Systems...

Reign of Fire II BBS
C-Net DS-2 v2.6 - rof.cnet64.com:6400
Reign of Fire BBS
C-Net Amiga Pro v5.21c - rofbbs.cnetbbs.net:2300 - 931-494-9100
* C-Net/5