Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
Expecting a full-sized Amiga replica? Forget that, the THEC64 mini Black Edition is here, like you haven’t been begging for it (you haven’t).
PLAION and Retro Games Ltd have announced THEC64 mini Black Edition. Featuring 25 preinstalled games, the most interesting thing about this release isn’t that it is a black Darth vader-esque take on the keyboardless C64 mini, but the collection of games (and whether it proves a hit or not).
Coming on October 25th, with pre-orders opening this week, this black C64 features the following games:
Yeti Mountain • Spinning Image • Steel Ranger • A Pig Quest • Hessian • Joe Gunn: Gold Edition • Hunter’s Moon Remastered • It’s Magic 2 • Runn ‘N’ Gunn • Guns ‘N’ Ghosts • Metal Warrior Ultra • Millie & Molly • Rocky Memphis: The Legend of Atlantis • Good Kniight • Planet Golf • Nixy and the Seeds of Doom • P0 Snake • Grid Pix • Caren and the Tangled Tentacles • Ooze: The Escape • Sam’s Journey • Shadow Switcher • Pains ‘N’ Aches • Knight ‘N’ Grail • Galencia
THEC64mini Black Edition trailer
Look at what you could be getting on Christmas morning:
The Back In Black campaign accompanying this reissue is described as “a salute to the coders, artists, and fans who’ve kept the C64 alive through decades of change.” This has informed the game selection, which are new titles rather than “nostalgia pieces […] living proof that creativity on the platform never stopped.”
“THEC64 mini – Black Edition is more than just a colour change,” said Ben Jones, Commercial Director at PLAION REPLAI. “This is a celebration of the passionate developers, artists, and fans who never stopped creating. Back In Black is about showing that retro still has edge, energy, and soul.”
This Special Edition boasts:
- A new matte and gloss black finish for the console and keyboard.
- 50% scale replica.
- 25 pre-installed Neo-Retro games, many revised for THEC64 mini – Black Edition.
- Plug-and-play high definition 720p, 50 or 60Hz output via HDMI for modern TVs.
- Multiple USB ports support the connection of joysticks, gamepads, USB sticks and keyboards.
- Four ‘save game’ slots per game.
- A micro switched USB joystick for an authentic arcade response, in a matching colour scheme.
What do I think about the THEC64 mini Black Edition?
It’s not quite what we expected from Retro Games Ltd, and I think it’s fair to say that while it looks really nice in black, this isn’t going to be the top of many Christmas lists.
While the alternative library of included games is attractive, it doesn’t really have the same grabbing power that the original C64 mini had (especially when there’s a brand new Commodore 64 in production).
But while it resembles a Commodore 16 rather than anything else that list of games might be the best showcase for the longevity of the platform. Sure, there’s the option of just building your own with a Raspberry Pi, but this is plug-and-play, and therefore an easy option for playing some great games.
THEC64 mini – Black Edition is available for pre-order now, priced at £89.99, ahead of its scheduled release on 24th October 2025.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
