I’ve got the original C64 mini, and frankly, it’s a brilliant little piece of kit. It’s exactly the right size for a bit of nostalgia and the included joystick—while perhaps not perfect—does the job.
So, when news landed that Retro Games Ltd. (RGL) and PLAION REPLAI were dropping THEC64 mini – Black Edition today, October 24, 2025, my first reaction was simple: Why?
We’ve seen countless black editions, gold editions, and limited-run colour variants over the years. Are they a genuine tribute, or just a quick cash-in designed to fleece the dedicated collector? Having read the details, I think this one falls squarely into the former, and that’s a great thing for the long-suffering Commodore 64 fan base.
It’s about the games, not just the hardware
The most immediate change is the aesthetic: a sharp matte-and-gloss black finish that, in fairness, looks fantastic—a nod to the “underground aesthetic” of the scene it celebrates. It comes with all the expected features: HDMI output, four save-slots per game, and that much-needed micro-switched USB joystick. But the real draw isn’t the slick new paint job; it’s the game library.
This isn’t a retread of the same old 80s favourites. This new Black Edition ships with 25 pre-installed Neo-Retro games. For the uninitiated, this means titles created by contemporary developers who have continued to push the limits of the original 8-bit machine long after its commercial death.
This is a massive shift, and it completely justifies the release.
Three must-play titles on the black edition:
- Sam’s Journey (98% Zzap! Sizzler): The platforming jewel of the modern C64 scene. It’s hard to believe this visual spectacle runs on original hardware specs.
- A Pig Quest (96% Zzap! Gold Medal): An adventure game that has earned serious critical acclaim in the retro community.
- Hessian (93% Zzap! Sizzler): A brilliant blast of modern cyberpunk action.
Full list of games:
1. Yeti Mountain
2. Spinning Image
3. Steel Ranger
4. A Pig Quest
5. Hessian
6. Joe Gunn: Gold Edition
7. Hunter’s Moon Remastered
8. It’s Magic 2
9. Runn ‘N’ Gunn
10. Guns ‘N’ Ghosts
11. Metal Warrior Ultra
12. Millie & Molly
13. Rocky Memphis: The Legend of Atlantis
14. Good Kniight
15. Planet Golf
16. Nixy and the Seeds of Doom
17. P0 Snake
18. Grid Pix
19. Caren and the Tangled Tentacles
20. Ooze: The Escape
21. Sam’s Journey
22. Shadow Switcher
23. Pains ‘N’ Aches
24. Knight ‘N’ Grail
25. Galencia
Why the C64 Mini Black Edition matters
RGL’s Paul Andrews called this edition a “continuation,” not a throwback, and that’s the key takeaway. They are validating the decades of work by the homebrew community, which has kept the C64 spirit alive through sheer passion and creativity. It’s a physical product that serves as a launchpad for newcomers to experience the best work being done right now on a 40-year-old machine.
If you already own the original C64 mini, is a second device really worth £89.99? That depends on how much you value the 25 new games and the convenience of having them pre-loaded on this gorgeous new hardware. As a collector, the aesthetic alone is tempting. As a gaming enthusiast, the library is a no-brainer.
If you don’t own a mini yet, this Black Edition launches globally today, and is undoubtedly the definitive version to buy.
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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.
