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The C64 review – a captivatingly precise replica of the joys of 80s gaming
4 /
5 stars
4 out of 5 stars.
The Commodore 64 thrilled a generation of gamers in the 80s. Now it's back (again), warts and all
First released in 1982 – hot on the heels of its rival, Sinclair's ZX Spectrum – the Commodore 64 became one of the most popular home computers of the 1980s. It was far from user-friendly by today's standards – even demanding some code be entered just to load games – but it inspired a generation of future programmers and designers, many of whom went on to be influential game makers. At the peak of its popularity, factories were building 400,000 units a month to meet demand.
In 2018, it made a comeback, reborn as a "microconsole" preloaded with games. A charming, half-scale replica, the C64 Mini could be plugged into a modern TV, providing access to 64 games. Unfortunately, it lacked two things so important to the Commodore 64 experience: a working keyboard and a decent joystick.
Now the the C64 Mini has returned, inflated to a full-size facsimile of the Commodore 64 and rebranded as the C64. This time, it features a functional keyboard and upgraded stick.
As a replica, it is captivatingly precise. Placed alongside an original unit, only the logo and USB ports tell you that this isn't a carefully preserved 1980s model. The new mechanical keyboard is a little softer to use than the original, but it's an impressive reproduction nonetheless. Even before it is powered up, the C64 is capable of delivering a powerful hit of nostalgia. The Mini was delightfully tiny, but there is something much more evocative about holding a 1:1
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