The C64 Maxi will release on December 5 for $119.99, roughly a year after the C64 mini’s release. The retro remake system is a fully licensed collaboration between Retro Inc. and Koch Media
As the name suggests, the C64 Maxi will be a full-sized remake of the Commodore 64 and comes with a full-sized keyboard and a microswitch joystick. Unlike its mini predecessor, the C64 Maxi’s keyboard isn’t just there for looks; it will be fully functional as well.
Not just for looks this time
The C64 Maxi includes four USB ports and an HDMI outlet and offers several different ways to play games. Consumers can play any of the 64 games pre-installed on the system, and the C64 Maxi also supports C64 and Vic20 games and saves stored on USB drives, including multi-disk games.
Some of the games in the pre-installed library include Paradroid and California Games, much like the C64 Mini. Players can also choose CRT filters and switch between 50 and 60 Hz.
If the idea of a full-sized Commodore 64 reboot sounds familiar, it’s because the project was first announced back in 2016. At the time, Retro Inc tried crowdfunding the effort through Indiegogo but fell short of its goal by roughly $50,000.
It’s also the latest in a wave of retro and retro-inspired consoles. What started quietly a few years ago with the NES Classic Mini has turned into a veritable rush of retro consoles, with Atari’s modern twist on old classics, Hyperkin’s N64 reboot (since Nintendo so far has no plans for an N64 Mini),and then the Evercade, a retro handheld console with custom-built cartridges.
Once upon a time, the C64 handheld was said to be in line for a remake, and with this trend in retro consoles showing no sign of slowing, it’s highly possible we’ll see that soon too.
