C64 Mini News, Updates: Console a Lazy Nostalgia Cash Grab That’s Better Left on the Shelf, Observers Say

The Commodore 64 was one of the most beloved retro consoles in video game history and the C64 Mini was supposed to be a way to give fans a taste of sweet nostalgia. Unfortunately, unlike what Nintendo brought to the table with its own NES Classic, the C64 Mini is looking more like a lazy cash grab than anything else.

Now, since it has yet to be released in the U.S., it’s difficult to get a good idea of how the C64 Mini will perform. The mini console is scheduled for launch in the North American market on Oct. 9, Forbes reports, but there are already troubling signs about the unit.

For starters, while the 64 titles that are going to be included in the C64 Mini do have good games among them, many of the retro console’s strongest offerings are not. “Armalyte,” “Boulder Dash,” and “Impossible Mission” are undoubtedly amazing classic games. However, huge games like “Bard’s Tale,” “Prince of Persia,” “Spy vs. Spy,” and “Defender of the Crown” are not present in the mini console.

Of course, miniaturized consoles can’t be expected to have all of the games in their libraries installed. The NES Classic was missing some crucial games, for example, there’s no denying that. However, the titles that are not on the C64 Mini are not insignificant. It would be like Nintendo releasing a mini console without its key “Super Mario” or “Legend of Zelda” games.

This has led some publications to note that the C64 Mini simply is not worth recommending in its current state. In its own take on the mini-console, ExtremeTech is of the opinion that the product is better left on shelves. Unless Retro Games Ltd. can find a way to put the missing titles in the C64 Mini, customers would be a lot better off giving it a pass.