The Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum have been turned into retrofuturistic handhelds

2026-04-30 · Source: The Verge · Field: Technology & Digital — Gaming & Interactive Media · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

Blaze Entertainment, known for its Evercade consoles, has unveiled two new handheld gaming devices: The Spectrum Handheld and The C64 Handheld. These portables reimagine the iconic 1980s ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 personal computers, focusing exclusively on gaming rather than productivity. Each handheld comes pre-loaded with 25 retro titles, expandable via microSD card, and features a 4.3-inch, 800x480 resolution screen, remappable controls, stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and a three-hour USB-C rechargeable battery. Users can also connect an external keyboard and joystick via USB for a desktop-like experience. Preorders are available through Funstock starting at $129.99 each, with shipping anticipated to begin in October 2026.

Key takeaway

For retro gaming enthusiasts considering new hardware, these Blaze Entertainment handhelds offer a unique, authentic 1980s aesthetic experience. While more expensive than generic emulators, their dedicated design and pre-loaded classic titles provide a distinct value. You should weigh the premium cost against the desire for a purpose-built, nostalgic device rather than a general-purpose emulation machine.

Key insights

New handhelds revive 1980s computer aesthetics for dedicated retro gaming, prioritizing design over raw emulation power.

Principles

• Nostalgia drives product design
• Dedicated hardware enhances experience

In practice

• Preorder The C64 or The Spectrum
• Expand game library via microSD
• Connect USB keyboard/joystick

Topics

• Blaze Entertainment
• Retro Handheld Consoles
• Commodore 64
• ZX Spectrum
• Portable Gaming

Best for: General Interest, Tech Journalist

Related on AIssential

• Acer’s launching a Linux handheld for streaming your PC games — The Acer Nitro Blaze Link introduces a dedicated, Linux-based handheld for streaming PC games, prioritizing affordability over local processing power.
• Mad House — Usborne Creepy Computer Games — AI can rapidly transform static legacy content into interactive, retro-styled digital experiences.
• You can now use the Game Boy Camera with your phone — Epilogue's GB Operator and Flashback app revive the Game Boy Camera, blending retro aesthetics with modern mobile functionality.
• GTC Review: NemoClaw, Groq, and SpectrumX — Nvidia's GTC unveiled significant advancements, including the rapid integration of Groq's V3 LPX into a new system platform, utilizing NVLink and a modified SpectrumX for low-latency networking, along…
• Steam Machine and Steam Frame are coming this summer — Valve is expanding its hardware ecosystem with new devices and enhancing its digital store experience.
• I joyfully reunited with my first Linux distro at the Virtual OS Museum — The Virtual OS Museum offers a free, easy way to explore hundreds of historical operating systems via VirtualBox.

Open in AIssential →

Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The Verge.