From Blaze Entertainment:
Introducing THEC64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld - two new handheld retro gaming consoles licensed by Retro Games Ltd and created by the makers of the critically acclaimed Super Pocket consoles. These two new handhelds are designed around the imagination of what a portable version of these classic home computers would look like in the 1980s.
Each handheld follows the color scheme of the home computers and is inspired by the design choices of each original release. The clamshell case design takes inspiration from some of the most successful gaming handhelds of the past, while also evoking the style of portable computers, palmtops and organizers of the 1980s. Answering the question of what these classic home computers would be like if they were designed and made in the 1980s.
What do you get?:
- The iconic home computers in handheld form
- 25 classic THEC64/The Spectrum games built into each device
- Bring your own games using the MicroSD card slot
- A sharp and bright 4.3" screen at a high 800*480 resolution
- Tailored game controls with customisable mappings
- Tactile Plastic/Rubber function buttons unique to each handheld
- Keyboard & Joystick support using the rear USB-A I/O
- Front-facing stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Rechargeable battery via USB-C Charging port (cable included)
Each console comes with 25 built-in games (full game lists are below) that highlight some of the best examples of gaming on both iconic platforms, such as Boulder Dash, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Manic Miner, Head over Heels, and many more! The bespoke user interface highlights the games in a fun style inspired by the original computer interfaces, with all the modern features gamers have come to expect, like load/save states, screen options, information on the games, and more.
The consoles have a 4.3” IPS screen and front-facing stereo speakers for a great personal gaming experience, and a responsive D-Pad with four face buttons for easy handheld game play. Each console also has four function buttons designed to mimic the keys on the original devices and a menu/start/select button layout inspired by the same. These keys are tactile plastic on THEC64 Handheld and rubber on The Spectrum Handheld.
Plus, the fun doesn’t stop there as fans can bring their own games with the dedicated MicroSD slot on every device and can expand their handheld to support a USB keyboard or Joystick with the rear USB-A I/O port. Users can also select a variety of system options, allowing them to customize which historic system to emulate with their games. This will give users a multitude of customizable settings, system speeds, audio chip selections, and more.
“THEC64 and The Spectrum are two of the most iconic names in gaming history, with generations of players who hold them close to their hearts. Bringing these experiences into a brand-new handheld form feels like a natural next step, and we’re proud to bring these to both longtime fans and a new audience discovering them for the first time. We are delighted to be working with Retro Games Ltd to make this happen.” – Andrew Byatt, CEO, Blaze Entertainment.
Paul Andrews MD of Retro Games Ltd said “We are delighted to be working with Blaze Entertainment on the release of two amazing handheld devices, ‘THEC64 Handheld’ and ‘The Spectrum Handheld’. With an superb selection of classic games on each machine, Retro Gaming on the go just got even better!”
