Blaze Entertainment recently released two new retro handheld gaming devices - The Spectrum Handheld and The C64 Handheld, reinterpreting the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, the most iconic personal computers of the 1980s, into portable gaming consoles. The company was previously known for its Evercade console with cartridge design, and this new product further strengthens its presence in the retro gaming hardware market.
From the perspective of product positioning, these two devices do not continue the productivity attributes of the original models as "home computers", but focus entirely on the gaming experience. Each handheld console has 25 independent retro games built-in and supports content expansion through microSD cards; if users want an experience closer to that of a desktop device, they can also connect a keyboard and joystick via USB for operation.
Currently, pre-orders for these two handheld consoles have been opened, but shipments will not begin until October 2026 at the earliest. Consumers can place orders through Funstock, and both The C64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld start at $129.99. In terms of pure simulation running capabilities, this price is not low, because some cheaper handheld consoles on the market can also simulate related games smoothly; however, the core attraction of these two new products is obviously not just performance, but their appearance design highly echoes the color matching and body style of the original 80s model, focusing on a strong nostalgic atmosphere and collection value.
In terms of hardware specifications, both devices are equipped with a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 800×480, and also provide customizable mapping direction keys, action keys and additional function keys. The device also has built-in stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a battery that can be charged via USB-C and lasts about 3 hours.
In terms of game lineup, The C64 Handheld's pre-installed games include classic games such as "Boulder Dash", "Aztec Challenge" and "Nebulus"; The Spectrum Handheld includes representative games such as "Manic Miner", "Switchblade" and "Starquake". For players who prefer retro gaming culture, these two new machines are not just tools that can "play old games", but are more like a portable tribute to the classic computer era.