If you woke up feeling extra excited this morning, then it’s probably because you could sense the impending arrival of the A500 Mini!
Yes, the company that brought us the Commodore 64 Mini are back to bring us more retro gaming goodness. This time, they’ve brought the Commodore Amiga 500 back to life as a classic mini console, and we couldn’t be happier.
For those who don’t know what the A500 is or think that a Commodore is part of Lionel Ritchie’s old band (look it up), then fear not. We’ve got everything you need to know about the epic A500 Mini and when you can expect to get your hands on one!
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Checking Out The A500 Mini Classic Console!
Yes, the rumours are true, folks. Take a peek at the A500 Mini in all its glory.
Maintaining the original console’s style, features, and peripherals, the A500 Mini looks just like the real deal and comes pre-loaded with tonnes of classic retro games that are bound to make you feel like Gollum in a jewellery store.
But let’s back up a second.
The Amiga 500 dropped in 1987. It was one of the most affordable home-gaming solutions of the time, and like the C64, sold as a keyboard unit with built-in floppy disk drive.
Now, Retro Games LTD are giving this retro behemoth the classic console treatment it deserves. They’ve dropped a serious nostalgia bomb, providing us with the original mouse and keyboard unit along with a sleek 8-button USB controller.
A500 Mini Features
Instead of lugging around a bulky charger, gamers can power up the A500 Mini via USB-C cable. It outputs at 720p and comes with a CRT filter and options for scaling on a variety of screens.
The console is capable of emulating the A600 and the A1200 too, so titles from those consoles could well end up appearing as part of the pre-loaded line-up or be available to add into the mix at a later date.
Like many of the other best mini consoles, save states and upgradable firmware are key features that original gamers never had access to. There’s no more staying up all night to try and finish a game; you can come back to them and pick up exactly where you left off!
Modern tech, eh!
Which Games Does The A500 Mini Come With?
That’s the real reason you came here, right?
The A500 mini ships with 25 games. At the moment, only 12 have been announced, but the list looks pretty darn good!
So far, players can look forward to:
- Alien Breed 3D
- Another World
- ATR: All Terrain Racing
- Battle Chess
- Cadaver
- Kick Off 2
- Pinball Dreams
- Simon the Sorcerer
- Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
- The Chaos Engine
- Worms: The Director’s Cut
- Zool
Like the C64 Mini, Retro Games LTD have also included an option to upload other games to the system too. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
How Much Will The A500 Mini Cost?
The A500 Mini will cost £119.99 here in the UK and $139.99 in the US.
With a projected release date of Q1 2022, Retro Games LTD have given us all something to look forward too in the new year.
I for one can’t wait to crack back into Zool and Simon the Sorcerer, two games that my uncle introduced me too a heck of a long time ago!
One thing is for sure; if the A500 Mini proves to be as big a success as the C64 Mini, then Retro Games LTD have got a surefire winner on their hands!
Head over to the Retro Games LTD website for more info, and let us know if you’re thinking about picking up an A500 Mini over on our Facebook page!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 33 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
