THEC64 is currently unavailable in the UK

The popular THEC64 Classic edition, with its working keyboard, is reported as unavailable in the UK and North America

I have pondered the future of THEC64 platform, especially with Retro Games Ltd (RGL) being behind this modern days Commodore C64 clone, along with THEA500 Mini (Amiga-based) and THE400 Mini (Atari 400/800/XE/XL based) consoles. The latter is competing in what I see as the same space as THEC64. Thankfully, THEC64 Mini is still readily available, and you may find new units in the UK for under £40.00p. So, what is going on?

My conjecture on this is that THEC64 classic is no longer economically viable to produce. Inflation has devalued the British Pound Sterling and US Dollar, with THEC64 typically retailing at around £119.99p - £129.99p, whereas THEA500 Mini's initial retail price point was £119.99p, and THE400 Mini is a penny shy of £100. We know that the world is fraught with dangers now, and some would argue on the verge of another World War, and that has increased shipping costs. All models of THEC64 (along with all of RGL's products) are manufactured in China, and for us in what is called "the West", our Governments have been somewhat hostile, or let's say unfriendly to the one place that we've exported nearly all of our manufacturing to. Not a great plan, one might say.

In my view, THEC64, or more specifically, THEC64 with the latest firmware, is very good value at its typical price point when compared to the other machines from RGL; for about the same price as THEA500 Mini (at least when THEA500 Mini is not discounted), you get essentially a fully working computer that mimics and emulates not just the famous C64, but also the VIC-20, and one that may boot straight to classic mode just like a real C64 or VIC-20. It has 64 built in games, which were nearly all pretty well recieved from the computer press of the 1980s and early 1990s, and more free games when upgraded, and it includes a much improved microswitched joystick that to me feels authentic.

But if you can put up with a non-working keyboard, or providing your own keyboard, and you have a better solution to THEJoystick included with THEC64 Mini, then THEC64 Mini is a steal at the moment. I regularly see it online and in Game stores retailing at under £40.00p. So what you have a keyboard that isn't correctly mapped? And who cares about playing VIC-20 games anyway? We all know that the C64 is where it's at, right? So, for the time being, and I would say the foreseeable future, if you want THEC64 then it's a Mini you'll have to purchase. Although, I don't know the availability of the Mini in North America, but it's certainly available in Europe.