Commodore 64 Handheld and ZX Spectrum Handheld: Blaze and Retro Games Ltd. Make It Happen
THEC64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld Are Coming in October 2026
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Commodore 64 Handheld and ZX Spectrum Handheld: Blaze and Retro Games Ltd. Make It Happen · Source: Funstock
Retro meets pocket-sized with Commodore 64 Handheld and ZX Spectrum Handheld: Blaze, known as the maker of the Evercade consoles, is teaming up with Retro Games Ltd to release two new clamshell handhelds based on two of the most beloved home computers of the 1980s, the Commodore 64 and the ZX Spectrum. They’re called THEC64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld, and both are hitting shelves in October 2026.
Commodore 64 Handheld and ZX Spectrum Handheld
Design and Hardware
The clamshell form factor takes clear cues from iconic gaming handhelds of the past while also nodding to the portable computers and organizers of the 1980s. That’s no accident: the design is meant to carry that nostalgic feeling while still being practical enough for 2026.
Under the hood, both devices share the same core specs: a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, 256 MB of DDR RAM, and a 4.3-inch IPS display running at 840 x 480 pixels. The units measure 136 x 86 x 26 mm and weigh in at 235 grams, so they genuinely fit in a jacket pocket. A 3.5 mm headphone jack, a USB-A port for external keyboards, and a MicroSD slot for loading additional games round out the connectivity options. The 2,000 mAh battery promises over three hours of playtime, and charging happens via USB-C.
Emulation and Game Selection
Both units ship with 25 preloaded games each, and the curation holds up pretty well. The Commodore 64 Handheld includes titles like Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid, Boulder Dash, and Nebulus. The Spectrum Handheld brings along classics such as Manic Miner, Head Over Heels, Skool Daze, and The Great Escape.
The emulation depth is where things get genuinely impressive. The Commodore 64 Handheld supports C64 PAL/NTSC, C64C, C64SX, PET64, and even the C64 GS. The Spectrum Handheld covers the Spectrum 48K, 128K, Plus 2, Plus 2A, Plus 3, and even the 16K variant, with CPU under- and overclocking support on top. Anyone who finds the preloaded selection too limited simply loads more games via MicroSD.
Controls and Input Concept
Since a full keyboard isn’t part of the package, both devices offer four mappable function buttons designed to replicate the most important key inputs of the original machines. On the Commodore 64 Handheld, these are tactile plastic buttons; on The Spectrum Handheld, they’re rubber, which is a deliberate callback to the rubbery keyboard feel of the original ZX Spectrum.
A standard D-pad plus start, select, and menu buttons complete the control layout. Anyone who wants a full keyboard can connect one via the USB-A port, which should be particularly appealing to BASIC enthusiasts.
Conclusion
The Commodore 64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld are clearly aimed at retro computing fans and nostalgia seekers, but both devices get a lot of things right. The emulation depth is solid, MicroSD support adds real long-term value, and the clamshell design is a charming nod to a largely forgotten form factor era. Whether the overall package justifies the €129.99 price tag depends heavily on your personal connection to these two platforms.
Retro computing enthusiasts are unlikely to need much convincing. And for fans of SID chip music and ZX Spectrum beeper tunes, there’s definitely something here worth revisiting.
Pricing, Availability, and Collector’s Edition
Both handhelds are priced at €129.99 each and launch in October 2026, with pre-orders already live. For €149.99, there’s a Collector’s Edition of each device that includes a hard shell case and an exclusive magazine: the legendary Crash with The Spectrum Handheld and Zzap with THEC64 Handheld. Both Collector’s Editions are limited to 2,000 units each and are only available through Funstock.co.uk and Funstock USA.
More Information About ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 Handheld
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