A pair of icons get new handhelds with The C64 and The Spectrum

HyperMegaTech! is bringing back a pair of absolute classics, with two new handhelds. Meet THEC64 and The Spectrum.

When you’re talking about the early days of video gaming and home computers, the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Both were technically marketed as home PCs, some of the first for the mass market. But more than just beige boxes, these PCs were hotbeds for gaming. So much so, that most people who owned them back in that era talk more about that functionality than anything else.

If you’re in with that lot, or just have an affinity for gaming’s history, then you might want to see what Blaze Entertainment’s HyperMegaTech! brand is cooking up. Namely, the line will soon include dedicated handhelds for both of the aforementioned machines.

Those units will come in the forms of THEC64 and The Spectrum.

As you can see there, these new units eschew the familiar form-factor that HyperMegaTech! tends to use. Gone is the standard Game Boy-ish form, replaced by a clamshell design that’ll come gussied up with a retro feel. According to Blaze Entertainment, the idea was to produce something that looks like it might’ve been made back in the 80s.

Of course, neither of these bad boys would’ve been possible back then, but you get the idea. And the design looks like it captures the thought well, evoking the feel of the “portable computers, palmtops and organisers” of the past.

But these aren’t just collectibles. As usual, HyperMegaTech! is packing a hefty list of options and games.

BYOG, or play the included titles

As you might’ve guessed thanks to the identical forms, both units pack identical sets of features. In the case of either one, fans will find a 4.3″ 800*480 resolution​ screen, and “tailored game controls with customizable mapping”.

Tactile plastic and rubber function buttons “unique to each handheld” are built in, but the pair of consoles will also support keyboards and joysticks via rear USB-A I/O. So if you really want to get a more authentic feel, to a degree, you can.

Users will also find that each handheld will stock front-facing speakers, 3.5mm headphone jacks, USB-C charging ports, and MicroSD card slots. Yep, you can bring your own games for these two, though you don’t strictly have to.

A total of 25 games will be played be built into each, of course tailored to the featured platform. Scroll down to check those out.

THEC64 Handheld

• A Pig Quest
• Sam’s Journey
• Nebulus
• Boulder Dash
• Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe
• Paradroid
• Hunter’s Moon Remastered
• Knight ‘n’ Grail
• Aztec Challenge
• Krakout
• Lee
• Druid
• Encounter!
• Galencia
• Ice Guys
• Metal Warrior Ultra
• Millie & Molly
• Planet Golf
• Shadow Switcher
• Spherical
• Squish ‘Em
• Steel Ranger
• X-Out
• Yeti Mountain
• It’s Magic 2

The Spectrum Handheld

• Head Over Heels
• Manic Miner
• Skool Daze
• Tiny Dungeons
• Archon: The Light and the Dark
• The Great Escape
• Bounder
• Switchblade
• Nightmare Rally
• M.O.V.I.E.
• Avenger: The Way of the Tiger II
• Bugaboo the Flea
• Devwill Too ZX
• Hammerfist
• Hammer Knight
• Penguin Attack
• S1NCLA1R C1TY
• Shovel Adventure
• Snake Escape
• Sorcerer Kid Adventure
• Splat!
• Tourmaline
• Where Time Stood Still
• Zynaps
• Starquake

“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!”

Blaze Entertainment press release

Coming this fall

Both of the above units will be shipping to stores this very year, joining what’s a pretty busy schedule for Blaze. Prospective owners will be able to pick up either The Spectrum or THEC64 (or both) this coming October (2026). Pre-orders should be open right now, with the price of $129.99 USD each.

It’s worth noting that AC adapters won’t be include in the boxes. Both will come with a charging cord, in the form of a USB-C cable, instead. So it looks like HyperMegaTech! is keeping with modern tradition of eschewing an actual plug.

While we’re talking pre-orders as well, both of the above units will have collector’s editions. Those are available exclusively via Funstock stores.

Each handheld will also have a Collector’s Edition available exclusively from Funstock. Both will come with a hard shell carry case, designed and coloured to match the included handheld. There will also be a specially created magazine in each with THEC64 Handheld featuring Zzap Magazine and The Spectrum Handheld featuring Crash Magazine. Each magazine features expanded content about the games on each console along with other features.

Blaze Entertainment press release

As mentioned, Funstock will be the place for both of those CE’s, which will clock in at $149.99 USD a piece.