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C64 and ZX Spectrum Return as Clamshell Handhelds as Preorders Open for October Launch

The officially licensed clamshells cater to collectors with authentic design, curated libraries, limited-run bundles.

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1980s retro game handhelds
The C64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld

Overview

  • Preorders opened Thursday through Funstock and specialist outlets, with U.S. listings at CastleMania Games and Songbird Productions.
  • Standard units cost £109.99 / $129.99, while Funstock-exclusive Collector’s Editions are £129.99 / $149.99 and capped at 2,000 per model.
  • The handhelds are slated to ship in October 2026, with several retailers listing October 15 for first deliveries.
  • Each device includes a 4.3-inch 840×480 IPS screen, a quad-core 1.2GHz processor, 256MB RAM, a 2,000mAh battery, 25 built-in games, a microSD slot for legally obtained ROMs, and a USB-A port for keyboards or joysticks.
  • They cater to enthusiasts with period-authentic styling, official game licenses, and emulation options like PAL/NTSC and system-variant switching, plus Spectrum CPU under or overclocking.