TheC64 and The Spectrum Handhelds Will Launch in April 2027 After Production Concerns
Blaze Entertainment moved both standard and collector's editions from October 15, 2026, while the Evercade Nexus remains scheduled for October 30.
TheC64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld will now launch on April 22, 2027, six months later than planned. Blaze Entertainment delayed both devices after finding that areas of their construction did not meet its standards during production.
Both handhelds were originally scheduled to release on October 15, 2026. In its announcement of the new April 22, 2027 date, Blaze said it could address some issues quickly and still ship the devices in 2026, but chose to take the additional time instead. The change applies to both the standard and collector’s editions. Blaze also acknowledged that the delay would disappoint customers and thanked them for their patience.
What the delay means for the retro handhelds
Blaze Entertainment announced the products in April as a collaboration with Retro Games. The companies are creating clamshell handhelds based on the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, complete with controls tailored to each machine.
The C64 Handheld will use plastic buttons, while The Spectrum Handheld will feature the Spectrum’s trademark rubber buttons. Both button layouts are designed around the built-in games and can be remapped for other titles.
Features and pricing
Each handheld will cost £109.99 / $129.99 and include 25 built-in games. Both devices will also have a MicroSD card slot, allowing owners to add their own legally obtained game ROMs.
The hardware includes a 4.3-inch IPS screen with an 800×480 resolution, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB port for keyboard or joystick support. The two systems share the same general format while keeping their controls and presentation tied to their respective home computers.
Other ways to play classic microcomputer games
Anyone unwilling to wait for the clamshell systems still has other options. The C64 Mini and The Spectrum offer straightforward HDMI-based play, while the Commodore 64 Ultimate and ZX Spectrum Next use FPGA technology to replicate the original hardware more closely.
Evercade Nexus remains on schedule
Blaze also confirmed that the delay does not affect the Evercade Nexus handheld. That device is still scheduled to release on October 30, with the quality concerns tied specifically to the Retro Games collaboration.
What would you need to see from the final hardware to make the April 22, 2027 wait worthwhile? Follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
