Fans of the original Amiga 500—released back in 1987 by Commodore—should rejoice. The popular home computer is finally getting its chance at a comeback, thanks to a miniature reimagining from Retro Games Ltd.
Check Out the All New A500 MINI
If you go all misty-eyed the second someone mentions Speedball 2 or Zool, the Ninja from the Nth Dimension, then the likelihood is you encountered an Amiga back in the 80s and 90s. The home computer was incredibly popular, positioning itself as a serious gaming device and one also with productivity at its core.
Now, Retro Games Ltd has stepped in with its own modern-day version of the Amiga 500—the A500 MINI—which it claims can emulate Amiga games perfectly. According to a Retro Games Ltd Facebook post announcing the new device, it will be available in early 2022, and will cost $139.99 (£119.99).
The device ships with a miniature Amiga 500 console, 25 built-in games, a USB mouse that mimics the 2-button A500 design, a modern USB gamepad, HDMI cable, USB-C power cable, and a quick-start guide. This writer, for one, cannot wait to get his hands on the A500 MINI.
What Is the A500 MINI?
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The A500 MINI, as mentioned, is a device that emulates Amiga 500 games. It can also run A600 and A1200 games, too, which is excellent as this means buyers can benefit from the AGA (advanced graphics architecture) versions of Amiga 1200 titles, as well as the A500’s original and enhanced chipsets (OCS and ECS).
It is important to highlight that this is an emulator and not an official Amiga device. Commodore, in its 1987 capacity, ceased to exist decades ago, and the Amiga sadly died alongside Commodore’s original incarnation. However, Retro Games Ltd says it has fully licensed the device and included software, so you can play any of the 25 built-in games with a clear conscience, knowing you’re not besmirching the Amiga name.
What Can the A500 MINI Do?
Well, if it can perfectly emulate an A500, A600, or A1200, then it should be able to do anything those computers did. So, aside from playing games, it should be able to run things like Workbench and Deluxe Paint, among other productivity/creativity-related applications.
Aside from playing the built-in games, users can also load their own custom Amiga ROMs via the A500 MINI. So, if you still develop games for the Amiga, you can theoretically play them on this device. You achieve this by connecting a USB drive to the device’s port, and you should be able to load any homebrew ROM you desire.
You also have the option to connect the A500 MINI to a wireless keyboard, allowing you to do even more with the device’s productivity-centric apps.
Are You a Retro Gaming Fan?
If so, are you as excited as we are to see what the A500 MINI has to say for itself? It looks pretty awesome, especially given its ability to run ROMs that aren’t included on the device.