Type: Console
Manufacturer: Retro Games Ltd.
Year: 2022
Platform: Emulated Amiga (OCS, ECS, AGA)
The Amiga 500 Mini, also known as THEA500 Mini, is a compact re-creation of the Commodore Amiga 500, released by Retro Games Ltd. in 2022. It is designed to allow both long-time fans and new players to experience a curated selection of Amiga titles without the need for original hardware. The system comes preloaded with 25 classic games, covering OCS, ECS, and AGA chipsets, enabling it to emulate titles originally designed for the Amiga 500 through the Amiga 1200.
The unit includes a two-button USB mouse modeled after the original “tank” mouse and an eight-button gamepad inspired by the Amiga CD32 controller. An HDMI cable and USB power cable are also provided. The built-in keyboard is a non-functional replica, but the device supports external USB keyboards for software requiring text input. It outputs video at 720p with selectable refresh rates of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, and it offers display options such as scaling and CRT filters.
The console features save states, allowing players to pause and resume progress, and supports loading additional games from USB in WHDLoad format. The user interface presents a carousel of available titles and includes options for adjusting display and emulation settings. Emulation quality has been noted as generally accurate, though certain games may show minor differences compared to original hardware, especially those sensitive to timing or controller input.
Limitations include the absence of a functional integrated keyboard, which can restrict usability for games and software requiring extensive typing. The bundled gamepad, while functional, does not fully replicate the feel of some original controllers, particularly for games designed for analog input. Furthermore, not all Amiga titles are compatible, and users must provide legally obtained software to expand the library.
