Retro Games The C64 Mini User manual

User Guide

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USER GUIDE

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Copyright © 2018 Retro Games Ltd.
All rights reserved.
THEC64 is a registered trademark of Retro Games Ltd. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their
respective owners.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Retro
Games Ltd.
Hardware, software and industrial design by Chris Smith.
Produced and licensed by Darren Melbourne and Paul Andrews
with Stuart Chiplin and Ben Jones.
Graphic design by Jon Carling.
Games library production, testing and documentation by Richard Hewison.
Menu music by Matt Gray.
CE — The product complies with all relevant European directives (2004/108/EC, 2006/95/EC) when
installed and used in accordance with the user manual. This product can only be serviced and repaired by
qualied personnel. This product has no user serviceable parts.
WEEE — The crossed-out wheelie bin symbol conrms that your product should not be disposed of with
your general household waste, but should be taken to your nearest recycling centre for safe and responsible
disposal. This will help prevent any potential negative impact on the environment and on human health and
is in compliance with current EU legislation. Please contact your local authority or retailer for further
recycling advice.
The terms HDMI and HDMI High-Denition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI logo are trademarks
or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. in the United States and other
countries.
CBM 8-Bit ROMs © 1977–1984 Cloanto® Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Furnished under license from Cloanto®
Corporation. Cloanto is a trademark owned by Cloanto Corporation throughout the world and registered in the United
States and internationally.
Retro Games Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any errors found in the supplied games, which were originally written
and published in the 1980s or early 1990s.
Retro Games Ltd. reserves the right to change the specication of this product and the content of this guide to reect
any such changes. The latest version of the User Guide will always be available from www.thec64.com, which we
encourage you to regularly visit for full game instructions, guides, user forums, updates and rmware upgrades.
Whilst every care has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information and links provided in this guide, we cannot be
held liable or responsible for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any inaccuracies.
User Guide – March 2018

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
1. SETTING UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
• Unpacking THEC64 Mini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
• Connecting and Starting THEC64 Mini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
• Shutting Down THEC64 Mini . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. THEC64 JOYSTICK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
3. USING THEC64 MINI FOR THE FIRST TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. THE HOME SCREEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
• Games Carousel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
• Game Preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
• Game Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
• Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5. PLAYING GAMES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
• Choose a Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• Game Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• Start a Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• The ☰button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. KEYBOARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
• The Virtual Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
• USB Keyboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
7. TECHNICAL HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
• Firmware Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
• Factory Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
• USB Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
• Forced Shutdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8. CARING FOR YOU AND THEC64 MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
• Caution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
• Epilepsy Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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OVERVIEW
THEC64 Mini home computer is a compact, modern take on the classic home computer system that rst
appeared in 1982. THEC64 Mini is instantly reminiscent of the original design, although the keyboard
is purely aesthetic and non-functional.
A selection of classic C64 games are pre-installed on THEC64 Mini, ready to be played with the sup-
plied THEC64 Joystick.
THEC64 Mini includes a virtual on-screen keyboard for selecting keys during a game. For most games
that need access to a keyboard, this will be more than sufcient. Alternatively, connect a USB keyboard
(not supplied), giving you access to any keys you might need when playing games or programming
in BASIC. See www.thec64.com/basic for more information on C64 BASIC and how to begin
programming.
THEC64 Mini also provides a number of options via the ☰(MENU) button on THEC64 Joystick, including
saving and loading during any game.
CHAPTER 1 describes the recommended order for connecting, powering on and shutting down
THEC64 Mini.
See CHAPTER 2 for more information about THEC64 Joystick.
See CHAPTER 6 for information on using Virtual and USB keyboards.
We hope you have hours of fun, either reliving your childhood or enjoying the C64 for the rst time!

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1CHAPTER
SETTING UP
• Unpacking THEC64 Mini
• Connecting and Starting THEC64 Mini
• Shutting down THEC64 Mini

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UNPACKING THEC64 MINI
Before connecting anything, check the contents of the packaging. You should have:
• THEC64 Mini Computer
• THEC64 Joystick (USB)
• HDMI Cable
• Micro-USB to USB Power Supply Cable
CONNECTING AND STARTING THEC64 MINI
1. Ensure that your HD TV or Monitor is switched OFF before you connect THEC64 Mini
2. Connect one end of the HDMI cable into THEC64 Mini, and then connect the other end to your HD
TV or Monitor
Please make sure to use a 5v 1A AC adapter that has been approved for use in your
country, and read its instruction manual to ensure that it is able to supply power to
THEC64 Mini.
POWER LED
USB PORTS
POWER ON / OFF MICRO-USB POWER
HDMI

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3. Connect THEC64 Joystick to either of THEC64 Mini’s USB ports. See CHAPTER 2 for full details on
THEC64 Joystick
4. Connect the supplied USB power cable into a suitable USB power source, and then connect the other
end to the Micro-USB port on THEC64 Mini
5. THEC64 Mini automatically turns ON and the Power LED glows red
6. Switch ON your HD TV or Monitor and choose the appropriate HDMI input source.
SHUTTING DOWN THEC64 MINI
1. When you are ready to turn THEC64 Mini off, press the power switch once. This places THEC64
Mini into a shutdown state
2. To turn THEC64 Mini back on, press and hold the power switch for two seconds until the Power
LED glows red
3. In the unlikely event that THEC64 Mini fails to respond, press and hold the power switch for ap-
proximately six seconds to force THEC64 Mini to shutdown.
Please refer to CHAPTER 8 for full safety information when using THEC64 Mini.

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2CHAPTER
THEC64 JOYSTICK

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To use THEC64 Joystick, connect it to an unoccupied USB port before you switch on or before you
launch a game. THEC64 Mini will not recognise a joystick that is plugged in while a game is running.
THEC64 Joystick has a DIRECTIONAL STICK and eight buttons, referred to as left FIRE , right FIRE ,
TL , TR , A, B, Cand ☰(MENU).
The joystick is used to:
(i) Highlight and select items in the menus and screens (using the DIRECTIONAL STICK and the left or
right FIRE buttons and using ☰to leave most screens and return to the previous one)
(ii) Play the games
The games supplied with THEC64 Mini use some or all of the joystick buttons during play. Other games
may also require a keyboard (virtual or USB) during play. At a minimum, all games will use the DI-
RECTIONAL STICK and either FIRE button. You always have use of the ☰button from within any game,
which temporarily suspends the game by default, and offers a number of game options.
See CHAPTER 5 for more information on the ☰button and playing games.
LEFT FIRE
DIRECTIONAL STICK
RIGHT FIRE
TL
TR
A B C
☰MENU

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3CHAPTER
USING THEC64 MINI
FOR THE FIRST TIME

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1. When you rst switch on THEC64 Mini, you choose which language it will use for all the non-game
menus and screens
2. Choose your preferred language for THEC64 Mini using THEC64 Joystick and pressing FIRE . This
setting affects all the non-game menus and screens. THEC64 Mini will now remember your choice
and use it automatically. To change it later, see the OPTIONS below the GAMES CAROUSEL on the
HOME screen, as described in CHAPTER 4. See CHAPTER 2 for full details on using THEC64
Joystick
3. Having chosen your preferred language setting, press the ☰button on THEC64 Joystick to go to the
HOME screen
4. You’re now ready to explore the HOME screen.

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4CHAPTER
THE HOME SCREEN
• Games Carousel
• Game Preview
• Game Overview
• Options

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The HOME screen is where you choose which game to play and access the conguration options.
GAMES CAROUSEL
Use the Joystick UP and DOWN to move the highlight between the GAMES CAROUSEL and the
OPTIONS windows. Wherever you are on the HOME screen, LEFT and RIGHT chooses an item, and
FIRE makes a selection.
GAME PREVIEW
This window shows preview images from the highlighted title in the GAMES CAROUSEL.
GAME OVERVIEW
This window displays information about the highlighted title, giving a summary of the game, what type
of game it is and who created it. More information and full instructions for each game are available
online at www.thec64.com/games
See CHAPTER 5 for further information on playing the games.
OPTIONS
Choose from a selection of options that change how THEC64 Mini or a connected USB keyboard
operates.
To choose an option, move LEFT or RIGHT on the Joystick and press either FIRE button. Press the ☰
button to come out of the current screen.
GAMES CAROUSEL
GAME PREVIEW GAME OVERVIEW
OPTIONS

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Select this option to choose how the games display on your HD TV or monitor.
• Pixel perfect — This mode gives a fuller display width, with square pixels.
• European 4:3 — This mode reproduces the display width of the original European
computer
• North American 4:3 — This mode reproduces the display width of the original
North American computer
You can also choose an additional CRT mode to introduce a softer, scanline effect
should you want the games to look as if they are displaying on an old TV display.
For best results, set your TV Aspect to Auto to preserve the aspect
ratio of THEC64 Mini. We recommend not using 4:3, 16:9 or any
zoom modes.
Select this option to choose the language to be used on all the screens. It is the same
option that appears automatically when you rst power on THEC64 Mini.
Please note that these settings do not change the language used in
the supplied games (which is English).
Select this icon to change system settings. There are four options available:
• USB keyboard — Use this option to select which keyboard layout to use with a USB
keyboard. See CHAPTER 6 for further details
• Legal notices — This option presents a collection of legal notices and other
information
• System information — This option shows which version of THEC64 Mini rmware
you have. See CHAPTER 7 for further details about upgrading your rmware
• Factory reset — This option allows you to reset your THEC64 Mini back to its
factory state, erasing all data. See CHAPTER 7 for further details.
Press button Con THEC64 Joystick whilst on the HOME screen to toggle the menu music
off and on.