The Commodore 64 (also known as C64) has unparalleled heritage as a groundbreaking games and home-use personal computer. Since it's launch in 1982, the C64's role in the evolution of the modern games industry was incredibly powerful and the echoes of its influence still reverberate through the industry today.

The C64 "Direct to TV" (DTV) unit includes 30 classic games, each of the games is in full colour and can be personalised. In addition, each game has multiple levels, and some of the games have multiple "events". The games are not just replicas of the originals - they actually are the originals.

The line-up of games includes Summer Games, Winter Games, Pitstop (I & II), Impossible Mission (I & II), Firelord, World Karate Champion, Speedball and many more. Unlike the original computer, you won't have to wait ages for the tape to load each game, they load up from memory almost instantly!

All this is built into a replica of the Competition Pro 5000 Joystick - which plugs directly into a TV for instant fun at home or away!

No computer or additional software is required, simply add batteries, plus into the TV and you're up and running.

For the techies, here are the details of the hardware:

• Custom 0.35 micron ASIC chip running at 1 Mhz
• 128K RAM, 2MB or ROM
• 256 colours available on screen

Complete games list:

Please note: Gadgets.co.uk have worked with the manufacturer to import a limited number from the USA prior to the official UK launch in 2005. This model, although designed to work with NTSC (American standard) televisions, will work with most UK TVs manufactured in the last 5 years.

	"RETRO games are massive at the moment and this direct to TV gizmo could be a lot of fun. The gadget is based on the classic Commodore 64 and it's so popular in the US that 40,000 were sold on the first day of release." 18 Dec 04
	"If you remember the Commodore 64 this plug-and-play joystick is for you. It lets you play 30 classic C64 games on your TV, including Summer Games and Pitstop." 17 Dec 04