Update []: Retro Games Ltd's full-size Amiga 'console' didn't come out in 2024, as was reported below—and it looks like we're going to be waiting a little longer thanks to a legal tussle.
Retro Games Ltd has posted the following statement on Facebook:
As everyone knows, it has long been our intention to release a full-size sequel to THE A500 mini in Q1 of 2025. Despite the best efforts of our team and partners, this will sadly not be possible within that timeline.
Unfortunately, the ongoing legal disputes between Hyperion Entertainment and the Amiga parties are preventing us from proceeding with manufacturing. Many of you in ‘The Amiga scene’ will recall that Hyperion initiated legal action against the Amiga parties in 2018, and in 2019 they even tried, unsuccessfully, to challenge the release of THE A500 Mini, despite such interference being a "Hyperion Prohibited Action" under their 2009 Settlement Agreement.
Our friends at Amiga and Cloanto, who have supported us throughout the development of THEC64, THEVIC20, and THE A500 mini, have been working tirelessly to resolve the issue as swiftly as possible. However, our manufacturing and retail partners have chosen to postpone the release of our full-sized machine until the legal situation is fully resolved. We appreciate the disappointment and frustration that these delays cause, but unfortunately the situation is completely beyond our control.
In the near future, we will share more details about the machine itself, including images, features and software line-up, including one brand new game that will make its debut on the machine. We will also issue a revised release date which will be as soon as is practically possible.
Thank you for your continued patience and support. We do understand that you are as frustrated as we are. Whilst these legal issues do not directly involve us, they do of course have an effect on what we do. Everyone is working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible, and we believe that a resolution is in sight.
In the light of the ongoing delays, we think it's only fair to share with you that the machine is to be called….'THE A1200'
Original Story: Retro Games Ltd., the company behind the C64 and A500 Mini micro-consoles, has revealed its product roadmap for the next few years.
The headline news is that the company plans to release a full-size "Amiga console" in Q4, 2024. This will sit alongside the A500 Mini system, which launched in 2022. It has been confirmed that the new system will have a fully working keyboard.
In addition to this, Retro Games is releasing a new mini-console in Q1 2024, and has plans for two more "full size" console releases in Q1 and Q4 of 2025. It has not yet been confirmed what these consoles will be.
Finally, it has a "major product update" planned for Q4 of this year, as well as a new accessory for Q3 2024.
First released in 1985, the Amiga family of computers sold 4.85 million units worldwide. Models include the Amiga 1000, Amiga 500, CDTV and CD32.
Comments 14
“Full sized” Amiga? Could that be an A4000? Or an A1200? Unlikely to be a CD32, given how poorly it sold, so recognition is likely to be low (although I had one).
Could it be something new, akin to an Evercade VS, just focussing on Amiga?
Will certainly keep an interested eye on this !
@michaelf I'm guessing it will be like the two versions of the C64. As in essentially the same as the Amiga 500 Mini but in a full size box with a functioning keyboard.
@michaelf I would imagine it will simply be based on the design of the A500 seeing as it is the most recognisable model but still have all the ability to emulate those more powerful systems like the mini does.
I am definitely more interested in picking one up as having the keyboard makes it so much more of an authentic experience much like the C64 version.
@BionicDodo , @Zenszulu cheers. I’d be really interested in a machine with a working keyboard, creating a much more authentic experience. Even if it was “just” modelled on an A500.
Since this will be an emulation device, I hope there's enough head room on the maxi to emulate a turbo board too. I wonder if it's intent will still be mostly a game machine like the mini. You can get workbench et all on the mini, but I'd like the maxi to be more of a traditional experience.
"First released in 1985, the Amiga family of computers sold 4.85 million units worldwide."
that's IT?! the legendary amiga sold shy of 5 million worldwide.😳
Gamecube sold over 4 times that, with one model, in a shorter timespan, yet it feels as though that entire library (at least that i care about) is lost to time and obscurity forever 😐
that being said ive always wanted to get my hands on an amiga! ✌️
Looking forward to getting one of these, if the internals is the same as the Mini I'll gouge it and put my MiSTer in there instead...
Of course, if they want to sell a version without the main board I'd be interested.
Any more news on this?
@michaelf why speculating about what Amiga it will be? The statement is signed with THEA1200!
@Muppets4 when the article was originally published a year and a half ago, the name wasn't known.
@avcrypt my bad, didn't notice it was a refurbished article
Indeed. Glad it’s been confirmed as THEA1200 😊. Hopefully it’ll get manufactured etc without too many delays. But like the original sale of C= showed, these things can take time!
Well hopefully it has an actual 1200, not just the name.
i never explored what the demoscene might have done after the 500. This could be really interesting. I guess I could do this now with the emulator. huh, never thought about it. hmm
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