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THEA500 Mini: Is It Worth It?
Quick version: THEA500 Mini is a small, modern remake of the Amiga 500 from Retro Games Ltd. It plugs into a TV by HDMI, comes with 25 games, a mouse and a gamepad, and can load games you own from a USB stick. It is worth it if you want Amiga games on a modern TV with no old hardware to look after. If you want real floppy disks and the original hardware, buy a real Amiga instead.
What it is
THEA500 Mini is a compact reimagining of the Amiga 500. Retro Games says it emulates the original A500 and also the AGA graphics of the A1200, so it runs games made for either. It went on sale in the UK in April 2022.
It is a games machine first: it has an on-screen keyboard, and you can plug in a standard USB PC keyboard for more.
What's in the box
- THEA500 Mini
- A USB mouse and a USB gamepad
- An HDMI cable
- A USB power lead (no mains adapter, so use a USB phone charger)
- A quick start manual
Features
- HDMI: 720p output at 50 or 60 Hz, so it suits a modern TV.
- Three USB ports: for joysticks, gamepads, mice, USB sticks and keyboards.
- Save slots: four save slots for each game, so you can stop and come back later.
- Your own games: load the programs you own from a USB stick.
THEA500 Mini games list
The 25 built-in games are: Alien Breed 3D, Alien Breed: Special Edition 92, Another World, Arcade Pool, ATR: All Terrain Racing, Battle Chess, Cadaver, California Games, Dragon's Breath, F-16 Combat Pilot, Kick Off 2, Paradroid 90, Pinball Dreams, Project-X: Special Edition 93, Qwak, Simon the Sorcerer, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Stunt Car Racer, Super Cars II, The Chaos Engine, The Lost Patrol, The Sentinel, Titus the Fox, Worms: The Director's Cut and Zool: Ninja of the "Nth" Dimension.
A firmware update in December 2023 added a new game, as well as compatibility improvements and bug fixes.
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Is it worth it?
Buy it if: you want the Amiga games you remember on a modern TV, with save slots and no floppy disks, power supplies or capacitors to worry about. It also makes a simple gift; see our retro gaming gift guide.
Skip it if: you want the real thing: original disks, the original hardware and a period monitor. Our Amiga buying guide explains what to check on an A500, A600 or A1200. If you want a full-size remake with a working keyboard, look at THEA1200, which Retro Games lists for launch on 4 December 2026.
Comparing it with other plug-and-play machines? See our best retro mini consoles guide.
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FAQ
What games are on THEA500 Mini?
25 Amiga games are built in, including Another World, The Chaos Engine, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Simon the Sorcerer and Worms: The Director's Cut. The full list is above.
Can THEA500 Mini play my own Amiga games?
Yes. It loads programs you own from a USB stick.
Do I need a keyboard for THEA500 Mini?
Not for the built-in games. It has an on-screen keyboard, and you can plug in a standard USB PC keyboard when a program needs one.
Does THEA500 Mini come with a power adapter?
No. It comes with a USB power lead, but the mains adapter is not included.
See also: Amiga buying guide · Retro PC guides
Buying for someone else? See our retro gaming gift guide.