Retro Games Ltd’s full-size THEA1200 is currently scheduled to launch on Friday, December 4, 2026. It recreates the Amiga 1200 with a working keyboard and, according to the manufacturer, emulates AGA graphics as well as the Amiga 500’s OCS and ECS chipsets. The date is a schedule, not confirmation that the system has shipped.
What is THEA1200?
THEA1200 is a full-size modern recreation of the Amiga 1200, not a miniature case with decorative keys. Retro Games Ltd announced it on October 23, 2025, describing a system with a functional keyboard, HDMI and USB connectivity, a Workbench desktop, mouse, gamepad and 25 preloaded games. The company’s current product page describes it as an emulation-based system; these are manufacturer-stated features, not independently verified test results.
What can it run?
Retro Games Ltd says THEA1200 emulates the Amiga 1200’s Advanced Graphics Architecture (AGA), along with the Amiga 500’s Original Chip Set (OCS) and Enhanced Chip Set (ECS). Workbench is included, and the manufacturer says users can load their own games from a USB stick using WHDLoad and save and resume games. The product page does not establish compatibility outcomes for particular user-provided games or USB drives.
The 25 bundled games
- Alien Breed: Tower Assault
- Beneath a Steel Sky
- Defender of the Crown
- Defender of the Crown II
- It Came from the Desert
- Antheads: It Came from the Desert
- Lords of the Rising Sun
- Lure of the Temptress
- Mercenary: Escape from Targ
- Reshoot Proxima 3
- Rocket Ranger
- Ruff ‘N’ Tumble
- S.D.I.
- The Settlers II
- Sinbad: The Throne of the Falcon
- Slam Tilt
- The King of Chicago
- Turrican
- Turrican II: The Final Fight
- Turrican III: Payment Day
- TV Sports: Baseball
- TV Sports: Basketball
- TV Sports: Boxing
- TV Sports: Football
- Wings
This is the manufacturer’s listed game selection; the count is a product feature, not an independent performance or market statistic.
#1 Best Overall
When does THEA1200 come out?
The current official launch schedule is Friday, December 4, 2026. The original announcement described a June 2026 release, but that date was superseded. GamesRadar reported in May 2026 that Retro Games Ltd attributed the delay to global chip shortages, rising production costs and an operating system that had not yet reached the quality level the company wanted. The outlet quoted Retro Games Ltd CTO Chris Smith: “We could ship with a more basic OS, but that wouldn’t do justice to THEA1200.” See the GamesRadar report on the delay. The latest official announcement and product page list December 4, but a scheduled date does not prove the product is available or shipping.
What comes in the box, and what do you need separately?
The manufacturer lists the computer, a two-button USB mouse, an eight-button USB gamepad, a USB-C power supply cable, an HDMI cable and a quickstart manual. It explicitly says a 3-amp AC adapter is not included.
Rank #2
- Features: - Very compact size - the width only 53 mm (will not interfere with other ports) - Weight - only 57g - Already flashed to Flashfloppy 3.41 firmware. - Connected directly to Disk Drive port (no additional cable required) - Powered directly from Disk Drive port (no additional power supply required) - comes with 3D printed case - OLED screen
- All you need to do is connect your Mini External Gotek into your Amiga Disk Drive port, connect USB Pendrive (not included) with games and copy 2 necessary files (USB pendrive not included). You need to download this software: github.com/keirf/FlashFloppy/wiki/Downloads and copy 2 files from archive into the root of your USB pendrive: - HxC_Compat_Mode/Amiga/AUTOBOOT.HFE - HxC_Compat_Mode/HXCSDFE.CFG Then copy your *.adf games and programs anywhere in your USB Pen Drive.
- You can boot from your Gotek external connected to Disk Drive connector from your Amiga 500+, 600, 1200. Simply please click right and left button mouse same time and in boot menu choose DF1. You can also use this external Gotek on Amiga 500 but you will need a boot selector.
- Most Important: 1.The USB Pen Drive is NOT included. 2.The DF0/DF1 boot selector is necessary for Amiga 500. Some games or programs require to run on DF0. Amiga 500 can use the boot selector to solve this problem. We also provide Internal Gotek Floppy Drive Emulator as DF0.
The reviewed product information does not specify the voltage or certify particular adapter models. Check Retro Games Ltd’s current power requirements before buying an adapter; do not assume that any USB-C charger is suitable. For loading personal games, the stated method is a USB stick, but the manufacturer does not name a preferred brand, capacity or compatibility list.
What price and launch extras should buyers check?
The official product page reviewed does not state a price. Coverage has reported different regional figures at different times: Time Extension’s June 9, 2026 article gives £169.99 in one sentence while linking to £169.95, and GamesRadar reported US $189.99 and UK £169.95 in August 2026. These are dated reports, not verified current prices. Check the current regional retailer listing and preorder status before relying on either figure: Time Extension’s June report and GamesRadar’s August coverage.
GamesRadar also reported that the first UK production run would include a 36-page, full-colour A5 ZZAP! magazine, and quoted PLAION as saying later manufacturing runs would not include it. That is a reported, region-specific launch-edition bonus—not a guarantee for every order. Confirm the particular listing and stock before counting on the magazine.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to verify before ordering
- Whether the listing is for your region and gives a current price and genuine preorder or in-stock status.
- Whether the advertised launch date remains December 4, 2026.
- Whether the listing includes the UK first-run ZZAP! magazine bonus, if that matters to you.
- Which AC adapter meets the manufacturer’s current requirements, since the 3-amp adapter is not in the box.
- Whether your intended USB stick and user-provided games work as expected; the product page does not publish a drive compatibility list.
Retro Games Ltd notes that specifications may change without notice, so use its current product information and the retailer’s terms when making a purchase decision.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- 3.4 GHz Precision Boost (up to 3.45 GHz with XFR)
- True quad-core, unlocked CPU architecture
- A future-proof, VR-Ready platform. Includes AMD Wraith Stealth cooler
- Supported technologies are zen core architecture, amd sensemi technology, avx2, fma3
- Maximum system memory speed is 2667mhz. Large 10MB total cache
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
