GoKawiilCommodore 64 add-on Spartan finally shipped in 1986 after two years of ads
Mimic Systems advertised its Spartan peripheral for the Commodore 64 for nearly two years, using recurring magazine ads featuring a mime, before actually releasing the product in 1986. By the time it arrived, reviewers found its specs outdated and users reported persistent bugs and poor support.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The saga illustrates how prolonged marketing hype without a shipped product can backfire once buyers finally get hands-on experience, especially in fast-moving tech where delays erode relevance. Decades later, the Spartan has become a nostalgic collector's item, with units selling for thousands at auction despite its rocky launch, showing how retro tech can gain value independent of its original performance.
- Mimic Systems advertised the Spartan for two years before shipping it in 1986.
- Reviewers and users criticized the device for being outdated and buggy at launch.
- Despite its poor reception, a fully equipped Spartan sold for over $5,500 at a 2024 auction.
THEC64 Mini Retro Console — If reading about the Spartan and 1984 Commodore ads has you nostalgic, THEC64 Mini packs the classic Commodore 64 experience into a tiny modern console that plugs straight into your TV. It comes with a joystick and a library of built-in games, so you can relive the era without hunting down flaky vintage peripherals.
See THEC64 Mini Retro Console on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: buttondown.com, 2026-09-05
Published there as: “A bizarre Commodore 64 peripheral, a mime, and some pretty bad ads”
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