The Iconic Commodore 64 Retro PC Makes a Comeback

Commodore has recently begun accepting pre-orders for its Commodore 64 Ultimate. This new home computer aims to replicate the iconic Commodore 64 experience while offering modern enhancements, compatibility with classic games, cartridges, peripherals, and additional features.

Unlike other recreations of classic PCs, the Commodore 64 Ultimate does not rely on emulation. It utilizes an AMD Artix 7 FPGA, providing the same capabilities as the original Commodore 64. This is not a budget-friendly ARM-based emulation solution; rather, it is a “faithful recreation of the original motherboard.” This authenticity allows the Commodore 64 Ultimate to assert it is “at least 99% compatible with all 80s/90s games, cartridges, and peripherals.”

The Commodore 64 Ultimate comes in three versions. The first is the BASIC Beige, which resembles a classic C64 model. This variant will be priced at $299.99. Next is the Starlight Edition, which boasts a translucent casing, a transparent keyboard PCB, and LED lighting. It's important to note that the BASIC Beige Edition will only be offered during the pre-order phase of this endeavor.

Lastly, there is the Commodore 64 Ultimate: Founders Edition. This particular version features a translucent amber case, a commemorative “Commodore Gold Seal ‘share’ certificate,” “24k gold-plated badges,” and a “24k gold Commodore badges ‘dog tag'.” Only 6400 Founders Edition units will be produced, each carrying its own unique number.

All iterations of the C64 Ultimate will include a 64GB USB Cassette Drive preloaded with over 50 titles, comprising full games, licensed classics, music, demos, and a new game titled “Jupiter Lander: Ascension.”

Pre-orders for all three Ultimate systems from Commodore can be made through the company's official website. Shipping for these systems is expected to commence by October at the earliest. This initiative is part of a crowdfunding effort, though it is not being conducted on popular platforms like Kickstarter or IndieGoGo. Commodore has guaranteed buyers a “no questions asked” money-back assurance, allowing pre-orders to be canceled prior to shipment.

Prices for these Ultimate systems will rise by $50 once the crowdfunding phase concludes. Those who choose to wait will face a higher cost. Nevertheless, these later consumers will have the advantage of reading user reviews and detailed hardware evaluations from both Commodore fans and the technology press.

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