There is nothing cool about yesteryear tech when it comes to practical use, so why does it keep coming back? Nostalgia, mostly. But that does not mean the Commodore 64 Ultimate has no place in the modern world. And yes, Commodore is coming back—very deliberately—with its sights set squarely on retro tech fans’ wallets.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate is a modern revival of the legendary 1982 Commodore 64. It is a full-fledged computer recreation using FPGA hardware—not software emulation. But make no mistake. It is not the C64 Mini, which is a retro console. It is conceived to be a true, functional computer for enthusiasts. Damn. Now it feels like we need a reboot of the Homebrew Computer Club, too.
Anyhoo, built on an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA chip, the Ultimate reproduces the original C64’s circuitry with near-perfect accuracy, and yet it is totally capable of keeping up with today’s world. It touts more RAM and a 48 MHz Turbo boost. It rocks both modern and classic connectivity, including HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet. Moreover, it boasts compatibility with, wait for it… original cartridges, joysticks, and peripherals. Yes, really.
Those are not it. It has licensed software too, and will be shipped with classic C64 titles, and it one-ups retro consoles by being able to run original programs and games from the 1980s. It is worth mentioning that technically, it was the first keyboard to pack a computer inside, and the revival model also replicates the original design. Unlike the OG model, you do not need a disk drive. You can load games using the File Browser from the supplied cassette-style USB thumb drive. Snazzy.
The computer also features multiple SID sound chips, keyboard macros, and support for modern printers. Finally, hidden inside are the autographs and names of Commodore 64 creators, past and present, etched on the motherboard copper.
There are three versions to choose from: BASIC Beige, Starlight Edition, and Founders Edition. They are available for pre-order now, starting at US$349.99, if anyone’s interested.
Images: Commodore.
