The Commodore 64 Ultimate is an homage to the 1980s that's both nostalgic and refreshingly uncomplicated. The new version comes in a specially designed box, complete with an uncannily accurate replica of the iconic machine itself - a chunky, sloped beast with hues of brown and beige, flanked by red LED lights. It's like stepping into 1982 all over again.
The Ultimate is built around an FPGA, an integrated circuit programmed to simulate the actual hardware of the original Commodore 64. This means that it can run original software, complete with authentic whirs, tics, and bleeps from the real C64 Datasette or disk drive. It even comes with a cartridge port for running old game carts like International Soccer.
But the Ultimate is more than just a retro gaming machine - it's a fully functional computer that lets you program in Basic or assembly language, using authentic interfaces and menus that are faithful to the originals. You can plug in a USB thumb drive and load new games and demos from online archives, and even connect to the internet via wired or wireless connections.
What I love about this machine is its seamless integration of modern tech with a retro environment. While you can plug it into a modern monitor via HDMI, the menus and inputs are all redolent of the 1980s era - text lists, Ascii art, cursor keys or W, A, S, D for navigation. It's refreshing to interact with this ancient hardware again, where everything required effort and expertise.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate may not be cheap at £260.50 ($349.99/AU$524), but it's a living historical relic that reconnects us to the original concept of a desktop home computer - something we learned and coded for. It's a testament to great design and clever programming over hype and visual impact.
Moreover, this machine has been a fun way to share with my sons, showing them an authentic retro contraption without the curated walls of games to buy or distractions like social media notifications. Playing those old games again has proven that value lies in simple, well-designed interfaces and clever programming - lessons we could all learn from.
In short, the Commodore 64 Ultimate is a must-see for anyone interested in computing's past and its influence on modern tech.
The Ultimate is built around an FPGA, an integrated circuit programmed to simulate the actual hardware of the original Commodore 64. This means that it can run original software, complete with authentic whirs, tics, and bleeps from the real C64 Datasette or disk drive. It even comes with a cartridge port for running old game carts like International Soccer.
But the Ultimate is more than just a retro gaming machine - it's a fully functional computer that lets you program in Basic or assembly language, using authentic interfaces and menus that are faithful to the originals. You can plug in a USB thumb drive and load new games and demos from online archives, and even connect to the internet via wired or wireless connections.
What I love about this machine is its seamless integration of modern tech with a retro environment. While you can plug it into a modern monitor via HDMI, the menus and inputs are all redolent of the 1980s era - text lists, Ascii art, cursor keys or W, A, S, D for navigation. It's refreshing to interact with this ancient hardware again, where everything required effort and expertise.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate may not be cheap at £260.50 ($349.99/AU$524), but it's a living historical relic that reconnects us to the original concept of a desktop home computer - something we learned and coded for. It's a testament to great design and clever programming over hype and visual impact.
Moreover, this machine has been a fun way to share with my sons, showing them an authentic retro contraption without the curated walls of games to buy or distractions like social media notifications. Playing those old games again has proven that value lies in simple, well-designed interfaces and clever programming - lessons we could all learn from.
In short, the Commodore 64 Ultimate is a must-see for anyone interested in computing's past and its influence on modern tech.
this thing is like stepping into nostalgia heaven!!! I mean, £260.50 is kinda steep but trust me it's WORTH IT 
I'm so down to have a retro gaming machine that runs original software and lets me code in Basic... my boys are gonna LOVE it 
it's all about the simplicity and the fun of coding for them, you know? and yeah, it's crazy how it still has those old Ascii art menus and cursor keys 
but honestly, that's part of its charm! can't wait to load up some old games and demos and show my fam how it's done 
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 
My old man used to spend hours programming in Basic on his Commodore 64, and it's amazing how much fun this thing is. The fact that you can plug it into a modern monitor via HDMI while still having those retro menus and inputs is just perfect 
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. Plus, it's been a great way to share with my kids and show them where we come from. Playing those old games again has proven that there's still value in simple, well-designed interfaces and clever programming - lessons that'll last a lifetime 
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it's like having a piece of history in my living room, you know? I mean who needs fancy graphics or social media when you can have an authentic retro experience that makes you feel all nostalgic and stuff? The way they've recreated the old Commodore 64 is AMAZING, from the box to the menus, it's all just so... retro! 
my kids would love this too, it's a great way to introduce them to coding and the history of computers. can't wait to see what kind of awesome things we'll come up with on this thing 
and yeah, its pricey but think of it as an investment in nostalgia 
) about programming & design. my hubby bought one 4 me b4 christmas & now we spend hrs playing old games together. love how its just a plain old machine w/ modern tech under the hood 
I'm all about that retro vibe, but at the same time, it's cool to see how they took this old tech and brought it into the 21st century - FPGA thingy is like, totally mind blown 
? And yeah, £260.50 might seem steep, but trust me, this thing's worth every penny 
. It's a reminder that sometimes it's not about flashy visuals, but about the thought and effort put into design and programming 
. The value of simple design and clever programming is something we can all learn from.
it's so refreshing to see how something can be both nostalgic & uncomplicated at the same time... i mean, we're living in a world where everything is all about sleek designs & instant gratification, but this Commodore 64 Ultimate is like a breath of fresh air - it's raw, it's real, and it's still totally functional 
. And, you know, it's not just some watered-down console or PC - it's actually a fully functional computer 
. And, you know, it's great that it comes with something like an authentic C64 Datasette or disk drive - it's like stepping back into the 80s all over again 
It's like, a living historical relic, dude 
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I mean, it's like they took all the nostalgia from the 80s and put it into one machine. I'm not saying I'd shell out that kind of cash, but for retro gaming enthusiasts and computer geeks, this thing is a dream come true. 
or code in Basic? The fact that it comes with a USB thumb drive for new games and demos is genius. And I love how the design keeps it old-school while still being modern - it's like they took all the best bits from the past and blended them into something fresh.