The brand new, officially licensed Commodore 64
The brand new, officially licensed Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 Ultimate, known by enthusiasts as the C64U, is the first brand new Commodore 64 released in more than thirty years. Built by the revived Commodore Corporation under new ownership, the C64U combines the iconic 1982 case and keyboard feel with a modern FPGA mainboard that runs original software at cycle-accurate speed. It is a real C64, not an emulator, and it is being shipped to customers worldwide right now.
Pre-order the C64U on commodore.net▶
Shop on Amazon
Find Commodore hardware, games, books and accessories. Browse the full range on Amazon.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate is a modern, officially licensed Commodore 64 computer. The C64U runs on an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA, which recreates the original 6510 CPU, VIC-II graphics chip and SID audio chip at gate level. That means the hardware itself behaves like a real C64 from 1982, not like a software emulator trying to mimic it. Compatibility with original cartridges, disks, tapes and peripherals sits above 99%, and input latency is virtually zero.
Underneath the authentic cream-coloured case sits a 128 MB DDR2 memory pool, 16 MB of NOR flash, two ZIF sockets for real 6581 and 8580 SID chips, an UltiSID octal core for up to eight virtual SIDs, HDMI output at 1080p, USB-A and USB-C connectivity, built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi, and the complete set of classic Commodore ports including cartridge, IEC, Datasette and two joystick ports. You can load games from USB sticks, a microSD card or directly over the network, while the original ports still accept your real 1541 floppy drive or Datasette from the 1980s.
The project is led by Christian Simpson, also known online as Perifractic, who acquired the Commodore trademark rights and rebuilt the brand. The FPGA core was designed by Gideon Zweijtzer, the same engineer behind the Ultimate 64 Elite II motherboard. First units started shipping to customers in December 2025.
The C64U is available in three editions, each with its own look and feel. Every edition shares the same FPGA mainboard and software, so the performance is identical. The differences are cosmetic, collectible and, in the case of the Founders Edition, full of extras for the earliest supporters.
The classic beige Commodore look
The BASIC Edition wears the classic cream-beige Commodore 64 case, the same colour that sat on millions of desks in the 1980s. If you want a C64 that looks exactly like the one you remember, this is the one to pick.
Transparent case with dynamic RGB lighting
The Starlight Edition uses a clear transparent case with 70 integrated RGB LEDs that illuminate the keyboard and mainboard. Colour patterns, speed and brightness are fully configurable through the on-screen menu. Perfect for a modern retro setup on your desk.
Amber transparent, 24k gold badge, first serial numbers
The Founders Edition is the limited launch edition. It features an amber transparent case, a 24 karat gold Commodore badge on a necklace, a holographic 1-of-1 serial label, a gold share certificate and an exclusive C64 T-shirt. Reserved for the earliest supporters of the new Commodore.
You grew up with the Commodore 64 and want a reliable, modern-ready machine that accepts your original cartridges, joysticks and floppy drives. The C64U is the hardware your original 64 always deserved.
You have heard about the C64 and want to experience 8-bit computing properly. The C64U connects to any modern TV over HDMI, loads games from USB or the internet, and needs no soldering or tinkering to get started.
You want officially licensed Commodore hardware with real serial numbers and collectible packaging. The Founders Edition in particular is a limited launch piece with a 24 karat gold badge and holographic first-run label.
Buying an original 1982 Commodore 64 today means hunting on second-hand markets for a machine that is over four decades old. The power supplies are aged, the SID chips are drying out, and finding a working 1541 floppy drive takes patience. The C64U solves all of that in one product. It boots instantly, connects to a modern TV over HDMI, accepts USB sticks and network files, and still runs your original cartridges and disks if you want the tactile experience.
For longtime Commodore fans, the C64U is the hardware their original 64 always deserved. For a new generation discovering 8-bit computing, it is an accessible, reliable and officially supported entry point into the C64 world. It sits on your desk as a real computer, not as an app on a phone.
THEC64 and the C64U both put a Commodore 64 on your desk. The difference is what is running inside. THEC64 uses software emulation on a Linux board. The C64U uses a real FPGA that recreates the original hardware circuits at gate level. That distinction matters in practice.
| C64U (FPGA) | THEC64 (emulator) | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | FPGA: original circuits recreated in hardware | Software emulation on a Linux ARM board |
| Compatibility | Over 99% with cartridges, disks and tapes | Limited to pre-installed game list |
| Original peripherals | Works with real 1541 drives, Datasette, joysticks | No cartridge port, no IEC port |
| Real SID chips | Two ZIF sockets for original 6581 and 8580 chips | No SID socket |
| Input lag | Virtually zero, hardware-level response | Noticeable lag through software stack |
| HDMI output | 1080p at 50 Hz PAL or 60 Hz NTSC | 720p output |
| Official licence | Yes, produced by Commodore Corporation | Licensed Commodore branding, third-party hardware |
A closer look at the C64U mainboard, the rear ports and the three edition variants side by side.
| FPGA | AMD Xilinx Artix-7 |
| RAM | 128 MB DDR2 |
| Flash storage | 16 MB NOR flash |
| Turbo mode | 48 MHz optional |
| HDMI | 1080p at 50 Hz PAL and 60 Hz NTSC |
| Analog | DIN-8 with CVBS, S-Video and RGB options |
| Input lag | Virtually zero |
| Real SID sockets | 2x ZIF for 6581 or 8580 chips |
| FPGA SID core | UltiSID octal, up to 8 virtual SIDs |
| Outputs | 3.5 mm headphone jack and optical S/PDIF |
| Type | 66 key mechanical, original C64 layout |
| Switches | Gateron Pro 3.0, 55 g, PTFE-free, lubed |
| Features | N-Key Rollover, 70 RGB LEDs, macros |
| USB | 3x USB-A 2.0 and 1x USB-C |
| Internal | microSD slot |
| Formats | .D64, .D71, .D81, .G64, .T64, .TAP, .PRG, .CRT, ISO-9660 |
| Network | Ethernet 100 Mbps and built-in Wi-Fi |
| Cartridge port | Over 99% compatibility |
| Disk drive | 6-pin IEC DIN for 1541 and compatible |
| Datasette | 6-pin Datasette connector |
| Joystick | 2x DB-9 ports for classic joysticks |
| User port | 26-pin internal, adapter sold separately |
| Power input | 12 V DC, worldwide adapter included |
| RGB lighting | Case and keyboard, menu configurable |
Every C64U ships with a complete starter kit. The packaging is modelled on the original 1982 Commodore retail boxes, glossy and collectible.
The official Commodore Corporation introduction video walks through the C64U, its editions and its features. Watch it below for a full product overview directly from the makers.
The rear panel of the C64U gives you everything a modern user needs alongside every port from the original 1982 machine. HDMI for your TV or monitor, USB-A and USB-C for storage and accessories, built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi for network loading, and the full set of classic Commodore ports: cartridge, IEC disk drive, Datasette and two DB-9 joystick connectors.
Plug in a real 1541 floppy drive from the 1980s, connect a classic Competition Pro joystick, or load a game directly over the network. The C64U handles both worlds without compromise.
READY.
The Commodore 64 shaped a generation of programmers, musicians, gamers and designers. For more than thirty years it existed only as a memory, a second-hand machine on a shelf, or a software emulator on a phone. The C64U changes that. It is a real Commodore 64, officially licensed, built for the modern world, and available to order today. Whether you are returning to the machine you grew up with or discovering it for the first time, the C64U is the best way to experience what made the Commodore 64 a legend.
Pre-order the C64U on commodore.net▶Note: the link above includes a referral code and may give you a small discount at checkout. Always verify current pricing, availability and shipping terms directly on commodore.net before ordering.
