returning Commodore 64 legacy showcased in lavish fashion with illuminated and gilded variations
In the realm of retro computing, the Commodore 64 Ultimate series, designed by Commodore, is making waves. This collection of three distinct editions—BASIC Beige, Starlight, and Founders Edition—offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modernity, proving that sometimes the best way forward is to take a thoughtful look backward.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate series is more than just a visual throwback. It's a breath of fresh air in the current market of sleek, minimalist devices, offering a tactile experience that harks back to the days of home computing before touchscreens and cloud services.
## A Nod to the Past, a Step into the Future
Each edition of the Commodore 64 Ultimate series offers a unique combination of aesthetics and features, while maintaining the core functionality and compatibility with classic games and peripherals.
### BASIC Beige Edition
Priced at $299.99, the BASIC Beige edition resembles the original Commodore 64 with its classic beige case. It features a mechanical keyboard and HDMI output, making it compatible with modern setups. During the pre-order phase, this edition is the only one available. An added touch is the engraved signatures of Commodore’s original engineers.
### Starlight Edition
The Starlight Edition, priced at $349, offers a futuristic twist with a translucent case and transparent keyboard PCB with LED lighting that reacts to audio. This edition is designed for those who appreciate modern aesthetics without sacrificing the tactile keyboard and distinctive case design.
### Founders Edition
The Founders Edition, priced at $499, is a limited edition, with only 6,400 units available. This edition, inspired by the legendary millionth C64, features an amber-tinted transparent plastic case, 24k gold-plated badges, a gold logo, satin gold keycaps, and a collectors package. Included in the package are a commemorative “Commodore Gold Seal ‘share’ certificate," an exclusive t-shirt, a gold dog tag necklace, a numbered holographic sticker, and an “I Rebooted C=” T-shirt.
## Common Features Across All Editions
All editions of the Commodore 64 Ultimate series share several modern features. They utilise an AMD Artix 7 FPGA for a faithful recreation of the original Commodore 64 motherboard, ensuring at least 99% compatibility with classic games and peripherals.
Other common features include a no-questions-asked refund guarantee before shipping, a one-year warranty after delivery, an SD card slot for easy game loading, Ethernet connectivity, and compatibility with both vintage and modern accessories. Each edition also ships with a 64GB USB Cassette Drive containing over 50 titles, including full games, licensed classics, music, demos, and a new game “Jupiter Lander: Ascension.”
The Commodore 64 Ultimate series succeeds because it understands that good retro design isn't just about copying old aesthetics, but rather taking the best parts of the original experience and combining them with modern elements. Whether you're a collector, a programmer, or simply a fan of retro computing, the Commodore 64 Ultimate series offers a unique and appealing option for those seeking a piece of computing history that's as functional as it is visually striking.
This nostalgic yet contemporary line of products, the Commodore 64 Ultimate series, serves as more than just a tribute to retro computing. It also offers a refreshing counterpoint to the current market dominated by slick, minimalist devices, offering a tactile experience that harkens back to the tactile age of home computing.
The series, with its amenities like the AMD Artix 7 FPGA for faithful recreation of classic games and peripherals, aims to inspire a new generation of tech enthusiasts, incorporating events such as game launches, developer meetups, and coding workshops alongside the sale of software, gadgets, and technology.
