The Commodore 64 Ultimate is the C64 remake enthusiasts deserve, and I’m bracing for a huge microcomputer revival

Let’s be real, the Commodore 64 Ultimate couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The growing presence of AI and the ramifications of inflated RAM prices are culminating in a perfect storm for a microcomputer comeback, one that provides authentic access to simpler times. Do I really think we should all go back to loading games from cassette tapes and clacking away on breadbin-shaped boxes? Well, no, but the C64 is a near-perfect FPGA-powered opportunity to pretend you’re back in the ‘80s.

I’m not exactly surprised that the Commodore 64 Ultimate is extremely authentic. I mean, it’s exactly what happens when a YouTuber, Christian "Perifractic" Simpson, and a group of dedicated enthusiasts literally buy a brand specifically to put it back into production. For all intents and purposes, this remake is a C64, one that just happens to leverage modern features like HDMI output and USB support while retaining virtually every original feature.

If you do want a C64 that puts even some of the best retro console equivalents to shame, you’ll have to put your money where your microcomputer-loving mouth is. At full price, the Ultimate starts at $349.99, and while early birds can grab the classic beige model for $299.99, it’s still one of the most expensive FPGA remakes out there. That MSRP is hard to swallow when you can get an emulation-based C64 Mini for a fraction of the price (for now), but we are talking about drastically different machines.

What’s in the box?

I hope you like authentic packaging, as the Commodore 64 Ultimate immediately establishes a tone with its box. It’s pretty much a homage to the original’s elongated rectangle, albeit one that draws on various regional variations and design versions. The slogans are all tweaked ever so slightly to reflect the machine’s new purpose of delivering “Retro Gaming. Modern Power,” and the spec blubs now take an opportunity to point out this is an FPGA device.

That’s short for “Field Programmable Gate Array,” and don’t worry, I’ll get to what that means for you, the C64 lover looking to play some old games. But, I want t highlight some of the goodies in the Commodore 64 Ultimate first, as they’ll matter almost as much to enthusiasts looking for that authentic unboxing experience. The original branded styrofoam isn’t a thing anymore, but you’ll still immediately find the microcomputer taking up 80% of the innards on the left and the bulk of the accessories on the right.

The rather straight-talking, slightly cheesy under-box flap text officially welcomes you inside with a “Welcome to the world of friendly computing.” That line almost makes sense as you start to lift everything out, especially if you’re not used to using all-in-one computers like the Commodore 64. You’ll have absolutely everything you need to get started within, and that extends beyond the fact that the keyboard is “built-in”.

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Much smaller, transparent power supply? Check. Commodore-branded HDMI cable? Check. Chonky spiral-bound user guide? Surely not? Well, yes, you’re getting a remake of the original’s massive tome too, complete with the same level of technical data, information, and how-tos. The idea of getting a whole book with a modern PC that touches on how to code commands and specific functionality is unfathomable, but that’s what you get with the C64 Ultimate.

There are some nice treats like stickers thrown in, too, but arguably the most important extra is the 64GB USB “Cassette Drive” that’s loaded with over 50 licensed games, demos, and music tracks. I almost, rather embarrassingly, thought it was a real tape until I realised the USB stick flips out from the bottom, which makes sense given the number of original and modern releases included.

It’s worth noting that the Beige Commodore 64 Ultimate and new-fangled transparent Startlight edition come with the same contents. Strangely, both models come with a see-through power adapter, so you’ll get a taste of what that latter colorway has to offer in terms of ‘90s tech vibes.

Design

You’re going to get really bored of me saying this, but the Commodore 64 Ultimate is a C64. Yes, it was made in 2025, but rather than making a tribute to the original machine, the company is instead back in action making virtually the OG system with some modern tweaks. That means from the outside, the system is almost indistinguishable from the “Breadbin” microcomputer from way back in 1982, although there’s room for debate on what it should even look like.

You see, even back in the ‘80s, your C64 could look pretty different from another produced around the same time. Natural yellowing of the beige plastic aside, my machine is darker in color and features grey right-hand function buttons, whereas the Ultimate’s are more of a carmel brown. That’s because Commodore re-used parts from its older VIC-20 machine, apparently at random, when making the microcomputer, and there’s reason to believe some did use slightly different colored shells.

My point is that even if the Commodore 64 Ultimate doesn’t look like your C64 exactly, it looks like someone’s original model. I’d say the company has gone for the best reference example of what the colorway should look like, whereas other remakes like the C64 Mini look more like one sitting in a UK player’s attic.

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Nearly every other element of the C64 Ultimate remains the same as the original, right down to the side controller and power port placement and cartridge and input IO at the back. The only real giveaway that this is a modern device is the right side “User Port”, as the only edge connector has been replaced by two USB ports, HDMI, and Ethernet.

Alright, so the Commodore 64 Ultimate really is just a C64, and it looks more like a modded original than a remake. Some enthusiasts aren’t going to vive with this, especially if they’re already using a souped up OG system, and that’s where the new Starlight version comes in. The transparent, RGB clad version looks almost like what an ‘80s commercial would try and miss sell the microcomputer as, similarly to the way publishers would try and make games look fancier on the back of a box. The glowing shell and keyboard are mindblowingly pretty without looking too garish, and even with the lights off, the contrast of this models red function keys and translucent body are surprisingly classy.

I do have one slight gripe with the Starlight edition, and I’m not entirely sure whether it’s a widespread issue. For some reason, the keyboard seems to flex on the right-hand side when pressing on keys. The beige version seems to dodge this issue, so I’m not sure whether the see-through plastic brackets are slightly bendier than their opaque counterparts. It doesn’t render the machine unusable, but it is a sore spot for the more expensive model that hampers its otherwise solid-feeling build quality.

Features

In terms of core features, the Commodore 64 Ultimate is what it says on the tin. I mean that in a literal sense, as it’s a C64 microcomputer that uses a version of the “Ultimate64”, an add-on board that adds functionality to the ‘80s hardware. That’s admittedly a simple way of explaining what this new machine actually is, as it’s actually a more throughout FPGA recreation that builds upon other modernization attempts to make something brand new.

For those of you who understandably aren’t keeping up with the latest configurable chipsets, FPGA stands for “Field Programmable Gate Array.” It’s the same tech that helps the Analogue 3D mimic the circuitry of an original Nintendo 64, as Commodore is taking the exact same approach by recreating the C64’s innards using an AMD Atrix 7 chip.

Unlike that former N64 remake, though, this C64 remake goes a step further in offering up a way to use original components. The machine practically welcomes you inside since it’s only secured by three visible screws at the bottom, and the lid lifts off to reveal a bunch of extra sockets and ports. The FPGA board prominently sits on the left alongside plenty of function labels, leaving plenty of room for original keyboard connectors (instead of the new keeb with its internal USB-C cable), the User Port that was evicted by the new back connectors, a microSD card slot, two additional USB ports, and two clamping SID chip sockets.

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Okay, breathe, as that’s a lot of internal connectors. The modularity means that you can pretty much Frankenstein your own C64 system together using a mix of modern and new components. You’re not compelled to do this, but if you’re an enthusiast, you may want to swap out the new-style keys for original springs and plungers, and those of you really into authentic sound might want to ditch the highly accurate FPGA SID chip replication for the real deal, as there’s some analogue intricacies that are impossible to emulate.

I want to circle back to the C64 Ultimate’s external back ports, as it boasts an incredible selection of original inputs. Commodore aren’t kidding when they say you can use any medium of software with this recreation, as the OG cassette, serial floppy drive, and cartridge connectors are all present.

They all work exactly like before, too, so there’s no weird workarounds required when it comes to loading up games. I’d go as far as to say that the new digital features feel very separate from the analogue functions, and you could just treat this microcomputer like 30-year-old tech if you really wanted to. That extends to the fact that this baby also retains its original multi-video out socket that supports old connectors like S-Video and Composite while also adding in RGB for CRT purists (like me) who want accurate colors on an old tube set.

Just like most remakes, you’re also getting original DB-9 controller ports, meaning using your old joysticks is a go-go. This is something that has become a solid standard with even emulation devices like the Atari 2600+, but it’s still extremely welcome. The only issue is that due to the authentic pin configuration, you still won’t be able to use Sega Genesis pads, meaning you’ll have to stick with either compatible Atari or microcomputer peripherals.

This brings me to a slight sore spot, as the C64 Ultimate doesn’t currently have USB controller support. I fully understand that authenticity is the main goal here, so most players will be looking to use some of their favorite old stick. However, with so many new retro gamepads now available, and even Retro Games Ltd bringing back the iconic Quickshot 2 with USB connectivity. The option would have been nice. There are luckily workarounds if you want to cut the cord since Atari’s 7800+ wireless gamepads will work, but I’d still love to see wider support.

I’ll also add that, for the price, I would have enjoyed getting a controller or joystick included with the C64 Ultimate. Don’t get me wrong, I get why it skips on including one, especially since its target audience probably already has their weapon of choice to hand. But, this could have been a chance to make a gold-standard peripheral for the machine that old and new players will vibe with, as trust me when I say I’ve repaired enough decaying sticks to know they’re not the best option for playing in 2025.

Software

Just like any computer throughout the ages, the C64 Ultimate is reliant on software, and there are technically two default platforms at play here. The first is Commodore’s classic BASIC, which uses the microcomputer’s user-friendly programming language. If you’re simply planning on running games via cassettes and floppies, you’ll only be heading to this blue screen to type variations of “LOAD,” but it’s also where you can code, make your own games and programs (if you’ve got ‘80s levels of patience).

Again, you could just pretend this is your original C64, but if you press up on the right side power switch, you’ll be transported to the more sophisticated Commodore 64 Ultimate menu, complete with file browsers, video settings, audio options, and specific configuration hubs for network connectivity. If you’ve got the Starlight version, this is how you’ll also customize the microcomputer’s RGB, so you’ve pretty much got everything you could need in one central place.

In a world where graphical user interfaces are now de facto, it’s easy to imagine that these text-based menus could intimidate fresher–faced players. The good news is that you can actually navigate the software using a controller, as it’ll automatically map itself to WASD controls. Yes, I know trying to consoleize this machine is missing the point, but it makes for a quicker way to dive into settings and load up game files, especially since your fingers might get in a twist due to the keyboard’s specific layout.

Speaking of loading games, the C64 Ultimate’s included Cassette USB drive will help you get some software running “The Very Second” you plug the machine in. The stick boasts a variety of applications that would have originally lived in cartridges, tapes, and floppy disks, representing the three main mediums you can use with the computer. They make for a good lesson or reminder on how things used to work, as well as what the system is capable of in the hands of developers old and new.

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I’ll let some of you C64 aficionados down gently by saying most of the games included with the Ultimate are modern. Some of the classic headliners on the USB include The Way of the Exploding Fist, Hunchback, and Acid Runner, but it's predominantly filled with indie conversions like C64anabalt and Super Bread Box (aka, Super Crate Box), and Commodore’s fresh new first-party sequel, Jupiter Lander: Ascension.

Naturally, digital backups come with the perk of instant loading times. While you absolutely still have the option to sit around waiting for an actual tape loading with a spectrum of migraine-inducing lights on screen, you can pull program data straight into the machine from external drives. That said, if you’re still keen on practicing patience, you can choose to simulate loading the data just like the (good) old days, and the C64 Ultimate’s speaker will even treat you to authentic mechanical drive sounds.

Performance

If you’re familiar with my work as a retro gaming expert and hardware editor at large, you’ll know I don’t do half measures. So, to fully test the Commodore 64 Ultimate, I turned a corner of my living room into an ‘80s battle station straight out of Stranger Things. I even picked out a small 10-inch Panasonic CRT TV to take the C64U’s Composite analogue video output for a spin, all while also tapping into its sexy new HDMI abilities to make one of the strangest dual monitor setups ever.

Keep in mind, there are supposedly 10,000 C64 games out there, so testing every single one within a review timeframe is impractical. Therefore, opted instead to judge the Commodore 64 Ultimate’s performance using its digital and analogue compatibility, starting things off with how it handles the system’s slightly more niche cartridge games. That’s right, the microcomputer did actually get a bunch of instant-loading carts just like the Nintendo and Sega consoles living alongside it, and they work great on the new FPGA machine

My cart of choice for this exercise was Robotron 2084, a game I haven’t even looked at since finding it within my Atari 400 game box. Upon jamming the old cartridge into the back and powering on the system, I was instantly greeted by the flashy, but silent, shooter’s title screen, which serves as a reminder that it’s one of the earliest 1982 releases. Using my original wired 7800 gamepad, I quickly found myself scrambling around trying to gun down menacing robots in a dark room, which feels dystopian, but might be what actually happens in nightclubs these days, given the rapid rise of AI. My diminishing awareness of modern nightlife aside, the game ran exactly the same on both the Ultimate and OG C64, something I was able to validate using the small CRT and a modern HDMI screen simultaneously. The noticeable difference links to some of the in-between stage vortex sound effects, which very occasionally sounded slightly different. I can’t quite figure out if that’s a nuance tied to using FPGA-emulated SID chips or if the game does just switch things up, but it’s worth a mention.

Booting carts is all well and good, but the C64 scene, at least in the UK, was largely running games from cassette tapes. Yes, for the fresher retro lovers out there, that’s the same tapes your mum and dad used to listen to The Cure on, as storing data as a soundfile was commonplace. By plugging an original Commodore Datasette into the Ultimate, you can let it listen to said programs and turn them into lines of code, with the result hopefully being a game on screen for your amusement.

I say hopefully, but loading games via cassette tape is and always has been an absolute pain. It’s one of those where you’re afraid to sneeze in case old microcomputers mishear a line of code, normally leading to restarting the process. To see how the Ultimate fares with such a convoluted loading method, I decided to use my copy of The Lord of the Rings Part 1, a text adventure that hilariously comes with Tolkien’s first book to help pass the time.

My first mistake was sitting the Datasette on top of my little CRT, as interference presumably interrupted the loading process. Upon realizing my foolish error, I was able to place it flat on the desk and reach the very pleasing title art, complete with strangely cute Ringwraith terrorizing The Shire. The actual game then took another 5 minutes or so to fully load, eventually placing me into the shoes of a chosen Hobbit with the keyboard as my vessel.

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Playing the janky old text adventure really provided a good scenario to test the Ultimate’s keyboard, and it does feel remarkably close to the original. Don’t get me wrong, the Gateron Pro switches are more responsive, but there’s something about clacking away on a breadbin-shaped machine that evokes the same touch type feeling. It also boasts N-Key Rollover (NKRO), so you’re less likely to come across mispresses tied to more antiquated methods.

After getting my thrill from frolicking around as Frodo, I fully put the included digital USB drive to use by diving into some titles both familiar and new. Out of the stick’s wide selection, C64anabalt stood out as a fast-paced endless runner that’d help me get a feel for any potential HDMI lag. Having the CRT pitched up at the same time also helps sniff out any latency issues in a visual sense, but I was also keen to see if my presses would match up to the Parkouring businessman on screen. Thankfully, perceivable lag doesn’t appear to be a thing with the C64U’s HDMI output, and it’s the very least on par with my original, hooked up to an OSSC upscaler.

Again, there’s an absolute wealth of content on that “The Very Second” USB, including a bunch of music files. I’m not exaggerating when I say the C64’s original SID chip is both genre-defining and influenced the electronic music scene as we know it, so the Ultimate could serve as a more approachable way of harnessing the old chip's legendary sounds. For the purposes of this review, though, I simply kicked back and let the wonderful triangle waves fill my home, and tracks like CyberChip by LukHash sounded absolutely on point.

Having spent a week testing the Commodore 64 Ultimate, I’m confident in its performance as a modernized C64. That said, just like any computer, I could spend far longer putting its endless functionality to the test, and enthusiasts out there will no doubt have specific activities outwith the scope of this review in mind. I’ll be continually testing the C64U’s functionality and reporting back on my findings, and I’m already planning on trying to make my own game using the various tutorial books I have around (god save me). But, for now, Im content that I’ve explored the main FPGA pillars of this remake.

Should you pick up the Commodore 64 Ultimate?

When it comes to retro console and microcomputer remakes, there’s nothing quite like the Commodore 64 Ultimate out there today. It’s the first re-release I’ve tested that feels virtually identical to the original with modern perks woven in, and I fully believe most players looking to properly use the C64 as a microcomputer should consider this FPGA version.

That said, you’d need to be serious about getting into the C64 to spend at least $300 on the Commodore 64 Ultimate. It is without a doubt the ultimate way to play, but that title translates to it being what should be the final option on your list. If you’re just looking to get a taste for some microcomputing classics, the C64 Mini is going to deliver less convoluted console experience for way under $100, and while original system’s are pretty pricey these days on eBay, simply pitching up the OG breadbin or whatever model you can find could prove more cost-effective.

However, all of that doesn’t distract from the fact that the Commodore 64 Ultimate is an incredible remake of one of history’s most important microcomputers. Everything from its renewed wedge shell to its modern modular motherboard respectfully recreates the original hardware in a way that’ll keep the platform alive for at least another 40 years, hopefully resulting in a new golden age of Indie games, music tracks, and anything else developers disillusioned with modern tech can dream up.

How I tested the Commodore 64 Ultimate

For a week, I used the Commodore 64 Ultimate to play original cassette tape games, cartridges, and its included digital release to see how it holds up against the original. Using the OG UK version of the microcomputer for base comparison, I carefully assessed whether the FPGA chip within the C64U could accurately mimic the 1982 hardware in terms of visuals and sound, both using the machine’s new HDMI port and analogue S-video/composite output.

To test peripheral compatibility, I used an original Commodore Datasette with the C64 Ultimate and original cartridges like Robotron 64. I also used an Atari 7800 gamepad with the microcomputer’s compatible DB9 joystick ports, with compatible programs and the system’s main menu.

For more information on how we test retro consoles and hardware remakes, check out our full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

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