"That's not OK" - Commodore just responded to my biggest C64 Ultimate issue

Commodore 64 Ultimate connected to Uperfect portable monitor and Panasonic CRT TV with purple RGB lights. — (Image credit: Phil Hayton)

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is a dream C64 remake, but I do have beef with the RGB-clad Starlight edition. During testing, I found that the keyboard would flex in the middle, something I'd attributed to the microcomputer's choice of transparent plastic, and it turns out that it's largely by design.

In an update titled "Here’s more transparency around our transparent PCB," Commodore addresses C64 Ultimate Starlight Edition concerns by saying, "Flex is in specs. Buckling is not." The post elaborates by stating that the keyboards "flex slightly by design" and that while the results feel "less rigid" compared to the standard beige version, it's what it considers to be "fully tested, and within spec."

That said, the company does admit that a "small number" of Starlight models are bending far more than they should. Commodore references videos demonstrating buckling, but it's also what has been raised by me and various other reviewers. The good news is that if you are one of the 1% that are experiencing excessive symptoms, Commodore says it's "actively resolving the issue with affected customers," and anyone impacted should contact customer support.

Here’s more transparency around our transparent PCB.
— @commodoreofficial.bsky.social (@commodoreofficial.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-01-14T14:34:56.903Z

For what it's worth, the Commodore 64 Ultimate beige version seems to avoid the keyboard buckling issue altogether. The fact that flex was being accommodated in the design is questionable, but the company is both taking it on the chin and acknowledging the concerns. The unit I tested does seem to flex far more than I'm comfortable with, but if I'm being real, it doesn't impact the typing experience and only feels worse when you're testing the OG and Ultimate side by side (your milage may vary).

If you're overly concerned about the keyboard feel, I'd advise just sticking with the beige version until Commodore updates with a solution. The Starlight Edition is extremely pretty thanks to its RGB flair, but typing will feel substantially different between the two models. On the flipside, if you're mainly planning to use the C64 Ultimate as a best retro console contender via a joystick or controller, the keeb might be less of an issue.

I'll keep you posted when Commodore shares an official solution for the Starlight keyboard, but if you're just looking for a cheap way to play the microcomputer's back catalogue, it's worth checking out the C64 Mini (it's $69.99 at Amazon).

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Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.

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