The Commodore 64, launched in 1982 for $595 with just 64 kilobytes of memory, went on to sell roughly 12.5 million units and become the best-selling desktop computer ever. Its combination of an inexpensive industrial CPU, a music-synthesizer sound chip, and a game-oriented graphics chip made it unusually capable for its price, despite being seen at the time as a mere 'game machine.' That gaming-friendly hardware ended up enabling some of the earliest persistent, open-ended online multiplayer worlds.
worksinprogress.news
· 2026-09-09
Mimic Systems advertised its Spartan peripheral for the Commodore 64 for nearly two years, using recurring magazine ads featuring a mime, before actually releasing the product in 1986. By the time it arrived, reviewers found its specs outdated and users reported persistent bugs and poor support.
buttondown.com
· 2026-09-05
A developer known as LouD has built USBSID-Pico, an open-source hardware board that connects genuine MOS Technology SID chips (6581/8580) from the Commodore 64 to modern computers, phones and media players via USB, MIDI and ASID protocols. Built around the Raspberry Pi Pico's rp2040 and rp2350 microcontrollers, the device can currently drive up to two real SID chips or compatible replacements, with support for four planned.
smallrun.net
· 2026-09-03
The Commodore 64 debuted around September 1, 1982, offering 64 kilobytes of memory at a price under $600, undercutting every rival with similar capacity. Early manufacturing was based in Santa Clara before quality issues pushed Commodore to outsource production to Japan's Kentron, which was mass-producing units by January 1983. Within six months the machine had sold half a million units, and it went on to sell roughly 10.6 to 12.3 million units total, making it the best-selling computer model in history.
dfarq.homeip.net
· 2026-09-02
Commodore has released the Commodore 77, a special-edition version of its Commodore 64 Ultimate reimagined with Cyberpunk 2077 branding. It features a Night City-inspired design, an exclusive 8-bit demo with SID music, an upgraded FPGA chip reaching 77MHz, and themed accessories including pins, stickers, and a manual with BASIC programs. The unit is available for pre-order at $377, with shipping expected in February 2027.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-26
Commodore has partnered with CD Projekt Red to release the Commodore 77, a Cyberpunk 2077-styled version of its Commodore 64 Ultimate. The machine features a weathered, graffiti-marked case, a redesigned boot screen, an Arasaka-branded cartridge with an original lore-expanding demo built by C64 group Arise and chiptune artist LukHash, plus themed packaging and accessories. It's up for pre-order at $377 with no confirmed shipping date.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-25
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