A Comprehensive Look at the Commodore 64 Ultimate

Rating: 7/10

It's hard to exaggerate the transformative impact the Commodore 64 had on home computing in the early '80s. Debuting in 1982, this 8-bit machine—famous for its beige plastic casing with integrated keyboard—became a household staple. Yet despite this triumph, Commodore International shut down in 1994, leaving the brand name's rights wandering in limbo for years.

Fast forward to the present, and YouTuber Christian Simpson has taken it upon himself to purchase the rights and revitalize the brand. Although not the initial attempt to relaunch this iconic system, the latest effort, known as the Commodore 64 Ultimate, might just be the closest we've come to experiencing this nostalgic marvel again. This modern incarnation retains the essence of the original, capturing its look and feel almost flawlessly—a tribute to a bygone era, though not meant for everyone.

Reviving the Old Things in a New World

Nicknamed the Commodore 64 Ultimate, this device practically time-travels back to the '80s with its wedge-shaped design and tactile keys. Available in the standard beige as well as variants like a transparent 'Starlight' with RGB lighting and a special golden edition for early adopters—it looks like it’s fresh from a '80s warehouse.

For enthusiasts, the resemblance to the original is intriguing. At heart, this device leverages a field programmable gate array (FPGA) architecture, often used to mimic classic gaming consoles. Essentially, an FPGA tricks one chipset into behaving like another, permitting performance as close to the original hardware as possible, without relying on emulation.

The Commodore 64 Ultimate also embraces retro peripherals by including a variety of physical ports compatible with genuine '80s gadgets. If old joysticks are still gathering dust somewhere in your attic, this setup invites you to dust them off. While Commodore International hasn't resumed full-scale hardware production, this takes a significant step towards it.

Despite its historical fidelity, the device has modern updates—a pair of USB ports in the back can connect to a USB stick pre-loaded with games, software demos, and music that showcases its legendary sound capabilities. There’s also Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port, and HDMI outputs. Yet, there remains the option to link up to CRT monitors, so these additions feel more like gentle nods to the present rather than disruptive changes.

Embracing Nostalgia Takes Commitment

The Commodore 64 Ultimate's deliberate throwback nature is part of its charm but also its biggest barrier. Calling itself the “digital detox brand,” the revived company positions this machine as an escape from the noisy, feature-laden gadgets of today. For someone weary of modern operating systems like Windows, with its invasive ads and overwrought AI features, a journey back in time might sound refreshing. However, this nostalgia-fueled dive into the past requires a leap back to before many of us were even born, making the adjustment surprisingly challenging.

For newcomers without direct exposure to the Commodore 64's original era, the device can be alienating. If your only link to this historic system is curiosity about vintage technology, expect a formidable learning curve getting acquainted with its environment.

Upon starting the C64U, users are welcomed by a virtual replica of the original menu, where commands can be input via BASIC. This is daunting for novices unfamiliar with coding. Yet, the inclusion of a detailed spiral-bound book helps bridge this gap, guiding from basic commands to complex coding—an education in both computer history and programming.

Modern Enhancements Behind the Scenes

For those not keen on diving deep into programming, the C64U features a user-friendly main menu. Accessible via a multifunction button, this menu offers a streamlined interface to tweak settings such as video output options, allowing choices between retro resolutions and a crisp 1080p widescreen.

Under the hood, the device is powered by an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA chip with 128-MB DDR2 RAM. Comparing this to the original 64 KB reveals a significant leap in capability. Users can simulate the original experience or ramp it up with features like a virtualized RAM upgrade or a turbo speed boost reaching 64 MHz.

Moreover, the system includes GEOS, an old GUI-based operating system markedly different from BASIC. Slightly more intuitive for those familiar with modern systems, it still retains some quirks of the original. Navigating this older system requires getting used to processes like 'mounting' and 'loading' files—a challenge for anyone new.

Gaming and Patience—The Retro Way

Beyond its computing capacities, the Commodore 64 was cherished for its gaming potential, and the new version keeps this spirit alive. The USB drive brings retro gaming to your fingertips, with the added charm of authentic loading noises from bygone tape and disk drives.

Though true to retro speeds—which means considerable waiting times—it's part of this digital detox narrative, a lesson in patience from an earlier era. However, the charm of vintage gaming might be better served by simpler emulations or earlier hardware reproductions focusing strictly on that aspect.

Ultimately, while the C64U beautifully reimagines a classic, begging the question of its place in today's technological landscape. For die-hard fans, it's a delightful homage to simpler times, but its appeal in reshaping modern computing seems limited. Uncovering what computing can be outside of systems like those from Apple and Microsoft, the C64U is a relic worth appreciating—if you're ready to embrace the retro experience.