Commodore is expanding its FPGA-based Commodore 64 revival with the new Slimline C64C Ultimate, a modern redesign inspired by the Amiga computers of the 1980s This updated version retains the cycle-accurate core of its predecessor while introducing modern features like HDMI output, Wi-Fi connectivity, turbo mode, extra RAM, and support for multiple SID sound chips.
The Slimline C64C Ultimate also boasts a sleeker, slimmer profile compared to the original breadbin-style C64 Ultimate released last year. Its shell is a tribute to the Amiga era, recreated using the original 1986 injection-molding tooling. This tooling has an interesting history: discovered at an auction in 2014, it survived a factory fire and was preserved by Individual Computers before Commodore reacquired it.
Commodore’s commitment to authenticity shines through in this revival. According to Peri Fractic, Commodore’s CEO and a well-known retro YouTuber, the original molding process created faint semi-circular flow marks in the plastic—a detail that went largely unnoticed in the 1980s. Fractic explained, “By using the original tooling, we’re even bringing these back. Today, these marks are a seal of authenticity, the unmistakable signature of genuine Commodore parts born from original molds.”
Under the hood, the Slimline C64C Ultimate uses the same cycle-accurate FPGA technology as its predecessor, allowing it to run thousands of classic games, applications, and peripherals from the mid-1980s to early 1990s. It also includes modern conveniences like HDMI output for crisp visuals, while still supporting CRT monitors for an authentic retro experience.
Pre-orders for the Slimline C64C Ultimate are now open, with three editions available:
- BASIC Beige ($299.99)
- Translucent Starlight Edition with reactive RGB lighting ($349.99)
- Ultimate Founder’s Edition with gold accents ($499.99)
For fans of retro computing, this revival offers a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern functionality.
