The Commodore 64 revival: nostalgia, innovation, and red flags

For many, the Commodore 64 is not just a computer — it’s a symbol. Released in 1982, the C64 went on to sell over 17 million units and earned its place in history as the world’s best-selling home computer. It was the machine that taught a generation how to code, made music through its famous SID chip, and turned living rooms into gaming arcades.

I wasn’t there to see it firsthand. By the time I was old enough to sit at a keyboard, Commodore was already a faded brand. My knowledge of the C64 came from stories, documentaries, and YouTube videos. The nostalgia that longtime fans feel is something I’ve absorbed secondhand. For me, the Commodore was always more legend than lived experience.

That’s why I was fascinated when I learned that the Commodore 64 is officially back. A team led by Christian “Perifractic” Simpson — known for his "Retro Recipes" YouTube channel — announced earlier this year that they had acquired Commodore Corporation B.V. and the associated trademarks. Together with original Commodore engineers Bil Herd and Albert Charpentier, they’ve introduced the Commodore 64 Ultimate, the first official Commodore hardware in more than three decades.

A Faithful Recreation with Modern Touches

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is no cheap emulator in disguise. Instead, it’s built around an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) chip that recreates the original hardware’s behavior at the circuit level. This means that games, cartridges, and peripherals work with 99 percent accuracy — an authenticity that matters to purists.

Modern features round out the package: HDMI output, USB-A and USB-C ports, Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, and upgraded memory with 128 MB of RAM (compared to the original 64 KB).

Three editions are being offered. The Basic Beige Edition mimics the classic look at $299. The Starlight Edition, at $349, features a transparent case with RGB lighting. The limited Founders Edition, priced at $499, offers a clear body with gold-plated keys — 6,400 units worldwide for collectors.

All models include a USB stick preloaded with 50 classic games and demos, plus a new sequel to Jupiter Lander. It’s an enticing package that combines nostalgia with convenience.

The Legal Storm Clouds

Yet for all the excitement, not everything is clear skies. Soon after Simpson’s announcement, Commodore Industries S.r.l., an Italian company that has held and used several Commodore trademarks in the EU for more than seven years, issued a strongly worded press release. They accused Simpson of making misleading claims about owning the “entire Commodore legacy” and described his statements as legally unfounded.

The truth is, Commodore’s intellectual property has always been fractured. Different companies, in different regions, hold pieces of the brand. While Simpson’s team has secured rights through Commodore Corporation B.V., Commodore Industries insists their own registrations — covering names like Commodore Engineering, Commodore Digital, and the iconic “C=” logo — remain fully valid.

This isn’t just a minor technicality. Conflicting claims raise the risk of litigation, fan confusion, and a fractured brand presence. Observers have called this “a clash of Commodores,” and both sides accuse the other of harming the community.

A Personal Pause

As someone who never owned a Commodore during its heyday, I had been ready to make this my first authentic experience with the platform. The hardware specs, the attention to detail, and the involvement of original engineers all felt like a dream opportunity to finally hold history in my hands.

But then came the red flags. The conflicting ownership claims, the heated public statements, and the risk that the product could become entangled in a long legal battle — all of these made me hesitate. For longtime enthusiasts, the nostalgia might outweigh the uncertainty. For me, coming in fresh, it raised too many questions.

The Balance of Excitement and Caution

There’s no denying the Commodore 64 Ultimate is a remarkable achievement. It shows respect for history while making it accessible to a new generation. The excitement surrounding its release is real, with pre-orders reportedly generating more than $1.5 million in just the first week.

But for every surge of excitement, there is also a reminder that Commodore’s story has always been complicated. Bankruptcy, fragmented ownership, and now competing claims continue to shadow the brand.

For now, I’m content to watch. Perhaps the dust will settle, the ownership disputes will be resolved, and the C64 Ultimate will take its place as a true revival of a legend. Until then, the Commodore 64 remains for me what it has always been: part myth, part machine, and a story still unfolding.