It's been over 30 years since the last official Commodore 64 release, but the Commodore 64 Ultimate might change this. And it might signal the dawn of a new era of computers and technology.
The Commodore 64 was once one of the most popular home computers ever. Even more imporant (for us), it was one of the most beloved gaming platforms of its time. Sadly, the company Commodore went bankrupt in 1994 for a number of reasons, but the C64 will forever have its place in the hall of fame of technology. It is still the best selling home Computer of all time, after all.
On June 7, 2025 Christian Simpson uploaded a video to his YouTube channel Retro Recipes where he went over the plan of his and others negotiating an exclusive license with Commodore, to then open it up to the fans. In the video, he talks about the pitch video he sent Commodore to explain his plans for the brand.
At the end of the video, Simpson got the reply from Commodore: "Yes, we can grant you an exclusive license, but your team seems to know Commodore better than we do. We might like to sell you the whole company." In a follow-up video, Simpson revealed that a share purchase agreement has been signed and that he and other Commodore community members would act as executives of the company.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate
On July 12, the big re-release of the Commodore 64 was announced. "Retro gaming, modern power" is the computer's slogan in the announcement video on YouTube. Its retro-futuristic look combines the vintage appeal of the original Commodore 64 with modern LED features and a translucent keyboard. The other two variants include the founders edition – which comes in a translucent case colored in gold – and the classic beige edition that seems to come straight from the 80s.
But looks aren't everything. The C64U has also received significant technological upgrades. It features HDMI, WiFi-transfer and convenient USB-ports. And this is not just a PC emulating a Commodore 64, because even the FPGA chip is a replication of the original C64 motherboard. It is also advertised to be compatible with at least 99% of all 80/90s games, cartridges and peripherals. The cheapest version of the C64U is currently sold at $299,99.
Crowdfunding? Not Quite
You can pre-order the new C64U right now on Commodore's own website. This serves as a crowdfunding campaign, but Commodore states that this still acts as an official pre-order of the C64U with a money-back guarantee. By skipping established crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter, Commodore wants to avoid big platform fees to pass the savings onto the user.
The prize for the console will be paid immediately, even though the console isn't out yet, which is typical for crowdfunding. That's because the money that the company receives from purchases will be used to finance the production. But, as previously stated, customers can cancel anytime before shipping and get a full refund.
The Future Of Commodore
The new Commodore company wants to do more than just offer nostalgia pieces. On their own website, they talk about course correcting the way computers work and are used. They seek a new vision for computing – or rather, an old vision. They want to invent modern technology that doesn't feel toxic, bloated or addictive.
The more I read about the plans of Commodore the more excited I got. A company that finally wants to take a step back from disposable tech and invasive platforms. With the goal to "bring the magic back" in mind, they want to focus on digital minimalism and human connection, not algorithmic manipulation.
What's Next?
The Commodore 64 Ultimate seems to only be the start of Commodore's plan to rekindle the magic of how computers used to work and innovating on that. There seems to be talk of Commodore working on a new device already, but information on it is scarce. Simpson promises a product that combines the simplicity of vintage tech with modern hardware utility.
The future of technology is ever evolving, but not every added feature seems to be in favor of the user. Whether Commodore's vision will be a needed approach to reinvent computers or not is yet to be seen. I, for one, remain hopeful for a future that is retro in the best way possible.