Commodore International, the company recently positioned as the revived steward of the Commodore brand under Christian Simpson, has begun pre-orders for a modern recreation of the TAC-2 joystick.
The original TAC-2, produced by Suncom in the 1980s, earned a reputation for durability and broad compatibility with systems such as the Commodore 64, various Atari computers, and the Commodore Amiga.
The new product targets collectors and retro gamers seeking a faithful but mechanically refined version of the classic controller.
According to the product store page, Commodore International describes the new TAC-2 as maintaining one-to-one compatibility with the original unit and with all devices using the Atari 9‑pin standard, a compatibility detail that covers modern adapter-equipped setups and legacy hardware like the Commodore 64 Ultimate.
The updated design replaces the original's copper tire-valve shaft with a new steel shaft intended to increase durability, and the cable length has been extended to two meters.
The accessory is offered in five finishes—BASIC Beige, C= White, Knight Black, a transparent Starlight Edition, and a Gold Starlight Founders Edition—and is available to pre-order now.
Price points listed on the site are £37 or $49.99 for the standard editions, with the Gold Founders Edition listed at £47.37 or $64.
Shipping from the store page is scheduled to begin in October.
Public reaction to the revival has been mixed.
While some retro-gaming enthusiasts have welcomed the return of a robust TAC-2 design, many prospective buyers in the UK and Europe have criticized shipping and sales tax additions that significantly increase the final purchase price.
Customers reporting their totals online said that after shipping and taxes were applied, the landed cost ranged between approximately $82 and $99, which several users flagged as a steep markup over the listed retail price.
Social posts on Twitter/X and threads on Reddit contain multiple complaints noting that shipping costs approached or equaled the cost of the joystick itself.
Forum users have also reported receiving partial $11 refunds in some cases, though those adjustments do not appear to be broadly advertised on the product page.
Commodore International’s TAC-2 revival provides clear technical and aesthetic updates to a well-known retro peripheral, but the shipping and tax friction is already shaping consumer response.
Retro hardware buyers and retailers will likely watch fulfillment and final pricing closely when shipments begin in October.
The original TAC-2, produced by Suncom in the 1980s, earned a reputation for durability and broad compatibility with systems such as the Commodore 64, various Atari computers, and the Commodore Amiga.
The new product targets collectors and retro gamers seeking a faithful but mechanically refined version of the classic controller.
According to the product store page, Commodore International describes the new TAC-2 as maintaining one-to-one compatibility with the original unit and with all devices using the Atari 9‑pin standard, a compatibility detail that covers modern adapter-equipped setups and legacy hardware like the Commodore 64 Ultimate.
The updated design replaces the original's copper tire-valve shaft with a new steel shaft intended to increase durability, and the cable length has been extended to two meters.
The accessory is offered in five finishes—BASIC Beige, C= White, Knight Black, a transparent Starlight Edition, and a Gold Starlight Founders Edition—and is available to pre-order now.
Price points listed on the site are £37 or $49.99 for the standard editions, with the Gold Founders Edition listed at £47.37 or $64.
Shipping from the store page is scheduled to begin in October.
Public reaction to the revival has been mixed.
While some retro-gaming enthusiasts have welcomed the return of a robust TAC-2 design, many prospective buyers in the UK and Europe have criticized shipping and sales tax additions that significantly increase the final purchase price.
Customers reporting their totals online said that after shipping and taxes were applied, the landed cost ranged between approximately $82 and $99, which several users flagged as a steep markup over the listed retail price.
Social posts on Twitter/X and threads on Reddit contain multiple complaints noting that shipping costs approached or equaled the cost of the joystick itself.
Forum users have also reported receiving partial $11 refunds in some cases, though those adjustments do not appear to be broadly advertised on the product page.
Commodore International’s TAC-2 revival provides clear technical and aesthetic updates to a well-known retro peripheral, but the shipping and tax friction is already shaping consumer response.
Retro hardware buyers and retailers will likely watch fulfillment and final pricing closely when shipments begin in October.
