Commodore 64C Ultimate announced with original 1986 tooling and FPGA recreation
Commodore International has revealed the Commodore 64C Ultimate, a modern reissue of the slimline 1986 Commodore 64C.
The announcement, published on 28 April 2026, follows last year’s Commodore 64 Ultimate and aims to reproduce the 64C’s distinctive 1986–1994 chassis while delivering the same internal performance as the previous modern release.
Heritage tooling and manufacturing
To recreate the original case, Commodore says it has reacquired the injection molds that produced the 1986 housing.
The company said those molds were rediscovered by Dallas Moore at auction in 2014, restored, survived a factory fire, and were later owned by Individual Computers (IComp.de) before Commodore regained them.
Commodore positions the use of the original tooling as a means of authentic replication, including the subtle flow marks and production characteristics that were present in the original runs.
Faithful FPGA-based hardware
Commodore has confirmed that the 64C Ultimate uses FPGA technology to emulate the original machine.
The company describes the implementation as cycle-accurate and high-performance, matching the behavior of the original Commodore 64 internals while housed in the 64C form factor.
Commodore President Christian Simpson framed the return of production quirks as an authenticity marker and said the tooling’s original characteristics are being intentionally reproduced as a signature of genuine Commodore parts.
Editions, pricing, and availability
Pre-orders for the Commodore 64C Ultimate are open now with three editions and introductory pricing: BASIC Beige at $299.99 as a faithful replica, the Starlight Edition at $349.99 with a translucent case and game-reactive LED lighting, and the Founder’s Edition at $499.99 featuring PVD gold keycaps, 24k gold-plated badges, and a gently translucent white case.
Commodore has described this announcement as the first of several product reveals planned for 2026, with further platforms and accessories expected in the coming months.
Context and outlook
The Commodore 64C Ultimate continues Commodore’s recent strategy of marrying retro design fidelity with modern FPGA recreations, following the Commodore 64 Ultimate released last year.
For collectors and retro-computing enthusiasts, the use of original-era tooling and cycle-accurate hardware will be key selling points.
Pre-order customers should consult Commodore International’s official channels for full specifications, shipping timelines, and warranty information.
Commodore International has revealed the Commodore 64C Ultimate, a modern reissue of the slimline 1986 Commodore 64C.
The announcement, published on 28 April 2026, follows last year’s Commodore 64 Ultimate and aims to reproduce the 64C’s distinctive 1986–1994 chassis while delivering the same internal performance as the previous modern release.
Heritage tooling and manufacturing
To recreate the original case, Commodore says it has reacquired the injection molds that produced the 1986 housing.
The company said those molds were rediscovered by Dallas Moore at auction in 2014, restored, survived a factory fire, and were later owned by Individual Computers (IComp.de) before Commodore regained them.
Commodore positions the use of the original tooling as a means of authentic replication, including the subtle flow marks and production characteristics that were present in the original runs.
Faithful FPGA-based hardware
Commodore has confirmed that the 64C Ultimate uses FPGA technology to emulate the original machine.
The company describes the implementation as cycle-accurate and high-performance, matching the behavior of the original Commodore 64 internals while housed in the 64C form factor.
Commodore President Christian Simpson framed the return of production quirks as an authenticity marker and said the tooling’s original characteristics are being intentionally reproduced as a signature of genuine Commodore parts.
Editions, pricing, and availability
Pre-orders for the Commodore 64C Ultimate are open now with three editions and introductory pricing: BASIC Beige at $299.99 as a faithful replica, the Starlight Edition at $349.99 with a translucent case and game-reactive LED lighting, and the Founder’s Edition at $499.99 featuring PVD gold keycaps, 24k gold-plated badges, and a gently translucent white case.
Commodore has described this announcement as the first of several product reveals planned for 2026, with further platforms and accessories expected in the coming months.
Context and outlook
The Commodore 64C Ultimate continues Commodore’s recent strategy of marrying retro design fidelity with modern FPGA recreations, following the Commodore 64 Ultimate released last year.
For collectors and retro-computing enthusiasts, the use of original-era tooling and cycle-accurate hardware will be key selling points.
Pre-order customers should consult Commodore International’s official channels for full specifications, shipping timelines, and warranty information.
