Commodore 64 Ultimate

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Enthusiasm and Nostalgia

  • Many commenters express strong emotional attachment: C64 as first computer, gateway to programming, music, and long careers in software.
  • Several immediately preordered, especially the beige “breadbin” version, valuing HDMI output plus an authentic keyboard and form factor.
  • Others share stories of old hardware in garages, rescue/restore efforts, and fond memories of BASIC one‑liners and demoscene culture.

Skepticism and Marketing Tone

  • Some see the positioning—“tech as a nuisance,” burnout from modern computing—as a somewhat cynical use of nostalgia as a product and “resistance as market.”
  • Others defend the project as a niche, community‑driven effort unlikely to be a big “cash grab,” noting the people involved seem sincere.
  • The FAQ language about “retro • futurism” and “symbiotic cycles” is criticized by some as AI‑generated marketing fluff and at odds with the value of understandable, simple systems.

Hardware, FPGA, and Emulation

  • Interest and speculation around whether it uses the existing Ultimate64 FPGA board; hardware implementation is seen as a plus versus plain emulation.
  • Some prefer cheaper or existing options like TheC64, Raspberry Pi 400, MiSTer, Mega65, Commander X16, AgonLight2, etc.
  • There’s debate over cosmetic choices (LED color‑changing vs classic beige) and disappointment that joysticks are extra and pricey.

“Spirit of the C64” vs Literal Recreation

  • A major thread: wanting the spirit of the C64—a simple, approachable, all‑in‑one machine that boots straight into a language—rather than a strict reproduction.
  • Proposals include modern “hobbyist” computers (ARM/RISC‑V, hundreds of MB RAM, accessible graphics/sound, built‑in environment) and better first‑computers for kids.
  • There’s extended debate over BASIC vs Python (and even Forth/Logo) as beginner languages; BASIC’s simplicity and “batteries‑included” nature are praised, but its line‑numbered spaghetti is criticized.

Education, Kids, and the Internet

  • Some successfully use C64 emulators, PICO‑8, Picotron, Raspberry Pi, Roblox Studio, and Kano kits to introduce children to coding.
  • One view: limited, slow 8‑bit hardware and lack of internet distractions are key to deep understanding and curiosity; another argues modern platforms like Mac Mini or Pi already fill that role well.

Retro Ecosystem, SID, and Scene

  • The SID chip, its filters, PWM, and arpeggio techniques are celebrated; some wish for newly fabricated original chips.
  • Commenters note the active modern C64 scene: new games, demoscene productions, PETSCII/pixel art.
  • There’s recognition that the retro market is fragmented (purists vs modern‑feature fans; CRT vs HDMI; physical media vs SD), making a universally satisfying product difficult.