COMPUTE!’s Gazette – Volume 1 – Issue 1 – July, 2025
The legendary Commodore brand is making a triumphant return, and it’s not just about nostalgia. As announced in the stunning relaunch issue of COMPUTE!’s Gazette, an official new Commodore 64 is coming in 2025, and the company itself is under new, passionate leadership.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate: A Legend Reborn
Forget emulators. The upcoming “Commodore 64 Ultimate” is being hailed as the official evolution of the beloved machine, built without compromise. At its heart is a full FPGA reproduction of the original hardware, designed by community legend Gideon Zweijtzer and housed in a classic “breadbin” case.
Key features of the Commodore 64 Ultimate include:
- Authentic Hardware Feel: A full FPGA board from Gideon Zweijtzer, new keyboards by Jim Drew, and new cases from Jake Young at RetroFuzion.
- Modern Connectivity: The system boasts HDMI for crisp video output, USB ports for convenience, and even Wi-Fi capabilities.
- Expansive Compatibility: It promises compatibility with over 10,000 games and cartridges.
- True SID Sound: The machine includes sockets for original SID sound chips. The crystal-clear case option will even react to the SID chips.
- Legacy Support: It maintains support for original peripherals.
This isn’t just a retro machine; it’s a time machine, rebuilt and ready for a new generation. Pre-orders are slated to be available from the official Commodore website at commodore.net.
From YouTuber to CEO: A New Vision for Commodore
In a move set to energize the retro computing world, popular YouTuber Peri Fractic of the “Retro Recipes” channel has revealed that his team is acquiring the legal brand owner, Commodore Corporation, B.V..
Fractic’s journey began with a viral video about the licensed C64x PC, which caught the attention of the brand’s owners. Initial talks for branding rights evolved into a full acquisition of the company. To complete the deal, Fractic needs to raise $2.16 million. He has invested his personal funds, taken out a second mortgage, and is approaching angel investors, hinting that there may be an opportunity for the community to own a piece of Commodore.
The new leadership team is packed with talent and experience, aiming to blend heritage with modern innovation. In a move that establishes a direct link to the original company’s DNA, several former Commodore personnel are joining the venture. Most notably, Leonard Tramiel, son of Commodore founder Jack Tramiel, has given his full endorsement and requested to be listed on the website as “CTO” – Chief Tramiel Officer.
Peri Fractic’s mission is clear: “to put the pieces back together; to reinstate the real Commodore to as great an extent as it is physically possible to do so in 2025 – and with the ultimate goal of bringing Amiga back into the fold too.”
Beyond Hardware: Commodore Care and LearnAR
The new Commodore isn’t just focused on products; it has philanthropic ambitions. The “Commodore Care” initiative aims to provide C64 Ultimates and C64x PCs to children in challenging environments, like hospital cancer wards, offering a welcome distraction through gaming and simple BASIC coding. The company has already set up a retro-computing lab with six Commodore computers at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre, a charity for disabled and autistic children.
Furthermore, Commodore is expanding into new markets like education and Augmented Reality (AR). Peri Fractic announced a partnership with renowned innovator Jeri Ellsworth to create an AR education product called “Commodore LearnAR,” based on her Tilt Five technology. Ellsworth states, “With Commodore Education back in classrooms for 2025, children could experience things previously impossible to teach in school.”
With a passionate new team, legendary figures on board, and a stunning new machine on the horizon, the future for Commodore looks brighter than it has in decades. Fans worldwide will be watching closely as this iconic brand takes flight once more.
Read the full story and discover more about the world of retro computing in the first issue of COMPUTE!’s Gazette in 35 years!
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