Commodore 64 / 128 / MAX

The Commodore 64 family encompasses the original Commodore 64 home computer, its enhanced backward‑compatible successor the Commodore 128, and the short‑lived Commodore MAX Machine (also known as the VIC‑10 in Japan). Launched in 1982, the C64 became one of the best‑selling personal computers of all time, pairing an affordable 8‑bit architecture with surprisingly advanced custom chips for graphics and sound. At its core, the C64 is built around a MOS Technology 6510 CPU (a 6502 derivative) and two major custom ICs: the VIC‑II graphics chip and the SID (Sound Interface Device) audio synthesizer. This combination enabled colorful scrolling graphics, hardware sprites, raster tricks, and rich multi‑channel music far beyond many contemporaries. It booted directly to Commodore BASIC in ROM and typically loaded commercial software from 5.25" floppy disks or cartridges, with cassette tape as a lower‑cost alternative. The Commodore 128, introduced in 1985, extended the platform with more RAM, an enhanced 8502 CPU, an additional Z80 processor for CP/M compatibility, and an improved 80‑column video output via the VDC chip. Despite these upgrades, it maintained near‑complete compatibility with C64 software and is often used simply as a more robust C64. The Commodore MAX Machine, released in very limited markets in 1982–83, was a low‑cost, cut‑down variant using the same basic chipset family but with severely reduced RAM and a membrane keyboard. Although commercially unsuccessful, its cartridge compatibility and shared architecture tie it firmly to the broader C64 ecosystem. Together, the C64/128/MAX trio represents a pivotal era of 8‑bit computing and gaming. The platform’s extensive game library, demo‑scene heritage, and distinctive SID sound continue to inspire preservation, emulation, and modern homebrew development decades after their debut.

audio

C64/MAX: MOS 6581 or 8580 SID, 3× voices (variable waveform), ADSR envelope, ring/sync, programmable filter, 4th PCM channel via tricks. C128: same SID plus additional system beeper in some models.

cpu

C64: MOS 6510 @ ~0.985 MHz (NTSC) / ~0.985–1.023 MHz (PAL). C128: MOS 8502 @ up to 2 MHz (in C128 mode) + Zilog Z80 @ ~2 MHz. MAX: MOS 6510/6510 derivative @ ~1 MHz.

gpu

C64/MAX: MOS VIC‑II (6567/6569 family), 16 colors, 8 hardware sprites, smooth scrolling, bitmap & character modes. C128: VIC‑IIe for C64‑compatible video (40‑column) + MOS 8563/8568 VDC for 80‑column digital RGB video.

media

5.25" floppy disk (1541/1571/1581 drives), ROM cartridges, compact cassettes via datasette; C128 also supports CP/M disks via Z80 mode.

ram

C64: 64 KB RAM + 20 KB ROM (BASIC, Kernal, character). C128: 128 KB main RAM + 2× 16 KB video RAM (VDC variants) + 64 KB ROM (BASIC 7.0, Kernal, etc.). MAX: typically 2–16 KB RAM depending on configuration.

releaseYear

C64: 1982; C128: 1985; MAX: 1982

resolution

C64/MAX VIC‑II: 320×200 (hi‑res), 160×200 (multicolor), 40×25 text @ 8×8 chars. C128 VDC: up to 640×200 or higher variants, 80×25 text; output depends on specific model and monitor.