Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 (C64) was released by Commodore International in 1982 and went on to become the best-selling home computer of all time, with estimated sales of over 17 million units. Building on the earlier VIC-20, the C64 combined affordability with advanced hardware for its era, including the custom VIC-II graphics chip and the SID sound synthesiser, which gave it capabilities unmatched by most competitors.

The machine entered a rapidly expanding home computer market, competing directly with systems such as the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, and later the Amstrad CPC 464. Its strong library of games, productivity software, and educational titles, combined with aggressive pricing and widespread retail distribution, cemented the C64’s popularity worldwide.

Beyond the home, the C64 also made an impact in schools, small businesses, and the demoscene, where its distinctive audio-visual hardware inspired generations of programmers and musicians. Its legacy as a cultural icon of the 1980s remains strong, with an active community still producing new hardware and software more than four decades later.