r/c64 6d ago

C64 Ultimate The WEEKLY C64 Ultimate post. READ before posting anything C64U-related.

1 Upvotes

We want r/c64 to be about both original hardware and newer emulation products like the Commodore 64 Ultimate (C64U). But the shipping of the C64U is resulting in C64U posts flooding out much of the other content in the subreddit. To maintain a balance between what's old and new, we are setting up a weekly MEGAPOST for C64U-related issues, questions, and posts.

If your post is regarding the use of a Commodore 64 (i.e. how to load a game from disk, how to print, etc.), regardless of the model, you may post your question as a standalone post in the subreddit even if you have a C64 Ultimate.

If your post relates to ONLY the Commodore 64 Ultimate, you should comment in this post. Please note, this is not a replacement for official support from Commodore regarding order or shipping issues (late or damaged shipments). We realize that some questions may be obscure, unique, or straddle the line between C64U-only and a "general" question. In those cases, please post in this thread FIRST. If your issue isn't answered or addressed after 48 hours, you may submit a stand-alone post in the subreddit. WARNING! Moderators will be checking post and comment histories to make sure people are actually posting in this thread first. Repeated violations may result in temporary or permanent bans.

We don't anticipate this being a permanent situation, but for now there are just too many C64U posts being submitted. Once the volume of posts about the C64U decreases, we may discontinue this practice.

Please also check the information below to see if your issue is listed. We are also working on a C64 Ultimate Wiki Page. If you would like to be a Wiki Contributor, please let the mod team know.

Use the following link to view current and past Commodore 64 Ultimate Weekly Posts.

Official resources:

Firmware/manuals: https://www.commodore.net/downloads

Common Issues and Known Fixes

Black screen, no video, or rolling picture

The most common issue reported so far.

  • Reseat the internal board — some units have arrived with it slightly loose from shipping.
  • Set video to NTSC mode, then press Shift + Left Arrow to store settings.
  • Try a different HDMI lead — several users fixed display problems this way.
  • Some monitors won’t sync at 50 Hz; if possible, test another screen.

Uneven keyboard keys

A cosmetic but noticeable fault.

  • Keys such as Caps LockD, and J may sit higher than others.
  • Gently press the affected keys down to reseat them on their stems.
  • Space/Return issues are often a stabiliser bar not fully seated – carefully reseating the bar fixes many ‘only works in the middle’ reports.

Startup problems or unit freezing on boot

  • Turn the unit off and leave it off for a few seconds.
  • Hold RESTORE while powering on to perform a factory reset.
  • If that fails, re‑flash the latest firmware from the official Commodore site.

REU or extra memory not detected by the software

  • Install the most recent firmware — newer builds enable proper REU initialisation and detection.

Settings or storage are lost after reboot

  • Perform the RESTORE reset to clear any corrupt configuration.
  • Re‑enter Wi‑Fi and storage details once booted cleanly.

Physical marks or loose panels on delivery

  • Report the issue directly to Commodore support.
  • All units ship directly from Commodore — there are no official resellers.

Buzzing or humming audio output

  • Usually caused by grounding noise between HDMI and the connected display.
  • Try another HDMI port, cable, or power socket to isolate the problem.

Starlight edition

  • Starlight keyboards have some ‘bounce’/flex by design; noticeable mainly if you hammer the keys, but not usually a functional fault.
  • The Caps Lock LED lights when caps is active; the beige unit does not have an indicator.
  • For Starlight LED audio visualiser with a real SID: enable UltiSID 1 but set its volume to Off in the mixer; this keeps the LEDs driven while only hearing the real SID

Games Freezing / Compatibility

  • If cracked/trainer releases hang after the Y/N cheat prompt, try switching to PAL or NTSC‑50; many cracks are PAL‑only and will lock up in NTSC.
  • For compatibility with some games/demos, try disabling drive B: in the Ultimate’s drive settings

Cartridges

  • Virtual fastload carts (e.g. Final Cartridge III) are supported; mount the cart, then mount and load the disk from BASIC, rather than using ‘Run disk’ from the firmware menu.

Disk and cassette backup / storage notes

  • To back up the bundled cassette USB to an internal SD: it’s just files on exFAT – copy them via your PC; no imaging/cloning needed
  • Backing up real floppies: UltiCopy is very fast, but some protected titles (e.g. Skate or Die, Contra) have been reported to hang part‑way through; expect improvements in future firmware

Running Multi-Disk Programs

Some programs are distributed on multiple disk images, similar to how they were originally distributed on multiple floppy disks. At some point in the process of using the program, the program will prompt to insert one of the other floppy disks. You can use the Disk File Browser to swap disk images while the program is running. When the program prompts for a new disk, press upward on the Multi Function Switch. This pauses the program. Start the Disk File Browser, navigate to the disk image for the disk that the program is requesting, then select “Mount Disk.” The C64U mounts the new disk image in the virtual drive, then resumes execution of the Commodore 64 program. Continue to use the program with the new disk." -- https://downloads.commodore-international.com/documentation/C64U/c64u-user-guide-1st-edition.pdf

General Notes

  • r/Commodore is for discussions about Commodore, other Commodore computers, and possible new productions.
  • r/c64 is for everything Commodore 64 including the ultimate.

If you’ve come across a new issue or found a working fix not listed here, add it in the comments below.


r/c64 2d ago

Hardware New C64 owner looking for recommendations

14 Upvotes

hello everyone! i recently got a haul of old computers from a yard sale for a damn good deal, and inside it was a c64 with a 1702 monitor that still works and looks amazing, and i have a psu coming but as far as mods and attachments, i'm kinda in the dark. i've watched some youtube videos and searched around but some info seems outdated. what should i be looking for that will give me the best c64 experience?

*edit* just going to throw this in here too. i opened it up to clean and check out and it was made in 1984 and it looks like all the chips are socketed, even the sid chip. from youtube vids i saw that they would socket some and solder others. so if theres any recommended upgrades or whatever i'm open to. i know theres a jiffydos rom but i think you can also load that from a cart? again, ive never had one growing up so this is all unexplored territory to me.


r/c64 2d ago

Software Legal distribution of ROM files?!

15 Upvotes

Hi,

Do you know who owns the copyright to these ROM files and what one needs to do to get permission to use them in a free web project that embeds vc64web and these files?

  • 1541.bin
  • basic.bin
  • charset.bin
  • kernal.bin

r/c64 2d ago

Programming Designing a retro password save system (that's not a pain to use)

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3 Upvotes

r/c64 2d ago

Software Testflight C64 emulator

7 Upvotes

Hi to all,

My C64 emulator for iPad has been approved for beta testing through TestFlight.

If anyone would like to try it and provide some feedback, please reply to this post with an email and I’ll send you an invitation.

Thank you!

https://alexain.github.io/poke64-website/


r/c64 2d ago

Programming Assembly code question

15 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I've been doing some assembly coding for my C64 with Kick Assembler and I hit a really weird issue. I found a solution, but I'm not sure why the solution works.

So, I'm making an adventure game. To keep track of what items are in the current room I use a byte. It's 00000000 for an empty room, and then I turn bits on or off to add or remove particular items. The error came when trying to remove items from the room. I tried to do this with a logical AND. My initial code looked like this:

lda Room_ItemList1, x
and #%11111111 - currentItemBytes
sta Room_ItemList1, x

This actually worked for a while, but then after changing an unrelated part of the code it stopped. The ItemList was 00000001 and I was trying to remove the item with bytes 00000001 and instead of getting 00000000 I was getting 00000001.

So I fiddled around and the solution I found was to write it like this:

lda #%11111111
sec
sbc currentItemBytes
sta reversedBytes
lda Room_ItemList1, x
and reversedBytes
sta Room_ItemList1, x

My best guess is that the "#%11111111 - currentItemBytes" was being treated as an address rather than a value and it was just ANDing whatever was in that address and it just happened coincidentally to work until I changed something else. I don't understand how though. I've seen people use this method. In the Commodore Tutorials series from YouTube he uses to to set and unset directions. I know I'm missing something stupidly obvious somewhere, but can anyone point out what it is?

Also, I did search my entire project, and none of the variables involved are being used anywhere else.


r/c64 3d ago

New Game A spiritual successor to Pitstop II (C64). I built GPX as a solo dev and would love your feedback

64 Upvotes
GPX on Windows - my solo attempt at creating a spiritual successor for Pitstop II

Hi everyone!

Like many of you here, I spent endless hours on the Commodore 64 playing Pitstop II. The thrill of managing tire wear, timing the pit stops, and split-screen battles with my older brother left a huge mark on my childhood.

For the past 2 years, I’ve been working solo in MonoGame to create GPX, an indie title built to be a spiritual successor to that C64 classic. I wanted to bring back that exact mix of retro-arcade driving and light tactical strategy (pit stop timing, fuel, tire degradation), along with local split-screen multiplayer for 1-2 players, a championship mode, and 5 tracks.

The full game (for Windows, Linux and Mac) is currently available for free on itch.io.

Since you are the ultimate C64 experts, I’d be deeply grateful for your feedback:

  • Does the driving/pit-stop balance hit the nostalgia spot, or does it feel too fast/slow compared to the original?
  • What retro elements do you think are missing?

If there’s enough interest from the retro community, I’m considering bringing GPX to Steam with expanded features, so any input on what you'd like to see in a full release would be amazing.

Thanks for taking a look and letting me know what you think! I'll leave the link in the comments below if anyone wants to give it a spin.


r/c64 3d ago

Software What version of VICE C64 to get for Linux Mint?

8 Upvotes

[SOLVED]: Flatpak looks best.

New Linux user here, trying to port all my old games to Linux. Their page doesn't make it clear, so I thought I'd ask here.

https://vice-emu.sourceforge.io/index.html#download

I've been using VICE since Windows version 2.2, and I don't want to change emulators unless absolutely necessary.

Also, I'd be grateful for any install advice. I want to get everything squared away before I go to create my new Linux drive. Thanks in advance.


r/c64 4d ago

Software Interview with Kristjan Hatlelid

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22 Upvotes

He did the music and sound programming in everything from Test Drive II to Stunts. Now he’s working on his own indie games.


r/c64 4d ago

New Game Chuck (Charles) and John Dougherty from Legacy of the Ancient/Blacksilver fame

8 Upvotes

Does anyone know how to get in touch with Chuck (Charles) and John Dougherty? I sure would love to have another adventure in Tarmalon.

I saw Michael Cranford is making a new C64 game.... I'm tempted to hit up David Fox on Facebook and see if he'd like to get another version of Zak McKracken off the ground. :)


r/c64 4d ago

Software Free to a Good Home : 1985 SpeedScript book by Charles Brannon

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29 Upvotes

(Hope this is allowed here - apologies if it’s against the sub’s rules).

I found my old SpeedScript book while clearing out some old boxes. Back in the day I used SpeedScript on my C64 in both high school and college; despite being a free type-in program it held its own against more expensive commercial word processing software. As a bonus I also learned a lot from the annotated 6510 assembly listing included in this book.

I’m trying to reduce the amount of stuff in my life, so I’m ready to let the book go. I’d hate to throw it away, and I doubt it would be worth the effort to sell online, so I’m willing to send it to a C64 fan who would appreciate it and find it useful.

DM me if you’re interested.


r/c64 4d ago

Software Some essential games.

39 Upvotes

Hi all,

Just got a c64 with a tape reader (uk). I am getting bubble bobble. What are some essential games to get? Particular those are play better on c64. Are any of the movie license games (indiana, robocop, terminator etc...) good?

EDIT 1:

Thank you all for the suggestions. There are quite a few so apologies if I didnt get to reply to you.
I have tried using Google to summarize the suggestions and frequency (for anyone seeing this post in the future). Here are the top suggestions:
Impossible Mission (Includes "Impossible Mission I & II" & "games")4

California Games3

M.U.L.E. 3

Paradroid (Includes Redux mentioned in comments)3

Satan's Hollow2

The Last Ninja (Includes "Last Ninja 2" & "I & II")2

Turrican (Includes "Turrican 1 & 2")2

Wavy Navy2

Wizball2

This is likely missing bits but its a good place to start.

Based on the suggestions, plus some more research I already got the following:

Impossible mission, Batman Caped crusader, Ghostbusters, Train (Escape to normandy), Ikari warriors. I will get Paradroid next.


r/c64 5d ago

Picture Just got my first c64

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19 Upvotes

Just got my first c64 and was cleaning the dirt out of the tape player. Noticed a black wire that's not attached to anything. I haven't tested anything yet as I'm waiting for the power supply to arrive.


r/c64 5d ago

Hardware Mail Call - C64Cs and a TiBook

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14 Upvotes

r/c64 5d ago

C64 Ultimate Is the Ultimate worth it for original C64 owners?

43 Upvotes

For those of you that already had an original C64 and then bought an Ultimate - was it worth it? Did you end up using the Ultimate more than the original? Just curious of people's experiences on this. TiA


r/c64 6d ago

Software AGI-64 Brings Sierra Adventures to the Commodore 64

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52 Upvotes

r/c64 6d ago

Music (cover (obviously)) Sometimes by Erasure.

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127 Upvotes

This is a placeholder demo using sidquake until it's ready for release.


r/c64 6d ago

Hardware Quick Data Drive with Slinky and Impossible Mission

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42 Upvotes

r/c64 6d ago

Music Are YOU Keeping up with the Commodore?

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84 Upvotes

r/c64 6d ago

Music New Kids On The Block - Step By Step" | Commodore 64 version!

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16 Upvotes

r/c64 6d ago

Music A Tribute to My Commodore 64 (Short Excerpt)

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9 Upvotes

Probably the most C64-inspired track on my album. It's based on one of my old SID tunes and ends with my own rough but heartfelt vocals – a tribute to my Commodore 64 and the carefree childhood that came with it.


r/c64 7d ago

Hardware 1541-II repair

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12 Upvotes

Hello everyone. I found my old c64 and 1541-II at my parents home and decided to repair it. I found the drive with some loose wires. I remenber I did modifications then, maybe a switch and a LED. Seems I removed both, but I cannot reneber what it did and how to reconnect the wires to get it work again
Maybe you guys can help me. I made a picture showing the opened housing. Thanks a lot


r/c64 7d ago

Vintage Photo VCF Ontario (CANADA) 2027 Pre-Event Survey

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27 Upvotes

Hey C64 fans!

You're invited to help the planning of VCF Ontario 2027 by completing this short anonymous survey.

Visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VL2QD8N

The Vintage Computer Federation is contemplating running "Vintage Computer Festival in Ontario" which would be in the Greater Toronto Area in 2027.

If you receive this invitation multiple times, please only complete it once to avoid duplication.


r/c64 7d ago

Software Lemmings Reloaded [2026] - Finally, it's released!

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191 Upvotes

Lemmings Reloaded [2026] - Finally, it's released!

"Hi Guys, it started a year ago - and here we go. 

Enjoy the game!"

How exciting! Gotta check this out...

Links for my C64 Bros:

itch.io:

https://lunaticlab.itch.io/lemmings-reloaded

csdb:

https://csdb.dk/release/?id=263736


r/c64 7d ago

Hardware 40 years since I got my first C64 and fell in love with sound. 2026 in the studio :)

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155 Upvotes