Commodore Returns with FPGA Recreation, Not Emulation

Commodore's 2025 C64 Ultimate uses an FPGA to recreate original 1982 silicon behavior rather than software emulation—a technical distinction that matters because original hardware degrades after 40 years. The $299 machine promises 99% compatibility with period software and peripherals. This approach lets engineers model hardware quirks and timing dependencies that software emulation typically misses, though the acknowledged 1% gap suggests perfect recreation remains elusive.