There was a thread discussing this topic about four years ago, but I only recently found out about this project through The 8 Bit Guy on YouTube (great channel!), so I thought it was worth sharing one more time. Apparently Commodore was working on a successor to the Commodore 64 back in the early nineties, but they ended up cancelling the project. Recently a group of nerds got together and decided to resurrect the project and rename it the Mega 65. Unsurprisingly it actually looks like a pretty cool project.

You can check out the project here: http://mega65.org

This actually looks interesting. It is going to be a open source 8 bit computer not a locked emulator like Mini NES/SNES/PS (those can be hacked but still are limited).
It is a shame it will not be licensed, but it would prabobly increase the price.

Another 8 bit computer project - commercial, licensed and a bit overpriced:
https://www.specnext.com/

It's great seeing new projects that are giving some love to the old 8 bit machines. I would love to see a new PC based on the old Tandy machines. The Tandy 1000EX was my first PC, and I would love to experience that system again!

Why isn't the Amiga the C64 successor?

COOL!

This means when I'm 83 I can look forward to the Commodore 66! :D

You should actually watch The 8 Bit Guy's perspective on that exact question. (Watch from 1:25)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayh0qebfD2g

Apparently the Amiga adds a 'layer' on top of DOS, which makes it undesirable to 8 bit enthusiasts. Something to look forward to in your golden years. It might even have a CD drive!

I'm sure you mean "OS" and not Microsoft DOS. ;-)
So I watched his perspective for a minute (starting 1:25). Sounds like he's talking about programming... not about playing games. (or about running other software. I know I prefer e.g. Amiga trackers to anything available on the C64.)

Anyway, it's just a preference thing. I don't get why someone would prefer the original Space Invaders or Pong to let's say... Indiana Jones & The Fate of Atlantis. But that's fine - goûts et couleurs etc.

didnt they release the ZX spectrum again a year or 2 ago

You have a point there. I've never actually used a C64 before, so I'm not exactly sure what the OS would be. I'm guessing it's simply called BASIC? I grew up using Tandy, but I still love the idea of reviving old machines like this.

There were many OSs called DOS, you are not wrong in the sense that it is only the name of MS-DOS. You were in that the Commodore OS is not a D(isk) O(perating) S(ystem). It did not run from a disk, but was stored and run from ROM.

The Commodore ran Kernal (being a hybrid of what a BIOS is in IBM PC compatibles, and an OS kernel) and a BASIC interpreter on top of that.


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This looks very interesting. I'll keep tabs on it

I wonder how many games will come baked into this system? And which ones? Assuming that's how it works.

It looks more like a fully hackable enthusiast's computer than a nostalgic gamer computer. I doubt a non-profit will get in the mess of getting the licensing to distribute the games in it.

Interesting. Thanks.

Hmmm i'm reminded of a free open source OS which as the author says was more or less a more sup'd up C64 OS (with no real protections between programs and the like). Though it's real world applications are iffy, that and he committed suicide back in November? Kinda a sad story on that. Would it be needed?

I'm just reminded of the Sega Genesis with it's CD addon. I figured they could do a lot more, considering huge games like Phantasy Star 4 were like 4Mb in size. But instead they ended up shoving low quality 8bit video, audio and music on the CD's, making the larger potential of how large/interesting a game could be left behind. Quite disappointing.

Still, support for CDs is always fine....

I'm just not sure how applicable it would be. Other than huge RPG games (normally requiring 4-6 disks!!!) would have no disk swapping.

I have heard of this project, and while it is interesting, I feel that chasing after the cancelled projects of a dead company is a dangerous land.

Rather, I'd look into something the 8 Bit Guy is doing, as he's got CYA in mind.