Commodore 64

The Commodore 64, also known as the C64 or the CBM 64, is an 8-bit home computer introduced in January 1982 by Commodore International. It is one of the most popular classic home computer systems, listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-selling single computer model of all time, with independent estimates placing the number sold between 10 and 17 million units.

While the C64 is not a console per se, homebrew on the system closely parallels that on consoles, particularly with the use of sprite-based graphics and direct graphics- and sound-based routines.

Specs

• CPU: MOS 6510 (6502 derivative)
• Display: MOS Technology VIC-II 6567/8562 (NTSC), 6569/8565 (PAL)
• RAM: 64.5 KB (102.5 color RAM in text mode, 37.5 KB for built-in BASIC)
• Sound: Sound: MOS Technology 6581/8580 SID
• Expansion: 44-pin cartridge slot
• Storage: 170 KB double-sided 5.25" floppy with optional 1541 floppy drive

The C64 uses an 8-bit MOS Technology 6510 microprocessor, which is a close derivative of the 6502 with an added 6-bit internal I/O port that in the C64 is used for two purposes: to bank-switch the machine's read-only memory (ROM) in and out of the processor's address space, and to operate the datasette tape recorder. The C64 has 64½ KB of RAM, of which 1024×½ bytes are color RAM for text mode and 38 KB are available to built-in Commodore BASIC 2.0 on startup.