Boot up the C64U, and you’re welcomed by a re-creation of the C64’s menu. Here, you can type in operation commands just like back in the day, using the BASIC programming language. The problem? I don’t know the first thing about BASIC. However, in what might be the ultimate throwback, the C64U comes with a spiral-bound, 273-page user guide. It’s quite the hefty read. Surprisingly, it’s not a reprint of anything from the original; instead, it’s a custom guide that explains what the C64U does, how it differs from the C64, and how to understand its features. Blending history and instruction, it starts with simple commands and gradually teaches you how to code. I’m still working my way through it, but that hands-on method—referring to the book, experimenting on the computer, back and forth—is a fantastic touch.
Hidden Upgrades
If you’re not keen on doing homework, the C64U’s default menu is just a flick of the multifunction power button on the right side of the unit away. It’s a straightforward list of options and settings. Hit RETURN to dive into a section—like “Video Setup” to adjust whether the C64U outputs in original resolution, PAL, NTSC (which is surprisingly important, as some games only work with one display standard or the other), or a crystal-clear 1080p with scanlines removed—and then back out to save any changes to the system’s flash memory. The layout is minimalist yet pretty intuitive.
This is also where you can explore some of the more modern features of the C64U, like making use of its much greater power. Well, “greater” compared to 1982. Spec-wise, it’s not going to compete with more modern machines, but running on an AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA chip and packing 128 MB of DDR2 RAM—compared to the C64’s 64 KB—it completely outshines its predecessor. While it essentially replicates the performance of the original 1982 hardware, meaning it operates as if the original 64 KB were still there, you can dive into the menu to activate a virtualized RAM Expansion Unit or turn on a “Turbo Boost” to speed up the clock to a lightning-fast (in this context) 64 MHz.
