MEGA65
 MEGA65 (production model, 2022) | |
| Developer | Museum of Electronic Games & Art (MEGA) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Trenz Electronic |
| Type | Home computer |
| Release date | May 2022 |
| Operating system | MEGA65 ROM, BASIC 65, C64-compatible ROMs |
| CPU | Open-source 45GS02 core (6502-compatible), 48 MHz (turbo) |
| Memory | 384 KB RAM (core), up to 8 MB via expansion |
| Storage | microSD card, optional internal floppy (compatible with 1581) |
| Display | HDMI up to 1920×1200, composite video |
| Graphics | VIC-IV (FPGA-based), supports enhanced C65 modes, 4096-color palette, 1280×400 resolution |
| Sound | 2× SID (real or emulated), stereo audio |
| Input | Integrated mechanical keyboard, joystick ports, USB |
| Website | mega65 |
The MEGA65 is an open-source, modern reimplementation of the unreleased Commodore 65, developed by the non-profit Museum of Electronic Games & Art (MEGA). It recreates the original prototype’s intended feature set while expanding on it with modern enhancements.
Built around a FPGA core, the MEGA65 is fully compatible with Commodore 64 and C65 software, and it includes advanced display modes, faster clock speeds, and contemporary ports such as HDMI, Ethernet, and USB. It is designed as a hacker-friendly 8-bit platform for education, retro programming, and preservation.
History
The project was initiated in the early 2010s by Paul Gardner-Stephen as a continuation of his work on C65 emulation (C65GS). In partnership with MEGA and with manufacturing by Trenz Electronic, the first developer kits were released in late 2020. The final production MEGA65 computer, with injection-molded replica C65-style cases, was released in May 2022.
Pre-orders for the first 400 units sold out quickly, followed by additional batches in 2023 and 2024. As of late 2024, the MEGA65 is now continuously manufactured and readily available.
Features
- Fully C65-compatible with support for BASIC 10.0 and full C64 emulation
- Up to 48 MHz 45GS02 CPU core (open hardware 65CE02 derivative)
- HDMI video out up to 1920×1200
- Composite video for retro displays
- microSD card slot for storage
- Ethernet networking, USB keyboard/mouse support
- Two real or emulated SID audio channels (supports stereo playback)
- Real-time hardware register access and DMA engine
- Built-in modern debugger and assembly environment
- Optional floppy drive for C1581 format (880 KB 3.5" disks)
Software
The MEGA65 ships with BASIC 65, MEGA ROM, and a full-featured system monitor. It supports legacy C64 and C65 software as well as new titles developed for its enhanced platform. Tools and development kits are actively maintained.
The community supports firmware updates and open development via:
- GitHub: MEGA65 core and ROM
- MEGA65.org official site
- Dan’s MEGA65 Digest – a community newsletter
Legacy
The MEGA65 represents the most complete realization of what the Commodore 65 might have been had it reached production. With open-source hardware, community-led tooling, and robust documentation, it stands as a unique platform bridging vintage computing and modern hardware design.