Editing Commodore 64 (section)

==Clones and other reuse of the Commodore 64 name==

=== Clones ===
[[File:C64 DTV.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A black-and-red joystick|C64 Direct-to-TV]]
Clones are computers which imitate C64 functions. In mid-2004, after an absence from the marketplace of more than 10 years, PC manufacturer [[Tulip Computers]] (owners of the Commodore brand since 1997) announced the [[C64 Direct-to-TV]] (C64DTV): a [[joystick]]-based [[handheld TV game|TV game]] based on the C64, with 30 games in its ROM. Designed by [[Jeri Ellsworth]], a self-taught computer designer who had designed the [[C-One]] C64 implementation, the C64DTV was similar to other mini-consoles based on the modestly-successful Atari 2600 and [[Intellivision]]. The C64DTV was advertised on [[QVC]] in the United States for the 2004 holiday season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/20/technology/a-toy-with-a-story.html|title=A Toy with a Story|first=John|last=Markoff|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 20, 2004|access-date=August 20, 2015 |url-access=limited}}</ref>

In 2015, a Commodore 64-compatible [[motherboard]] was produced by [[Individual Computers]]. Called the C64 Reloaded, it is a redesign of Commodore 64 motherboard revision 250466 with several new features.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiki.icomp.de/wiki/C64_reloaded|title=C64 reloaded – IndividualComputers|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=April 15, 2016}}</ref> The motherboard is designed to be placed in an existing, empty C64 or C64C case. Produced in limited quantities, models of this Commodore 64 clone have machined or [[Zero insertion force|ZIF]] sockets in which custom C64 chips are placed. The board contains [[jumper (computing)|jumpers]] to accept revisions of the VIC-II and SID chips and the ability to switch between the [[PAL]] and [[NTSC]] video systems. It has several innovations, including selection (via the restore key) of KERNAL and character ROMs, built-in reset toggle on the power switch, and an S-Video socket to replace the original [[RF modulator|TV modulator]]. The motherboard is powered by a [[DC-to-DC converter]] which uses {{nowrap|12 V DC}} from a mains adapter, rather than the original (and failure-prone) Commodore 64 power-supply brick.

=== Web.it Internet computer {{anchor|webit}} ===
[[File:Commodore 64 Web-it PC (modified).jpg|thumb|alt=Gray computer with a keyboard|C64 Web.it Internet Computer]]
The C64 brand was reused in 1998 for the Web.it Internet Computer,<ref name="retroport">{{cite web|url=http://retroport.de/C64_C128_2.html|title=C64, C128 – Teil 2 – Retroport|date=June 14, 2013|publisher=Retroport.de|access-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604073150/http://retroport.de/C64_C128_2.html|archive-date=June 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="amigahist_webit">{{cite web|title=Commodore 64: Web.It|url=http://www.amigahistory.co.uk/c64web.html|date=June 10, 2007|access-date=June 16, 2013|publisher=Amigahistory.co.uk}}</ref> a low-powered, [[Internet appliance|Internet-oriented]], all-in-one [[x86]] PC running [[MS-DOS]] and [[Windows 3.1x|Windows 3.1]]. It uses an [[AMD Élan]] SC400 [[System on a chip|SoC]] with 16&nbsp;MB of RAM, a 3.5-inch [[floppy disk]] drive, 56k [[modem]] and [[PC Card]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.computerbase.de/2020-03/commodore-webit-internet-pc-windows-3.1/ |title=C:\B_retro\Ausgabe_23\: Der Commodore Web.it mit Windows 3.1 und AMD Elan |date=March 29, 2020 |publisher=ComputerBase |access-date=2020-03-29 |language=de}}</ref> Despite its Commodore 64 nameplate, the C64 Web.it looks different and is only directly compatible with the original via included [[Emulator|emulation software]]. PC clones branded [[Commodore 64x|C64x]] sold by [[Commodore USA]], a company licensing the Commodore [[trademark]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itproportal.com/2011/04/06/iconic-commodore-64-all-set-comeback/ |title=Iconic Commodore 64 All Set For Comeback |work=ITProPortal |date=April 6, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx |title=Recreating the Legendary Commodore 64<!-- Title taken from the page, not the HTML title element --> |publisher=Commodore USA |access-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714003638/http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_C64.aspx |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> began shipping in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/06/19/commodore-usa-begins-shipping-replica-c64s-next-week-fulfilling/ |title=Commodore USA begins shipping replica C64s next week, fulfilling your beige breadbin dreams (video) |website=Engadget |date=June 19, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><!-- No video in this archive, page otherwise is basically useless as a source: <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.commodoreusa.net/CUSA_FacilityVideo.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714021012/http://commodoreusa.net/CUSA_FacilityVideo.aspx |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}</ref> --> The C64x's case resembles the original C64 computer, but – like the Web.it – it is based on [[x86]] architecture and is not compatible with the Commodore 64.

=== Virtual Console ===
Several Commodore 64 games were released on the [[Wii|Nintendo Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] service in Europe and North America. They were delisted from the service in August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=209645|title=Commodore 64 VC library removed from Wii in NA?|work=gonintendo.com|date=August 12, 2013|access-date=October 19, 2022}}</ref>

=== THEC64 and THEC64 Mini ===
[[File:C64 + THEC64MINI.jpg|thumb|alt=A C64 and a much-smaller THEC64 Mini|THEC64 Mini ''(top)'' next to an original C64]]
[[File:THEC64 Maxi.jpg|thumb|alt=See caption|Full-size THEC64 in its original box]]
THEC64 Mini, an unofficial [[Linux]]-based console emulating the Commodore 64, was released in 2018. It was designed and released by British company Retro Games, who licensed the name from Dutch based Commodore Corporation B.V. who own the Commodore marque.<ref>https://myretrocomputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/CCmyretrocomputers20220615letter.pdf</ref> The console is a decorative, half-scale Commodore 64 with two [[USB]] and one [[HDMI]] port, and a [[mini USB]] connection to power the system. The console's keyboard is non-functional; the system is controlled by an included THEC64 joystick or a separate USB keyboard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://retrogames.biz/|title=Home|website=Retro Games|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref> New software ROMs can be loaded into the console, which uses emulator x64 (as part of [[VICE]]) to run software and has a built-in graphical operating system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/THEC64Mini |title=THEC64Mini |publisher=C64-Wiki |date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref>

The full-size THEC64 was released in 2019 in Europe and Australia, and was scheduled for release in November 2020 in North America. The console and built-in keyboard are built to scale with the original Commodore 64, including a functional keyboard. Enhancements include VIC-20 emulation, four USB ports, and an upgraded joystick. Neither product has a Commodore trademark. The Commodore key on the original keyboard is replaced with a THEC64 key; Retro Games can call neither product a C64, although the system ROMs are licensed from Cloanto Corporation. The consoles can be switched between carousel mode (to access the built-in game library) and classic mode, in which they operate similarly to a traditional Commodore 64. USB storage can be used to hold disk, cartridge and tape images for use with the machine.