Commodore & Amiga Replicas and Command Centers

Updated 1 January 2025

The Commodore brand has passed through many hands and the tooling had probably been lost over the years. We have been tracking the state of replica, or more specifically replacement, hardware to keep our 30-40 year old beauties alive. Some of these replica systems look amazing. Retro mods are all the rage at the moment and there is nothing like holding an all in one computer. There is also the category of desktop tidies and command centers. These accessories make your desktop clean and professional. It makes it feel like your microcomputer is ready to business. Retro-gaming business.

Commodore Amiga Inspired

Retro Games The A500 Mini

Retro Games has a history of creating quality reproductions and replicas of Commodore computers. In 2022, Retro Games released the A500 mini. It is a one-quarter model of a Commodore Amiga 500. I discuss this wonderful machine in more detail in my article, RetroGames A500 mini. Unlike the TheC64 Maxi, the A500 mini is intended for Amiga gaming. It is not easily possible to run Amiga Workbench and operate the A500 as a emulated desktop computer. There are workarounds and hacks to get Workbench loaded but it is a less than satisfactory approach. The A500 Mini is compatible with hundreds of classic Amiga games, side-loaded through WHLoad.

The A500 Mini has decorative keys on the front that do not move and do not work. The case does look cute and it is very well made. In my opinion, the best things about the A500 are the Commodore joypad and the replica mouse. Both of these objects are beautiful to touch. The joypad and mouse also operate smoothly and much better than the original equipment.

Kickstarter Amiga 3000 inspired case

Stephen Jones launched the Checkmate (wayback). desktop in 2018 to much fanfare. The Checkmate is an Amiga 3000 inspired modular Amiga desktop computer case. The desktop computer case is suitable for Commodore Amigas and PC motherboards. The Amiga 3000 case is stylish and timeless. The Checkmate case takes the Amiga 3000 form and create expansion modules. This Kickstarter campaign received £91,806 from 490 backers. The cases were delivered in 2020.

An Amiga 3000 inspired computer case is now available for funding on Kickstarter (wayback). The Checkmate A1500 plus is described as inspired by the Commodore desktops of old. A homage to the beauty and power of the Amiga 3000. The modular design allows for different front and rear configurations to suit either the original Amiga internals or AmiKit emulation with a Linux backend.

Kickstarter X500 Amiga inspired case

Loriano Pagni started a campaign on Kickstarter for an Amiga 500 inspired case. The X500 (wayback) case is a computer case inspired by the classic machines of the 1980s such as the Amiga, Atart and Sinclair but with modern hardware. The X500 received 61 backers for £12,188.

Commodore 64 Inspired

Retrogaming Limited

TheC64  TheC64 Maxi celebration of retrocomputing and gaming nostalgia. A modern reimagining of the iconic Commodore 64, it rekindles the joy of classic gaming with an authentic keyboard, HDMI output, and preloaded games like Boulderdash and Paradroid. Perfect for enthusiasts and newcomers, it links the past and present with ease, allowing users to explore programming in BASIC or dive into pixel-perfect adventures. And I'll' mention that keboard again. It has that authentic button shape and pressing-weight that reminds me of my childhood experiences.

TheVIC20  I never owned a VIC-20, but I vividly remember seeing one for the first time in a friend's bookshop. That moment inspired my desire for a microcomputer—what we called them back then. I was especially captivated by the idea of using the function keys to do something special. Now, Retrogames has brilliantly repackaged TheC64 in VIC-20 styling. It delivers the same software and user experience, complete with a collection of classic VIC-20 games, letting users relive the magic of that era. I definitely want to add one to my collection of vintage computing experiences.

Commodore 64 Ketek Command Center

Ketek is not a brand that I was aware of before. Ketek developed a desktop computer style arrangement for your Commodore microcomputers. There was a command center arrangement for the Commodore 64, 64C and C128. These appear to be more than plastic contraptions. The Ketek command center comes with a power strip, a master power switch and cooling fans. These command centers are attractive contraptions.