1982
- January
- Commodore announces the Commodore 64 microcomputer, showing a prototype at the Winter CES. It features a 6510 processor, 64 kB RAM, 20 kB ROM with Microsoft BASIC, custom SID sound chip, 8 sprites, 16-color graphics, 40-column screen, for US$600) for US$595. It is the first personal computer with an integrated sound synthesizer chip. [9] [190.81] [285.64] [713.235] [812.6] (Summer [804.17]) (June [405.61])
- June 6
- At the Summer CES, Commodore Business Machines again shows the Commodore 64 home computer. [713.238]
- September
- Commodore Business Machines begins shipping the Commodore 64. Suggested retail price is US$595. (Over 20 million are produced in its lifetime, the highest number for any single personal computer to at least October 1999.) [713.238,268] [1280] (August [2661.100])
- November 8
- A New York Federal Court judge issues a temporary injunction against Commodore International, preventing the company from making and selling joysticks that are immitations of Atari joysticks. [1166.D4]
1983
- January
- At the Winter CES, Commodore International debuts the Commodore SX-100, a portable version of the Commodore 64, with bundled B/W screen, for US$995. Price with color screen and two drives is US$1295. [804.17]
- Commodore International introduces the SX-64, the first color portable computer. Weight is 10.5 kg. It incorporates a 5-inch color monitor and one or two 5.25-inch floppy drive. Price is US$1600. [190.81] [349.16] [444.496] [713.255]
- Commodore International begins selling the Commodore 64 through mass merchants, which drops the retail price to US$400. [713.268]
- April 11
- Commodore International announces a rebate program for new purchasers of the Commodore 64. Those people mailing in a used video game system or computer would receive a US$100 rebate. [713.269] [1189.D1] [1318.D4]
- May
- Commodore International ships the Commodore Executive 64. It features 64 KB RAM, detachable keyboard, 5-inch color monitor, 170 KB floppy drive, for US$1000. [529.192]
- June 7
- At the Summer CES, Commodore International shows the Executive 64, formerly the Commodore SX-100. It has a 6-inch color monitor and is priced at US$995. [529.192] [804.17] [885.232] [1325.D4]
- June
- Commodore International drops the dealer price of the Commodore 64 to US$200, allowing the retail price to drop to US$200-230. [713.269]
- (month unknown)
- Crystal Rose releases the Doodle paint program for the Commodore 64. [1710.35]
- Commodore releases the Simons' BASIC cartridge for the Commodore 64, adding over 100 commands. [1794.55]
- October
- Electronic Arts releases the Archon game for the Commodore 64. [241.111]
- Electronic Arts releases the M.U.L.E. game for the Commodore 64. [241.111]
- Electronic Arts releases The Pinball Construction Set software for the Commodore 64. [241.111]
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- (month unknown)
- Inkwell Systems releases the Flexidraw 2.1 drawing software for the Commodore 64. It includes the 170-C light-pen. Price is US$150. [1148.53]
- Commodore International releases the 1541 Disk Drive. [804.17]
1984
- January 7
- At the Winter CES, Commodore International shows the SX-64, formerly called Executive 64. It now includes a 5-inch monitor, and one 170 kB 5.25 disk drive, for US$995. [804.18]
- February
- Electronic Arts releases the Seven Cities of Gold game for the Commodore 64. [241.108,112]
- (month unknown)
- Computer Software Associates introduces the 64 Doctor diagnostic software for the Commodore 64. [1076.15]
- May
- Activision releases the Pitfall game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the Beamrider game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- June
- Activision releases The Activision Decathlon game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the H.E.R.O. game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- Activision releases the Toy Bizarre game for the Commodore 64. [243.74]
- (month unknown)
- Skyles Electric Works releases the 1541 Flash! ROM chips, replacing the C-64 Kernal ROM and 1541 DOS ROM, speeding up loading. [1177.61]
- Activision introduces the Ghostbusters game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. The game is based on the movie of the same name. [243.52] [1128.60] [2346.102]
- Random House releases The Alpine Encounter game for the Commodore 64 in the US. Price is US$39.95. [335.62]
- Spinnaker releases the Swiss Family Robinson game for the Commodore 64 in the US. Price is US$26.95. [335.62]
- Electronic Arts releases the Dr. J and Larry Bird Go One-on-One game for the Commodore 64. Electronic Arts paid Julius Irving and Larry Bird each $21,000 fee for use of their names and images. [241.112] [2636.265]
- SubLogic releases the Flight Simulator game for the Commodore 64. [809.22]
- Electronic Arts releases the Archon II: Adept game for the Commodore 64 in the USA. The game was developed by Freefall Associates. [241.108]
- Artificial Intelligence Research Group releases the Eliza psychotherapy game for the Commodore 64. It is the same as the original program created in 1965 by Dr. Joseph Weizenbaum. [1999.92]
- The Avalon Hill Game Company releases the London Blitz bomb disposal simulation game for the Commodore 64. [1999.96]
- Epyx releases the Breakdance game for the Commodore 64. Price is about US$30. [1999.94]
- Indus Systems introduces the Indus GT disk drive for the Commodore 64. It is 1541-compatible, but four time faster loading. Price is US$399. [1999.123]
- Commodore International announces the Educator 64, using old PET cases with Commodore 64 computers inside. [804.18]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Rails West! railroad development game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Broadsides naval battle game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the President Elect game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95 [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Computer Quarterback game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [1999.124]
- Strategic Simulations releases the Breakthrough in the Ardennes German World War II simulation game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$59.95. [1999.124]
- MicroProse Software releases the Mig Alley Ace combat/flight simulator game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [1999.125]
- Random House releases the Snoopy's Skywriter Scrambler word game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [139.108]
- Progressive Peripherals & Software releases the Wizard Expansion Set for the Commodore 64. Price is US$29.95. [335.54]
- MicroProse releases the Spitfire Ace game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$29.95. [335.54]
- Gamestar releases the On-Field Football game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$31.95. [357.60]
- Mastertronic releases The Quest for the Holy Grail game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$9.95. [335.59]
- December
- Ultimate Play The Game releases The Staff of Karnath video game for the Commodore 64 in the UK. (It sells over 40,000 copies.) [2607.150] [2634.163]
- December 31
- Shipments of the Commodore 64 to date: 3.5 million. [1364.D5]
1985
- January 5
- At the Winter CES, Commodore International unveils the Commodore 128 Personal Computer. It functions as three computers in one: a complete Commodore 64, a CP/M mode, and a new 128 kB mode. It features a 8502 processor, Z80 processor, 128 kB RAM, and ROM cartridge port. Price is US$300. [8] [342.6] [343.14] [804.18] [1128.30] [1364.D5]
- (month unknown)
- Mimic Systems announces the Spartan, a hardware attachment for the Commodore 64 that adds an Apple IIe-compatible system to it. [343.16]
- Batteries Included releases the Calkit spreadsheet program for the Commodore 64. Price is US$49.95. [1146.56]
- Creative Software releases the Trolls and Tribulations game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$24.95. [335.56]
- CBS Software releases the Adventure Master game creator software for the Commodore 64. Price is US$44.95. [335.51]
- Codewriter releases the Adventure Writer software for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [335.52]
- Activision releases the Rock 'N Bolt game for the Commodore 64. [335.54]
- Baen Software releases the Berserker Raids game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [335.53]
- Big Five Software introduces the Bounty Bob Strikes Back game. Price for the Commodore 64 is US$39.95. [1128.61]
- April 11
- Newsfield releases the first issue of Zzap! 64 magazine for the Commodore 64 in the UK. [2649.13] (March [2650.50]) (May [1391.250])
- (month unknown)
- Juki releases the Juki 6000 printer. It features daisy-wheel print head, 10-cps bi-directional printing, Centronics parallel or serial port, optional attachment for the Commodore 64. Price is US$295. [1128.76]
- Cardco releases the Mod-1 300-bps modem for the Commodore 64. [1128.76]
- Avalon Hill releases the Maxwell Manor game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [357.50]
- Mastertronic releases The Games Creator software for the Commodore 64. Price is US$22. [357.50]
- MicroProse releases the F-15 Strike Eagle game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [357.57]
- Spinnaker releases the Wizard of Oz game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$26.95. [357.55]
- Artworx releases the Allegro music program for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [357.51]
- Infocom releases the Wishbringer game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$39.95. [357.59]
- May
- Epyx releases the Summer Games II game for the Commodore 64. [809.20]
- (month unknown)
- MicroProse releases the Kennedy Approach game for the Commodore 64. [351.52]
- Activision releases the Alcazar: The Forgotten Fortress for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [351.62]
- Avalon Hill releases the By Fire & Sword game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$25. [351.54]
- CBS Software releases the Felony! game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [351.58]
- CBS Software releases the Quink game for the Commodore 64. Price is US$34.95. [351.59]
- Lucasfilm Games releases the Ballblazer game for the Commodore 64. [351.59]
- Access Software releases the Mach 5 cartridge for the Commodore 64. The cartridge speeds disk loading, and provides 4KB RAM for BASIC programming. Price is US$34.95. [351.59]
- Epyx releases the Rescue on Fractalus game for the Commodore 64. [351.52]
- Electronic Arts releases The Bard's Tale I graphics/text fantasy role-playing game for the Commodore 64. [1175.56]
- Broderbund releases Karateka for the Commodore 64. [809.19]
- Activision releases Hacker for the Commodore 64. [809.19]
- Firebird introduces Elite for the Commodore 64 to the American market. [814.36]
- Electronic Arts releases the Skyfox flight simulator game for the Commodore 64. [241.112]
- October
- Data East releases the Karate Champ game for the Commodore 64. [2636.368]
- Electronic Arts releases the Touchdown Football game for the Commodore 64. [241.112]
- (month unknown)
- Quantum Computer Services begins operations of QuantumLink, a modem-accessed Commodore-specific telecommunications network. (The company is later renamed America Online.) [805.28] [1280.46]
- Commodore stops production of the Commodore 64 several times during the year, restarting each time based on public demand. [802.21] [805.23]
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