An actual working Commodore 65 prototype is being auctioned off for thousands of dollars

YouTube YouTube
Watch On

If you've got $30,000 lying around, may I suggest heading over to eBay and bidding on an especially rare Commodore 65 prototype (spotted by HotHardware). This super hard-to-find computer is still somehow in working order, and bids are currently around $28,000 I wouldn't be surprised if it goes higher than that. 

History lesson time! The Commodore 65 (C65 aka C64DX) was a prototype computer that was developed in the late '80s-early '90s by Commodore Electronics. It was intended to be the successor to the Commodore 64 (C64), but in 1991, the system was killed off due to company infighting and never saw a commercial release.

Interestingly enough, the success of the Nintendo Entertainment System (aka the NES) and the Apple II computer took chunks of market share away from the Commodore 64, leading to the development of the C65. Its CPU was nearly triple the speed of the C64 at 3.54 MHz, it had 128KB RAM (expandable to up to 1MB), and its graphics chip could produce 256 colors supporting a maximum resolution of 1280 x 400. 

In 1994 when Commodore International was liquidated, anywhere from 50 to 2,000 C65 prototypes reportedly found their way onto the open market. The seller even posted a promo video of the C65 all hooked up running programs including the classic game, The Last Ninja 2. 

"This particular unit is even much rarer" than most existing units, the listing states. "The plastic molds are not roughened, so the case still has a high-glossy look, and the POWER and DRIVE text is missing. The plastic molded cases of these ALPHA Units are totally rare; only a hand full are known to exist. This C65 has a '#27' written on the PCB."

Had the C65 made it to market in the 90s, it was expected to sell for $300-$350, a tiny fraction of the current bid. But this C65 prototype is the holy grail for classic PC collectors because few of them are still around, and fewer are still in working condition.  Aside from a few scratches noted by the seller, this thing looks pretty good. 

As the listing notes, this system runs off a 220V/230V European power supply, so any American or Canadian bidders will be an adapter. The Commodore 1084S monitor is also included with the system.

There are 50 bids right now, with the current one being €25,615, which converts to under $28,000. Bidding ends Sunday. Not a bad deal for a little piece of computer gaming history.

Best gaming PCBest gaming laptop


Best gaming PC:
The top pre-built machines from the pros
Best gaming laptop:
Perfect notebooks for mobile gaming

Jorge Jimenez
Hardware writer, Human Pop-Tart

Jorge is a hardware writer from the enchanted lands of New Jersey. When he's not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, he's reviewing all sorts of gaming hardware, from laptops with the latest mobile GPUs to gaming chairs with built-in back massagers. He's been covering games and tech for over ten years and has written for Dualshockers, WCCFtech, Tom's Guide, and a bunch of other places on the world wide web. 

Read more
Nvidia RTX 4090 Founders Edition
After fabled RTX 4090 Ti was allegedly dug out of a bin last year, tech testing YouTuber puts Nvidia's prototype GPU through its paces
Two pictures of Billet Labs' copper gaming PCs
This 4090-equipped water-cooled copper PC 'looks like a steam engine' and I'm in love
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D processor
One lucky Walmart employee bought two Ryzen 7 7800X3D chips for $99 each and immediately cashed them out for over $700 on eBay
Skytech Chronos gaming PC on a blue background
Got the Nvidia 50-series and AMD X3D stock-out blues? Skip the waiting lists with this surprisingly well-priced RTX 5080 and Ryzen 7 9800X3D gaming PC
ebay RTX 5090
Scalpers are already trying to rip off gamers by flipping RTX 5090 graphics cards they don't actually have for up to $7,000
A photo of an MSI MEG Vision X AI desktop gaming PC on display at CES 2025
MSI's spangly MEG Vision X AI desktop PC is just the ticket for anyone wanting to recreate that Scotty scene in Star Trek IV
Latest in Hardware
A woman wearing a VR headset with dramatic, colourful lighting across the background
'World’s smallest LEDs' could lead to accurately lit screens with 127,000 pixels per inch and much more immersive VR
The NES themed 8BitDo Retro mechanical gaming keyboard on a blue background
I love the 8BitDo Retro C64 keyboard but I'd pick its cheaper NES-themed model near its lowest price ever during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
The snazzy red and black HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headphones float in a teal void. The microphone is attached to the headset.
The best wireless gaming headset is now even better in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, boasting a more than $50 discount
A chip being held up in an Intel fab
Intel is reportedly 'working to finalize commitments from Nvidia' as a foundry partner, suggesting gaming potential for the 18A node
Amazon box
Don't panic! The 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' option Amazon just removed was only used by 0.03% of customers and they can still have it
Digital generated image of people surrounded by interactive transparent and glowing panels with data. Visualising smart technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence
Now I shall demand the cookies! Proposed new browsing agreement turns the tables and lets users dictate terms to websites
Latest in News
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'
Otter AI Meeting Agent
As if your work meetings weren't already fun enough, now Otter has a new all-hearing AI agent that remembers everything anyone has said and can join in the discussion
Monster Hunter Wilds' stockpile master studying a manifest
As layoffs and studio closures continue to deathroll the western AAA industry, analyst points out 5 of 8 major Japanese companies hit all-time share prices this year