At the Amiga 40th Anniversary celebration during Vintage Computer Festival West, Robert Bernardo filmed a fascinating presentation by Dan Sanderson of the MEGA65 project. In his session, Dan Sanderson VCF West, he reflects on how personal experience with early computers—particularly the Commodore 64 and the rare Commodore 65—continues to shape how we preserve computing history today.
Sanderson begins by reminding the audience that every vintage computer owner is part of living history. He argues that Dan Sanderson VCF West isn’t about collecting old machines for display—it’s about keeping them active and shared. To truly preserve the past, these computers must be powered on, programmed, and enjoyed.
From the Commodore 65 to the MEGA65
Sanderson revisits the story of the unreleased Commodore 65, a system that was meant to follow the legendary Commodore 64. Only a few hundred prototypes were ever made before Commodore’s collapse in the early 1990s. This unfinished project became the inspiration for the MEGA65—a faithful, modern re-creation designed to “finish what Commodore started.”
Built with FPGA hardware, the MEGA65 preserves compatibility with classic Commodore software while adding features like HDMI output and SD card storage. Yet, it remains authentic, capable of running the original Commodore 65 ROM. In Dan Sanderson VCF West, Sanderson highlights this blend of accuracy and accessibility as key to keeping 8-bit computing alive.
Keeping Vintage Computing Alive
Sanderson emphasizes that real preservation happens through participation. He encourages users to engage with the MEGA65 as an evolving platform for creativity—writing new BASIC programs, building tools, or simply loading old favorites. In his view, vintage computing is like a living language: it survives through use, not display.
As part of the MEGA65 steering committee, Sanderson leads the manual and ROM projects, ensuring clear documentation for future creators. His monthly newsletter and podcast serve as both guides and inspiration for users learning to explore the system.
The Future of the MEGA65
Sanderson’s talk reveals that the MEGA65 is much more than a retro revival—it’s a living experiment in digital heritage. Through active use, collaboration, and open development, the community ensures that computing history remains tangible and teachable.
In Dan Sanderson VCF West, Sanderson concludes that each MEGA65 owner continues Commodore’s story with every keystroke, keeping the memory—and magic—of 8-bit computing alive for future generations.
