Commodore 16

Released: June 1984 Original Price: $99.95

Gallery

Commodore 16 computer
Commodore 16 computer The compact Commodore 16 with its distinctive brown and beige color scheme.
Commodore 16 family
Commodore 16 family The Commodore 16 (left) alongside its siblings, the Plus/4 (center) and 116 (right).
C16 advertisement
C16 advertisement 1980s advertisement positioning the C16 as an affordable home computer.

Commodore 16

“The C16 was supposed to be the VIC-20’s successor, but it arrived too late to the party. Still, its low price and solid BASIC made it a hit in Eastern Europe and South America, where it developed a cult following that continues to this day.” - Bil Herd, Commodore Engineer

The Commodore 16 (C16) was an 8-bit home computer released by Commodore in 1984 as an intended successor to the VIC-20. Positioned as an entry-level machine below the C64, it was part of Commodore’s strategy to compete with sub-$100 computers like the Timex Sinclair 1000. Despite its commercial struggles in North America, the C16 found success in European and South American markets.

The TED Series: A New Generation

The C16 was part of Commodore’s TED (Text Editing Device) series, which also included the more advanced Plus/4 and the European-only 116. These machines were built around the MOS Technology 7501/8501 CPU and featured the TED chip, which combined video, sound, and I/O functions.

Why the C16 Matters

  • Affordability: Priced at under $100, it was one of the cheapest computers available
  • Improved BASIC: Featured Commodore BASIC 3.5, a significant upgrade from the VIC-20’s BASIC 2.0
  • Better Graphics: 121 colors compared to the VIC-20’s 16
  • More Memory: 16KB RAM (expandable to 64KB) vs. the VIC-20’s 5KB

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

CPU
MOS 7501/8501 @ 0.89/1.76 MHz (PAL/NTSC)
Memory
16 KB RAM (expandable to 64 KB) + 20 KB ROM
Graphics
TED (264 series) - 160×200, 121 colors, 8 sprites, smooth scrolling
Sound
TED - 2 channels, 4 octaves, noise generator
Storage
Commodore 1531 Datasette, 1551 Floppy Drive (rare)
Ports
Cartridge, tape, serial, TV/RF, 2× joystick, power
Operating System
Commodore BASIC 3.5

Features and Capabilities

Graphics

  • Resolution: 160×200 pixels (40×25 text)
  • Colors: 121 colors (16 base colors × 8 luminance levels + 8 grays + 1 transparent)
  • Sprites: 8 single-color sprites (16×16 pixels)
  • Character Modes: Standard, multicolor, and extended color modes

Sound

  • Channels: 2 square wave channels
  • Range: 4 octaves
  • Noise Generator: For sound effects
  • Volume Control: 8 levels

Expansion

  • Cartridge Port: For games and expansions
  • User Port: For peripherals
  • Memory Expansion: Up to 48KB via cartridge

The C16 Experience

For Beginners

  • Built-in Help: Accessible with the HELP key
  • Tutorials: Included in the manual
  • Simple Programming: Easy-to-learn BASIC commands

For Programmers

  • BASIC 3.5: Added commands for sound and graphics
  • Machine Language: Full access to hardware
  • PEEK/POKE: Direct memory access

For Gamers

  • Colorful Graphics: 121 colors
  • Smooth Scrolling: For arcade-style games
  • Joystick Support: Two controller ports

The C16 Family

Commodore 116

  • European variant with calculator-style keyboard
  • Same specifications as C16
  • Less common than the C16

Commodore Plus/4

  • Big brother to the C16
  • 64KB RAM
  • Built-in software
  • More powerful TED chip

The C16 Legacy

Commercial Performance

  • North America: Struggled against the C64
  • Europe: More successful, especially in Eastern Europe
  • South America: Became popular due to low cost

Why It Failed in the US

  • Poor Timing: Released after the C64 was established
  • Limited Software: Fewer games than VIC-20 or C64
  • Confusing Marketing: Positioned between VIC-20 and C64

Cult Following

  • Demoscene: Active C16 demo scene
  • Homebrew: New games and software
  • Preservation: Emulation and documentation

Notable Software

Games

  • Zenji: Puzzle game
  • Alleykat: Scrolling shooter
  • International Soccer: Sports game
  • Blue Star: Platformer

Applications

  • SpeedScript 3.5: Word processor
  • Superbase: Database
  • VizaWrite: Word processor

Technical Notes

Hardware Revisions

  1. Original C16 (1984): First release
  2. C16-II (1985): Minor revisions
  3. C116 (1984): European variant

Common Issues

  • Power Supply: Original PSUs can fail
  • TED Chip: Can overheat
  • Keyboard: Membrane issues

Modern Upgrades

  • RAM Expansions: Up to 64KB
  • Storage: SD card solutions
  • Video: RGB and HDMI mods

The C16 Today

Emulation

  • VICE: Full C16 emulation
  • MAME: Arcade emulation
  • FPGA: Hardware-accurate recreations

Collecting

  • Rarity: Common in Europe
  • Price: $50-$200 depending on condition
  • Desirability: Growing among collectors

Community

  • Forums: Active discussions
  • Events: Retro computing meetups
  • Development: New software and hardware

Did You Know?

  • The C16 was originally going to be called the VIC-40
  • It was the last Commodore computer to use the VIC-20/C64 style case
  • Some C16s were sold in Brazil with the TED chip running at 2MHz
  • The C16’s BASIC 3.5 included commands for sound and graphics that the C64 lacked
  • Featured in the Hungarian film “Kojak Budapesten” (1988)
  • Appeared in several Eastern European TV shows and movies
  • Referenced in the book “Commodork: Sordid Tales from a BBS Junkie” by Rob O’Hara