A functional Commodore 64 built with Lego and Raspberry Pi #PiDay #Commodore #Lego #C64 #VintageComputing #RetroComputing @Raspberry_Pi
Via the Raspberry Pi blog, we love this project combining a Raspberry Pi and Commodore styling
Created by retro fanatic Christian Simpson, aka Perifractic, the Brixty Four is a joy(stick) to behold. Inspired by a two-inch long Lego C64 produced by Chris McVeigh, it was initially developed as a replacement full-size bread-bin-style case for the 8-bit computer, with the sole intention of putting an actual C64 motherboard and keyboard inside. But then Perifractic’s attention shifted to the Raspberry Pi.
He realised he could slip a Pi into the case and hook it up to a C64 keyboard using an interface called the Keyrah V2b which allows classic Commodore computer keyboards to be connected to modern-day machines. It has proven popular for owners of old 8- and 16-bit computers as diverse as the VIC-20 and the Amiga and it works a treat. “The Keyrah V2b allows the Pi to communicate with the C64 via USB,” he explains.
After popping a Raspberry Pi in the case, the innards could also contain some illustrative Lego chips
“The biggest obstacle was the price – these bricks are rare and used, so to build this machine is costly,” he says. “The second obstacle was time, but I wanted to make my final design free and open-source.” The results, however, have been more than worth the investment.
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