C64 Forever vs Z64K
C64 Forever
c64forever.comZ64K
z64k.comSide by side
| Figure | C64 Forever | Z64K |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 0 |
| Spec score · Commodore 64 Emulators | 8.2 (#5) | 6.6 (#26) |
| Emulated systems | It emulates C64 hardware and additional CBM 8-bit systems including PET, VIC 20, C16, Plus/4, and C128, with legal CBM system ROMs. | Z64K describes pixel exact emulation of the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600. |
| Purpose | C64 Forever is an official CBM 8-bit preservation, emulation, and support package. | Z64K describes itself as providing pixel exact emulation of the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600. |
| Support | Cloanto says it maintains and supports the product, and directs technical support requests to the product FAQ, troubleshooting, support, and contact sections. | The homepage invites users to contact the maker with feedback or questions via its contact page. |
Plans
C64 Forever
- Free Express EditionFree
- Downloadable Plus Edition Upgrade$9.95, paid once
- Downloadable Plus Edition$19.95, paid once
- Boxed Plus Edition Upgrade (Includes Download)$24.95, paid once
- Boxed Plus Edition (Includes Download)$39.95, paid once
In their own words
C64 Forever
C64 Forever is a Windows package for preserving and emulating Commodore 8-bit software. It emulates C64 hardware and systems including PET, VIC-20, C16, Plus/4 and C128, with legal CBM system ROMs. A built-in catalog holds configuration data for more than 5,000 titles and receives online updates through the RetroPlatform Library. The package includes more than 200 games and demoscene productions with permission from their creators. RP9 combines a title into a single file for one-click playback, and the title editor can create or modify self-contained RP9 packages. Input options include USB and Xbox controllers, X-Arcade, I-PAC, customizable keyboard layouts, touchscreen gestures and an onscreen keyboard. The feature list also names clipboard, Windows File Explorer and Search integration. The free Express Edition is feature-limited. The downloadable Plus Edition costs 19.95 USD once and adds features including saved states, simultaneous playback windows and image building. Listed requirements include Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 or Vista, or equivalent Windows Server editions, on x86 or x64 systems.
Z64K
Z64K emulates the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600, with pixel-exact emulation described by its maker. It runs through Java on Windows, macOS, and Linux and requires JRE 8 or later. Downloads include the main JAR, command-line files, a changelog, and a quick guide. Controls include fullscreen, clipboard text copy and paste, reset, mouse capture, and warp mode. C128 controls include switching display modes and toggling the second display; extended keys and function-key mappings are also described. The built-in debugger and SID Analyzer provide additional tools, with the analyzer offering waveform, envelope, oscillator, and combined display modes. Supported disk and tape formats include D64, D71, G64, G71, IMD, and CRT. The Virtual FS device is experimental, and its scratch command simulates deletion without removing files from the host system. Linux users might need to adjust the JAR's permissions to allow execution. Z64K is free.