1. What Was the VIC-20?

The Commodore VIC-20, released in 1980, was one of the first affordable color home computers and the first to sell over a million units. It was marketed as a friendly, family-oriented computer — easy to hook up to a TV and use straight out of the box. Positioned as a more approachable alternative to business machines like the PET, the VIC-20 became a huge success.

With its bright graphics, easy-to-learn BASIC, and massive retail presence through stores like K-Mart and Sears, the VIC-20 brought computing into the living room for millions of people.

2. Key Features of the VIC-20

• MOS 6502 CPU: an 8-bit processor running at around 1 MHz, used in many classic systems.
• Color graphics: supported a 22-column display with up to 16 colors.
• Sound support: 3-voice sound synthesis, great for simple games and music.
• 5 KB RAM: small but expandable with memory cartridges.
• Built-in BASIC: easy to program for beginners and hobbyists.

3. Games and Software

• Hundreds of games: including Gorf, Jelly Monsters, Avenger, and Radar Ratrace.
• Cartridge-based titles: fast loading and easy to use, often displayed in retail stores.
• Wide range of software: from simple productivity apps to educational programs and utilities.

4. Legacy and Impact

The VIC-20 helped popularize home computing and established Commodore as a major player in the computer industry. It paved the way for the massively successful Commodore 64 and showed the potential of consumer-grade computing.

• First computer under $300 with color: revolutionary pricing for its time.
• Still celebrated: emulators and retro re-releases have kept VIC-20 software alive.
• Developer gateway: introduced many to programming and game development in the early '80s.