The Callback: Commodore’s Quirky Comeback with a ‘Dumbphone’

Welcome to the Future of Retro Tech!

So, the gaming world is buzzing because Commodore, yes, that Commodore, has gone and unleashed a social media-free ‘dumbphone’ they call the Callback. What’s next, a toaster that plays Pong? Who knows! But let’s dive into this exciting slice of retro refreshment.

The Callback: A Blast from the Past

Fast forward to 2025, and Commodore has found new life thanks to retro YouTuber Chris “Peri Fractic” Simpson, who seems to be on a mission to resurrect everything cool about gaming. After reassembling some of the old crew, they’ve been busy cooking up nostalgic goodies like the Commodore 64 Ultimate and a slick new version called the 64C. They even have a line of merch that includes… wait for it… a backpack holster. Seriously, who doesn’t want to carry their vintage gaming pride with such flair?

Now, the cherry on top of this retro cake is the Callback—specifically designed for the less distractible among us. Imagine flipping open this nifty little device and being completely cut off from social media chaos! No DMs, no endless scrolling, just pure gaming bliss. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, it does have a few retro games like Snake for those nostalgic vibes. However, you won’t find your typical distractions such as a web browser or email service. So, if you were hoping to check your socials while riding the bus, you might want to stick to the real smartphone.

At its launch, this quirky phone was priced at a slightly cringe-worthy $500, but the folks at Commodore smartly slashed it down by $100 just before presale. Turns out that was a genius move! In just three days, the Callback matched the first month’s sales of the Commodore 64 Ultimate. That’s right, folks, Commodore is back in the game with what they proudly named their “biggest launch and biggest week ever.” Cue the confetti!

Now, here’s the kicker: if you do decide to invest in this retro device, don’t expect to browse your favorite social apps. The Callback blocks everything from X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) to TikTok, and even the classic Discord. I mean, come on, is there life without being able to talk about memes or gaming tips with your buddies?

Being a loyal Commodore fan and someone who once had a love affair with floppy disks, I should be the ideal audience for the Callback. Yet, I have to admit that I would miss being able to check my emails. Because let’s face it, if you’re at a concert and need to present that QR code for your ticket, playing Snake just won’t cut it!

As we look towards the future, who knows what other surprises retro gaming entities like Commodore will come up with? Until then, cheers to the Callback—a nostalgic nod into tech that tells you to take a break from life’s endless notifications!