I don't think anyone argues that specific c64 hardware designs, like how the video chip steals CPU time, were all that brilliant. The 6510 chip has some strengt

I don't think anyone argues that specific c64 hardware designs, like how the video chip steals CPU time, were all that brilliant. The 6510 chip has some strengths and weaknesses compared to the Z80-based micros. Most micros beat the c64 on filled polygon 3d graphics for instance. But the c64 had the best sound by far of the 8 bit micros, even those very late models that you mention.