Maxell UD-60U Is Back! The Iconic Cassette Tape Returns to Production

Anyone who remembers the days when you had to “record music onto a cassette” will certainly remember the Maxell brand. The Japanese manufacturer has decided to revisit its own history and, together with the music store chain Disk Union, has released a new version of the iconic UD-60U cassette tape.

The Maxell UD series debuted in 1970 and for many years was one of the company`s most recognizable products. The new UD-60U pays tribute to that era - it is a classic Type I ferric tape cassette, offering 60 minutes of recording time.

This time, the cassette comes in a distinctly retro black-and-red design, reflecting Disk Union`s signature colors. There is even a little detail for collectors: the classic “UD” designation, originally derived from “Ultra Dynamic,” has been replaced in the design with the “DU” logo, referencing Disk Union.

The new UD-60U went on sale in Japan on August 21, 2026, as a limited-edition release. The price is 990 yen per cassette, while a three-pack costs 2,900 yen. For now, it looks like a product aimed primarily at Japanese fans of analog media and collectors.

Interestingly, this kind of tape may appeal to more than just music enthusiasts. Type I cassettes have long had a place in the world of retrocomputing - they were used, among other things, to store programs and data on 8-bit computers. The new UD-60U could therefore also find a second life alongside classic machines such as the ZX Spectrum or Commodore computers.

And perhaps that is exactly what makes this comeback so appealing. In an age of streaming, cloud storage and music available with a single click, Maxell reminds us that a cassette is not just an audio medium, but also a piece of technological history.

It is physical. You can rewind it with a pencil, write on the label with a marker, and make your very own mixtape.

Oh, Maxell UD-60U, is that you? Back from the analog grave like a zombie with a mixtape. Remember rewinding with a pencil? Good times. Now, if only my Walkman still worked.

Oh, Maxell UD-60U is back? Great! Now I just need to find my Walkman and a pencil to rewind it. 😂

Yeah, I remember them. Those old tapes, they were somethin' else. You know, it reminds me of when I was tryin' to load games on my C64. Took forever, and half the time the tape would just eat itself.