Customer Ratings & Reviews

Great product, the clicky is just right for me ; like an old ibm keyboard . but even if you don't like clicky the switches are changeable to put on your own. The extra joy stick and buttons are a cool gimmick for example I use the stick to control my music and I use the a and b buttons for different commands on games like launching my ultimate in marvel rivals. It's so fun to just slam a button and ult but otherwise it's kinda gimmicky and the cables get in the way since the accessories require plug ins. The only negatives is the lack of backlight but apparently their new Xbox version has em so if that's got the same quality and backlights are a requirement I recommend that one more but this ones great and cheaper if you don't need backlight. Also the 8bitdo software was a little buggy on my PC . It didn't like my dual monitors with different resolutions the work around was just disabling the second monitor temporarily while I used the app

Can't beat this for the price. The only thing that I would change is add a little bit more weight to the joystick because as you tug on it it tends to lift up. However, one of the most awesome things I didn't know is that the joystick and buttons are magnetized on certain sides. So when you put them next to each other, they kind of at least maintain the shape of how you arrange them. I may get some rubber weighted feet for the joystick. As far as the key quality goes, it has a nice feel and sound that's somewhere in between thaocy and clicky. All in all, it's probably my favorite keyboard I've ever owned and I'm really enjoying the way it feels to keep spacing and the overall quality of the product. That's aside from the fun and novelty super buttons and joystick, which I've already used to play some arcade emulation just for the heck of it and it was a pretty good time.

I definitely love everything about this keyboard. I'm modify and collect mechanical keyboards as a hobby and held off on trying this one for a while due to skepticism of it. I finally bought it to try when I saw it available in the actual store since it was there, and I was very surprised with how much I like it. The clicky switches and hollow case give it a very old mechanical feel to match the theme. It's so satisfying to type on, and the accessories are pretty fun too. I used the big A/B buttons to do a copy and paste macro and I use them all the time. my one criticism... 8-Bit... It's almost 2025. Where is the RGB backlighting??? Otherwise, I love this thing.

Programmable A,B, and JOYSTICK is actually useful and simple to set up. Incredibly satisfying click. A great multi-wireless option having 2.4 and BT, since my wife and I share a desk atm. Just flip the switch and I can use 2.4 on my gaming PC. Don’t second guess this one. Getting the wireless number pad next!

I love this keyboard. I bought it for my work desk and I haven’t stop getting compliments. So far I have not had any issues and love the clacky sound it makes. Not too loud but just what I was looking for. Only complaint is I wish the joy stick was the mouse but I loved that I can program it to any function I want. Over all I would by again.

The 8BitDo N Edition keyboard is a nostalgic nod to the classic NES, combining retro aesthetics with modern mechanical performance. Featuring Kailh Box White V2 switches, it offers a clicky, tactile typing feel, and includes unique programmable "A" and "B" buttons plus a joystick for extra functionality.

Very nice keyboard with a great look. The ability to map functions to the a and b keys is slick. The added buttons and joystick are cool additions as well if you have the space.

Excellent product, super simple to setup, great feel while typing and honestly the nostalgia it brings warms the heart! A great grab while it was on sale!

It works and feels very good. The Nintendo design is also very nostalgic and looks nice with my setup. The one thing I dislike about this is the joystick as I don't find it very practical.

great product ease of use, light weight and quality wise best buy

## Design Obviously, the nostalgic design is one of the main reasons to buy this keyboard. If you grew up with the original NES game console, you’ll love the look of this keyboard. The attention to detail with the gray and red accents and even the red "bulb" power light is definitely unlocking childhood memories for me. 8BitDo did a great job recreating the look of the NES console from the 1980s. The keyboard uses Kailh Box White Switches V2 which are known for being loud, so you might not want to bring this keyboard to the office (or maybe you do if you would like to annoy your coworkers :-D). If you're wondering what the difference is between V1 and V2 of these switches, it's mainly that the V2 version has a slightly deeper sound. One thing to keep in mind is that this keyboard lacks backlighting. There is also no number pad on the right-side of the keyboard. The keyboard also sits higher than other keyboards you may be used to, and there are no built-in adjustment "feet" to raise or lower the keyboard. You may want to consider a thick wrist pad with the keyboard if you find the height and angle to be uncomfortable. In addition to the keyboard, you also get matching "B A" buttons and -- exclusively in the BestBuy version -- a matching joystick. The oversized "B A" buttons can be mapped to basically any keyboard combination. For example, you could map CTRL+C to one button, then CTRL+V to the other button, and then use the buttons for copy and paste. The “B A” buttons and joystick are not wireless and require a wired connection to the keyboard (which then transfers their usage wirelessly to your computer if using the dongle or Bluetooth). ## Performance The keyboard is great to type on and each key provides a satisfying click with each press. The keyboard has some weight to it as well as a rubber bottom to prevent the keyboard from moving around my desk, so it feels very stable while in use. Given the height and angle of the keyboard, you may find your fingers becoming fatigued faster than with a traditional laptop keyboard, for example. However, if you grew up with this style of keyboard in the 80s and 90s, your hands might feel right at home! The keyboard can be connected via the USB-C cable for a wired connection, or wirelessly using the included dongle or Bluetooth. The switch on the top-left of the keyboard allows you to select which connection method you want. There is configuration software available for download to customize key mappings and macros, but it will work fine without the software installed. ## Battery Life The keyboard contains a 2,000mAh battery that can last up to 200 hours (8.3 days) of usage time and takes about 4 hours to recharge fully. You can plug in the keyboard with a USB-C data cable and use it while charging if need be. ## Summary The 8BitDo Retro Keyboard definitely unlocks some NES nostalgia and will look great in a retro gaming battle station. The additional "B A" buttons and joystick are great for retro gaming as well. The height and angle of the keyboard, lack of back-lighting and number pad, and the loudness of the switches may make it less ideal as your daily driver for work. However, for personal retro gaming, the keyboard should feel right at home.

The product was great, but I ordered the wrong model and exchanged it for the correct one with no problems, and it is perfect.

The keyboard is a bit stiff. You have to press the keys a bit harder. No LED backlid. For some reason, the keyboard I got was not leveled. I had to put a folded piece of paper underneath it to level it. Overall, it’s still a good keyboard.

As a big fan of mechanical keyboards, the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard bundle caught my attention right away. I'd seen the keyboard around on some different sites, but this bundle with the joystick and super buttons sealed the deal for me, so I was excited to give it a try. Setting up the keyboard was super simple. It offers Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and wired connection options, so you’ve got a lot of flexibility right out of the box. I chose Bluetooth, and all I had to do was flip the toggle to Bluetooth, which put the keyboard directly into pairing mode. Pairing it was seamless—just selected it from the Bluetooth menu on my PC, and I was good to go. The included Super Button feature was a little less simple to configure. It took me a few tries and a bit of consulting with the user manual to get the button mapping working right. It’s straightforward once you get it, but there is a bit of a learning curve with holding keys and tapping the Super Button in the right sequence. Honestly, I might not use the Super Buttons much because the “B” and “A” buttons on the keyboard are already large and conveniently placed, which works well for retro gaming. What really makes this keyboard a standout is the retro design. The look is just awesome, and if you’re an 80's kid like me, you’ll love it. The keys and control knobs have a really satisfying, tactile click to them, which is a blast to use. Every press has that vintage feel while still being practical and functional. One thing I wish this keyboard had was the ability to pair with multiple devices over Bluetooth. When I first looked at the button layout, I thought switching between devices would be easy, like it is on my other keyboards. But it turns out the three buttons next to the volume knob are for pairing, fast key access, and profile switching—not for multi-device pairing. As for the Ultimate Software, I’m looking forward to playing around with it more this weekend. I did notice, though, that my PCs flagged the software installation as potentially dangerous, which was a little nerve-wracking. Overall, for anyone who loves a mechanical keyboard the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a fun choice. It brings style, functionality, and that satisfying “click” experience all in one. A few quirks aside, it’s been a great addition.

Call me curious. I didn't exactly need a new mechanical keyboard, but I was interested in the 8bitdo retro due to it's unique design with plug and play joystick + super buttons. What I didn't expect out of this endeavor is how NICE these white box Kailh switches feel.. what also shocked me is that this keyboard is mounted on an aluminum plate, but it feels closer to a custom keyboard with FR4 PCB mount.. maybe somewhere in between. Lets get right into it! PROS: - The keyboard nails the retro look and feel. Solid build quality and presentation. Hard to really knock it. - Aluminum plate isn't overly bearing.. especially with clicky switches. This absolutely shocked me. - PBT keycaps are well made and thick. The lettering dye is an eye catcher. - The Kailh White box switches are AMAZING! With 1.8mm actuation and 3.6mm travel, these diverge from the standard 2.0mm and 4.0mm profile, but aren't overly short travel like some switches in other boards. Great balance. - 200 hours of wireless. (I haven't been able to fully confirm this as It's still going.. a week in.) - Useful Volume knob! CONS: - The bottom plastic isn't as good as the top presentation. Seems thin and cheap, but its hard to fault as the top section and actual keyboard areas are above average. Just something I wanted to nitpick. - Software seems barebones. SUBJECTIVE: - Overall package of switches, plate, frame, caps has a really unique feel. Like I mentioned earlier, it feels more custom design than a typical gaming keyboard. I will praise 8bitdo here, I did NOT expect this. -I have a custom keyboard with an FR4 PCB and this one is somewhere in between that and my other gaming keyboards. - The Super buttons and joystick operate off of a 3.5m TRS plug. Not the biggest fan of this, but they both work fine. The buttons themselves don't feel that special. Have Gateron clicky switches underneath. - Wireless is unnecessary for stationary desk use, but it's a cool nice to have. I haven't tested the Bluetooth, but the 2.4G seems quite solid and fast enough for me not to notice general latency. Again. week in.. no issues. OBJECTIVE: - Easy to update via SW. Quicker than competitors. - Macro binding for accessories is simple. All you need to do is hold the macro button > press macro key to remap static key > press super button or joystick.. and done. OVERALL: I didn't expect much, but this keyboard 100% punches above it's price point. I'm actually shocked how much I like and enjoy using it. I'm normally quite critical of peripheral hardware, but this has been a pleasant surprise. I would say the joystick and super buttons are more like fun gimmicks, but the overall value here is exceptional. 5/5.

This keyboard is fun in every way! My son walked up and saw it and asked “Dad, why do you have an old Nintendo keyboard?” This made me smile and start a discussion about the good old days of gaming! A perfect keyboard! Setup: There is not much. Since there are multiple connectivity options including BT, 2.4Ghz and USB-C to USB-A, you will have no issue setting it up. I recommend you download the 8BitDo Ultimate Software so that you can update the firmware. Build quality: I am extremely impressed by this keyboard. It takes me back to my old x286 computer with extremely loud clicky keys on a device built like a tank. Every aspect of this device feels retro with volume dials, old fashioned LED indicators and ugly colors (I mean this in a good way). Use: I did a quick typing test after setting it up and got 82 WPM with 96% accuracy. To me I felt extremely inaccurate to start but once my fingers got their mechanical keyboard muscle memory back, things felt extremely smooth. I am typing this review on the keyboard right now and it feels extremely natural even though it is very loud as one might expect from a device like this. I do not recommend setting this up in a room if there are sleeping people nearby, but it is fine if it is in an isolated spot. Accessories & customization: It comes with two large buttons you can use to map to pretty much any key combination for modern games, or you can use it simply for old school games to jump and run. The joystick is very simple and relatively small, but it is good for various gaming needs, especially if you like older ones. The only improvement I can say here is that it would be nice if the accessories had a wireless option There are loads of stickers the device comes with you can toss on the large buttons or wherever you please. The keys are easy to remove and replace if desired. You can map pretty much anything you want to your keys. You can even map the accessory buttons (or the keyboard A B buttons) to your own macro using the quick mapping feature on the keyboard without having to go into the software. Last, the device has a button for profiles if you desire to set them up. The manual states you can also attach more accessories if you buy them from the website.

I’ve been working on a small PC for retro gaming emulated games from the NES and GameBoy era. I was looking at the 8BitDo controllers to go with it as they are the go-to for authentic controllers that work on modern systems. That’s when I came across the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard with Joystick and decided then and there I had to get it for this build. Pros: - Retro Look with Modern Feature. - Solid feeling for typing and gaming. - Connectivity Options. - Battery life is only 200 hours of use time per 4 hour charge. Cons: - Not spill resistant, so be careful with any drinks. Setup: With the flexibility to do wired or wireless, setup will depend on your preferred connection type. I’ll mainly have the keyboard wired in with the detachable USB C cable but will on occasion unplug it to use the wireless mode with the 2.4GHz wireless dongle. Switching between modes is as simple as turning the dial at the top left of the keyboard, and having the selected wireless mode connected. Though the wireless mode has a stated battery life of 200 hours for a 4-hour charge, which is amazing for a mechanical keyboard on just a 4-hour charge. The joystick and buttons plug in via 3.5 jack on the top of the keyboard. The button has an A or B plug that can be mapped differently, where the joystick uses an X and Y plug for directional control. In either case, key mapping must be setup for before they can be used, as by default they do not map to any keys. Additionally, make sure to activate your profile after you set up the mapping. This is simply done by pressing the “heart” button at the top of the keyboard. I missed this step initially and couldn’t figure out why the joystick and buttons were not responding. It took me a bit of reading before I realized my mistake. All the setups can be done without the software via the Fast Mapping, there is a little stock paper card included to explain how this works. This is amazing as if you don’t want to or cannot use the software, you have an easy way to map the buttons and joysticks. Software: Even though you can do it without the software, the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 is really simple, there’s almost no installation as it runs out of the folder you launch it from. Just create a Profile, then map via drop down lists, no complex interfaces or mapping. The big benefit that comes with the software is the ability to remap key functions and set macros to normal keys, not just the buttons. Feel: The keyboard feels solid and responsive. It very much reminds me of typing on an old keyboard with that tactile feel expected of a mechanical keyboard but with the hard plastic touch feel of those old keyboards. The biggest difference from those old keyboards is all the modern features and the weight, 8BitDo has made this keyboard much lighter even with a battery onboard the keyboard is just over ~2lbs. Who doesn’t want to press the Big Red Button? Seriously, I love the size and feel of the buttons. They are extremely responsive, which is exactly what you need for those old side scrollers. They have a nice, rubberized bottom that grips most surfaces, so you have no excuse for missing this button. The joystick also reminds me of the old joycons, to get that diagonal motion you want you need to find that perfect spot which takes time to hone. I actually like how authentic the joystick feels and plays, as it adds to the nostalgic feel. Added Features: 8BitDo didn’t just recreate but took current technology and recreated the retro feel. Included with the Retro Mechanical Keyboard are features you usually only find on keyboards well over $150! The switches are Hot Sawppable, incase you want to change to something with a different feel and sound. I already mentioned it but the flexibility to connect via wired, wireless dongle or bluetooth must be called out again as I only know a handful of mechanical keyboards that have these options. The only concern I had with the keyboard was the lack of spill resistance, with a wireless keyboard this is a constant concern for me. Especially with one that uses a plug-in button and joystick, I’m going to have to keep strict no drinks near the keyboard policy during gaming nights. Conclusion: If you want that authentic old school feel but with all the perks of a modern keyboard, 8BitDo’s Retro Keyboard is the way to go. It just fits right in on any retro setup while having features that I would expect for a much more expensive keyboard and that old school feel. The buttons and joysticks are solid, making this keyboard a must recommendation for anyone who likes the retro games.

This keyboard gives me all the feels of my childhood retro gaming. The colors resemble the classic GameBoy and Nintendo Entertainment System. Just having it on my desk to look at gives my joy. As long as it’s plugged in, the Power button in the corner has a small, dim red-light, which also reminds me of the NES system back in the day, so this is a nice nostalgic touch. The keyboard itself is wonderful. It only took me about a day to get used to, it feels a bit more spaced out than my previous mechanical keyboard. I love the big, bold red letters identifying each key. The switches are very click and are a joy to type on. I use this as my main work keyboard where I’m typing most of the day. The click sounds and overall feel of the keyboard never grew tiring. The initial setup via wire USB was a breeze, I connected it to my Mac and was immediately prompted to press a couple keys to identify/register, then it was smooth sailing from there. I’ve disconnected it and connected to other computers and when connecting back to a previous machine I’ve already had it on, it remembers and no longer needs to go through the identification process. Bluetooth connectivity was about the same as the wired USB connection setup. As soon as the bluetooth button on the keyboard was turned on, a prompt appeared on my computer almost immediately asking if I wanted to connect it. It did so in about 3 seconds and I was good to type away. Battery life is outstanding. I’ve been using it 8-9 hours per day and used it for 3 days straight before it dropped out of 100%. This keyboard can easily be used for many weeks on a single charge. Overall it does look and feel just a little deeper than a normal keyboard, probably because of the extra knobs and switches along the top, but it’s worth it to me. Everything is clearly visible and labeled, also along the top it has a retro-looking Nintendo system decal that looks like it came right off the Nintendo itself. The joystick is fairly comfortable to use for arcade style games, and both the joystick and buttons magnetically connect to the keyboard (or each other) for some added stability. The A and B buttons are fun, if not comically large and impractical, but there's a dedicated A and B on the keyboard as an alternative to use instead. If you grew up with an old Nintendo system this is a great, practical piece of hardware to have on your desk. Whether you have a computer for work, a personal computer, or even a tablet, this keyboard performs fantastically and checks all the boxes.

Boy does this keyboard bring me back to the good old days. I am a 70’s baby and grew up with the start of video gaming, pc gaming and arcades. I’ve had pretty much every console ever made (in the US). This Nintendo style really looks great. I/m not huge on the clicky keyboards and prefer the silent type and mice but I have enjoyed clicking away on this keyboard. The 8BitDo keyboard has a great feel to it, and a nice hefty weight to it. I love the programmable buttons on the keyboard and the programmable super giant buttons. The joystick is also a nice touch to tie in the retro vibe. The button mapping is very simple, it comes with a sweet windows cheat sheet to help you out as well. My favorite feature of all is the simple volume knob, it has the old school step feel to it, very cool. The keyboard can be connected with Bluetooth, an included and built into the keyboard dongle, or wired, also included. Very cool to have all the possible options available. I have been using the keyboard for a week steady at work and have yet to kill the battery, that’s a plus. I’m thinking I will just charge it on the weekends, and it will stay juiced for the entire week, based on my workload of course. 8BitDo has a cool website with optional retro keycaps, super buttons, wrist rest, mouse etc. I’m ordering the 8BitDo retro 18 mechanical number pad to pair with this keyboard, as I like having a number pad. It’s pretty cool and thought out as well, can be used as a stand alone calculator or a number pad, also has a quick button for windows calculator. Pretty cool. To top it all off, you can download the 8BitDo software and it adds customization for the keyboard, multiple profiles, macros, mapping etc. I dig it and think anyone that’s a retro gamer will as well, the quality is great and well worth the price tag.

8BitDo does some pretty nice things with their controllers so I was intrigued about this nostalgic keyboard and joystick combo. I grew up in the 80's. I had an NES. The look and even feel of this whole unit brings me back. It seems like such a small thing, but one of the first things I noticed was the retro looking power LED. The switches might prevent this from being a daily driver for me, but even if I just break it out sometimes, it's a pretty nice decorative item for any desk. Setup was a breeze. You have a lot of options. I already had a wired keyboard with a detachable USB-C cable so it was as easy as unplugging that one and plugging the cable into this one. It "just works" like you'd expect any keyboard to. The external joystick and A/B buttons area also wired and plug into the back of the keyboard. I wish these were maybe bluetooth or something that allowed you to keep the cable clutter off of your desk but you can probably find a good way to route the cables and chances are they won't both be permanent fixtures on your desk (they definitely aren't going to be for me). There's even one additional input for another optional addon you can get from 8BitDo if you want to add more. You also have an option to connect the keyboard (just the keyboard) wirelessly via bluetooth or the included 2.4Ghz dongle (which is nicely etched like Mario bricks). All of the setup options are simple and explained in the short, multi-language instructions if you need any help. Then you can customize some buttons (and external buttons and joystick) straight from the keyboard. You can assign any key shortcut to any of the directions on the joystick or the external A/B buttons. Or there's A/B buttons on the keyboard itself where the right side menu and windows keys usually reside so you can set those as well. They call it "fast mapping" and I agree, it's quick and easy to do. A couple minuses for me. The shape and angle the keyboard sits at isn't my favorite. I would have liked another 10 degrees or so of tilt and this is one of the first keyboards I've use in a really long time that doesn't have retractable legs to change the angle (I know for a fact, because I JUST checked one more time because it feels bonkers to me). There's also no included wrist rest which I noticed immediately and had to grab one from my other keyboard just so it stopped hurting my wrist to bend (and lean on the sharp corner of the desk). Then there's the switches. I used silver speed switches for a very long time but was able to take to red switches pretty quickly. Probably because those are both linear switches. These white switches are a little harder to get used to for me. They're clicky. If you like that you might be right at home. I'm giving them a chance and seeing if I can get used to them and I'd say I like them a little better than the first time I typed on them but I still prefer my linear switches. Those are probably two of the reasons I'll have this as more of a decorative keyboard or break it out when I'm feeling like a change. The keybaord works great and really captures that old school look and feel but when I need to do a lot of typing, I'll probably break out the old red switches and hang this one up. If you can find some samples of the white switches that are used (Kailh Box White Switches V2), you can see how much you like them and make a decision if you're looking for a nice looking keyboard that you can use all the time. Everyone has their own preference for mechanical keyboard switches and mine just happens to not be this. It's not bad, it's just not my favorite. Also, consider getting a wrist rest. If those aren't dealbreakers for you, this could be a fun keyboard to complete your nostalgic Nintendo desktop.