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

Other than missing a dedicated numberpad, the feel of the keys plus the look of the original NES pallet is excellent along with the mappable shortcut binds with the B and A Keys (joystick is also pretty cool just a tad impractical for my liking)

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.

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.

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.

the best keyboard! i love the clicks and the macro buttons definitely added a special something to my productivity at the office. i get so many compliments. i wish i got the num pad with it

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.

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.

Un so happy with my pourchase bcs its a nice keyboard I used for casual competitivo gaming and working and is really nice!!! And Best Buy give me a match price and I really for a nice descount!! Be carefull if u used with usb C u must need to desconect avery u arent working bcs maybe it will be freezed and then you will need to disconect the battery but averything is gonna be fine!!

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!

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.

## 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.

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!

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

The keyboard is an excellent typing experience, and I get a lot of compliments. However, I have never used the joystick or the big buttons, and I discovered that one big button had a bent pin. I emailed 8BitDo and they told me to bring back to BestBuy. I brought it back to best buy and they acknowledged the defect but said that it's outside the 2-week return window (I was a few days late) so they can only give me a printout confirming the bent pin. As you can see, I haven't even unwrapped the wire to the big buttons. Anyways, I'm going to contact 8BitDo again and see what they say.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.