The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a wireless-compatible keyboard with a fun design and extra programmable “Super” buttons. The design is meant to evoke a classic NES aesthetic.
It is available on Amazon for $100 USD from the 8BitDo Amazon store. It is priced below most novelty-designed premium keyboards with entry-level quality. This is a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard with a fun design.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
THE GOOD
- Connectivity
Can be connected via Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and wired. And the receiver has its own magnetic adapter onboard compartment.
- Customizable
The keyboard comes with Kailh Box White mechanical switches but you can hot-swap them for switches that you prefer.
THE BAD
- Ergonomics
Its 7° inclination angle is fixed, and because of its thick keyboard profile, prolonged use may result in wrist fatigue.
THE REST
- Overall
It's a great mechanical keyboard with a quirky novelty design that retails for $100 USD. While it offers a satisfying typing experience, it may not be best suited for non-retro gaming.
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The Retro Mechanical Keyboard comes with a detachable USB Type-A to USB C cable, a 2.4 GHz adapter, a user manual, programmable Dual Super Buttons, and stickers for the Super Buttons. It has a full plastic chassis and base plate, with plate-mounted stabilizers. It includes PBT dye-sublimation lettering with no shine-through keycaps. It has a rechargeable battery and can be both used wirelessly and wired. It can be used wirelessly with the included 2.4 GHz receiver or Bluetooth LE.
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Front of the box.
The keyboard is placed on a 900 x 400 mm desk pad next to a Logitech MX Master 2S mouse.
The right side of the keyboard containing the navigation keys.
The left side of the keyboard.
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The keyboard is connected by a USB Type-A to Type-C detachable cable. It has a 2.4 GHz adapter stored onboard in the magnetic adapter compartment. It has up to four ports for the dual Super button controllers.
The Retro Mechanical Keyboard has its own software, 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2.0, but is not QMK or VIA compatible. You can assign Macro Programming and the Super Buttons can be fully customizable. It is only compatible with Windows computers and Android devices. It does not have any RGB or backlighting.
The Retro Mechanical Keyboard comes with Kailh Box White clicky mechanical switches. It is hot-swappable and the switch stems are standard Cherry MX. The Kailh Box White clicky mechanical switches have an operating force of 42gf, 2mm of pre-travel, and 4mm of total travel. With the 2.4Ghz adapter, the Retro Mechanical Keyboard has an above average keyboard latency, averaging 11.59 to 11.67 ms. With the Bluetooth LE mode, it has a high keyboard latency of 14.4 ms. And when used in wired mode it has an average keyboard latency of 9.26 to 9.33 ms.
The Retro Mechanical Keyboard does not come with a wrist rest and has a fixed incline angle of 7°.
The keyboard ergonomics at a fixed angle of 7 degrees.