Now You’re Typing with Power!
8BitDo's NES-inspired Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a dream come true for retro gamers that have to get some real work done between games.
Nostalgia for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) runs deep among gamers of a certain generation, evoking a sense of fondness and cherished memories. Released in the mid-1980s, the NES resurrected the struggling video game industry, introducing iconic characters like Mario and Link, and a vast library of classic games that became synonymous with the console. For many, the NES was their first introduction to the world of gaming, marking the beginning of a lifelong passion for video games.
Those children who cut their teeth on the NES in the 1980s are now grown, and with priorities that are not quite as exciting as playing video games. Many have jobs, families, and other responsibilities that take up most of their time. But that does not mean that they cannot have some fun too, right? Setting aside time for video games can be a challenge, but bringing a little bit of NES-inspired fun into one’s normal, daily life might make for a nice change of pace.
8BitDo, a manufacturer of all sorts of retro gaming peripherals, has recently announced what looks like the perfect product for those that need a covert infusion of 8-bit classic gaming into their lives. Their 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, which looks like it could have been a real NES peripheral in an alternate universe, has got more than enough charm to quell those retro gaming urges. While any similarities to an NES are surely accidental, so as to avoid angry letters from lawyers, Nintendo fans are sure to love this serendipitous resemblance.
The keyboard will not be officially released until September 20th of this year, but the specifications make it look like much more than a gimmick. The Retro Mechanical Keyboard is, as the name implies, mechanical, for that nice clicky feeling that keyboard aficionados love. It has a standard 87-key layout, with a few extra nice touches. The “function” and “menu” keys, for example, are renamed “B” and “A”, and are colored bright red like the buttons of an NES controller.
The keyboard also comes with a pair of external, oversized (6.3 x 2.9 x 1.3 inches) “Super Buttons” that can be programmed to perform whatever function the user desires. I might suggest that one be programmed to quickly minimize an NES emulator window to hide it from prying eyes. A total of eight Super Buttons (purchase separately) can be added to one keyboard — if you have a large enough desk to fit that many giant buttons, anyway.
The Retro Mechanical Keyboard can operate wirelessly (2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth Low Energy) or via a wired USB-C connection. For the wireless option, one can expect to get about 200 hours of battery life from a four hour charge of the included 2,000 mAh Li-on battery. Two color schemes are available, one that mimics the American NES, and another that resembles the Japanese Famicom. Rotary knobs for power and volume, in addition to a retro-styled red power LED, complete the look.
The keyboard is now available for preorder at $99.99, and if you have big plans for extra Super Buttons, additional pairs are for sale at $19.99. Time will tell if the Retro Mechanical Keyboard lives up to the hype, but based on the specs, it could be a steal.
