8BitDo makes some of the best third-party peripherals for consoles and PC, including a burgeoning series of mechanical keyboards. Just like many of its controllers, 8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboards are inspired by classic video game hardware. Keyboards with NES and Famicom designs came first, but the most recent release is arguably the coolest, and it also happens to be on sale for its lowest price ever for Prime Big Deal Days at Amazon. The C64 Edition is discounted from $110 all the way down to $74.89. Based on the Commodore 64, the keyboard comes with a detachable arcade stick as well as the Super Buttons (two big microswitch buttons). The Super Stick is unique to the C64 Edition.
The Famicom, NES, and the M Edition–the most recent addition to the lineup, based on the old IBM keyboard–are also on sale for similar prices during Amazon’s sale. The C64 Edition, despite normally costing $10 more than the other three, is actually on sale for the lowest price. But if you don’t care about the arcade stick and simply want a solid mechanical keyboard with a color scheme inspired by the original Nintendo, the price difference between these keyboards is small.
8BitDo Keyboard Deals
- 8BitDo C64 Edition Retro Mechanical Keyboard — $74.89 ($
110) - 8BitDo Fami Edition Retro Mechanical Keyboard — $76.39 ($
100) - 8BitDo NES Edition Retro Mechanical Keyboard — $78 ($
100) - 8BitDo IBM Edition Retro Mechanical Keyboard — $80 (
$100)
Buy a matching numpad:
- 8BitDo C64 Mechanical Numpad — $37.89 (
$45) - 8BitDo Fami Mechanical Numpad — $38.19 (
$45) - 8BitDo M Mechanical Numpad — $38.19 (
$45)
All four models support wireless connections via 2.4GHz and Bluetooth as well as wired via USB-C. 8BitDo has always made accessories that offer better performance and build qualities than you’d expect for the price. It’s no different here, as these keyboards feel awesome–not just “great for $100,” genuinely great. 8BitDo keyboards have hot-swappable PCBs, so you can replace key switches easily. The C64 has Double-Shot ABS keycaps with an SA profile, which means they are sculpted into a rounder, more contoured form factor. The other three models have Dye-sub PBT keycaps and Kailh Box White Switches (V2) with dye-sub PBT keycaps.
With 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2 for PC, you can remap keys as well as the Super Buttons. Though these keyboards were originally designed as tenkeyless (no numpad), 8BitDo now sells matching mechanical numpads that can also be used as calculators. The numpads are on sale for the first time for Prime Big Deal Days.
8BitDo’s Retro Mechanical Keyboards are advertised as compatible with Windows and Android, but we’ve had no problem connecting wirelessly to iOS, Mac, Steam Deck, and other devices that support Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless keyboards. The Ultimate Software V2, however, isn’t available on Apple devices at this time.
Plenty of other 8BitDo products are on sale for Prime Big Deal Days, including wireless controllers for Nintendo Switch and PC.
- 8BitDo Arcade Stick for Xbox and PC — $84 (
$120) - 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller (Switch, PC, mobile) — $48 (
$60) - 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Controller (Switch, PC, mobile) — $40 (
$50) - 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller (Xbox, PC, mobile) — $56 (
$70) - 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4GHz Wireless Controller (PC, mobile) — $40 (
$50) - 8BitDo SN30 Pro Bluetooth Controller (Switch, PC, mobile) — $36 (
$45)
