8BitDo has announced the availability of a full-size version of its popular Nintendo-inspired Retro Mechanical Keyboard, which launched mid-2023. Featuring an expanded layout and an integrated number pad, the new 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard is available for pre-order on Amazon for $120, with shipping slated for December 12, 2024. Like the original model, users can choose between an NES or Famicom-themed colorway to match their other retro accessories.
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We’ve been fans of the original 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard since it was released in July last year. The combination of retro Nintendo styling, along with old-school design touches like the iconic red power LED and toggle switches, made it our favorite retro mechanical keyboard for 2024. The only downside is that it’s available in a tenkeyless design. If you crunch numbers daily or are used to a number pad, you’ll need to buy a separate $45 number pad, bringing the total cost to $145.
At $120, the new 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard is much more affordable when you consider the price of the original model and the number pad add-on. It also includes a set of extra controls on the number pad, such as a Function key, a calculator lock button, and a screen lock button. However, the rest of the design remains similar. You can pre-order the new model in NES or Famicom editions, both of which bring that nostalgic Nintendo vibe.
It carries over the same hot-swappable Kailh Box White V2 switches from the original model, with PBT dye-sublimation keycaps. The ’80s-style red power LED also made its way to the new model, along with the old-school knobs for volume and switching between Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and wired mode. It is compatible with Windows and Android and also includes the comically oversized “Super Buttons” that are fully customizable in the Ultimate software.
8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard Pricing and Availability
The 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard will be available on December 12, 2024, but you can pre-order it today on Amazon if you want to get it on launch day. It is priced at $120, only slightly more than the original model without a number pad. If you’re shopping for a new retro keyboard with a number pad, you’ll end up spending less on the newer model than buying the original and the separate $45 number pad.
8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard
The 8BitDo Retro 108 Mechanical Keyboard is a full-size version of the popular retro gaming keyboard. It’s a wireless keyboard with a rechargeable battery, Kailh Box White V2 switches, dedicated volume controls, and an integrated number pad.
If the retro Nintendo look isn’t your style, there are several excellent alternatives to consider for your retro gaming setup, such as the Keychron C2 and EPOMAKER RT100 Mechanical Keyboard. The Keychron C2 is a more affordable option at $57, though it’s wired and lacks dedicated volume control. The EPOMAKER RT100 is the closest you can get to the 8BitDo, featuring a volume dial and a clean retro style.
We loved the original 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, so we recommend the newer model if you’re looking for a full-size retro mechanical gaming keyboard. Not only does it look amazing with the classic Nintendo-inspired design, but it also delivers excellent gaming performance with impressive latency and smooth, lightweight, and clicky switches. Of course, if you already have the original model, you can save your money and buy the matching 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad.
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