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. The NES-themed edition was one of the first models, and it remains the most popular–though the upcoming transparent green Xbox-themed edition might have something to say about that. If you love Nintendo and are in the market for a mechanical keyboard, Best Buy’s Deal of the Day slashes $30 off the retailer’s exclusive N Edition bundle, which comes with a detachable arcade stick. You can get the 8BitDo N Edition Keyboard Bundle for only $70 until tonight, December 10, at 10 PM PT.
The detachable joystick, dubbed the Super Stick, is typically exclusive to the Commodore 64-inspired model, but 8BitDo has released an exclusive Best Buy bundle with an NES-themed joystick attachment. Strangely, this bundle retails for $100 normally, the same price as the N Edition without the joystick at Best Buy. This could suggest that this value bundle will only be available for a limited time. Even at $100, you are getting a “deal,” as the Commodore 64 model retails for $110.
The C64 Edition is actually on sale at Amazon for $86 right now. This is a pretty great price, but unless you have more fondness for the C64, Best Buy’s N Edition bundle is clearly the better offer at $70.
All 8BitDo keyboards include detachable Super Buttons–the large red A and B buttons shown above. The Super Buttons are activated via microswitches, so they have a pleasant mouse-like feel to them.
All four currently available 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. You should know that 8BitDo is releasing full-size N Edition and Fami Edition keyboards on December 12 for $120 each.
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.