8Bitdo has been killing it over the last five to seven years. They have become a premium AA accessory manufacturer for retro and modern consoles. 8Bitdo has released their first attempt at a keyboard with a retro-themed 70% keyboard with NES and Famicom aesthetics. They also have an 80’s PC vibe with similar layout and styling to that era.

Looks wise, 8Bitdo nailed this keyboard. While I can’t speak for the Famicom version as I do not own it, the NES version looks fantastic. While I’m not a huge fan of the giant A and B buttons, the novelty is appreciated. The keyboard has a sloped angle like the keyboards of the 80’s, with a beige tone and red print on the keys. The fully red escape key and the knobs at the top left are great as well; however, the volume is an infintely turning knob, and the position ends up being irrelevant. This being a TKL keyboard, it will fit on most desks and isn’t super bulky. The bulbous power LED is also a nice touch. This feels and looks like the part for an 80’s keyboard.

The biggest draw to this keyboard is the hotswappable switches. It comes with Kail White V2 switches, but I added Kail Heavy Pro Box Navy switches. I also did a tape mod with five layers of tape, and this keyboard sounds and feels great. I’m glad this keyboard does come with premium switches, and you can add whatever ones you want. 8Bitdo’s versatility and customization are excellent choices. There are four screws located behind the rubber feet on the bottom, and using a plastic pry tool, you can just pop the clips around the panel in the back, and off it goes. It’s an easy keyboard to modify and change around.

It doesn’t just stop with being an 80’s mock keyboard. 8Bitdo’s usual macro buttons are available via their very early and limited keyboard software suite. You can update the firmware and edit your macros with this. It’s still really early, and with its popularity and the number of keyboards, I’m sure 8Bitdo can create a more robust piece of software. There also isn’t any RGB on this keyboard, but that’s probably a good thing given the era it’s trying to recreate, but maybe a white backlight would have been nice. The battery claims it can last up to 200 hours on a single charge. The USB 2.4Ghz dongle snaps into the back so it doesn’t get lost, but there is also a Bluetooth option. This keyboard can work on virtually any modern device.

Overall, 8Bitdo did a great job with their first keyboard outing, and the swappable switches are a plus for longevity and customizability that a lot of non-custom keyboard manufacturers aren’t allowing. The 80’s style rocks, the form factor is great, and it feels good to use. I wish the software was a bit better and the dials felt better to use, and I feel the large buttons are a silly gimmick that just increases the cost. Despite this, it’s a fantastic keyboard.