If you're on the hunt for a vintage-styled device or you just want a budget-friendly high-performance typer, then the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is a fantastic option. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is the first keyboard from 8BitDo, and when first seeing the design I was worried this would be a gimmick or novelty product. However, after spending some time testing the typer, I'm glad to report that not only is it not a gimmick, but also one of the best keyboards I've ever used both for typing and gaming.
Included in the box is also an arcade-style stick and two external buttons for no extra cost. The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard comes in at £90 / $95 which roughly converts to AU$140, making for a great option for those who don't want to spend a pretty penny on a typer and still want a high-performance device. I reviewed the C64 edition of the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard, which as the name suggests, takes design inspiration from the Commodore 64 featuring a grey backplate, brown keys and red and rainbow accents on the typer.
It even has a small red power LED in the top right corner, which adds to the overall retro vibe. When first unboxing the keyboard, I was blown away by how beautiful it was. Even if you opt for the other colourways, N or Fami, they all embrace traditional retro console designs and make for stunning statement pieces on your desk.
You'll find that the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard is TKL form factor, meaning you don't get a number pad.
