8BitDo’s newest retro keyboard is an ode to the Commodore 64

8BitDo’s newest mechanical keyboard riffs on the design of a Nineteen Eighties pc system with a single of probably the most iconic-on the lookout keyboards of all time: the Commodore 64. 8BitDo’s Commodore 64 model of its Retro Mechanical Keyboard collection is obtainable to preorder beginning off now for $109.99, with concepts to ship it on May twenty sixth. 

Beneath its splendidly chunky brown keycaps (Abs plastic with double-shot legends) and Commodore-model rainbow emblem, that is basically the exact same peripheral as 8BitDo’s previous NES keyboard. It is going to include clicky Kailh Field White V2 switches as widespread, however they’re sizzling-swappable if you wish to swap them out for some factor a small considerably much less loud down the road. It could actually hook up with merchandise by way of a alternative of USB, Bluetooth, or with a 2.4GHz USB dongle and there may be additionally a created-in amount dial at the perfect remaining of the keyboard. 

Getting back from the NES keyboard are the programmable “Tremendous Buttons,” which even now search just like the Nintendo Amusement System controller’s A and B buttons. This time, they’re joined by a compact joystick known as the “Tremendous Stick.” If the constructing of this keyboard is similar because the earlier, rely on the 2 of those add-ons to be wired and to plug into the prime of the keyboard by the use of 3.5mm jacks. The whole keyboard makes use of a tenkeyless selection side that omits the numpad however in another case maintains a fairly conventional format, and there’s no RGB lighting to talk of.

Curiously, although the preliminary Commodore 64 has that chunky seem I’d typically affiliate with clacky mechanical keyboards, it was in actual fact equipped with Mitsumi hybrid switches, that are a cross between a rubber dome and mechanical change. Retro keyboard YouTuber Chyrosran22 did a evaluate of the Commodore 64C (a variant of the Commodore 64 with a lighter shade scheme), when you’d like a better glimpse on the insides of the unique.