For everyone suggesting to use the Super Buttons as foot paddles, I don’t think they are designed with that in mind. The cable is only 4’ in length, so it’s not long enough to reach around the back of the desk and be placed on the floor at a distance close enough to comfortably step on. Additionally, while the Super Buttons feel very secure and solid, I don’t think they can withstand foot presses over extended use. But thank you for the suggestion, and it’s certainly something I considered - I should have mentioned why it wouldn’t work in that way in the video.
Since you're (the one and only) "Russ from Retro Game Corps" I really would have expected that you tested this with a few handhelds too. Android handhelds like the RG405M should be compatible but maybe it would even pair well with linux-based operating systems on Bluetooth enabled handhelds like the RG353M which is especially nice since it has video out. The reason I'm interested in this is because for certain games I prefer keyboard keys over classic gamepad buttons + d-pad. I know I'm a niche guy here but for example I prefer playing Street Fighter with WASD keys instead of a d-pad or analog stick since I can be 100% sure to press "down", "right" and "punch" while I might have false inputs with a d-pad or analog stick here. Maybe you can do a future video where you test this thing with handhelds. :)
Really happy you reviewed this. When it comes to high end mechanical keyboards, I know nothing! Yet when it comes to reading reviews, the ones I see read as if they assume the reader is already knowledgeable on this stuff! So your video explaining terminology and the differences between switches is great!
This logic doesn't make any sense to me. The target demographic when reviewing stuff that falls into the highest-end and/or most niche category of any hobby are enthusiasts of said hobby. The number of people who are going to go out and spend $600 on parts to build their own custom mechanical keyboard without having done enough research to recognize some common jargon is extremely low. Why would a reviewer want to tailor his review for these types of people? Furthermore, when someone is trying to decide whether or not they want to purchase a high-end, expensive product is going to want to know every little detail the reviewer can provide. It's also possible they may subconsioucly perceive a review that uses jargon when applicable as being more legitimate since it will end up sounding similar to how people sound in the many forum discussions they've read or taken part in. Instead of this keyboard, imagine this were a review of only a case. The case costs $300 and anyone who buys it is going to be spending atleast another $100 at a bare minimum befoer they'll be able to build a working keyboard with it. If someone was considering purchasing it and came across this review, I can guarantee that, upon getting to the end and realizing they didn't even mention if the case was hot-swappable, they would immediatly conclude this reviewer doesn't know what they're talking about before purging any opinions they gave on the case and moving on to a different video. If you are so deep into the hobby that you know a $300 case isn't even at the upper-end of the price0-range than you're going to want to know that sort of information and expect any reputable review would discuss it, meaning you would reject any reviews that don't as being, at best, subpar, and not something that you will factor into your considerations. I live in the southwest USA. My city, despite having a population approaching 1 million, has just one ice-rink. I know nothing about hockey, could maybe name a total of 5-6 teams and possibly a handful of players if you include guys that have already retired. If I pull up a recap of a hockey game from a channel that is clearly focused exclusively on creating hockey-related content, I'm not going to go into the comments and complain because I don't understand all the terminology and wish the video would present things in a way I could understand. If someone decides they want to pick up a hobby and decides to jump straight into the deep end than they're just going to have to deal with being a bit confused for awhile. I don't really see why that's an issue.
I bought the Famicom edition, for no reason whatsoever (it was a tossup) about two weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier. I am a Linux user, so I map my A and B to desktop switching. The Big buttons are my "activity" switch and my pulldown terminal. :) Love the keyboard. Great review...
Thanks for the great review! :) I'm curious if those buttons connect through that 8th inch jack via some kind of serial, or if it's literally 2 switches direct in. If it's the latter, one could make just about anything into a macro key with a trip to Radiosh...ahm, Amazon and some elementary level engineering...
I know this probably sounds back handed, but genuinely it's great to see a keyboard review by someone who doesn't "do" keyboard reviews. I only know a little about the deep dark rabbit hole of mechanical keyboards, but I know there's a lot of jargon that gets thrown around about something so many people engage with but very few actually consider. Your review, as ever, was direct, considered, and approachable. Good stuff.
@@cloudycolacorptbh keyboard enthusiasts lost me when they started trying different "fillers" for the inside of the keyboard. I get the concept but it's just so niche. Good for you if you like it but I just personally don't see the need.
@@cloudycolacorpThats with everything really. Once you start to be hyperfixated onto a topic, the "General Public" is starting to vanish from your Perspective. Its very, very hard to be extremely proficient and easy to understand. Take it from someone who Gets Into coding currently.
@@OffscreenkillVA I agree. In the case of mechanical keyboards, I have little interest in them, but i'm glad to know that if I ever become a mech-keyboard enthusiast, there's already masters of the craft out there. Kinda reminds me of the custom pen world - i can understand wanting a tool that is used ofen to feel 'right' and be of high quality.
@@opts9I think most of us have become so used to cheap keyboards, that they have begun to feel right. I'm sure that many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts will think I'm some kind of heretic, but we HAVE got the above.
FYI For anyone who is worried about the numeric key pad not being on this keyboard, they have recently added a $44 numeric key pad for anyone who would like to add that to their setup. It plugs in using another wireless dongle, but also has the very neat feature of working as a standalone calculator as it has an LCD screen built in. just figured I'd help spread that info for future viewers who see the pros/cons segment at the end and worry about that not being an option for this keyboard.
TBH while that might look expensive compared to other (trash) keyboards on Amazon, it's actually a steal compared to mechanical keyboards of similar quality
One note about the WIN key- you can change what they keys do within the macOS settings! There used to be a little toggle for swapping them because of the prevalence of standard keyboards.
$100 for a decent wireless mechanical KB is very good. Most in that price range don't even have the same feature set either. This is probably the best value in mechanical KBs overall. Really enjoy this change of pace in reviews. Wonderful.
Just got this in the mail yesterday! Hands down my absolute favorite keyboard I've ever used. Aesthetically and functionally it's beautiful. Big W for 8Bitdo again
It sounds like an old IBM Selectric which for me is a good thing. If you want something quiet with better dampening look at the Monotech MKey Keyboard. @@tobytragen4363
I'm fairly into keyboards and normally wouldn't be interested in boards like this, but that famicon board looks INCREDBILE and I would 100% buy those keycaps separately if they were for sale.
The Famicom keyboard is gorgeous. I bought one and I'm very happy with the look. And if you want a wrist rest for it, I recommend looking at the Glorious tenkeyless wrist rest. The Golden Oak color option is a good match for the Famicom keyboard.
The Box White switches are quite different from the typical blues. The mechanism provides a crisper click and tactile feedback, unlike the loose rattly feel of the Blues. This tactile quality is sort of reminiscent of older keyboard mechanisms like the buckling spring switches found in IBM boards, which aligns well with the retro theme. I actually think the board would be leagues worse if it came with blue switches, so the Box Whites are a great choice (though I would have loved it if they used Box Pinks, the slightly more tactile version)
The Pinks wouldn't really make sense if they expect to sell many units. Heavier switches are an acquired taste and not that many people like them. They also are more fatiguing to use. Going with a bog-standard switch and making it hot-swap is definitely the better option. Especially if they're going for mass market appeal, which they are.
@@AmartharDrakestone You're definitely right about the mass market appeal. I didn't think of pinks as heavy because I type on navies every day, but I guess they're pretty heavy lol
The board seems to be hot-swappable, so you can replace the switches with something more tactile. I haven't tried Whites, but at 45g actuation force I think they'd be a bit wimpy to me, the keyboard begs for something closer to buckling springs with this retro design - but then again I'm the weirdo with Box Navys for my daily driver (granted, more for typing than gaming).
Love this! You’re the gold standard when it comes to retro handheld coverage and it’s great to see your skill set applied to a broader range of products.
In macOS you can remap the modifier keys directly in the system preferences, so you could easily swap the positions of alt and cmd for this particular keyboard without 8BitDo's official software.
I think you're missing a trick with the super buttons. Use them with your feet. Have the cable running down the back of your desk with the buttons. It keeps your hands on your controller or KB&M and allows for 2 extra inputs.
Nailed it! 😀 Maybe you can mount those super buttons UNDER the desk ? Interesting idea for the save-states, I'd have just used them for some BISHI BASHI arcade games or something
Wanted a mechanical keyboard and this keyboard (nes Version) from 8bitdo checks all my boxes. Pre-ordered it and I'm pretty sure they won't disappoint me. ☮️
"I think people just really appreciate that attention to detail that I bring to reviews." ☺ *nods in agreement* Honestly, it is very refreshing to hear and see the details be laid out in the manner of which you present it. It's not just the attention to detail, it's how those details are presented. Being able to relate those details to wide audience is the key.
Okay, so, things to know about keyswitches: "clicky" switches weren't designed to be clicky, they were designed to be hysteretic - that is, exhibiting hysteresis, a discrepancy between actuation position and reset position; they were designed to reset only after you released the key back past the activation point, thus reducing accidental re-inputs. This makes them especially good for typing up an essay or novel, but less preferable for gaming since you can't just flutter the key on and off with a feather touch and barely any movement. Reds are at the opposite end of the spectrum where you just have no frelling clue what the key is doing until you see it on-screen and that counts double for keys you didn't even realize you clipped because they yield absolutely no tactile or audible feedback when actuated. I find them physically painful to type on because my hands are constantly tense from struggling not to clip extra keys.
I pre-ordered this and received it Friday and I gotta say it's a damn impressive keyboard. I've got it set up on my work computer and even just aesthetically it stands out and looks great. I've programmed the big buttons for a couple Premiere Pro hotkeys I use all the time and so far I'm loving it!
I saw an article on this today and I instantly had to buy it. This is the keyboard and mouse I want and a perfect replacement for the ones that just died on me
I would definitely watch more keyboard reviews. I’m kind of in a weird middle ground with mechanical keyboards. I know what I like (clicks keys, either high profile or low profile. Don’t like the “normal” or “ medium” profile…the standard non high-profile keyboards from Drop like the Shift, Ctrl, or Alt are what I mean by “normal”/“medium” profile. I also don’t really care for tenkey-less layouts. I either want a full size keyboard with a numpad or a 60% super small keyboard. Being “in the middle” like this is a worst of both worlds solution. It takes up space on your desk but doesn’t justify it with functionality you get from a full-size or 1800 layout. I tend to default towards smaller, but a numpad honestly is super satisfying when you need to work with numbers.) but the enthusiasts tend to lose me when they get into gasket mount vs case mount vs pcb mount or with things like foam in the case. A cool idea would be to compare layouts and profiles. The company Keychron might be a good choice for this, as they have keyboards of every imaginable layout in both high and low profile variants, so you could get one of each and compare them with it worrying about variances in quality based on company production standards. For the super buttons, those look like Jade switches. They are “clicky”, if I recall correctly. Clicky switches are a sub-variety of tactile switches. Tactile switches tend to “thok” while clicky switches sound like mouse clicks. Linear switches tend to be best for gaming as they require less force to actuate and don’t offer distractions from sounds. A quick note on switches. White switches tend to be pretty quiet. The reds are going to be most similar to the whites but require a little more force. Browns are the standard “middle ground” and are tactile but not too loud. Blues are going to be your standard “clicky” switches and require the most force because you need the little extra force to work the mechanism that makes them click. On my Drop Alt High Profile, I tend to use Box Navy switches. Super heavy and clicky. But I recently got a Keychron K1 with Mint switches and I may switch to this one as my “main” keyboard…if I decide I want to stick with low-profile, I may upgrade to a Keychron K13 (if you want to try it, the main thing the pro variants offer is hot swappable switches, meaning you can take the switches out and put different ones in, as opposed to them being soldered in place…there are pros and cons to each option. My experience with hot swappable switches is that eventually, one of the connection pieces will eventually come desoldered so not ideal but a nice option to have for mixing switches (like linear WASD but tactile/clicky for everything else), and the option for RGB. I don’t personally care for RGB, and I know what switches I like, so I’m fine with the “standard” version, which has a white backlight with plenty of animation options. Keychron comes with Mac keys on the board but also comes with Windows keys. On a shorter note, if you like a clean desk setup, you should try a 60% keyboard. It takes a bit to get into the flow of using the Fn layers to get the function keys (60% doesn’t have a function row. They are mapped to the 2nd layer of the number row)…but it is super sleek without the shock of trying something like ortho-linear.
Those big super buttons look like those accessibility gaming peripherals or maybe leg buttons :D I do really like that keyboard and I think 99 is a great price for the quality, also 8bitdo products are in general very competitively priced for the quality it offer, especially in last 2,3 years when their quality bumped waaay up, they really are on top of the game atm
8bitdo: good premium keyboard with actual functionality Corsair: fancy $200+ keyboard with features you can get on any $50 keyboard, and crappy RGB software. Huh. I hope 8bitdo keeps making peripherals, because they bring actual features to the table, instead of just making the most expensive keyboard for the people who *have* to buy the "best" keyboard, but giving the customer zero value for the price
So happy you're doing this! It's on my wishlist and your seal of approval is all I need :) Also, a big thank you to everything you've taught me since I caught the retro modding/emulation bug. I'm glad you're exploring things you want to cover!
Really great comprehensive review as usual. I love the look and concept of this keyboard, but the lack of a number pad is a deal breaker for me. I'm too used to having that easy access, but in practice, i guess i could adjust.
I have the C64 8BitDo version and the additional matching keypad - best version in my opinion - the text on the keycaps is just perfect! much better than this review keyboard
If it reminds you of the Commodore 64 kb, then ur LOVE the c64 edition coming out in a couple weeks! (I alrdy preordered! And it comes with a joy stick too!!)
Been looking for a wireless keyboard for awhile, I just ordered one. Unfortunately it’s $173 with shipping for me in Canada oof. But I think it’ll be worth it.
On macOS if you go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys, you can swap Command and Option. No need for 8bitdo software to remap. I use Windows-focused mechanical keyboards all the time because they tend to be cheaper than Mac-specific, and the muscle memory can remain.
There appear to be 3.5mm socket at the back. What are they for? Does that mean you can purchase additional super buttons and have 4 of them (8 buttons)....so that you can program them for street fighters?
Note about the caps: im not sure how they relate to doubleshot in terms of durability. I believe they are worse (again, not sure). Definitely worth thinking about / mentioning
I actually really like your reviews, but have little interest in actually getting a retro handheld. So I am all for branching out to other things like this!
god so many people that know nothing about mechanical keyboards started doing reviews and its kinda lame, but thank god you took your time researching about it giving an actually good review and not a crappy unboxing from some crappy guy that know nothing
As a fan of your channel and of 8Bitdo products myself, it makes a lot of sense to be reviewing this keyboard. When I saw your video I had to immediately watch it and buy one for myself. As always, thanks for all your guides - I set up my Myioo Mini and my RP3+ using them - and all the work you do, Russ. All the best!
Such a shame that this keyboard doesn't have the numpad. I really, really liked the aesthetic on this one, I'd buy one right away if they make a version that has the numpad.
Actually looks really nice! Not for me as I prefer a full keyboard, I use the numpad and macro keys frequently. But if it was full size I’d seriously consider it. The Famicom one is beautiful.
@@SpeccyyyRSI, besides space, is a reason tkl became more popular. A full size keyboard and mouse often means bad ergonomics. If you use a trackball, then you can keep the fullsize, but trackball are really expensive and even the good ones have some pretty fatal flaws. I love trackballs, but it's a shame. I'm one of those people who treats my stuff nice, but my Elecom and my industrial monster, both busted the scroll wheel/button. . It's not like you can't buy a separate ten key, if you really want this.
@@Speccyyy Because people that want a numpad can just buy a dedicated numpad whereas people that don't can't exactly just chop the numpads off their keyboards and call it a day
As someone who loves both the mech keyboard hobby and keeping up with the retro handheld scene, this was awesome to see. Well researched and executed as always, Russ!
I have tried roughly 30 different mechanical switches. I find kailh whites to be among the best. So good that I ended up getting a kailh box white keyboard for typing. I have to be entirely honest though and say that although it is a fantastic keyboard, I found that I like a bit more resistance which is why I gave my keyboard to my sister who has a gentler touch and finds it perfect. Planning on getting a kaihl box jade keyboard next which provides the same tactile feeling, but with a bit more resistance.
I would say the 100 to 150 is the higher end of the budget mechanical keyboards. I'm rocking a Keychom K2 Pro and i'm loving it. Going from a cheap Red Dragon mechanical to this was worlds apart. So 100 for the 8bitdo looks like a very solid buy. I would love switch options as I want Linear switches m'self.
I may have missed it, but in regards to connectivity, can it be quickly swapped? Like can I have it 2.4 ghz to my PC and bluetooth to my android and be able to quickly swap between inputs?
I mean, he didn't even mention that its hot-swappable...that's a pretty important thing that a keyboard enthusiast would want to know. I was actually thinking the opposite, that it's not the type of review a keyboard enthusiast would find very useful, but its great for someone who has likely heard of mechanical keyboards but knows very little about any specifics, yet would still be interested in owning one if they came across one they liked enough. He goes over the stuff this type of person would likely focus on during their first few days of ownership, while avoiding going into detail on things like stabilizers, filler, custimazation, etc. that an enthusiast would care more about.
@@realwiggles yeah. it's clear he kind of has no idea what he's talking about really. which is fine, not everybody needs to be a keyboard freak. but a review of this keyboard by an actual keyboard freak would look completely different
Looks really good... but for emulation it's a bit of a pity not to have numpad... some A500 games used the numpad for directional control (that was before wasd became a thing).
I bought the Fami version of this keyboard just because I really like the color scheme. I don't look at it as a Famicom-themed keyboard. I love the way typing feels on this thing. The Kailh Box V2 White switches strike a wonderful balance between smooth typing and tactile feedback. And they're clicky but not obnoxiously so. These don't sound like Cherry MX Blue switches. They have a dull click versus the Cherry MX Blue's high-pitched click. I like typing on it so much that I've already decided that I don't want to use any other keyboard, and this is coming from someone who previously used a keyboard with the excellent Cherry MX Red switches. If you're getting the Fami version of this keyboard and want a wrist rest for it, I recommend looking at the Golden Oak version of the Glorious tenkeyless wrist rest. It's a pretty good color match for the Fami keyboard.
n-key rollover is exactly why i have the keyboard that i do. i play descent and descent 2 with the keyboard so i need to press a bunch of keys at once. the only keyboard i've seen with n-key rollover is the das keyboard, which is what i have been using for about 10 years now. that alone makes me think they really designed this for gamers, as opposed to most "gaming keyboards" with that in mind, the price is really good. people pay a lot more for keyboards that are a lot less functional, just because they look cool or have a certain brand name. the only deal-breaker for me is the lack of a numpad. i have to have a numpad.
The thing about mechanical keyboards is... you should build your own. It's not that hard. Anything you can buy pre-made is... a fine choice for a newbie but far from perfect.
I personally think they went too beige on this keyboard. The original NES top shell was a very light grey, with minimal to no beige in it. This keyboards grey looks like an NES that has sat in the sun for a year or so and started to turn beige. I realize lighting has something to do with it, but you can find videos on youtube of it sitting next to an actual NES to see what I mean. It's few shades too beigey for me.. I know most wont notice or care. But it's deal breaker for me. Also the power light should have been a square gem type just like the NES.. and those ridges should have been legit, not a sticker... so many missed opportunities..
I think i'm like one of 30 people that finds the grey keys hard to read. the legends for the macro buttons might as well be blank. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put black on grey. I also think it should have been back lit for readability.
This keyboard is very loud. It's taking me some time to get used to typing with such loud switches. If you don't like obnoxiously clicky sound, than I would not recommend.
I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had a numeric keypad. Several of my PC games have numbered character item slots. Paired with the big buttons and I’d be set.
Did not know the keyboard came with a profile button. I didn't pick this up because I'm primarily a MacOS user. I have ended up getting a Logitech MX Mechanical Full size Wireless Mechanical keyboard with brown Switches. It's biggest selling point to me was the Logi+ software that automatically swaps the Alt and Windows/Command/Super key based on what OS it is installed on. I hope that the Keyboards Ultimate software comes to MacOS and offers a similar feature. The built-in profile switching is a good alternative for now.
I bought one after using a "gamer" keyboard for years and getting fed up with it not being hotswappable, key wobble, and squeaky/sticky keys. So far I'm happy with it, the only thing is with the base switches it's harder to press the space key than I'm used to. I love the sound and look, and the attention to all of the retro nods is a really nice detail. I got the M edition (does someone know what console it's colorway is based on? I'm not suuuper familiar with old consoles) because I feel like the white and grey will go better with other keycap sets if I decide to switch them out. I don't have any use for the big buttons, but I know a lot of people would. I also got the separate numpad and a great little detail is that both the keyboard and numpad have magnets to attract them and keep them from sliding around. I'm used to having RGB to see the keys at night so that might be an adjustment but for the pricepoint, quality, and aesthetic I really can't complain. Thanks for the review :]
Def gonna get myself the Model M inspired version of this keyboard when i got the cash to spare. A bit sad they only offer these in north american ANSI layout, but adding american english to windows and swapping back to swedish for when i need to use Å Ä Ö is pretty simple with alt+shift, just gotta remember which keys do what lol. Wish you wouldn't have to though. I hope that in the future they get enough demand from europe to start producing in various ISO layouts. Hell even just ANSI layout with different key legends would be fine, only a handful of keys that are different anyways.
The profile button SHOULD be really handy, but the way it works, at least for me is close to useless. It doesn't switch profiles, it either enables or disables whatever profile is active in the software. While that alone is a pain, it's a lot worse if you use the keyboard in BT or 2.4. The keyboard has to be plugged in for the software to see it. I made 5 profiles for different programs I use. And when I figure out I have to find a cable to plug in, launch the software, and manually click to active the profile. The profile button is pointless to me, the amount of time it takes and having to plug it in defeats the purpose of what the key should be able to do. I hope this is something 8bitdo can and will fix in a firmware update. The software borderline sucks, it technically works but there's so much it can't do that every other keyboard software I've used can. That said, the keyboard is beautiful and really nice to type on. But the software and lack of thought put into the profile button are both frustrating.
yes more reviews! please don't upscale to much though, I know a lot of reviewers like to ramp up the "quality" but I really enjoy this homey feel to your reviews. it's super chill, super detailed, and more personable
I really like the idea, quality seems good and the fact that they implemented also both C64 and old school IBM themes is great, they look fantastic... but while the base keyboard at $100 seems somewhat reasonable, having the Numeric Keypad add-on for an hefty 50 bucks is a big turn off for me, in terms of price and extra cables/connections management
I'm typing this comment on the C64 version of this. I like it a lot so far. You may have a point for using it for keyboard/mouse games, although I have used similar before with not much issue. Great video, thanks a lot!
God damn im in love with this keyboard, wish it was 100% but i mean... I guess I don't use the keypad thaaat much anyway, although I love it being there, other than that this kb checks every single box for what I was looking for in a keyboard. And the two big buttons, I thought they were silly at first but honestly, I can't wait to hook them to some Runescape inputs and have some nice lazy afk times with it. Maybe click and spacebar for easy banking, then all I have to do is move the mouse around sometimes, ohh I love it.
I have the N version, but that Commodore 64 version may have been my choice if it were available sooner. There's a new IBM Model M as well. It's unfortunate there is no MacOS version of the software, but I was able to swap the keys in Windows and save the "Mac" profile to the keyboard, so I can toggle Mac mode on and off with the press of the 8bitdo heart button.
Good review, thanks. For those people using a clicky keyboard in shared offices... PLEASE DON'T. They're super-annoying for the people around you. Thanks. Also, RGC is correct: high keyboards can wreak havoc with your wrists, RSI.
Just received mine, it's an absolute joy to type on. I had never tried these kind of switches before, and I really like the ones on the 8Bitdo. But the thing that a lot of keyboard manufacturers get wrong is the quality of the stabilizers. They are absolutely flawless here including the spacebar, so much that I stopped using my Keychron Q1 Max and now almost hate it for its rattly and clicky spacebar.
For everyone suggesting to use the Super Buttons as foot paddles, I don’t think they are designed with that in mind. The cable is only 4’ in length, so it’s not long enough to reach around the back of the desk and be placed on the floor at a distance close enough to comfortably step on. Additionally, while the Super Buttons feel very secure and solid, I don’t think they can withstand foot presses over extended use. But thank you for the suggestion, and it’s certainly something I considered - I should have mentioned why it wouldn’t work in that way in the video.
Since you're (the one and only) "Russ from Retro Game Corps" I really would have expected that you tested this with a few handhelds too. Android handhelds like the RG405M should be compatible but maybe it would even pair well with linux-based operating systems on Bluetooth enabled handhelds like the RG353M which is especially nice since it has video out.
The reason I'm interested in this is because for certain games I prefer keyboard keys over classic gamepad buttons + d-pad. I know I'm a niche guy here but for example I prefer playing Street Fighter with WASD keys instead of a d-pad or analog stick since I can be 100% sure to press "down", "right" and "punch" while I might have false inputs with a d-pad or analog stick here.
Maybe you can do a future video where you test this thing with handhelds. :)
I suggest mount it on wall, right for make a latte and left for launch nuclear missile
Do a side channel with cooking
perfect i love the format !
Shame that they are not durable. Would be nice if the manufacturer did design those as foot pedals.
"I think people just really appreciate that attention to detail that I bring to reviews."
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes
Yes. And reminding us to grab snacks
I can’t wait till mine arrives this week! It will go great with my Loki and it’s lack of usb availability.
Really happy you reviewed this. When it comes to high end mechanical keyboards, I know nothing! Yet when it comes to reading reviews, the ones I see read as if they assume the reader is already knowledgeable on this stuff! So your video explaining terminology and the differences between switches is great!
This logic doesn't make any sense to me. The target demographic when reviewing stuff that falls into the highest-end and/or most niche category of any hobby are enthusiasts of said hobby. The number of people who are going to go out and spend $600 on parts to build their own custom mechanical keyboard without having done enough research to recognize some common jargon is extremely low. Why would a reviewer want to tailor his review for these types of people? Furthermore, when someone is trying to decide whether or not they want to purchase a high-end, expensive product is going to want to know every little detail the reviewer can provide. It's also possible they may subconsioucly perceive a review that uses jargon when applicable as being more legitimate since it will end up sounding similar to how people sound in the many forum discussions they've read or taken part in.
Instead of this keyboard, imagine this were a review of only a case. The case costs $300 and anyone who buys it is going to be spending atleast another $100 at a bare minimum befoer they'll be able to build a working keyboard with it. If someone was considering purchasing it and came across this review, I can guarantee that, upon getting to the end and realizing they didn't even mention if the case was hot-swappable, they would immediatly conclude this reviewer doesn't know what they're talking about before purging any opinions they gave on the case and moving on to a different video. If you are so deep into the hobby that you know a $300 case isn't even at the upper-end of the price0-range than you're going to want to know that sort of information and expect any reputable review would discuss it, meaning you would reject any reviews that don't as being, at best, subpar, and not something that you will factor into your considerations.
I live in the southwest USA. My city, despite having a population approaching 1 million, has just one ice-rink. I know nothing about hockey, could maybe name a total of 5-6 teams and possibly a handful of players if you include guys that have already retired. If I pull up a recap of a hockey game from a channel that is clearly focused exclusively on creating hockey-related content, I'm not going to go into the comments and complain because I don't understand all the terminology and wish the video would present things in a way I could understand. If someone decides they want to pick up a hobby and decides to jump straight into the deep end than they're just going to have to deal with being a bit confused for awhile. I don't really see why that's an issue.
I bought the Famicom edition, for no reason whatsoever (it was a tossup) about two weeks ago, and I couldn't be happier. I am a Linux user, so I map my A and B to desktop switching. The Big buttons are my "activity" switch and my pulldown terminal. :) Love the keyboard. Great review...
Thanks for the great review! :) I'm curious if those buttons connect through that 8th inch jack via some kind of serial, or if it's literally 2 switches direct in. If it's the latter, one could make just about anything into a macro key with a trip to Radiosh...ahm, Amazon and some elementary level engineering...
I know this probably sounds back handed, but genuinely it's great to see a keyboard review by someone who doesn't "do" keyboard reviews. I only know a little about the deep dark rabbit hole of mechanical keyboards, but I know there's a lot of jargon that gets thrown around about something so many people engage with but very few actually consider. Your review, as ever, was direct, considered, and approachable. Good stuff.
@@cloudycolacorptbh keyboard enthusiasts lost me when they started trying different "fillers" for the inside of the keyboard. I get the concept but it's just so niche. Good for you if you like it but I just personally don't see the need.
@@talizorahnarrayya5916 what are keyboard fillers?
@@cloudycolacorpThats with everything really. Once you start to be hyperfixated onto a topic, the "General Public" is starting to vanish from your Perspective. Its very, very hard to be extremely proficient and easy to understand.
Take it from someone who Gets Into coding currently.
@@OffscreenkillVA I agree. In the case of mechanical keyboards, I have little interest in them, but i'm glad to know that if I ever become a mech-keyboard enthusiast, there's already masters of the craft out there. Kinda reminds me of the custom pen world - i can understand wanting a tool that is used ofen to feel 'right' and be of high quality.
@@opts9I think most of us have become so used to cheap keyboards, that they have begun to feel right.
I'm sure that many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts will think I'm some kind of heretic, but we HAVE got the above.
FYI For anyone who is worried about the numeric key pad not being on this keyboard, they have recently added a $44 numeric key pad for anyone who would like to add that to their setup. It plugs in using another wireless dongle, but also has the very neat feature of working as a standalone calculator as it has an LCD screen built in. just figured I'd help spread that info for future viewers who see the pros/cons segment at the end and worry about that not being an option for this keyboard.
$100 mechanical keyboards are actually on the cheap side.
More tech related reviews like this, please!
All his reviews are tech related. And they're all in this style\depth.
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Not sure what u mean, and maybe it's not clear to Russ, either.
@@Boogie_the_cat they mean videos about other technology (likely such used for gaming), not just game devices
TBH while that might look expensive compared to other (trash) keyboards on Amazon, it's actually a steal compared to mechanical keyboards of similar quality
One note about the WIN key- you can change what they keys do within the macOS settings! There used to be a little toggle for swapping them because of the prevalence of standard keyboards.
$100 for a decent wireless mechanical KB is very good. Most in that price range don't even have the same feature set either. This is probably the best value in mechanical KBs overall.
Really enjoy this change of pace in reviews. Wonderful.
Yeah I got this one specifically because it was an affordable entry into higher end keyboards
I paid $150 for my Logi G715 wireless keyboard, it has RGB, but I know the battery life is amazing on the G715. I wonder how long the battery life is?
Royal Kludge might be comparable and even cheaper
@@slugshotgun Not for sound
Just got this in the mail yesterday! Hands down my absolute favorite keyboard I've ever used. Aesthetically and functionally it's beautiful. Big W for 8Bitdo again
I agree. It's wonderful!
How is the dampening? Does it have spring ping or any other annoying sounds?
How loud is it ?
It sounds like an old IBM Selectric which for me is a good thing. If you want something quiet with better dampening look at the Monotech MKey Keyboard. @@tobytragen4363
Same
I'm fairly into keyboards and normally wouldn't be interested in boards like this, but that famicon board looks INCREDBILE and I would 100% buy those keycaps separately if they were for sale.
The Famicom keyboard is gorgeous. I bought one and I'm very happy with the look. And if you want a wrist rest for it, I recommend looking at the Glorious tenkeyless wrist rest. The Golden Oak color option is a good match for the Famicom keyboard.
The Box White switches are quite different from the typical blues. The mechanism provides a crisper click and tactile feedback, unlike the loose rattly feel of the Blues. This tactile quality is sort of reminiscent of older keyboard mechanisms like the buckling spring switches found in IBM boards, which aligns well with the retro theme.
I actually think the board would be leagues worse if it came with blue switches, so the Box Whites are a great choice (though I would have loved it if they used Box Pinks, the slightly more tactile version)
The Pinks wouldn't really make sense if they expect to sell many units. Heavier switches are an acquired taste and not that many people like them. They also are more fatiguing to use. Going with a bog-standard switch and making it hot-swap is definitely the better option. Especially if they're going for mass market appeal, which they are.
@@AmartharDrakestone You're definitely right about the mass market appeal. I didn't think of pinks as heavy because I type on navies every day, but I guess they're pretty heavy lol
jelly fish clicky are the lightest, but they have a slightly hard bottom out
How is the sound level compared to Blues? I am used to blue but they are noisy AF.
The board seems to be hot-swappable, so you can replace the switches with something more tactile. I haven't tried Whites, but at 45g actuation force I think they'd be a bit wimpy to me, the keyboard begs for something closer to buckling springs with this retro design - but then again I'm the weirdo with Box Navys for my daily driver (granted, more for typing than gaming).
...but is it also pocketable 😏!?
Love this! You’re the gold standard when it comes to retro handheld coverage and it’s great to see your skill set applied to a broader range of products.
In macOS you can remap the modifier keys directly in the system preferences, so you could easily swap the positions of alt and cmd for this particular keyboard without 8BitDo's official software.
I think you're missing a trick with the super buttons. Use them with your feet. Have the cable running down the back of your desk with the buttons. It keeps your hands on your controller or KB&M and allows for 2 extra inputs.
You're a genius
I'm now thinking of a world class track meet mat with hit keys. Lol
Probably better of just buying a pedal if you want to use your feet.
🤯😲
Literally impossible the cable is only long enough to be used near the keyboard
Nailed it! 😀 Maybe you can mount those super buttons UNDER the desk ? Interesting idea for the save-states, I'd have just used them for some BISHI BASHI arcade games or something
Wanted a mechanical keyboard and this keyboard (nes Version) from 8bitdo checks all my boxes. Pre-ordered it and I'm pretty sure they won't disappoint me. ☮️
"I think people just really appreciate that attention to detail that I bring to reviews." ☺ *nods in agreement* Honestly, it is very refreshing to hear and see the details be laid out in the manner of which you present it. It's not just the attention to detail, it's how those details are presented. Being able to relate those details to wide audience is the key.
100 dollars? Man, that's a budget option and I love it
Okay, so, things to know about keyswitches: "clicky" switches weren't designed to be clicky, they were designed to be hysteretic - that is, exhibiting hysteresis, a discrepancy between actuation position and reset position; they were designed to reset only after you released the key back past the activation point, thus reducing accidental re-inputs. This makes them especially good for typing up an essay or novel, but less preferable for gaming since you can't just flutter the key on and off with a feather touch and barely any movement.
Reds are at the opposite end of the spectrum where you just have no frelling clue what the key is doing until you see it on-screen and that counts double for keys you didn't even realize you clipped because they yield absolutely no tactile or audible feedback when actuated. I find them physically painful to type on because my hands are constantly tense from struggling not to clip extra keys.
Box whites dont have hysterisis but they are way better beacuse of thier box design.
I pre-ordered this and received it Friday and I gotta say it's a damn impressive keyboard. I've got it set up on my work computer and even just aesthetically it stands out and looks great. I've programmed the big buttons for a couple Premiere Pro hotkeys I use all the time and so far I'm loving it!
It's so incredibly beautiful. No keyboard comes close.
I saw an article on this today and I instantly had to buy it.
This is the keyboard and mouse I want and a perfect replacement for the ones that just died on me
I would definitely watch more keyboard reviews.
I’m kind of in a weird middle ground with mechanical keyboards. I know what I like (clicks keys, either high profile or low profile. Don’t like the “normal” or “ medium” profile…the standard non high-profile keyboards from Drop like the Shift, Ctrl, or Alt are what I mean by “normal”/“medium” profile. I also don’t really care for tenkey-less layouts. I either want a full size keyboard with a numpad or a 60% super small keyboard. Being “in the middle” like this is a worst of both worlds solution. It takes up space on your desk but doesn’t justify it with functionality you get from a full-size or 1800 layout. I tend to default towards smaller, but a numpad honestly is super satisfying when you need to work with numbers.) but the enthusiasts tend to lose me when they get into gasket mount vs case mount vs pcb mount or with things like foam in the case.
A cool idea would be to compare layouts and profiles.
The company Keychron might be a good choice for this, as they have keyboards of every imaginable layout in both high and low profile variants, so you could get one of each and compare them with it worrying about variances in quality based on company production standards.
For the super buttons, those look like Jade switches. They are “clicky”, if I recall correctly.
Clicky switches are a sub-variety of tactile switches. Tactile switches tend to “thok” while clicky switches sound like mouse clicks.
Linear switches tend to be best for gaming as they require less force to actuate and don’t offer distractions from sounds.
A quick note on switches.
White switches tend to be pretty quiet. The reds are going to be most similar to the whites but require a little more force.
Browns are the standard “middle ground” and are tactile but not too loud. Blues are going to be your standard “clicky” switches and require the most force because you need the little extra force to work the mechanism that makes them click. On my Drop Alt High Profile, I tend to use Box Navy switches. Super heavy and clicky.
But I recently got a Keychron K1 with Mint switches and I may switch to this one as my “main” keyboard…if I decide I want to stick with low-profile, I may upgrade to a Keychron K13 (if you want to try it, the main thing the pro variants offer is hot swappable switches, meaning you can take the switches out and put different ones in, as opposed to them being soldered in place…there are pros and cons to each option. My experience with hot swappable switches is that eventually, one of the connection pieces will eventually come desoldered so not ideal but a nice option to have for mixing switches (like linear WASD but tactile/clicky for everything else), and the option for RGB. I don’t personally care for RGB, and I know what switches I like, so I’m fine with the “standard” version, which has a white backlight with plenty of animation options. Keychron comes with Mac keys on the board but also comes with Windows keys.
On a shorter note, if you like a clean desk setup, you should try a 60% keyboard. It takes a bit to get into the flow of using the Fn layers to get the function keys (60% doesn’t have a function row. They are mapped to the 2nd layer of the number row)…but it is super sleek without the shock of trying something like ortho-linear.
Those big super buttons look like those accessibility gaming peripherals or maybe leg buttons :D
I do really like that keyboard and I think 99 is a great price for the quality, also 8bitdo products are in general very competitively priced for the quality it offer, especially in last 2,3 years when their quality bumped waaay up, they really are on top of the game atm
It's not for me but it is a very cool piece of kit, a perfect gift for someone into retro gaming.
8bitdo: good premium keyboard with actual functionality
Corsair: fancy $200+ keyboard with features you can get on any $50 keyboard, and crappy RGB software.
Huh. I hope 8bitdo keeps making peripherals, because they bring actual features to the table, instead of just making the most expensive keyboard for the people who *have* to buy the "best" keyboard, but giving the customer zero value for the price
So happy you're doing this! It's on my wishlist and your seal of approval is all I need :)
Also, a big thank you to everything you've taught me since I caught the retro modding/emulation bug. I'm glad you're exploring things you want to cover!
Really great comprehensive review as usual. I love the look and concept of this keyboard, but the lack of a number pad is a deal breaker for me. I'm too used to having that easy access, but in practice, i guess i could adjust.
I want to have those super buttons to use as a foot switch for push-to-talk with my friends
I have the C64 8BitDo version and the additional matching keypad - best version in my opinion - the text on the keycaps is just perfect! much better than this review keyboard
Great review! I just ordered the C64 version that comes with super buttons and a joystick. Pretty excited!
If it reminds you of the Commodore 64 kb, then ur LOVE the c64 edition coming out in a couple weeks! (I alrdy preordered! And it comes with a joy stick too!!)
You probably had the best 'Explain like I'm five' explanation of switches and keycaps I've seen. I mean this as a compliment :)
Been looking for a wireless keyboard for awhile, I just ordered one. Unfortunately it’s $173 with shipping for me in Canada oof. But I think it’ll be worth it.
On macOS if you go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys, you can swap Command and Option. No need for 8bitdo software to remap. I use Windows-focused mechanical keyboards all the time because they tend to be cheaper than Mac-specific, and the muscle memory can remain.
There appear to be 3.5mm socket at the back. What are they for? Does that mean you can purchase additional super buttons and have 4 of them (8 buttons)....so that you can program them for street fighters?
Note about the caps: im not sure how they relate to doubleshot in terms of durability. I believe they are worse (again, not sure). Definitely worth thinking about / mentioning
I actually really like your reviews, but have little interest in actually getting a retro handheld. So I am all for branching out to other things like this!
The volume knob should have a cylindrical shape instead of the "selector switch" look. It's unintuitive and doesn't look good to me.
god so many people that know nothing about mechanical keyboards started doing reviews and its kinda lame, but thank god you took your time researching about it giving an actually good review and not a crappy unboxing from some crappy guy that know nothing
Speaking as someone who 'Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V's' a lot during the day I want one of these just for the comical buttons.
As a fan of your channel and of 8Bitdo products myself, it makes a lot of sense to be reviewing this keyboard. When I saw your video I had to immediately watch it and buy one for myself. As always, thanks for all your guides - I set up my Myioo Mini and my RP3+ using them - and all the work you do, Russ. All the best!
I really wish it didn’t say Retro Keyboard… otherwise I absolutely love that famicom one
Not bad. Don’t really like either theme. Would prefer a black keyboard with only red lights that’s BT/Wired.
Such a shame that this keyboard doesn't have the numpad. I really, really liked the aesthetic on this one, I'd buy one right away if they make a version that has the numpad.
You get used to not having the numpad pretty quick
@@AKAAndreas not if I need to use it for work lol
@@batmabel you know they sell dedicated numpads
Actually looks really nice! Not for me as I prefer a full keyboard, I use the numpad and macro keys frequently.
But if it was full size I’d seriously consider it. The Famicom one is beautiful.
Same. I don't know why small keyboards have started to become the mainstream instead of full keyboards. I can't imagine not having a numpad.
@@Speccyyysmall desks.
@@Speccyyy
Gaming.
@@SpeccyyyRSI, besides space, is a reason tkl became more popular. A full size keyboard and mouse often means bad ergonomics. If you use a trackball, then you can keep the fullsize, but trackball are really expensive and even the good ones have some pretty fatal flaws. I love trackballs, but it's a shame. I'm one of those people who treats my stuff nice, but my Elecom and my industrial monster, both busted the scroll wheel/button.
. It's not like you can't buy a separate ten key, if you really want this.
@@Speccyyy Because people that want a numpad can just buy a dedicated numpad whereas people that don't can't exactly just chop the numpads off their keyboards and call it a day
As someone who loves both the mech keyboard hobby and keeping up with the retro handheld scene, this was awesome to see. Well researched and executed as always, Russ!
I have tried roughly 30 different mechanical switches. I find kailh whites to be among the best. So good that I ended up getting a kailh box white keyboard for typing. I have to be entirely honest though and say that although it is a fantastic keyboard, I found that I like a bit more resistance which is why I gave my keyboard to my sister who has a gentler touch and finds it perfect. Planning on getting a kaihl box jade keyboard next which provides the same tactile feeling, but with a bit more resistance.
Agree with the odd typeface choice for the letter keys. Why did they do this?!! It honestly might be the deal breaker for me. 😢
The big keys are used as pedals, just put it below the desk
Absolutely hated this review. Least interesting video you have done.
I would say the 100 to 150 is the higher end of the budget mechanical keyboards. I'm rocking a Keychom K2 Pro and i'm loving it. Going from a cheap Red Dragon mechanical to this was worlds apart. So 100 for the 8bitdo looks like a very solid buy. I would love switch options as I want Linear switches m'self.
I want one of these keyboards, but the lack of any kind of backlight kills it for me. Even just a plain white would have been a day one buy.
If they had a version with numbpad and ISO layout I'd get one in a heartbeat
Or at the very least sell the numpad as a separate attachment.
I may have missed it, but in regards to connectivity, can it be quickly swapped? Like can I have it 2.4 ghz to my PC and bluetooth to my android and be able to quickly swap between inputs?
Yep, you just have to turn the dial to go between the two.
I for one appreciate they included the Limited Edition Divekick controller!
My first thought for the big buttons is to play Track & Field!
This was awesome. You nailed every aspect of what a keyboard enthusiast would want to know about a keyboard.
Keep it up!
I mean, he didn't even mention that its hot-swappable...that's a pretty important thing that a keyboard enthusiast would want to know.
I was actually thinking the opposite, that it's not the type of review a keyboard enthusiast would find very useful, but its great for someone who has likely heard of mechanical keyboards but knows very little about any specifics, yet would still be interested in owning one if they came across one they liked enough. He goes over the stuff this type of person would likely focus on during their first few days of ownership, while avoiding going into detail on things like stabilizers, filler, custimazation, etc. that an enthusiast would care more about.
@@realwiggles yeah. it's clear he kind of has no idea what he's talking about really. which is fine, not everybody needs to be a keyboard freak. but a review of this keyboard by an actual keyboard freak would look completely different
man this keyboard looks great. i love kaihl box whites, i have them on my gmmk pro after trying a ton of other switches.
love the giant A B buttons
8bitdo quickly becoming one of my most favorite companies
You definitely don’t know what your talking about when you say 100 bucks is expensive for a keyboard lol
Releasing this before the software was ready is kinda bad
I think the super buttons are foot pedals.
I didn’t even know they made keyboards
Is there anything similar with a numpad?
Looks really good... but for emulation it's a bit of a pity not to have numpad... some A500 games used the numpad for directional control (that was before wasd became a thing).
I bought the Fami version of this keyboard just because I really like the color scheme. I don't look at it as a Famicom-themed keyboard.
I love the way typing feels on this thing. The Kailh Box V2 White switches strike a wonderful balance between smooth typing and tactile feedback. And they're clicky but not obnoxiously so. These don't sound like Cherry MX Blue switches. They have a dull click versus the Cherry MX Blue's high-pitched click. I like typing on it so much that I've already decided that I don't want to use any other keyboard, and this is coming from someone who previously used a keyboard with the excellent Cherry MX Red switches.
If you're getting the Fami version of this keyboard and want a wrist rest for it, I recommend looking at the Golden Oak version of the Glorious tenkeyless wrist rest. It's a pretty good color match for the Fami keyboard.
n-key rollover is exactly why i have the keyboard that i do. i play descent and descent 2 with the keyboard so i need to press a bunch of keys at once. the only keyboard i've seen with n-key rollover is the das keyboard, which is what i have been using for about 10 years now. that alone makes me think they really designed this for gamers, as opposed to most "gaming keyboards"
with that in mind, the price is really good. people pay a lot more for keyboards that are a lot less functional, just because they look cool or have a certain brand name. the only deal-breaker for me is the lack of a numpad. i have to have a numpad.
I love this... but I gotta have a numpad. 😢
Do they have one with ISO layout available?
The thing about mechanical keyboards is... you should build your own. It's not that hard. Anything you can buy pre-made is... a fine choice for a newbie but far from perfect.
Love that you’re branching out from retro handhelds! Keep it up!
I personally think they went too beige on this keyboard. The original NES top shell was a very light grey, with minimal to no beige in it. This keyboards grey looks like an NES that has sat in the sun for a year or so and started to turn beige. I realize lighting has something to do with it, but you can find videos on youtube of it sitting next to an actual NES to see what I mean. It's few shades too beigey for me.. I know most wont notice or care. But it's deal breaker for me. Also the power light should have been a square gem type just like the NES.. and those ridges should have been legit, not a sticker... so many missed opportunities..
I think i'm like one of 30 people that finds the grey keys hard to read. the legends for the macro buttons might as well be blank. I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put black on grey. I also think it should have been back lit for readability.
The Kaihl White Box V2s are amongst the best clicky switches around, nothing like the cheaper clicky sounds of the Cherry MX Blues IMO
i need a numeric keypad too :/
This keyboard is very loud. It's taking me some time to get used to typing with such loud switches.
If you don't like obnoxiously clicky sound, than I would not recommend.
I would buy this in a heartbeat if it had a numeric keypad. Several of my PC games have numbered character item slots. Paired with the big buttons and I’d be set.
Did not know the keyboard came with a profile button. I didn't pick this up because I'm primarily a MacOS user. I have ended up getting a Logitech MX Mechanical Full size Wireless Mechanical keyboard with brown Switches. It's biggest selling point to me was the Logi+ software that automatically swaps the Alt and Windows/Command/Super key based on what OS it is installed on. I hope that the Keyboards Ultimate software comes to MacOS and offers a similar feature. The built-in profile switching is a good alternative for now.
The Logitech software is awesome.
There is a new c64 edition !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought one after using a "gamer" keyboard for years and getting fed up with it not being hotswappable, key wobble, and squeaky/sticky keys. So far I'm happy with it, the only thing is with the base switches it's harder to press the space key than I'm used to. I love the sound and look, and the attention to all of the retro nods is a really nice detail. I got the M edition (does someone know what console it's colorway is based on? I'm not suuuper familiar with old consoles) because I feel like the white and grey will go better with other keycap sets if I decide to switch them out. I don't have any use for the big buttons, but I know a lot of people would. I also got the separate numpad and a great little detail is that both the keyboard and numpad have magnets to attract them and keep them from sliding around. I'm used to having RGB to see the keys at night so that might be an adjustment but for the pricepoint, quality, and aesthetic I really can't complain. Thanks for the review :]
Def gonna get myself the Model M inspired version of this keyboard when i got the cash to spare. A bit sad they only offer these in north american ANSI layout, but adding american english to windows and swapping back to swedish for when i need to use Å Ä Ö is pretty simple with alt+shift, just gotta remember which keys do what lol. Wish you wouldn't have to though.
I hope that in the future they get enough demand from europe to start producing in various ISO layouts. Hell even just ANSI layout with different key legends would be fine, only a handful of keys that are different anyways.
The profile button SHOULD be really handy, but the way it works, at least for me is close to useless. It doesn't switch profiles, it either enables or disables whatever profile is active in the software. While that alone is a pain, it's a lot worse if you use the keyboard in BT or 2.4. The keyboard has to be plugged in for the software to see it.
I made 5 profiles for different programs I use. And when I figure out I have to find a cable to plug in, launch the software, and manually click to active the profile. The profile button is pointless to me, the amount of time it takes and having to plug it in defeats the purpose of what the key should be able to do. I hope this is something 8bitdo can and will fix in a firmware update.
The software borderline sucks, it technically works but there's so much it can't do that every other keyboard software I've used can. That said, the keyboard is beautiful and really nice to type on. But the software and lack of thought put into the profile button are both frustrating.
Just a thought; will we see dedicated game review/commentary videos in the future as you branch out more?I would love to see those if you make them.
Dude, more stuff like this. I trust your hh opinions so highly, seeing you dive into accessories and such would rule!
yes more reviews! please don't upscale to much though, I know a lot of reviewers like to ramp up the "quality" but I really enjoy this homey feel to your reviews. it's super chill, super detailed, and more personable
I really like the idea, quality seems good and the fact that they implemented also both C64 and old school IBM themes is great, they look fantastic... but while the base keyboard at $100 seems somewhat reasonable, having the Numeric Keypad add-on for an hefty 50 bucks is a big turn off for me, in terms of price and extra cables/connections management
I'm typing this comment on the C64 version of this. I like it a lot so far. You may have a point for using it for keyboard/mouse games, although I have used similar before with not much issue. Great video, thanks a lot!
Great review! This would have been an instant buy for me, except for the lack of a numeric keypad. Boo!
Got the Famicom edition, and it has replaced my old keyboard, even got a retro style coiled cable for more of the old school look
God damn im in love with this keyboard, wish it was 100% but i mean... I guess I don't use the keypad thaaat much anyway, although I love it being there, other than that this kb checks every single box for what I was looking for in a keyboard.
And the two big buttons, I thought they were silly at first but honestly, I can't wait to hook them to some Runescape inputs and have some nice lazy afk times with it. Maybe click and spacebar for easy banking, then all I have to do is move the mouse around sometimes, ohh I love it.
I have the N version, but that Commodore 64 version may have been my choice if it were available sooner. There's a new IBM Model M as well.
It's unfortunate there is no MacOS version of the software, but I was able to swap the keys in Windows and save the "Mac" profile to the keyboard, so I can toggle Mac mode on and off with the press of the 8bitdo heart button.
Good review, thanks.
For those people using a clicky keyboard in shared offices... PLEASE DON'T.
They're super-annoying for the people around you. Thanks.
Also, RGC is correct: high keyboards can wreak havoc with your wrists, RSI.
Just received mine, it's an absolute joy to type on. I had never tried these kind of switches before, and I really like the ones on the 8Bitdo. But the thing that a lot of keyboard manufacturers get wrong is the quality of the stabilizers. They are absolutely flawless here including the spacebar, so much that I stopped using my Keychron Q1 Max and now almost hate it for its rattly and clicky spacebar.
Very decent & courteous unboxing. Great to see a YT reviewer that respects the manufacturer’s documentation and extras.