8BitDo's latest mechanical keyboard is based on a 1980s computer design with one of the most iconic keyboards of all time: the Commodore 64. 8BitDo's Commodore 64 edition of its Retro Mechanical Keyboard series is available for Preorders starting today for $109.99, with plans. to send it on May 26.
Beneath its beautiful, thick brown keys (ABS plastic with double-shot legends) and Commodore-style rainbow logo, this is basically the same peripheral as 8BitDo's previous NES keyboard. It comes with clicky Kailh Box White V2 switches as standard, but they're hot-swappable if you want to swap them for something a little less noisy in the future. It can connect to devices via a USB option, Bluetooth or with a 2.4 GHz USB dongle; and there is also a volume dial built into the top left of the keyboard.
Returning from the NES keyboard are the programmable “Super Buttons,” which still resemble the A and B buttons on the Nintendo Entertainment System controller. This time, they are joined by a small joystick called the “Super Stick.” If the construction of this keyboard is the same as the previous one, expect both accessories to be wired and connected to the top of the keyboard using 3.5mm connectors. The entire keyboard uses a tenkeyless form factor that omits the numeric keypad but otherwise maintains a relatively traditional layout and there's no RGB lighting to speak of.
Interestingly, while the original Commodore 64 has that chunky look you'd normally associate with noisy mechanical keyboards, it was actually equipped with Mitsumi hybrid switches, which are a cross between a rubber dome and a mechanical switch. retro keyboard YouTuber Chyrosran22 reviewed the Commodore 64C (a variant of the Commodore 64 with a lighter color scheme), if you want a closer look at the interior of the original.
