8BitDo Expands Retro Gaming Peripheral Lineup with Transparent Green Keyboard and Mouse
8BitDo, renowned for its retro gaming-themed accessories, has unveiled two new additions to its lineup. Drawing inspiration from the transparent green aesthetic of the original Microsoft Xbox console, the company has introduced the Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard and its first-ever gaming mouse, the Retro R8 Mouse.
Both devices feature transparent green enclosures accented by the iconic red, yellow, blue, and green hues traditionally associated with ABXY buttons. The Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard is priced at $199.99, while the Retro R8 Mouse is listed at $59.99. Both products are available for pre-order on Amazon, though the initial batch of the mouse appears to have already sold out.
Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard
The refreshed Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard adopts a transparent green casing, with matching keycaps and additional macro buttons, staying true to its nostalgic design. It is equipped with Kailh Jellyfish X switches, selected for their transparency to complement the aesthetic. For the first time in the series, the keyboard offers per-key RGB backlighting with eight customizable RGB modes, adding a modern touch to the retro-inspired device.
The Retro 87 also retains its distinctive mode selector knob and volume knob, situated in the top-left corner. Users can fully customize keymaps, macros, profiles, and lighting through 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2, which is compatible exclusively with Windows. This level of customization allows the keyboard to cater to both gamers and productivity-focused users.
Retro R8 Mouse
Marking 8BitDo’s entry into the gaming mouse category, the Retro R8 Mouse shares the same transparent green aesthetic as the keyboard. Designed as an ambidextrous gaming mouse, it features eight programmable buttons, a USB-C port, and both 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth LE connectivity. The mouse can achieve a maximum DPI of 26,000, making it suitable for competitive gaming scenarios.
At 77 grams, the Retro R8 is lightweight for a wireless mouse, ensuring comfort during extended use. It comes with a matching charging dock that doubles as a signal extender. According to 8BitDo, the mouse can be fully charged in 2.5 hours and provides between 26 to 105 hours of battery life, depending on the polling rate and connectivity mode.
Technical Specifications
The Retro R8 Mouse is powered by the PAW 3395 optical sensor, known for its precision and responsiveness. The Kailh Sword GM X Micro switches inside the mouse offer a tactile experience with an actuation force of 60 gf and a release force of 25 gf. Rated for 100 million clicks, these switches ensure durability.
For performance optimization, the mouse supports a polling rate of 8 kHz in wired mode, 4 kHz in 2.4 GHz mode, and 125 Hz in Bluetooth mode. A USB Type-A receiver is included for 2.4 GHz connectivity and can be conveniently stored in the base of the mouse.
Enhanced Gaming and Productivity
8BitDo’s latest offerings blend retro-inspired design with modern functionality, appealing to gamers and enthusiasts alike. The combination of customizable lighting, versatile connectivity options, and responsive hardware positions these peripherals as strong additions to the company’s portfolio. The products cater to fans of vintage aesthetics while offering the performance and features expected in contemporary peripherals.
Both devices are set to ship later this year, and interest from retro gaming enthusiasts has already sparked high demand, evidenced by the swift sell-out of the initial mouse pre-orders.
