8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that’s an ode to the OG Xbox, and it’s stunning

8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning

What you need to know

  • 8BitDo are launching a keyboard and mouse themed around the original 2004 transparent green Xbox.
  • The keyboard will be $119.99 and the mouse $59.99.
  • Both can be preordered now for launch on 16 January, 2025.

As a seasoned gamer with fond memories of the original Xbox, I must say that 8BitDo has truly struck a chord with me. The announcement of their Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse themed around the iconic transparent green Xbox is nothing short of exhilarating.


8Bitdo, masters in vintage gaming equipment revivals, have unveiled a stunning announcement that’s halted our Black Friday specials focus – fans of the original Xbox with its iconic green crystal transparent design are about to be enthralled! The 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard Xbox Edition, officially licensed by Xbox and priced at $119.99, and the 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse for $59.99, will soon be available for pre-order, with shipping set for January 16, 2025.

Everything we know about the 8Bitdo Xbox range

8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning

8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning
8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning

First off, it’s important to mention that the description for this Xbox keyboard clearly states it is not designed to work with Xbox consoles. But considering Xbox’s current approach of labeling everything as an Xbox, you might be able to argue otherwise. What the keyboard does offer is an integrated Xbox home button similar to your controller’s, which triggers the Xbox Game Bar. The design takes inspiration from the original Xbox’s transparent green version and comes with RGB lighting, Kailh Jellyfish X switches, a hot-swappable PCB, and arrow keys that mimic the classic OG ABXY colors, making it visually stunning.

8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning
8BitDo just announced an Xbox keyboard and mouse that's an ode to the OG Xbox, and it's stunning

The matching 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse is $69.99 and while it’s listed on Amazon it’s not currently available there for preorder like the keyboard, though we expect that to change soon. If you can’t wait, you can preorder directly through 8Bitdo.

The mouse features three connection modes: Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and wired USB-C, and it comes with a charging dock. According to the specs, you’ll get up to 100 hours of battery life using Bluetooth, and anywhere from 25 to 105 hours on 2.4GHz, depending on the selected polling rate. It’s equipped with Kailh Sword GM X micro switches, engineered to withstand up to 100 million clicks. Most importantly, it looks badass.

When PlayStation announced its 30th-anniversary version of the PS5 Pro console, I tweeted that Xbox needed to respond with a rendition of its OG console. While we’ll likely be waiting a while for anything that exciting, I’ll happily settle for this in the meantime.

When is Black Friday?

The traditional date for Black Friday is November 29, 2024, but it seems like the sale event begins earlier each year. Retailers are becoming increasingly competitive in terms of when they start offering discounts to attract customers before the main event, so you might find early Black Friday deals from as early as October. Given that Black Friday can be overwhelming and may run out of stock, it’s often wise to grab those early sales ahead of time.

When is Cyber Monday?

This coming year, Cyber Monday will take place on December 2, 2024. Initially conceived as a separate online event following Black Friday, it’s now quite common for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to overlap as more retailers move their businesses online. If you don’t manage to grab deals during Black Friday, there’s a possibility of finding them on Cyber Monday instead. However, the best strategy is to get ahead by completing your holiday shopping well beforehand.

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2024-11-28 21:08