-
Entertainment
The NES40 lineup features fresh iterations of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller, a nostalgia-inspired keyboard, and a wireless speaker.
The NES40 lineup features fresh iterations of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller, a nostalgia-inspired keyboard, and a wireless speaker.
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s debut in North America, and to commemorate this milestone, 8BitDo is launching a new NES40 collection. This set showcases modern updates to three of 8BitDo’s prior products, notably the Ultimate 2 wireless controller, Retro 87 Keyboard N Edition, and Retro Cube Speaker.
The enhancements to the N40 variant of 8BitDo’s Ultimate 2 controller are primarily aesthetic, presenting a black-and-gray color scheme accentuated by vibrant red buttons and a charging dock that complements the NES console’s design. It will also feature four interchangeable joystick caps, with grips displaying dates corresponding to significant Nintendo and 8BitDo product launches.
The functionality remains unchanged from the original Ultimate 2 model, including TMR joysticks, Hall effect triggers, a ring of LEDs that change color around each joystick’s base, reprogrammable bumper buttons, an additional set of buttons on the back, and compatibility across Switch, Switch 2, and Windows devices. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller – N40 is available for preorder today at $79.99, accompanied by 8BitDo’s Retro Receiver for wireless connection to an original NES, alongside a 2.4GHz adapter for a more rapid wireless gaming experience. It is set to launch on November 15th, 2025, with a limited run of just 1,985 units.
Turn to the new 8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard N40 for notable shifts in design. Despite being a more compact model with a 68-key layout versus the previous 87-key design, the N40 version retains a familiar look, though it features crucial hardware advancements. The entire construction, from the shell to keycaps and buttons, utilizes aluminum alloy, and 8BitDo has transitioned from Kailh’s clicky Box White V2 switches to linear Box Ice Cream Pro Max switches. The Retro 68 additionally showcases a more substantial 6,500mAh battery extending usage up to 300 hours between charges, along with the original’s large programmable Super Buttons now connecting wirelessly rather than via a 3.5mm cable.
The Retro 68 N40 keyboard weighs over double that of the initial version, coming in at a hefty 2,200 grams, and is considerably pricier. The Retro 87 model launched at $99.99 in 2023, but preorders for the new Retro 68 begin today at $499.99, with shipments expected in January 2026.
The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Speaker N Edition appears nearly indistinguishable from the NES-themed Retro Cube Speaker that debuted in 2016. But the latest iteration adds dual stereo speakers with dedicated music and gaming modes, a built-in microphone, a larger 2,000mAh battery allowing for up to 30 hours of playtime on a full charge, and a 2.4GHz connection option via a bundled dongle instead of Bluetooth. Its USB port has upgraded from Micro USB to USB-C, and charging is simplified with a new wireless dock included.
While the original was priced at $35 upon release nearly a decade back, the new Retro Cube 2 speaker can be preordered for $49.99, with a launch anticipated on December 8th, 2025.
