To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s North American launch, accessories manufacturer 8BitDo has announced its NES40 collection, featuring updated versions of its wireless controller, mechanical keyboard, and a portable speaker.
The collection’s Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller — N40 edition receives primarily cosmetic updates. It features a black-and-gray, NES-inspired design with bright red buttons and a matching charging dock. Its grips are printed with dates of notable Nintendo and 8BitDo product launches, and it includes four swappable joystick caps. The controller’s core functionality is unchanged, retaining its TMR joysticks, Hall-effect triggers, and reprogrammable bumper buttons. Each joystick base is encircled by a color-changing LED ring, and an extra pair of buttons is on its back. Compatibility is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch, the announced Switch 2, and Windows devices.
Preorders for the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller — N40 begin today, priced at $79.99. The package includes 8BitDo’s Retro Receiver for wirelessly connecting to an original NES and a 2.4 GHz adapter for faster wireless gaming. Its release is set for November 15, 2025. Production will be limited to 1,985 units, a number referencing the year of the NES’s North American debut.
The new 8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard N40, unlike the controller, is defined by its substantial hardware upgrades. It is more compact than 8BitDo’s first mechanical keyboard, featuring a 68-key layout instead of the previous 87-key configuration. The entire keyboard, including its shell, keycaps, and buttons, is constructed from aluminum alloy. This marks a material shift for the product, though the overall look is similar to its predecessor.
Inside, 8BitDo replaced the original’s clicky Kailh Box White V2 switches with its linear Box Ice Cream Pro Max switches. A much larger 6,500 mAh battery increases usage time to 300 hours between charges. The keyboard also includes the oversized, programmable Super Buttons accessories, which now connect wirelessly, an update from the previous version tethered by a 3.5 mm cable.
The keyboard’s aluminum construction and larger battery result in a weight of 2,200 grams, more than twice as heavy as the original. It is priced at $499.99, compared to the Retro 87 keyboard’s $99.99 debut price in 2023. The Retro 68 N40 is available for preorder today, with shipping estimated for January 2026.
The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Speaker N Edition is visually similar to the original Retro Cube Speaker from 2016 but contains numerous internal upgrades. The new version features dual stereo speakers, distinct music and gaming audio modes, and a built-in microphone. Its battery capacity is increased to 2,000 mAh, providing up to 30 hours of playtime. Connectivity now includes a 2.4 GHz option via a bundled dongle, alongside Bluetooth. The charging port is upgraded to USB-C, and the speaker comes with a wireless charging dock.
The original Retro Cube Speaker was launched for $35 nearly a decade ago. The updated Retro Cube 2 Speaker is available for preorder today at a price of $49.99. It is scheduled for release on December 8, 2025.
