What You Need to Know
8BitDo, known for their nostalgic gaming gear recreations, is bringing back a blast from the past with a new keyboard and mouse inspired by the original 2004 transparent green Xbox design. Priced at $119.99 for the keyboard and $59.99 for the mouse, these items are set to launch on January 16, 2025, and are available for preorder right now. This announcement has grabbed significant attention, making waves amidst our Black Friday deals coverage, as it appeals to fans of the iconic Xbox model.
Fans will soon be able to get their hands on the 8BitDo Retro 87 Mechanical Keyboard Xbox Edition, fully licensed by Xbox and priced at $119.99. Alongside it, the 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse is available for $59.99. You can secure your preorders today with shipping slated for early next year.
Everything We Know About the 8BitDo Xbox Range
Let’s be clear, the listing states that this Xbox-themed keyboard isn’t compatible with Xbox consoles directly. Yet, with Xbox’s recent philosophy where almost everything is an Xbox, one might ponder differently. Featuring a dedicated Xbox home button akin to your controller, this button triggers the Xbox Game Bar. Designed with the allure of the transparent green Xbox, it showcases RGB lighting, Kailh Jellyfish X switches, a hot-swappable PCB, and arrow keys adorned in the traditional ABXY color scheme. It’s a sight to behold.
As for the 8BitDo Retro R8 Mouse, priced at $69.99, it’s available for preorder through 8BitDo’s own platform as Amazon prep may take some time. The mouse offers three versatile connection modes—Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and USB-C wired, paired with a convenient charging dock. Expect up to 100 hours of use over Bluetooth and between 25 to 105 hours on 2.4GHz, contingent on your selected polling rate. It’s equipped with Kailh Sword GM X micro switches, enduring up to 100 million clicks. Simply put, it looks fantastic.
Recalling how PlayStation unveiled a 30th anniversary PS5 Pro, I previously tweeted that Xbox needed to counter with a throwback to its original console. While such a reveal might be far off, this new release serves as a satisfactory delight in the interim.
🔥 The Hottest Black Friday Deals 🔥
- Best Buy: Huge discounts on video games, tech accessories, and more.
- Walmart: Early savings across an array of categories.
- Target: Live deals spanning a variety of products.
- Dell: Exciting deals on laptops, gaming PCs, and accessories.
- HP: Big savings on laptops, desktops, and various accessories.
- Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on Lenovo PCs, monitors, etc.
- Newegg: Discounts on gaming accessories and components.
- Razer: Limited-time offer on free shipping.
- Samsung: Active holiday deals on TVs, phones, laptops, and more.
- Amazon: Nonstop rotating sales on a vast array of items.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday falls on November 29, 2024, but don’t be surprised if the deals kick off way before then. Retailers increasingly launch early sales in hopes of roping in consumers ahead of the big day. So, it’s wise to keep an eye out and potentially snag great deals as early as October to avoid the Black Friday rush and stock shortages.
When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday arrives on December 2, 2024. In the past, this event was simply the online counterpart to Black Friday, but as retailers have largely moved online, the two events often meld into one extended discount bonanza. If a deal slips through your fingers on Black Friday, Cyber Monday might offer a second chance. However, starting your holiday shopping weeks earlier could save you both time and stress.
