By 
Precisely 40 years ago today, the Nintendo Entertainment System arrived in retail outlets in New York City. The October 18, 1985 debut of the NES in the US rejuvenated home console gaming in North America. To honor the console’s significant contribution to gaming history, 8BitDo is introducing a new series of NES-themed products over the forthcoming months. The NES40 Collection includes three items: a limited-edition Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle, a compact wireless gaming speaker, and an ultra-premium 68-key mechanical keyboard crafted from aluminum alloy.
Preorders for the NES40 Collection commence today. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle is restricted to 1,985 pieces, and the N40 Edition wireless keyboard is also a limited item. The new Retro Cube 2 Speaker is becoming part of 8BitDo’s regular roster as the manufacturer’s first wireless speaker in ten years.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller – N40 Edition Bundle
$80 | Limited to 1,985 pieces | Launches November 15
The N40 Edition of the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller retails for $80, which is merely $10 above the MSRP of the regular white, black, and yellow variants. Given that the bundle includes several remarkable bonuses, the N40 Edition is genuinely a steal. You’ll receive an exclusive transparent black 8BitDo Retro Receiver for authentic NES systems. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth and other 8BitDo Bluetooth controllers can connect wirelessly to original hardware using the adapter. A solid black variant of the Retro Receiver, for context, has a $25 MSRP. The bundle further includes a travel case, which 8BitDo typically sells separately for $20. Inside the package, you’ll find four customized joystick caps, with a pair emblazoned with “NES” and “40,” plus an 8BitBot keychain.
Although themed around the Nintendo Entertainment System with its red face buttons, various shades of gray, and a specially designed dock that mirrors the console’s aesthetic, the N40 celebrates 40 years of Nintendo hardware innovation. The handles are inscribed with the dates of Nintendo’s home console and portable device launches globally. The sole exception is the June 15, 2025 date on the right handle, representing when 8BitDo established the N40. The NES launch date is boldly marked in red, while the remaining dates appear in black. Most of the dates correspond to console launches in North America or worldwide releases, but a few are associated with hardware launches in Europe and Japan. From top to bottom on each side, here’s what each date signifies:
Left handle: Wii U (NA), NES (NA), Nintendo 64 (NA), Nintendo Switch (WW), Switch OLED (WW), SNES (NA), Wii (NA), GameCube (NA).
Right handle:
Game Boy (NA), Virtual Boy (NA), Switch Lite (WW), 3DS (EU), DS (NA), Game Boy Color (JP), Game Boy Advance (NA).
Gallery
Apart from the supplemental accessories, the N40 remains the same premier controller that 8BitDo introduced earlier this year. The Ultimate 2 accommodates 2.4GHz Wireless links on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. Additionally, it possesses Bluetooth compatibility for both Switch 1/2, Android, Apple, and SteamOS. It operates for up to 25 hours on a complete charge and features a 1,000MHz polling rate. It’s equipped with top-notch TMR electromagnetic joysticks, two remappable back buttons, and an additional set of claw shoulder buttons. Moreover, it provides two trigger modes: Hall Effect linear and non-linear microswitch buttons (rapid-fire option). Other specifications include 6-axis motion controls, two rumble motors, a Turbo button, and RGB lighting rings. Customization options can be done using 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software 2, and you can preserve up to three personal profiles that can be switched through instantly.
Check out our dedicated article on the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth for further insights. In summary: It’s the finest pro-style controller available at this price point for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC.
8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Speaker – N Edition
$50 | Launches December 12
The Retro Cube 2 is a dual stereo speaker with a nostalgic gaming aesthetic. Measuring roughly 3.5 inches on each side and weighing merely a pound, the Retro Cube 2 is a compact, lightweight speaker that comes at an economical price point along with some appealing features.
The crimson speakers resemble the Super Buttons on 8BitDo’s collection of mechanical keyboards, which includes the new limited-edition Retro 68 and the original 87-key N Edition from the manufacturer.
The Retro Cube 2 connects to your devices using Bluetooth, 2.4GHz Wireless, or USB-wired. It offers two audio modes: one tailored for gaming and another for music, along with an incorporated microphone. The NES-style D-pad serves more than just an aesthetic purpose; the
The D-pad manages the volume, play/pause, and is utilized to synchronize your devices.
It includes a wireless charging dock that also accommodates the USB-C cable. Similar to the charging dock found on the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth and Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad, this dock features an integrated wireless extender for 2.4GHz audio.
The Retro Cube 2 is equipped with a 2,000mAh rechargeable battery that offers up to 30 hours of playtime on a complete charge. The charging duration is between 3-5 hours; however, if you keep it on the dock, you’ll find it difficult to deplete the battery.
8BitDo Retro 68 Wireless Keyboard – N40 Edition
$500 | Launches January 2026 in highly restricted quantities
The N40 Edition 8BitDo keyboard represents the first 68-key model from the maker. Typically, keyboards with 68 keys are referred to as 65% keyboards. Up until now, 8BitDo’s mechanical keyboards have consisted of tenkeyless 87-key variants and full-size 108-key models.
In contrast to the majority of 8BitDo items, the Retro 68 is costly. Priced at $500, it is undeniably the most expensive item in 8BitDo’s lineup. For context, 8BitDo wireless keyboards generally retail for about $100. So, what justifies the high price of the N40 Edition? Each part is constructed from aluminum alloy, encompassing the frame, keycaps, and the initial pair of wireless Super Buttons. The expansive microswitch buttons can be reprogrammed on-the-fly without the need for 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software V2.
The specially designed gasket-mounted N40 Edition incorporates Kailh Box Ice Cream Pro Max Linear Switches with six customized dampeners and RGB backlighting. As with other 8BitDo keyboards, the N40 Edition features a hot-swappable PCB — although it seems unlikely that one would desire to replace the aluminum alloy components.
The Retro 68 is compatible with Bluetooth LE, 2.4GHz Wireless, and wired connections on Windows and Android. It can operate for as long as 300 hours on a complete charge. Additionally, the limited-edition package includes a protective pouch and a certificate of authenticity.
The Retro 68 pairs excellently with 8BitDo’s NES-themed mouse. The first batch of preorders for the keyboard also contains the Retro R8 Wireless Mouse, which debuted earlier this year for $50.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 & Keyboard Offers
If you appreciate the appearance of the N40 Edition but prefer not to spend $500, the positive news is that the 8BitDo N Edition TKL Mechanical Keyboard is available for just $90 on Amazon. The full-size version is currently $108.
- Retro R8 Wireless Mouse – N Edition — $45 (
$50) - 8BitDo N Edition TKL Keyboard — $90 ($
100) - 8BitDo N Edition Full-Size Keyboard — $108 (
$120) with discount
It’s also significant to highlight that Amazon has some attractive offers on standard edition variants of the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller. You can acquire the white Ultimate 2 Bluetooth for $60 (was $70), while the black and yellow models are priced at $63 each.
In case you don’t require Nintendo Switch 1/2 compatibility, the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 2.4GHz variant for PC and mobile has undergone even greater markdowns. The white option costs just $47.54 (previously $60), the purple variant is $49.19, and the black one is priced at $50.39. Additionally, you can enjoy a 20% discount on the Wuchang: Fallen Feathers Edition. On October 23, 8BitDo will unveil an appealing edition of the Ultimate 2 inspired by Honkai: Star Rail.
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller (Switch 2, Switch, PC, Mobile)
- White — $60 (
$70) - Black — $63 (
$70) with coupon - Yellow — $63 (
$70) with coupon - N40 Bundle — $80 | November 15
- White — $60 (
- 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller (PC, Mobile)
- Purple — $49.19 (
$60) - White — $47.54 (
$60) - Black — $50.39 (
$60) - Green — $54 (
$60) - Wuchang: Fallen Feathers — $52 (
$65) - Honkai: Star Rail — $70 | October 23
- Purple — $49.19 (
Interestingly, the Ultimate 2 N40 isn’t the initial 40th anniversary controller 8BitDo has crafted this year. Back in August, 8BitDo collaborated with Xbox to unveil the Rare 40th Anniversary Edition Ultimate 3-Mode Controller. The stunning Royal blue controller comes with a matching charging dock and stands as 8BitDo’s inaugural wireless gamepad for Xbox. The Rare 40th Anniversary Edition is presently available at a discounted rate for the first time on Amazon.
Subscribe to GameSpot’s Weekly Deals Newsletter:
Have a news tip or wish to reach out directly? Email news@gamespot.com