{"id":32362,"date":"2026-08-15T02:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/console-classics.com\/?p=32362"},"modified":"2026-08-15T02:45:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T23:45:04","slug":"8bitdos-retro-87-keyboard-the-n64-inspired-gem-for-millennial-gamers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/console-classics.com\/ru\/retrogaming\/8bitdos-retro-87-keyboard-the-n64-inspired-gem-for-millennial-gamers\/","title":{"rendered":"8BitDo\u2019s Retro 87 Keyboard: The N64-Inspired Gem for Millennial Gamers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Relive the glory days with this N64-inspired keyboard\u20148BitDo\u2019s Retro 87 blends nostalgia and modern features for every millennial keyboard aficionado.<\/em><\/p>\n

Translucent Nostalgia: The Clear Blue Comeback<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s something magical about translucent plastic. If you grew up in the late \u201890s, the sight of a see-through N64 or its matching controller probably triggers a whole flood of memories\u2014\u041c\u0430\u0440\u0438\u043e \u041a\u0430\u0440\u0442<\/a> marathons, that weirdly shaped controller, and the ice blue \u201cFuntastic\u201d edition that looked like it had arrived straight from an arctic future. Even after all these years, that transparent blue aesthetic still feels fresh, not gimmicky.<\/p>\n

\n 8BitDo Retro 87 Keyboard Clear Blue N64 30th Anniversary
8BitDo Retro 87 Keyboard Clear Blue N64 30th Anniversary<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

8BitDo\u2019s Retro 87 Keyboard in Clear Blue is more than just a nod to those days. It\u2019s a direct homage, launched to celebrate the Nintendo 64\u2019s 30th anniversary, and it borrows that iconic ice blue right down to its core. The attention to detail is impressive: not only is the case translucent blue, but the keycaps themselves echo the original N64\u2019s palette\u2014yellow arrow keys channel the C-buttons, blue and green A\/B keys, and a red left Ctrl for the unmistakable Start button. Anyone who spent time clutching that controller will decode the color scheme in a heartbeat.<\/p>\n

Engineering Meets Memory Lane: The Details Beneath the Shell<\/h2>\n

Let\u2019s dive under the hood\u2014because in a translucent case, you can\u2019t help but peek.<\/p>\n

\n Keyboard internals and color details
Keyboard internals and color details<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This Clear Blue edition is built on 8BitDo\u2019s own Cloud Gray Linear mechanical switches, co-developed with HUANO. I\u2019ll admit, I assumed these would just be a re-skin of their other switches, but they\u2019re actually unique to this model\u2014not the Kailh Box Whites from their Fami or N keyboards. The keycaps are a thoughtful mix too: dye-sublimation PBT and ABS+PC double-shot, topped with a matte UV coating. That means the colors pop, the legends last, and fingerprints or glossiness aren\u2019t a problem\u2014a smart move for a shell that begs to be shown off.<\/p>\n

\n Top view of the keyboard
Top view of the keyboard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n Side angle showing keyboard depth
Side angle showing keyboard depth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s a hot-swappable PCB set up in a top mount configuration\u2014a choice that\u2019s more than cosmetic. This design usually delivers a softer, slightly bouncier typing experience, something I\u2019ve come to appreciate after years of clacky, stiff boards. Sometimes, though, that softness can border on too squishy if you prefer a more tactile response, but here it feels just about right.<\/p>\n

Lightshow and Longevity: The Modern Touches<\/h2>\n

Here\u2019s where old school meets new tech.<\/p>\n

\n Keyboard backlighting shines through translucent shell
Keyboard backlighting shines through translucent shell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n Wireless and wired connectivity options
Wireless and wired connectivity options<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The board features per-key RGB backlighting that turns the translucent shell into a glowing tribute after dark. The light show is lively, though I did find myself occasionally distracted by the sheer amount of glow\u2014sometimes you want to game, not host a rave. Still, it\u2019s hard to argue with how good those colors look through the case. N-key rollover is here too, so even the fastest typists (or the sloppiest combo-button mashers) won\u2019t drop a keystroke.<\/p>\n

Battery life is nothing to sneeze at either: 200 hours on a 2,000 mAh battery in 2.4 GHz wireless mode. That\u2019s not a typo. I was skeptical at first\u2014so many boards promise huge numbers, only to fall short\u2014but this one holds up under regular use. The 2.4 GHz adapter is included in the box, which feels like a small but meaningful win.<\/p>\n

Connectivity Without Compromise<\/h2>\n

Consistency is key when swapping between setups.<\/p>\n

\n Keyboard with Super Buttons attached
Keyboard with Super Buttons attached<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n Layout and navigation cluster
Layout and navigation cluster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Retro 87 supports Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB wired modes, so switching from a desktop to a laptop (or even a tablet) is seamless. No drama, no headaches. There are even two programmable Super Buttons, finished in matching Clear Blue, which attach outside the typing area. Using 8BitDo\u2019s Ultimate Software V2, you can remap them for macros, media controls, or even in-game commands. I do wish the software interface was a bit less fussy\u2014sometimes mapping felt more convoluted than it needed to be, but the potential is huge once you get the hang of it.<\/p>\n

A Layout That Doesn\u2019t Pick Sides<\/h2>\n

A keyboard shouldn\u2019t force you to choose between gaming or work.<\/p>\n

\n Tenkeyless layout with navigation keys
Tenkeyless layout with navigation keys<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n Detail shot of navigation cluster
Detail shot of navigation cluster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The 87-key tenkeyless layout ditches the number pad but keeps the navigation cluster\u2014a practical move for most setups. It\u2019s compact enough to share space with a mouse or gamepad<\/a>, but still functional for productivity. At first, I missed the numpad for spreadsheets, but after a week, the tradeoff felt worth it for the extra desk space and cleaner look. The layout doesn\u2019t lean too hard into being \u201cjust\u201d a gaming keyboard or \u201cjust\u201d an office tool; it lives comfortably in both worlds, which is fitting for a piece of hardware that straddles decades.<\/p>\n

No Apologies: Wearing Nostalgia Proudly<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a bold honesty to this approach.<\/p>\n

\n View showing internal components through the shell
View showing internal components through the shell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This isn\u2019t a keyboard trying to blend in. The Clear Blue colorway is an explicit tribute, not a coy wink, to the era of see-through consoles and wild colorways. You can see the PCB and all the internal bits right through the shell, echoing the same design logic as those \u201890s consoles: if the insides look cool, why hide them? At first, I worried this might come off as too much\u2014too self-aware, maybe even a little costume-y. But as the days went on, it just felt right. This is a keyboard for people who want their nostalgia on display.<\/p>\n

\u0417\u0430\u043a\u043b\u044e\u0447\u0435\u043d\u0438\u0435<\/h2>\n

The 8BitDo Retro 87 Keyboard in Clear Blue isn\u2019t for everyone\u2014and that\u2019s what makes it so great. It\u2019s a piece of functional fan service, a rare example of nostalgia executed with both reverence and practicality. It nails the \u201cFuntastic\u201d feeling without sacrificing modern performance. Sure, the lighting can be a bit much, and the software takes some getting used to, but those are small prices to pay for a slice of gaming history that actually works in a contemporary setup. If you grew up with the N64<\/a>, this is one keyboard that doesn\u2019t just look back\u2014it invites you to bring those memories forward, every time you sit down to type.<\/p>\n

\u0427\u0410\u0421\u0422\u041e \u0417\u0410\u0414\u0410\u0412\u0410\u0415\u041c\u042b\u0415 \u0412\u041e\u041f\u0420\u041e\u0421\u042b<\/h2>\n