To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System’s launch in North America, accessory manufacturer 8BitDo has announced the NES40 collection. The collection consists of updated versions of three of the company’s existing products: the Ultimate 2 wireless controller, the Retro 87 Keyboard N Edition, and the Retro Cube Speaker.
The new version of the controller, named the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller — N40, features primarily cosmetic updates. It has a black-and-gray design with bright red buttons and includes a charging dock styled to match the NES console’s aesthetics. The controller’s grips are printed with dates corresponding to significant product launches from both Nintendo and 8BitDo. The package will also contain four swappable joystick caps.
While its appearance is new, the controller’s core functionality remains identical to the original Ultimate 2 model. It retains the TMR joysticks, Hall-effect triggers, and a color-changing LED ring around the base of each joystick. The controller also includes reprogrammable bumper buttons and an extra pair of buttons on the back. It is compatible with the Nintendo Switch, the upcoming Switch 2, and Windows devices.
The Ultimate 2 N40 controller is available for preorder for $79.99. Each unit comes with 8BitDo’s Retro Receiver, which allows for a wireless connection to an original NES console, and a 2.4 GHz adapter for a faster wireless connection during gaming. The controller is scheduled for release on November 15th, 2025, with production limited to 1,985 units.
The collection also introduces the 8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard N40, which features significant hardware upgrades compared to its predecessor. This model has a more compact 68-key layout, differing from the 87 keys of 8BitDo’s first mechanical keyboard. The keyboard’s shell, keycaps, and buttons are all constructed from aluminum alloy. 8BitDo has also replaced the original’s Kailh Box White V2 switches with its own linear Box Ice Cream Pro Max switches.
Further hardware enhancements on the Retro 68 keyboard include a larger 6,500 mAh battery, which increases usage time to approximately 300 hours between charges. The keyboard comes with the oversized, programmable Super Buttons accessories, which now connect wirelessly to the keyboard instead of being tethered by a 3.5 mm cable.
The Retro 68 N40 keyboard weighs 2,200 grams, more than double the weight of the original model. Its price is set at $499.99, a notable increase from the Retro 87’s debut price of $99.99 in 2023. Preorders for the Retro 68 N40 are open now, with shipping expected to begin in January 2026.
The final item in the collection is the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Speaker N Edition. Its appearance is nearly identical to the original Retro Cube Speaker, which has been NES-themed since its launch in 2016. However, the new version incorporates several internal upgrades.
The Retro Cube 2 Speaker N Edition features dual stereo speakers with distinct music and gaming modes, and it includes a built-in microphone. The battery capacity has been increased to 2,000 mAh, providing up to 30 hours of playtime on a full charge. For connectivity, it offers a 2.4 GHz option via a bundled dongle in addition to Bluetooth.
The speaker’s charging port has been updated from Micro USB to USB-C. Additionally, it can be charged wirelessly by placing it on an included dock. The Retro Cube 2 speaker is available for preorder for $49.99 and is scheduled for release on December 8th, 2025.
