Unboxing an 8BitDo C64 keyboard!

Get it here: www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechanic...
Today we unbox another 8BitDo keyboard, this time a Commodore 64 inspired one! Not gonna lie, this one is also pretty damn gorgeous. Hope you enjoy the video! :)
Intro by Kyle Carter
Outro by Facundo Cabanne
My keyboard reviews: bit.ly/1TbOtft
My switch teardowns: bit.ly/2C1QGHz
My TOP X videos: bit.ly/2FmpZfd
My XL typing demos: bit.ly/2OoAW3w
My tutorials and featurettes: bit.ly/2OrkLUh
My unboxing videos: bit.ly/2TSrr0m
I'm Thomas and I do videos and reviews on mechanical keyboards ranging from the most sickening modern RGB gaming keyboards to vintage hardware relics, or sometimes keycaps or keyswitches ranging from Cherry MX to Alps SKCM to IBM buckling springs and anything in between.
Follow me on Twitter for updates on my keyboard videos! / chyrosran22

[@thunderbolt10031]

That macro pad it comes with uses a 3.5mm audio plug simply because it's cheap and effective. That pad only needs 3 wires to function, a common ground and the signal from the two switches. Doesn't make sense to put a USB port or something on it, when the switches themselves are analog. May as well use an analog connector and let the controller within the keyboard handle the rest.

[@Aeduo]

Yeah they seem to just be extra keys matrixed in with the rest.

[@NoizeeFreed]

Idk if they did it on purpose but the xbox adaptive controller for disabled people also uses 3.5mm jacks for their buttons, making the 8bitdo supper buttons compatible with it.

[@robotwo]

​@@NoizeeFreed 3.5mm is actually the industry standard for adaptive switches. Other than the Xbox adaptive controller and the Playstation access controller it's also used for most power wheelchairs and the Hitch series computer interfaces.

[@eightsprites]

Easy to hack together your own switches.

[@kevadu]

Watching Chyrosran22 being absolutely befuddled by a joystick is certainly amusing.

[@IceAger]

Something about clicky switches in a thick plastic case makes it such an appealing board. I may not have been born in the era, but the C 64 theme is incredible and is so delicious looking.

[@anthonyt219]

Indeed, very delicious. Yum yum 😋

[@bobweiram6321]

Imagine it in Apple //c design with the vertical grill lines. Sexy and yummy! Or, even better, imagine it with Amber alps with those scrumptious SA keycaps.

[@thumbwarriordx]

It's nothing like a C64 keyboard as it happens. Most of the old micros were linear mechanicals and not especially nice ones. Nobody complained because like... some of these things didn't even come with real keyboards, chiclet keys, flat industrial push membranes, horrors beyond reckoning. A Kailh box white would have been very high end if it was available in the mid-80's

[@bobweiram6321]

@@thumbwarriordx Yup. It was mainly IBM, Apple, and some odd ball machines, but most popular computers had mediocre keyboards. Atari had Alps switches on a few of their models, and so did Tandy/Radio Shack and Texas Instruments. Commodore, however, had notably bad switches. Computers were very expensive then and the build quality was one way of justifying the expense; a good keyboard helped a lot without significantly adding to the cost of the machine. Commodore and later Atari was designed with low cost manufacturing in mind. It's why the two companies could never command the prices of the Apple IIs which were significantly underpowered.

[@thumbwarriordx]

@@bobweiram6321 And nice as ALPS are, they virtually never came with good thick keycaps. However many did come with cheap double-shots and that is something at least. And being about 30 years old they're all a little shiny at this point.

[@wkgmathguy218]

My first computers were the vic20 and a little later the C64. This takes me back :-) Great to see you Tom.

[@kitrod]

Really wish this came with a full size or compact 1800 layout, this board looks awesome!

[@Carighan]

Yeah I wish for only two things: * Full size * ISO layout

[@AmartharDrakestone]

The do sell the numpad separately.

[@tacticaltuna]

​@@AmartharDrakestoneAs a long time owner of a seperate numpad who finally bought another 104. I can confirm that it is Not the same.

[@AmartharDrakestone]

@@tacticaltuna For you maybe.

[@Carighan]

@@AmartharDrakestone Yeah I know I just wish they'd also offer a full size version, would look "cleaner", basically.

[@siphayne1438]

The muting while drinking is more appreciated than you might think. Thank you so much. The bad section of neurons in my brain also thank you.

[@Chyrosran22]

Once someone mentioned it to me I started paying attention to it and it became kind of annoying so I'm definitely editing them out for all future videos :) .

[@mojojojo1529]

Chyrosran definitely is not a "console kid" nor is he a home computer kid for sure. Seeing how mesmerized he was by a joystick, wondering what possible use it could have was quite entertaining.

[@arubberroomwithrats]

couldn't even edge, i exploded immediately 😅

[@CouZer]

Aight at the right time you posted when I just knew of this keyboard. Thinking of getting one already.

[@Johan-rm6ec]

Back around 1982 the Commodore 64 was my first computer. Now 2024 i bought the C64 8BitDo version. Excellent quality well build and brings some font memories. If you are for example a Nintendo nut you wont regret that version. Man that space bar sounds awesome klunk klunk klunk.

[@Laundry_Hamper]

I think the peripherals use 3.5mm jacks because they're completely dumb, just wires and switches with no logic of their own, completely reliant on you programming what the keyboard outputs when a closed circuit on that port is detected - meaning you should be able to DIY your own doodads with very little effort. 3.5mm TRS is two lines plus ground, usually for stereo, but works just as well for anything else - world's first foot switches with Alps blues, maybe?

[@thumbwarriordx]

There's enough inputs to make a 4 button NES controller lol. If it had two more jacks I'd make a fightstick for it.

[@LeMonsieurPoulet]

Just put an order on one of these, and waiting on the numpad/calculator they are releasing after.

[@skizzarz]

single 3.5 mm trs phone connector is an analog connection for the 2 buttons, the dual 3.5 mm trs phone connector is presumably for NSEW quad controls of the joystick

[@qrowok1104]

I pre-ordered this keyboard. Finally got it and love it I also ordered box jades for it and box navy for the buttons

[@mpf1947]

This version has SA keycaps? Nice.

[@bobweiram6321]

The SA caps are the inexpensive ones sold in online marketplaces in a variety of color themes. They're not as desirable as GMK, Domikey, or Signature Plastics. The finger divots on the keys are have an off-putting flattish contour, creating a creasing around its corners. They're particularly pronounced on the larger keys such as shift and enter.

[@mpf1947]

@@bobweiram6321 Considering the 8bitdo boards are about $100, I certainly didn't expect one to come with a set of keycaps that costs that much by itself.

[@inzyster]

I got the Famicom version last year and it hasn't left my desk at home since. I tend to rotate boards, but this one is just too excellent. As a fan of old computers, I'd have appreciated this version even more :3

[@PhilipAlexanderHassialis]

Started my computer journey in the 8bit era. Not a C64 guy but an Amstrad one. Still, this one gives all the right vibes. Damnit, now I want one!

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Imagine a CPC version with a 464 colour scheme tho... 🤤

[@jesuszamora6949]

@@AndrewHelgeCox Honestly surprised no one's made a keycap set mimicking that color scheme, especially with much more obscure ones refernced in keycap sets (the Cherry g80-9009 being an inspiration for a color theme, for example).

[@TheMetalIsNeon]

They also have a Model M inspired keyboard, and they announced it alongside these really cool numpads that match each of the existing boards they've made so far.

[@UberPwnage22]

I hope they send you the numpad it looks so good even has a built in calculator. If you can figure out control stick you should play some commodore games would make for a good video. Now they just need to make a sega teradrive keyboard.

[@Chyrosran22]

Oh man, a Teradrive would would be the actual tits :D . 8BITDO DO ITTTTT

[@_Drag0nFly_]

Great unboxing-and good to see some Commodore(-ish) love on the channel (and you're all good wrt. the “no consoles“ stance as the C=64 is simply 'just' an early personal computer. :) The joystick should be programmable in the same way as the large macro buttons, i.e sending arrow-up/down/left/right, and probably also whatever sequence you want it to output; it's a quite cool concept tbh. btw.-for some reason I at first thought what you were digging around for in the box was a pre-release of their numpad accessory with inbuilt calculator (not sure what gave me that idea) ;-)

[@SuchtFaktorHoch10]

The Barry White of keyboards.

[@thethriftyfawn]

I've never seen anything commodore 64 in real life, but this is very cool looking 😊

[@TheFellerHasAChannelGodDamnIt]

I preordered this keyboard and got it a week later. Absolutely wonderful. The indents, the material, the switches, everything is great.

[@australian6983]

I'd like to ask you another question then I don't need to keep bugging you but I bought a 90s keyboard and I'm trying to connect it to my macbook air. I bought an adapter, I've plugged it in and no responce is really coming up, the keyboard isn't typing and I can't find any information on the mac about the keyboard. Do you have any insight?

[@Chyrosran22]

What model is it and what adapter are you using?

[@natevart4156]

Would it be a bad idea for buy this a my first key board for my pc

[@HiCZoK]

8bitdo is doing great. I have the famicon edition and it's fantastic fully stock. And the wireless dongle communication? spotless and lasts like 2 months. Also - They now have amazing calculator/numpad for preorder and M version (after model m I suppose)

[@maxmouse3]

The only issue with these keyboards is that I can't decide which one is the most beautiful. And the lack of VIA support hahah But damn these sound good and look nice!

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Could you ask them to make a version with the petscii characters printed on the keys and mapped for use in an emulator?

[@bakakafka4428]

That's quite the curve on that monitor. Fisheye effect or is it something like a G7 (1000R curve)?

[@Chyrosran22]

It's a gigabyte model of some kind and yeah it's bigly curved. Love it! :D

[@xard64]

Thick white on black SA style keycaps combined with dark gray case is criminally underrated style for custom keyboards and easily one of my top favorites. The original "breadbin" c64 could have been bit darker but otherwise Commodore pretty much nailed the style.

[@henokhsatrio8804]

This keyboard is a beauty

[@acactusnamedjosh708]

Finally, a keyboard I actually own!

[@Arae_1]

The dual jack on airliners is actually for inbuilt noise cancellation. The noise cancellation is run on the plane then the audio is piped in through your headphones

[@Chyrosran22]

Interesting, I did not know that! Thanks! :D

[@jonathanbuzzard1376]

@@Chyrosran22 but it's wrong, it is a hangover from when planes used to have pneumatic headphones which required two jacks as the left and right sound signals had to be delivered separately.

[@gmlgml780]

Yeah. I'd be surprised very much if the usage of the joystick was not the same "mapping" like working like the big buttons, d@mmy. The keyboard itself (I have only the nintendo version arrived, yet) the cheapest plasticky feeling what you can imagine, the total opposite of every high end metal mechanical keeb. It does not even try to act as high end. It's just awesome. I purchased 3 from the available 4 color scheme. It's just pure fun. Gorgeous they are. I couldn't resist even the numpad. And I don't even use numpads. It's just wonderful. It maxes out geekness to 101%.

[@NightMotorcyclist]

I replaced the switches on my 8BitDo Nintendo keyboard with Gateron Baby Kangaroos and it now feels like it should for a retro build.

[@demz2695]

Chyros did you know about 8BitDo numpad? Surprisingly it has the same cool feature what focus keyboards had (integrated calculator), but this time inside of a numpad which is pretty much interesting. What are your thoughts about it and are you gonna consider doing review of it?

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes, some other people also mentioned it, and I should get one coming my way at a later point :) .

[@demz2695]

​@@Chyrosran22 That's great. I look forward to it then.

[@Stackali]

they also have a model m version

[@Chyrosran22]

Yeah, personally I find that one to be a bit of a stretch tbh xD . Only the lock light sticker looks M IMO XD .

[@anthonyt219]

​@@Chyrosran22 I agree. It's a far stretch.

[@det.bullock4461]

The Commodore 64 microcomputer used a digital joystick for games IIRC. Of course it was a rubber dome digital joystick, I guess the modern one uses some type of mechanical microswitch.

[@SmolStufff]

I want one. Especially now that they've announced a matching numpad.

[@FrancoDFernando]

Colors remind me of the Epson QX-10!

[@Chyrosran22]

Haha yeah, now that you mention it! xD

[@lukeumhoefer]

Pineapple and Apple juice are a splendid combo

[@Chyrosran22]

It's great! They sell it at the supermarket, I prefer it over just pineapple juice. Richer in flavour, and a better thirst quencher!

[@ramiroaka9]

Have tou seen the kwumsy k3

[@SAerror1]

I can't believe they didn't put any buttons on the joystick, what a weird decision. But I suppose you could pretty easily build a cable that converts a 9-pin joystick port to three audio jack plugs so you could use a real retro joystick with it.

[@porkmancer]

That's a good looking keyboard, damm.

[@Koutsie]

So 8BitDo doing quality stuff?? Wow.

[@techknowbabble]

When the version with led's of any color (RGB NOT NEED) ill take two! Actually a red one would be perfect to match the red key characters, i just need to be able wake up and creatively type in the dark, ill probably grab this one too though (maybe i can mod it) THANKS!

[@4myth246]

very noice

[@thumbwarriordx]

MF this is exactly what I wanted the whole time. (Edit: I bought it. I mean I literally told them this is the one I would buy if they made it and here we are)

[@soldiersvejk2053]

The keyboard in itself looks decent for the price. I really hate LEDs forcing the number keys putting the symbols alongside the numbers. Super confusing.

[@kananchan7995]

13:01 Pretty sure it's from one of their arcade stick for console, with a different case

[@AmartharDrakestone]

Pretty sure it's not. An arcade stick lever has more bulk to it.

[@speedbird737]

@ 07:49 - a joystick without a firebutton lol

[@nerdyneedsalife8315]

Maybe instead of a full review of the keyboard, you can change the switches since it's hot swappable? You can review the next Cherry flavored switch of the week with this as the switch carrier

[@Chyrosran22]

Yeah I was thinking that, but I need a good switch to showcase the board to its full potential really. Anyway, I have an idea for a possible video. We'll see :) .

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

Airlines use that weird two pin system to disincentivize stealing their headphones. I think the two pins are two mono signals so if you insert a stereo jack in one, you get one of the mono signals in both ears and you are prone to crackles and losses as the three conductors on your stereo jack don't quite line up right with the mono socket's two conductors. I used to own a two mono pin to one stereo pin jack converter for using my own good headphones on airliners with stereo.

[@jonathanbuzzard1376]

Nope it is a hang over from ancient pneumatic headphones that planes used to have.

[@saymehname]

Nice

[@bobweiram6321]

It would look super cool if it had the old Apple snow white language.

[@matthewtodd3465]

I would get one if they made a full size

[@shineDeluxe]

There seems to be a shortage of oranges this year

[@leapofshed]

Dual sockets on airliners are to make their headphones less attractive to steal, since you won’t be able to plug them in at home, the nice thing about the design is it doesn’t stop you from using your own headphones…

[@SeraphimKnight]

It's really a shame they're using an aux cable for the macro pads cause I would genuinely buy just it alone as a custom foot pedal macro pad 😔

[@user-lv6rn9cf8m]

They're just ignoring everyone screaming about wanting an iso version of this. I don't know if that's a good or a bad sign. Hopefully it means they're like "obviously it's coming, what are these stupid questions even".

[@rcfp2006]

Pop in a 5.25" floppy! It's rime to grind! Some of the best games began with; LOAD "*" ,8,1

[@prenestina]

No orange juice without garbage in it? Absolutely unacceptable.

[@australian6983]

Best video games of the 90s? And what is your favourite keyboard? If you could tell me please.

[@australian6983]

Also some honorable mention keyboards.

[@Chyrosran22]

My favourite keyboard is my Acer KB-101A. But so many others that I love, for so many reasons! As for favourite 90s games, 4th Generation, Archon 1&2, Monster Bash, Bio Menace, Crystal Caves, Diggers, Ducktales (the DOS one), Duke Nukem 1-3D, Dyna Blaster, Lost Eden, The Last Eichhof, Exhumed (the DOS one), Hexxagon, Theme Hospital, Jazz Jackrabbit 1&2, Command Keen (all of them), Dungeon Keeper 1&2, Lemmings, Liero, Marshmallow Duel, One Must Fall, Return Fire, Sango Fighter, Scorched Earth, Skyroads, Syndicate Wars, Tyrian, Worms 1-3, Z, Caesar 3, Doom 1&2, Heretic, Hexen, Lords of Magic, Magic Carpet 2, Mortal Kombat 1-3, Raptor, Time Commando, Unreal & Unreal Tournament, and a bunch more I'm sure I forgot xD .

[@australian6983]

​@@Chyrosran22cheers man that's a good list! 👍🏻

[@Chyrosran22]

@@australian6983 just came back from Australia last month btw, was awesome :D

[@australian6983]

​@@Chyrosran22yeah oz is great and you're from England right?

[@jesuszamora6949]

God I wish they made these in full size. Hell, I'd take an XT or AT layout over this TKL nonsense.

[@lornova79]

My problem is that I'm physically unable to use a tenkeyless keyboard...

[@Apokathelosis]

Interesting, how this inability manifests?

[@Eshyyyyy]

I just bought a keychron v6 don't make me buy another keyboard ;-;

[@xorwcnrssk]

It's weird listening to mechanical keyboard enthusiasts talk about this keyboard. They bring up the fact that it uses a plastic case or that it doesn't contain sound-dampening material as though these are just self-evident signifiers of it being cheap and bad. Clicky switches do not benefit from being installed in a dense brick that doesn't allow for any resonance. I've seen a before-and-after clip of somebody stuffing this keyboard full of foam and I just do not get why you would ever want to do that.

[@Chyrosran22]

Many keyboard enthusiasts are not used to keyboards sounding good, so their instinct is to shut everything up and make them as quiet as possible. They are not used to keyboards that actually sound good, as this is largely a hallmark of vintage boards, which most users are not familiar with.

[@luisalvarez6196]

The Commodore 64 wasn't a console, it was an early PC, so be at ease, PC Gamer!

[@0LoneTech]

We knew them more as microcomputers or home computers than personal computers. The original IBM PC was a lot more similar to micros than its successors, though; having minuscule memory, BASIC in ROM, tape connectors, and no hard drive support. In comparison to popular micros, it was stupidly chunky and expensive.

[@AmartharDrakestone]

@@0LoneTech And we knew PCs as "IBM clones" rather than personal computers.

[@ManLikeKitch]

More of a micro than a PC. Those were always classed differently.

[@Skelig]

It categorically wasn't a PC, which at the time even more than now specifically referred to derivatives of the IBM PC and directly implied IBM PC compatibility, which the C64 wasn't with its lack of an x86-based CPU.

[@Thiesi]

​@@Skelig21 people apparently prefer feelings over facts. 😂

[@d33b33]

This keyboard should come with a C64 emulator built in. With a few classic games, preferably. But it's very pretty and the clicks sounds nice and dark.