Unboxing an 8BitDo keyboard!

Today we look at something extremely retro; I approve :D . One more unboxing coming later this week!
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

[@scarboroughcyclist]

Came for the keyboard, left looking for drinking horns

[@QuintenKilborn]

same boat 😂 I think Grimfrost has some quality ones

[@beluv]

Very cool looking but they seem like a nightmare to clean.

[@QuintenKilborn]

@@beluv i had the same thought. i wonder if some sort of flexible brush would do the job

[@TuuTer]

Quaker III Arena 😂 That made me laugh throughout the video. I need that t-shirt. Now!

[@TuuTer]

OMG that t-shirt. I can't get over it 😂

[@goergeerwoll]

I want it aswell, where to buy. Gave me so much joy aswell.

[@Chyrosran22]

@@goergeerwoll It's good, isn't it? xD I laughed my arse off when I first saw it. I got it from Teepublic!

[@vorlonesque1830]

Oh fuck, I missed that...that's amazing. I love that shirt!

[@blackoutcity123]

Did exactly what you hinted at and put Zeal Clickiez in mine and it is a very fun time. Having something so clearly atypical and retro in its sound but still possessing modern comforts like hot swap and bluetooth and a volume knob is the perfect way to meld the modern keyboard hobby i came up in with the classics of retro board technology

[@rgw3708]

Same here, perfect chassis for the Clickiez! Was hoping for a Chyrosran review of this, none of the other reviews of it that come up on KZbin have the knowledge to do it justice.

[@AIRDRAC]

How do clickiez sound, compared to Box Navy? Always on the hunt for more click 😅

[@blackoutcity123]

@@AIRDRAC I've only tried box jades and pinks otherwise, but if I compare it to that, I think I'd say the Clickiez have a fuller sound and are less sharp than a click bar switch. Also the single click (as opposed to the double on the jades and pinks) is noticeable. I wouldn't say it's any quieter, but it is maybe less fatiguing to listen to.

[@AIRDRAC]

@@blackoutcity123 thanks a lot! I'll have to consider getting some clickiez for testing:)

[@TheMetalIsNeon]

As someone who has also done it, the switches feel like they were made for a keyboard like this. The perfect blending of old and new at the same time.

[@astrobotnautics5291]

I don't think I've heard Thomas so excited at a keyboard unboxing in a long time. I hope the review of this is a mega one, definitely looking forward to the segment on thoose buttons and any otherr attachments that can take advantage of the 3.5mm jack

[@zakutenakazumiya1516]

From the video, I guess those are Kailh BOX Whites 2.0, where they changed the housing to transparent black. I did not expect a company that can make an affordable but good quality arcade stick(the 8bitdo arcade stick is also a good starter stick for PC fighting game folks out there) can also make a keyboard this good. A long typing demo of this keyboard with Zeal Clickiez is indeed in order.

[@det.bullock4461]

They also use a longer spring. They feel slightly different from v1 box white.

[@Carbine64]

I bought an 8bitdo controller and I absolutely love it. These guys do great work.

[@VladiDusil]

The retail version comes with the Kailh Box Switch V2 White, indeed.

[@Nizzon.]

Yeah, I have the box white 2.0 in my latest build and I absolutely love them.

[@SageOwl]

Really surprised you went so long without getting one of these cause they are right up your alley. I bet the review is gonna be great.

[@Red-in4fx]

I knew you would love this keyboard! You were the only reviewer I saw that highlighted that nice, roomy plastic build. I got the famicom version a few months back. Love it!

[@zuqini]

That spacebar is glorious. Can’t wait for the review!

[@re_exist129]

i want one, that looks real neat. bonus points for drinking horn and SKÅL!

[@anasevi9456]

Glad they went with Box whites as opposed to some blue MX clickjacked clone. Hope they release a 108 version or a size matching tall numpad.

[@inzyster]

I got a Famicom version a few months ago and it hasn’t left my desk since. Love it for both typing and playing old-ass FPSes. Boggles the mind that a controller company made a no-nonsense keyboard that you can program without a 500-meg glorified keylogger running at all times that also happens to be a great keyboard in its own right. Might grab some Clickiez for it but the box switches it comes with feel and sound great already.

[@HiCZoK]

The famicon edition looks sick too!

[@notl33t]

very cool looking! excited to get an in depth look at it

[@ash36230]

I like the Quaker III Arena tshirt. Also dig the retro style of this

[@SirChaddington]

looks very cool, i'll definitely get one if an iso one comes out

[@ElasticoOFCL]

Ohhh! You should have a review on those box white v2 switches included on the board and have clickies and clickiez switches along side with it. Been waiting for you to try out those v2s for a while cuz they're significantly better than the original box whites!

[@sir0herrbatka]

That's Box White V2

[@GeneralDelphox]

Now that's a keyboard I'd be interested in. Kinda wish it came in full-sized.

[@raulsaavedra709]

Those huge red buttons on the auxiliary pad look and sound awesome! What I seem to find quick issue with is the thocky spacebar sounding so significantly different, standing out quite a bit with respect to the keys. But waiting for the full review. Quite a refreshing thing to see this keyboard exists :)

[@kitzibu]

I wish they would sell those 2 button thingies as a standalone product 🙂

[@JonathosDX]

They do, for $20. But they're designed to be used with this keyboard. You can connect up to 4 sets.

[@YogurtMLive]

I picked up the famicom version and put zeal clickiez in it. I absolutely love the feel and sound of the clickiez in this case. Very much a retro sound profile, but in a more modern form factor. Super nice to see you enjoy this one too

[@blendernoob64]

Clicky switches? Roomy chassis? On the fly macro recording? The only way to make this more Thomas Approved is a full size layout lol. Excited for the review!

[@nknguyen2877]

*battleship layout, this man really like big, massive stuff

[@blendernoob64]

@@nknguyen2877 yup. It would get a Thomas Editor's Choice Award if it had a battleship layout

[@ExperimentIV]

i really want this one in the famicom colourway! skål, thomas! i figure i’ll replace the switches in mine, though, but maybe not. just love the famicom look and the little bonus macropad

[@MatthewHill]

As a long-time (since childhood) Quaker fan, now I'm really excited to play Quaker III Arena.

[@BrianMcKee]

8bitdo putting on the fly macros? What's the excuse from Corsair? Or any other major brand from omitting this EXCELLENT feature?

[@Chyrosran22]

I genuinely have no idea. This is SO much better :D .

[@yumbream]

Quaker III Arena goes so hard

[@AndyK.1]

Nice. The drink getting in the way of the view is getting extreme now. 😮

[@Chyrosran22]

whaddayamean?

[@kornaros96]

​@@Chyrosran22how much lettuce for that horn?

[@Chyrosran22]

@@kornaros96 It wasn't even expensive xD . I got it off of Amazon IIRC.

[@kananchan7995]

The look of the keyboard is fantastic tho. 8 bitdo casually making the sexiest looking retro style stuff as usual

[@osirisgolad]

Didn't even know they made a keyboard, but I only have good things to say about their controllers.

[@ExperimentIV]

yeah 8bitdo makes great stuff all around. i really want them to send him the NES mouse though just to see him get mad at it a little

[@akeem2983]

I personally frequently use their M30 game controller despite not being that big of a retro gamer on emulators of Sega Mega Drive and Sega Saturn. Use it for various 2D games

[@Grimlo9ic]

I know this isn't the most high-end prebuilt, but it really has a nice charm to it because of the NES/Famicom theme.

[@Dr-Zed]

Now I want Quaker 3 Arena to be a real game. Thanks for that.

[@Aplysia]

That thing is rad!

[@CrispyGFX]

Been a fan of 8BitDo for a while now. Releasing this kind of product was not on my radar.

[@Prod_Venny]

You got an vintage keyboard reviews coming out

[@FloorManiac]

That drinking horn is the most obnoxious thing I have ever seen someone drink beer from. Having it block your shot in a review video is also a ballzie move. Well done. Thanks for the unboxing.

[@andytypes8271]

i half expect to see you unboxing a keyboard in a cave on an altar of stone.

[@markisoke]

Wow, crazy to finally encounter your KZbin channel through a recommendation. We've met in Egypt in 2022. Greetingz, Mark

[@Chyrosran22]

Hi Mark! Haha so you still remember me then! :D

[@markisoke]

@@Chyrosran22 I knew you mentioned keyboards once and your voice just clicked xD

[@minhquanvu2944]

Man, i think you will love the Model O-led and the new Class 0413.

[@Desmutted]

Whats the keyboard on your desk the white one?

[@oatmilk9918]

A whitefox eclipse, it was the previous unboxing video

[@dreifachesM]

Massive thumps up for that awesome T-shirt!

[@Chyrosran22]

Thanks :D . I laughed my arse off when I first saw it xD .

[@JustSomeGuy489]

That 2 button macro pad would be perfect for playing DiveKick

[@tyraelhermosa]

loool, that t-shirt is beautiful 😂 What a gem!

[@Proud_Toilet_Seat7UP]

I don't know if its just me or the camera doing a fish eye lense effect but did you get a curved monitor?

[@lastscatteringsurface9950]

New monitor finally? They do be nice these days.

[@Chyrosran22]

Yes, after 15 years or so it was finally time :D

[@nickwort123]

That shirt is incredible lmao

[@MarkEichin]

Brave man, to have a drinking vessel that's also a dexterity test :)

[@TheMetalIsNeon]

If they had one of these with a numpad I'd buy it in an instant

[@greyareaRK1]

I was expecting a seax or an axe to accompany the drinking horn. ;-) Looks like fun.

[@Tommo_]

love their controllers, high hopes for this one. Edit: seems decent, a bit overdesigned for my liking though

[@BrightSpark]

I have one complaint about the 8bitdo keyboard: It only exists in ANSI. If they had an ISO version, I would have bought it *immediately*.

[@samuelschwager]

yep!

[@richardhunter9779]

Might as well wish for a big-ass Enter key while we're at it.

[@det.bullock4461]

ISO and full size, I need my keypad.

[@samuelschwager]

nice shirt

[@sir0herrbatka]

This keyboard looks lovely, but I would go for a different keycap set.

[@Raiko01]

that horn is wicked as fuck, where did you buy it?

[@Chyrosran22]

Got it off of Amazon!

[@arly8445]

As a programmer that macro pad will be so funny to bind to ctrl c and ctrl v

[@xard64]

Those switches are Kailh Box White V2 which is basically an update over the original Box White switch. The V2 was longer spring to prevent accidental key presses (by bringing more force to the beginning of the key press) and the housing of the switch is really smooth compared to the original Box White switch. The Box White V2 have been around some time already and I really wonder why it has almost zero coverage as it's a really solid middle ground clicky switch. The sound could be better but it's not that loud. The tactility is nice without being too heavy for longer typing sessions. I've done already multiple paid commissions with this switch and it's very nice and easy choice for people coming outside of mechanical keyboards. For larger keys I'd recommend swapping a Box Jade or Box Navy click bar to the switch to balance the required force between small and large keys. (or just swap all click bars to essentially create a Box Jade V2)

[@laszlodobos8937]

They look like Kailh Box White V2 switches. - I would also like a retro board but I used to have a zx spectrum as a kid and that's not the type inspiration of inspiration you want for a retro keyboard.

[@AlexandreDuarte]

I'm about to buy one

[@readmore8974]

Sure would be great if any of these new releases came with a fucking ISO layout for once

[@Arae_1]

Yep those are box white v2s

[@thumbwarriordx]

The whole aesthetic is a bit too much for me despite how much I love the color scheme. That old-school 5mm LED in the exact form of a Commodore 64 power light is winning me over a bit tho. I think I just want them to do a whole Commodore 64 one instead. Petscii sublegends cooler than Japanese Kana sublegends.

[@dragodin]

oh look a cool keyboa...GIANT HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORN. Maybe don't have it in the middle of the frame next time?

[@juts89]

Kailh Box White Switches V2

[@DavidLee-cw6ci]

Very similar aesthetic to their fight stick, and if it's the same sort or quality then it's going to be pretty good, not primo. Let's face it a lot of people in the hobby but keyboards for the looks nowadays, and this looks cool as hell.

[@BlissBee]

Funny how 8bitdo until this point has been known for high quality retro controllers your arch nemesis Who knows though maybe they'll make a Sega genesis keyboard next!

[@YuryKhristich]

The big ass macro pad looks like it can be used as a pedal.

[@DavidEasthope]

4:50 is the appropriate reaction to good clicky switches.

[@cumfartchuglord]

Actually drinking from a horn is the corniest shit in the world.

[@Mr_King_l]

this is the board i was thinking of going for before i grabbed my current board. the only letdown is its TKL and not full-size with a numpad. if it was i would had for sure grabbed one due to the Kailh Box Switch V2 Whites it has, they produce such a great sound for a modern switch.

[@DavidLee-cw6ci]

If it goes into audio jack is the macro pad for volume control?

[@Forgiale]

Would be funny if he drank out of something progressively more weird every video

[@FrontSideBus]

Quaker oats ftw.

[@smartlottech]

Alcoholics beware, this is about drinking alcohol as much as it is about "keyboards"

[@Chyrosran22]

Isn't life? XD

[@midorinchan]

"They make keyboards??" ~me, about 11 minutes ago

[@kananchan7995]

They make keyboard now? Weird to see

[@MechKeyboards]

Also, what does drinking alcohol have to do with mechanical keyboards. For those of us that do not drink, it's a bit of a punch to the throat.

[@noodles.is.awayyy]

bro what are you drinking from😭

[@Chyrosran22]

A drinking horn!

[@noodles.is.awayyy]

@@Chyrosran22 thats only the most badass shit ive ever seen

[@meowspark9]

Ooooo I wish I had money

[@_BangDroid_]

Rob a bank or something lol

[@jayeaaaaa]

Modern enthusiasts HATE this!!!

[@jayeaaaaa]

Oh yeah, a bit of a secret feature: You can pop off the red caps on the super buttons to access the switches inside!

[@wembleyford]

Bit of an oxymoron if you ask me - because 'retro' '8bit' and 'mechanical keyboard' don't really go together for me. I mean, a lot of 8 bit machines did have mechanical keyboards - but I can't think of one that had a good one. I've just finished renovating a BBC master with it's squeaky and scratchy futaba liniear switches. My C64 makes most cheap 90's rubber dome keyboards look 'crisp' and the only good thing you can say about the Spectrum is that its keyboard is better than the ZX81.

[@Chyrosran22]

The 5150 was partly 8-bit :D . So the Model F kinda qualifies!

[@wembleyford]

@@Chyrosran22 Well, partly :-D This looks a nice kb - and sensibly priced> pity no UK version

[@vittoriovictorino]

12:10 ¿Toma chicha en cacho?

[@4Core100]

Interesting horn and half of bottle. Keyboard looks also nice but unfortunatelly didnt picked much.

[@logipilot]

Quaker III Arena 😂

[@Ancient_West]

This keyboard came out 4+ months ago and I feel like, besides the little review here and there, it was never given it's true due diligence. I have yet to see a review that I am satisfied with. A majority of the bigger keyboard reviewers just fly by with their "reviews" of this keyboard. This is in the same boat. I'm assuming that it is ultimately a novelty keyboard and nobody has taken it seriously. That being said, I did buy the Famicom version and have been daily driving it ever since it came out. The Big buttons are truly a novelty though, they went into a drawer after about a week of sitting on my desk. But the keyboard itself has been lovely.

[@Chyrosran22]

Please note this is not a review, just an unboxing. The review will come out later.

[@mikhail6289]

Actually I want say that if ask every keeb enthusiast to tell much about keebs and stuff, he will say lot of bullshit too. And when he will tell it on big auditory of another enthusiast, every one can notice some wrong things, not much, but all of auditory will find a lot. That’s phenomen of Chiros I think.

[@Mizai]

nice grolsch beer

[@dedli_midi]

more like 8bitdoodoo

[@DigitalNomadOnFIRE]

This is all very interesting, but when you can have something like a corne, 1/5th the size, split, ergo with 32 programmable layers, all the keys with a macro on if you want, arrow keys on layer 2 left hand, num pad right hand layer 2. It's like 100x better than a legacy keyboard like this. The extra features on this make it like 20% better and much bigger. Corne is like 10x better. Also ergo, also very small for travel, also lit up. Not even close TBH.

[@babybloc]

But he hates ergo keyboards That would be a different video I’m all for ergo boards and use one. But it takes all kinds Real “ergonomics” means adjusting the workplace to meet the needs of the worker. Not making everybody use whatever hard to master expensive equipment somebody slaps an “ergonomic” label on

[@osirisgolad]

What even is that comparison? TKL and 40% column staggered are entirely different products for entirely different people.

[@ZeroCrystal]

Damn your miserable hide, Thomas!!!!! I just bought this keyboard after watching this video...

[@Chyrosran22]

You're welcome xD .

[@robertguy23]

nice shirt