The NES-inspired 8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard – NES 40th Limited Edition is a 68-key Windows keyboard, not a keyboard-and-joystick bundle. On a PC it can use its included 2.4G receiver, Bluetooth Low Energy, or a wired USB connection. The box includes Wireless Dual Super Buttons, but no thumbstick. If you need an actual joystick, the separate NES40 Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller is the model with TMR joysticks.
This guide shows how to connect the Retro 68 safely, configure its keys and macros in 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 for Windows, and avoid confusing the keyboard’s accessory buttons with the separate gamepad.
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What the NES40 keyboard actually includes
Start by identifying the hardware. The product called 8BitDo Retro 68 Keyboard – NES 40th Limited Edition is a compact mechanical-style keyboard with 68 keys. Its listed package contents are the keyboard, a 2.4G wireless adapter, a USB cable and Wireless Dual Super Buttons.
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#1 Best Overall
- Inspired by the classics. Compatible with Windows 10(1903) or above, and Android 9.0 or above.
- 87-key layout. Kailh Box Switch V2 White. Dye-sub PBT keycaps.
- Top mount style. Hot-swappable PCB. Support n-key rollover.
- Dual Super Buttons - offer large, programmable keys. Map anything to the Super Buttons instantly without using software.
- Classic power status LED, with independent control panel.
Windows compatibility and connection choices
8BitDo lists Windows 10 version 1903 and later as compatible with the Retro 68. A Windows 11 PC meets that requirement. The same product specification lists Android 9.0 and later, but this article focuses on Windows.
| Connection | What you need | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Wired USB | The supplied USB cable and an available USB port | Initial setup, firmware work, or a desk where a cable is acceptable |
| 2.4G wireless | The supplied 2.4G adapter and a free USB port | A dedicated wireless link without Bluetooth pairing |
| Bluetooth Low Energy | A Windows PC with Bluetooth enabled | Systems where you want to preserve USB ports or pair directly in Windows |
The keyboard supports all three modes, but the exact hardware switch positions, pairing key combinations and hold durations are model-specific. The linked Retro 68 manual was not available as machine-readable text in the source material, so this guide does not guess those sequences. Use the labels printed on your keyboard and the official manual for the exact mode-change operation.
Prepare the PC and keyboard
Check Windows before connecting
- Open Settings from the Windows Start menu.
- Select System > About and confirm that the PC is running Windows 10 version 1903 or newer, or Windows 11.
- Install pending Windows updates and restart if Windows is waiting for a reboot. This removes many USB and Bluetooth enumeration problems before you begin.
- For Bluetooth, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on. If the page has no Bluetooth switch, the PC may need a Bluetooth adapter or its driver may be missing.
Unpack the correct accessories
- Keep the supplied USB cable nearby even if you plan to use wireless mode; it provides a simple fallback when pairing fails.
- Do not discard the small 2.4G adapter. It is the receiver for the keyboard’s 2.4G mode.
- Set aside the Wireless Dual Super Buttons until the keyboard itself works. They are an additional input device for the Retro 68, not the receiver for a joystick.
How to connect the Retro 68 with USB
Wired USB is the least ambiguous first test because Windows can detect the keyboard without a radio pairing step.
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- Connect the supplied USB cable to the keyboard and then to a directly connected USB port on the PC. Avoid an unpowered hub during first setup.
- Set the keyboard to its wired mode using the mode control identified on the keyboard or in the official Retro 68 manual. Do not rely on a key combination from a different 8BitDo model.
- Wait for Windows to install or initialize the keyboard. A normal keyboard should begin typing at the sign-in screen or in any text field without a separate driver download.
- Open Notepad and press several letter keys, the space bar, Enter and the arrow keys. This checks both the main matrix and navigation keys.
- If Windows reports that the USB device was not recognized, unplug it, try another port directly on the PC and repeat the test with the supplied cable.
USB operation is also the recovery path when a wireless profile has been changed incorrectly. Keep it available while updating software or checking settings.
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- Inspired by the classics. Compatible with Windows 10(1903) or above, and Android 9.0 or above.
- 108-key full layout. Integrated numpad and function key shortcuts.
- Kailh Box White Switches V2. Dye-sub PBT keycaps. Top mount style. Hot-swappable PCB. Support n-key rollover.
- Dye-sublimation PBT keycaps with MDA-like height.
- Fast-mapping on programmable buttons (no software needed).
How to connect the Retro 68 over 2.4G
- Insert the supplied 2.4G adapter into a free USB port. A rear motherboard port is preferable to a distant hub for the first pairing attempt.
- Put the keyboard into its 2.4G mode using the physical control or documented key sequence shown in the Retro 68 manual.
- Allow Windows a few seconds to detect the receiver. Test typing in Notepad before opening games or remapping tools.
- If the keyboard does not respond, move the adapter to another direct USB port and power-cycle the keyboard. The receiver and keyboard must be in their matching 2.4G state.
- If the pair has been lost, follow the re-pairing procedure in the official manual. The precise button combination and timing are not stated in the available product text, so do not substitute instructions for another keyboard.
Because the adapter is included with the NES40 keyboard, you do not need to purchase a separate universal receiver to use this mode.
Can you connect the Retro 68 with Bluetooth?
Yes. The Retro 68 supports Bluetooth Low Energy, and Windows can add it from the standard Bluetooth device page. Bluetooth pairing is separate from 2.4G receiver pairing.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and turn Bluetooth on.
- Choose Add device > Bluetooth.
- Put the keyboard into Bluetooth pairing mode using the model-specific control sequence in the Retro 68 manual. The available product text does not establish a universal hold time or a particular function-key combination.
- When the keyboard appears in the Windows list, select its displayed name and complete pairing.
- Type in Notepad and then close and reopen the Bluetooth settings page to confirm the keyboard remains listed as connected.
If the keyboard name never appears, remove any old Retro 68 entry from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, turn Bluetooth off and on, and start pairing again. Keep the keyboard close to the PC during discovery and temporarily disconnect other Bluetooth keyboards so you can identify the correct entry.
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Confirm the active input in Windows
Windows does not provide a single control panel that labels every keyboard radio mode. Verify the connection by behavior:
Rank #3
- Inspired by the classics. Compatible with Windows 10(1903) or above, and Android 9.0 or above.
- Programmable keys, Dual Super Buttons, and Super Stick, with independent control panel.
- 87 keys. Top mount style with Kailh Box White Switches.
- Double-Shot ABS keycaps with SA profile. (C64 Edition only)
- Hot-swappable PCB. Support n-key rollover.
- USB: typing works while the cable is attached, and stops when the cable is removed if no wireless mode is active.
- 2.4G: typing works through the supplied receiver, with no Bluetooth device required.
- Bluetooth: the Retro 68 is shown under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices and continues to type after the Bluetooth settings window is closed.
Test modifier combinations such as Ctrl+C, Alt+Tab and the Windows key. A key that works in Notepad but not in one game is usually a game profile or shortcut issue rather than a connection failure.
Configure keys with 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2
8BitDo’s Windows edition of Ultimate Software V2 lists “Retro 68 Keyboard – N40” among its supported devices. The related keyboard support information describes programmable key mapping and macros. Use the current Windows download and supported-device list from 8BitDo before installing; do not assume that software for an Ultimate controller is interchangeable with keyboard firmware.
Safe configuration workflow
- Connect the Retro 68 by USB first. A wired connection reduces the chance that a wireless interruption will interrupt a write operation.
- Install and open Ultimate Software V2 for Windows.
- Choose the device entry for Retro 68 Keyboard – N40. If the keyboard is not listed, close the software, reconnect USB, and reopen it before attempting wireless troubleshooting.
- Open the key-mapping view and select one key at a time. Assign only a function you can test immediately, then apply or save the profile using the label shown by the current software version.
- For a macro, record the intended sequence in the macro editor, save it to the selected key and test it in Notepad or another harmless application before using it in a game.
- Keep a written record of changed keys. If a shortcut becomes confusing, restore that key to its default assignment in the software rather than layering another remap on top.
Menu names and save controls can change between software releases. The supported-device list is the authoritative check that your installed version recognizes the Retro 68.
Practical mapping examples
- Assign a rarely used navigation key to a text-editing shortcut if you use the keyboard for writing.
- Create a macro for a repetitive, non-competitive desktop action, then test its timing in a plain text editor.
- Keep game-specific mappings in a separate profile when the software offers profiles, so your everyday typing layout is not altered.
Do not map the keyboard software onto a separate controller’s joysticks. The fact that Ultimate Software V2 supports the Retro 68 does not establish that it can remap the Ultimate 2 controller’s analog-stick behavior through the keyboard device entry.
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Set up the Wireless Dual Super Buttons
The Wireless Dual Super Buttons are the included programmable accessory for the Retro 68. 8BitDo states that they connect exclusively to this keyboard. Pair and map them only after the keyboard is operating in a confirmed mode.
- Connect the Retro 68 by USB or its already-working wireless mode.
- Use the Retro 68 manual for the button-pairing sequence. The available product description confirms exclusivity but does not provide the required hold times or button order.
- Open Ultimate Software V2 and select the Retro 68 Keyboard – N40 entry.
- Look for the accessory or button-mapping controls provided for the current firmware and software version.
- Assign a simple function first, test it in a text field, and only then create a more complex macro.
The NES40 page explicitly says wired Keyboard Extensions are unsupported. Do not connect a wired Super Stick, Super Button or Super ABXY extension from another Retro Mechanical Keyboard family and expect it to be recognized.
Does the NES 40th keyboard come with a joystick?
No. The Retro 68 package listing names Wireless Dual Super Buttons, a 2.4G adapter and a USB cable; it does not list a joystick. A broad Retro Mechanical Keyboard family page mentions accessories such as Super Stick, Super Button and Super ABXY, but that family-level description should not be applied to this specific NES40 keyboard. The NES40 product page instead identifies the wireless buttons and excludes wired Keyboard Extensions.
If “joystick” means a real analog thumbstick for games, you are looking for a separate product: the NES40 Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller. Its product information lists physical TMR joysticks and Windows connectivity through 2.4G or wired USB.
Best Value
- Hot-Swappable 87-Key RGB Mechanical Keyboard - Features a compact 87-key layout, RGB backlight, and hot-swappable PCB for flexible switch replacement.
- 8BitDo Cloud Gray Linear Switches - Equipped with 8BitDo Cloud Gray linear mechanical switches, co-developed with HUANO, for a smooth and responsive typing feel.
- Triple-Mode Connectivity - Supports Bluetooth, 2.4G wireless, and wired USB-C connections. Compatible with Windows 10 (version 1903) or above, and Android 9.0 or above.
- N-Key Rollover & Programmable Buttons - Supports n-key rollover for accurate input during fast typing and gaming. Includes programmable buttons, function shortcut keys, and Fn lock.
- Dual Super Buttons with Fast Mapping - The specially designed 8BitDo Dual Super Buttons offer large, programmable keys. Assign macros or other functions instantly—no software required.
Retro 68 versus the NES40 Ultimate 2 controller
| Feature | Retro 68 Keyboard – NES 40th Limited Edition | NES40 Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | 68-key typing and programmable desktop keyboard | Game controller with analog joystick controls |
| Windows connection options | 2.4G, Bluetooth Low Energy or wired USB | 2.4G or wired USB, as listed for Windows |
| Controls identified in the product listing | Keyboard keys and Wireless Dual Super Buttons | TMR joysticks and controller buttons |
| Included 2.4G hardware | 2.4G adapter listed in the keyboard package | Use the controller’s listed connection hardware and instructions |
| Can it replace the other device? | No; it is not a thumbstick gamepad | No; it is not a 68-key typing keyboard |
Choose the Retro 68 when your main task is typing and you want NES styling with programmable keys. Choose the NES40 Ultimate 2 when the requirement is a physical joystick for games. They can be used on the same Windows PC, but each is configured as its own device.
Connecting the NES40 Ultimate 2 controller on Windows
The controller is separate from the keyboard, so start a new connection process rather than trying to attach it through the Retro 68.
- For a wired connection, connect the controller to USB and wait for Windows to enumerate it.
- For 2.4G, use the controller’s own receiver and documented pairing process. The keyboard’s adapter is not described as a shared receiver for the controller.
- Open a game’s controller settings or Windows’ game-controller test utility and move each TMR joystick through its full range.
- Check that the game sees the controller as an XInput or other supported device before changing dead-zone or sensitivity settings inside the game.
The available product facts establish the controller’s TMR hardware and Windows connection methods, but they do not establish a keyboard-software procedure for changing its joystick curves. Configure such behavior in the controller’s supported software or in the game that you are using.
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Nothing types over USB
- Reseat both ends of the supplied cable.
- Try a second direct USB port and remove any hub from the chain.
- Check that the keyboard is in wired mode, not a wireless mode waiting for a receiver.
- Test in Notepad. If no keys work there, the issue is connection, mode or hardware rather than a game setting.
The 2.4G receiver is present but the keyboard is silent
- Confirm that the adapter is fully inserted and that Windows reacts to removing and reinserting it.
- Set the keyboard to 2.4G mode using the documented Retro 68 controls.
- Move the adapter to another direct port and power-cycle the keyboard.
- Use the manual’s re-pair procedure if the receiver and keyboard have lost their link. Do not invent a timing sequence from another model.
Bluetooth pairing fails
- Delete an old Retro 68 entry under Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and on, then choose Add device > Bluetooth again.
- Keep the keyboard close to the PC and ensure it is actually in Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Use USB while diagnosing so you can continue working without repeatedly interrupting pairing attempts.
Ultimate Software V2 cannot see the keyboard
- Verify that the installed Windows version of Ultimate Software V2 lists “Retro 68 Keyboard – N40” as supported.
- Reconnect the keyboard by USB and restart the application.
- Close other remapping utilities that may have exclusive access to the device.
- Do not select an unrelated controller entry and assume it represents the keyboard.
A remapped key behaves incorrectly
- Test the key in Notepad to separate a mapping problem from a game-specific shortcut.
- Remove the assignment and restore the key’s default function in Ultimate Software V2.
- Test a macro with a harmless text action before using it in software where repeated input could have consequences.
Firmware, manuals and model-specific instructions
The support index identifies a Retro 68 Keyboard – NES 40th Limited Edition entry and shows firmware version 1.00. It links a PDF named Retro-68-Keyboard-NES.pdf. Because the exact PDF button diagrams and pairing sequences were not available as text here, consult that official manual directly for mode changes, Bluetooth discovery, 2.4G re-pairing and Wireless Dual Super Button setup.
That limitation matters: 8BitDo products can use similar-looking controls with different key combinations. A generic instruction that says to hold a particular function key for a particular number of seconds may be wrong for the Retro 68. Treat the manual’s illustration and the labels on your unit as the authority.
A configuration checklist
- Confirm the model is the Retro 68 Keyboard – NES 40th Limited Edition, not the NES40 Ultimate 2 controller.
- Use Windows 10 version 1903 or newer.
- Choose one connection mode: supplied USB cable, supplied 2.4G adapter or Bluetooth Low Energy.
- Verify ordinary typing in Notepad before opening Ultimate Software V2.
- Install the Windows software only after confirming that “Retro 68 Keyboard – N40” appears in its supported-device list.
- Map one key, save it, and test it before changing more keys.
- Pair the Wireless Dual Super Buttons separately and only with the Retro 68.
- For a true joystick, connect the separate NES40 Ultimate 2 controller through its listed Windows method.
- Keep the official Retro 68 manual available for every model-specific button sequence.
The result is a clean division of roles: the Retro 68 handles typing and programmable keyboard inputs, while the NES40 Ultimate 2 supplies physical TMR joysticks. Treating them as separate Windows devices prevents most setup and configuration mistakes.
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