Exactly 40 years ago today, the Nintendo Entertainment System hit store shelves in New York City. The October 18, 1985 launch of the NES in the US revitalized home console gaming in North America. To commemorate the console’s pivotal role in gaming history, 8BitDo is releasing a new collection of NES-inspired gear over the next few months. The NES40 Collection features three products: a limited-edition Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle, a compact wireless gaming speaker, and an ultra-premium 68-key mechanical keyboard made of aluminum alloy.
Preorders for the NES40 Collection open today. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller bundle is limited to 1,985 units, and the N40 Edition wireless keyboard is limited edition, too. The new Retro Cube 2 Speaker is joining 8BitDo’s everyday lineup as the first wireless speaker from the manufacturer in a decade.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller – N40 Edition Bundle
$80 | Limited to 1,985 units | Releases November 15
The N40 Edition of the Ultimate 2 Bluetooth Controller retails for $80, which is just $10 more than the MSRP of the standard white, black, and yellow editions. Considering the bundle comes with several notable extras, the N40 Edition is honestly a bargain. You’ll get an exclusive transparent black 8BitDo Retro Receiver for real NES consoles. The Ultimate 2 Bluetooth and other 8BitDo Bluetooth controllers can sync wirelessly to original hardware with the adapter. A solid black version of the Retro Receiver, for reference, carries a $25 MSRP. The bundle also includes a travel case, which 8BitDo normally sells separately for $20. Inside the box, you’ll find four custom joystick caps, including a pair emblazoned with “NES” and “40,” and an 8BitBot keychain.
Though themed around Nintendo Entertainment System with its red face buttons, multiple tones of gray, and special-edition dock matching the design of the console, the N40 is a celebration of 40 years of Nintendo hardware. The handles are decorated with the dates of Nintendo home console and portable device launches around the world. The only exception here is the June 15, 2025 date on the right side of the controller, as this represents the date 8BitDo created the N40. The NES launch date is emblazoned in red, while the rest are in black. Most of the dates reference console launches in North America or global releases, but there are a couple tied to hardware launches in Europe and Japan. From top to bottom on each side, Here’s what each date references:
Left handle: Wii U (NA), NES (NA), Nintendo 64 (NA), Nintendo Switch (WW), Switch OLED (WW), SNES (NA), Wii (NA), GameCube (NA).
Right handle: Game Boy (NA), Virtual Boy (NA), Switch Lite (WW), 3DS (EU), DS (NA), Game Boy Color (JP), Game Boy Advance (NA).
Outside of the additional accessories, the N40 is the same flagship controller 8BitDo launched earlier this year. The Ultimate 2 supports 2.4GHz Wireless connections on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and PC. It also has Bluetooth support for Switch 1/2, Android, Apple, and SteamOS. It can run for up to 25 hours on a full charge and has a 1,000MHz polling rate. It’s fitted with high-end TMR electromagnetic joysticks, two remappable back buttons, and an extra pair of claw shoulder buttons. It also has two trigger modes: Hall Effect linear and non-linear microswitch buttons (rapid-fire mode). Other features include 6-axis motion controls, two rumble motors, a Turbo button, and RGB lighting rings. Control customizations can be made with 8BitDo’s Ultimate Software 2, and you can save up to three custom profiles that can be cycled through on the fly.
This announcement is exciting! The NES 40th Anniversary Ultimate 2 Controller Bundle sounds like a fantastic way to celebrate such a classic gaming milestone. Looking forward to seeing how it performs!
I’m glad you find it exciting! The nostalgia factor is definitely a big draw, especially with the classic design. Plus, the Bluetooth capabilities make it even more versatile for modern gaming setups.
Absolutely! The nostalgia is a huge part of the appeal, but the modern features like Bluetooth connectivity really enhance the gaming experience too. It’s great to see how they blend classic design with new technology!
You’re right, the nostalgia really enhances the experience! Plus, the addition of customizable buttons and turbo functions makes it even more appealing for both retro enthusiasts and new gamers alike. It’s great to see how they blend classic design with modern technology.