8BitDo Gears of War: E-Day Keyboard and Mouse: Prices, Specs, Windows Features and Ship Date

That makes these two of the more expensive themed peripherals around. Underneath the crimson cracked-earth styling, though, the specs are decent, and one feature is aimed squarely at Windows users. Here's what you get, what the spec sheet leaves out, and where buyers should look closely before they pay.

The pre-order details​

The listings on 8BitDo's official shop match what Windows Central reported:

The keyboard and mouse are sold separately, and the shop doesn't list a bundle discount. Buying both at list price costs $179.98 before shipping and taxes.

Where you buy matters. Notebookcheck says both are available to pre-order now on the 8BitDo eShop, but only the keyboard is available on Amazon. 8BitDo's product page shows the same split: a US Amazon pre-order button and a separate "eShop (Worldwide)" option. 9to5Toys also noted that the matching Retro R8 Mouse listing appeared to be sold out at the moment it published, so stock can change quickly. The October 30 date is when 8BitDo says the products ship. It is not a delivery date.

Section summary: The keyboard is $119.99 and the mouse is $59.99. Both ship October 30 and are sold separately. Amazon US has only the keyboard, while 8BitDo's own eShop has both.

Retro 87: a tenkeyless board with Windows-specific features​

The Retro 87 has 87 keys in a tenkeyless layout, meaning no number pad. Windows Central describes semi-custom Huano Cloud Gray linear switches on a hot-swappable PCB, topped with durable double-layered ABS keycaps. 8BitDo's spec sheet adds N-key rollover, an aluminum plate, a top-mount build with sound-dampening layers, MDA-like keycap height, and RGB backlighting with eight lighting modes.

Hot-swap support means you can pull the switches and fit compatible replacements without soldering. 8BitDo doesn't publish a list of compatible switch models, so if you plan to change switches, confirm compatibility first.

Two features are worth noting for Windows users:

• A dedicated Game Bar button. The 1 through 4 keys are themed after the Lancer, Gnasher, Boltok Pistol, and Frag Grenade, while a dedicated button in the upper-right corner gives quick access to the Windows Game Bar. Win+G already does this, but one key is handy if you capture clips often.
• Dual Super Buttons. The box includes one set of these oversized external buttons. 8BitDo says you can assign macros or other functions to them without software, and up to four sets can be connected. For more detailed key mapping and macros, 8BitDo's Ultimate Software V2 runs on PC. Notebookcheck's sister outlet coverage via dlcompare notes buyers also get a translucent red 2.4GHz receiver and two wired Super Buttons featuring Gears of War insignias.

Connectivity and compatibility: The keyboard connects over Bluetooth 5.3 LE, 2.4GHz wireless, or wired USB-C. 8BitDo officially lists Windows 10 version 1903 and later, plus Android 9.0 and later. Windows 11 isn't named separately, but as a later release it falls under "and above." macOS is not on the list.

Size and battery: It measures 376.6 × 169.6 × 46.8 mm and weighs 1,100 g, so it's heavy and won't slide around your desk. The 4,000mAh battery is rated for up to 280 hours on 2.4GHz and 300 hours on Bluetooth, with a four-to-eight-hour charge time. These are 8BitDo's own figures, and the company doesn't say whether the RGB lighting was on during testing. Expect real-world battery life to vary with your lighting settings.

Section summary: It's a heavy, hot-swappable tenkeyless board with three connection modes, a Windows Game Bar key and programmable external buttons. The battery figures come from 8BitDo, not independent testing.

Retro R8: high polling rates, but not over Bluetooth​

The Retro R8 uses PixArt's PAW 3395 sensor and offers six DPI levels. It has four programmable side buttons and a switch for left- or right-handed use. 8BitDo rates its Huano micro switches for up to 100 million clicks, which again is the manufacturer's number. The mouse weighs 77 g and measures 115 × 58 × 39.4 mm.

The included dock charges the mouse, extends the 2.4GHz signal range, and stores the adapter. That's useful if your PC sits under the desk and the receiver ends up behind a metal case.

The connection you choose makes a big difference. 8BitDo's official ranges are:

1. Wired USB-C: 250Hz–8,000Hz
2. 2.4GHz wireless: 250Hz–4,000Hz
3. Bluetooth: 125Hz only

You adjust polling rate in Ultimate Software. For competitive play, use the 2.4GHz receiver or a cable. Bluetooth is fine for desktop work but runs at a much lower polling rate.

The rated battery life also depends on polling rate. The 450mAh battery is rated at 100 hours on Bluetooth and 26 to 105 hours on 2.4GHz, with a 2.5-hour charge time. The 26-hour figure most likely applies at the highest wireless polling rates, but 8BitDo doesn't break down the range. If you run at 4,000Hz, plan on docking the mouse regularly.

Section summary: The sensor and polling options are good for the price. Bluetooth is limited to 125Hz, and wireless battery life varies widely with polling rate.

Context: part of 8BitDo's Xbox accessory line​

These aren't new designs. Notebookcheck says they are special editions of 8BitDo's existing Retro 87 Keyboard and Retro R8 Mouse, joining the previously announced Ultimate Charging Dock for Xbox Controllers – Gears of War: E-Day Edition. 8BitDo has also released an E-Day-themed Xbox controller. Windows Central framed the launch as timed to the game's Early Access arrival on Xbox and PC, with 8BitDo expanding its Xbox partnership accessory line.

That's worth knowing when you judge the price. 8BitDo's own shop lists the non-licensed Retro 87 "Forest Wonder" edition at a $119.99 regular price, currently on sale from $59.99. The standard Forest Wonder R8 mouse is $59.99. So the E-Day versions don't cost more than 8BitDo's regular list prices. They do cost more than the plain models while those are discounted. What the E-Day editions add is the styling, the weapon keycaps and the themed Super Buttons.

Windows Central's reviewer was positive about the line as a whole. They called the build quality and typing experience of 8BitDo's keyboards some of the best on the market, and reasonably priced next to similar products. That's a view of the existing range, not a review of these editions. No independent hands-on testing of the E-Day versions has been published yet.

Buying outside the US, including the UAE​

8BitDo calls its eShop pre-order "worldwide," and the store's region selector includes the United Arab Emirates. However, the listings show only US dollar prices. tbreak converted them at the dirham's fixed peg of AED 3.6725 to the dollar: about AED 441 for the keyboard, AED 220 for the mouse and AED 661 for both. Those are straight currency conversions, not local retail prices. Shipping, import duties and VAT are extra.

Before ordering from outside the US:

1. Choose your country in the 8BitDo store and add the item to your cart.
2. Check that checkout accepts your delivery address.
3. Look at the shipping cost and any duties or taxes shown before you pay.
4. Compare the total with local retailers, if any list the E-Day editions.

Is it worth pre-ordering?​

If you're playing E-Day on PC and want a matching setup, these are well-specified peripherals at 8BitDo's usual prices. The hot-swap PCB, three connection modes and 4,000Hz wireless polling are solid for the money.

The downsides:

• The keyboard has no number pad, which matters if you type a lot of numbers.
• The keyboard officially supports only Windows and Android.
• The mouse is limited to 125Hz over Bluetooth.
• Every battery and durability figure comes from 8BitDo.
• No reviews of these editions exist yet.

If you only want the hardware, the plain Retro 87 Forest Wonder edition is currently on sale for much less. If you want the E-Day styling, it ships October 30.