Imagine how our Math teachers must be feeling now that we actually do have a calculator in our pockets all the time. Now imagine abandoning those virtual keys and falling back in love with a real-world calculator, complete with super tactile buttons. That’s where I am at the moment, and it’s all 8BitDo’s fault.
I was perfectly happy unlocking my phone whenever I needed to work out a price difference or other far more boring calculations. Now I have the 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad, a 2.4GHz addition to the NES-styled gaming keyboard the brand released late last year. The wireless keypad comes decked out in full Nintendo Entertainment System decor and can act as either a num-pad (or dedicated macro suite) or a standalone calculator. Yes, you’ll need to plug in another receiver, a particularly large USB-A dongle, but if you’re looking to tap away at a physical calculator like a stressed 80s financier this is a real trip.
