Product details

80Retros GB40 Pixel: 40% Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Kit

The GB40, redrawn in pixels

The 80Retros GB40 Pixel is the new edition of the GB40, a compact 40% mechanical keyboard kit with a case modelled on the handheld and home consoles of the 1980s. Pixel keeps the CNC-machined 6063 aluminium chassis and the enthusiast internals of the original, and dresses it in three themed colourways with matching keycap sets: Game 1985, FC 1983 and Blush 1990s.

Look along the front edge and you will find a ribbed speaker grille, a pair of A and B buttons, a round controller-style dial and a Pixel nameplate, with a flip-up cover over the USB-C port on the left. Flip it over and "GAME OVER" is engraved into the bottom plate. None of it is strictly necessary, which is rather the point.

80Retros GB40 Pixel Game 1985 40% mechanical keyboard from above, showing the multicolour pixel-art keycap set

Gasket mount and sound

The GB40 Pixel uses a gasket mount: eight silicone cushions sit between the FR4 plate and the aluminium case, so the plate floats rather than being screwed down. That takes the hard edge off each keystroke and keeps case resonance out of the sound.

The kit comes with a full set of dampening layers already matched to the case: a 3.5 mm Poron plate foam between plate and PCB to remove hollowness, a 0.5 mm IXPE switch pad under the switches to tighten the sound of each press, and Poron case foam in the bottom to deepen the overall tone.

Tri-mode, hot-swap and QMK/VIA

Connect over USB-C, Bluetooth 5.2 or 2.4 GHz with the included receiver, and switch between them as you move between machines. A 3000 mAh battery keeps a 40% board running for a long time between charges.

The PCB is hot-swappable and takes both 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style switches, so changing switches is a matter of pulling and pushing, no soldering. QMK and VIA support means every key, layer and macro can be remapped in the browser, which on a 40% layout is where the keyboard really gets built.

GB40 Pixel Game 1985 and Blush 1990s keyboards with a third unit turned over to show the GAME OVER engraving on the aluminium bottom plate

Three GB40 Pixel colourways

Each colourway is a complete kit with its own themed keycap set. Pick the era you grew up with.

GB40 Pixel Game 1985 in beige with red, yellow, green and blue accent keycaps on a retro desk

Game 1985

Warm beige case with a yellow port cover, red and blue A/B buttons and a cream keycap set splashed with primary-colour accents, pixel hearts and a "Please try again" spacebar.

GB40 Pixel FC 1983 in cream and burgundy in front of a CRT television

FC 1983

Cream case with burgundy and gold details, paired with a white and deep red keycap set in the colours of the 8-bit home consoles of the early eighties.

GB40 Pixel Blush 1990s in pastel pink with white and pink keycaps and novelty keycaps on a pink desk mat

Blush 1990s

Pastel pink case and pink-on-white keycaps with sakura and character novelties, for a softer take on the handheld era.

What's in the kit

CNC aluminium case

6063 aluminium chassis with a powder-coated finish, speaker grille, A/B buttons, dial and Pixel nameplate, plus the engraved bottom plate.

Gasket mount and foams

FR4 plate on eight silicone gaskets, with 3.5 mm Poron plate foam, 0.5 mm IXPE switch pad and Poron case foam fitted.

Switches and keycaps

Factory-lubed HMX switches and the colourway's themed Cherry-profile keycap set, so the kit is complete once assembled.

Q&A & Specifications

Questions & Answers

What is a 40% keyboard layout?

A 40% keyboard drops the number row, function row and navigation cluster to get the footprint down to the alphas and a few modifiers. Numbers, symbols and arrows live on layers you reach by holding a key such as Fn.

Is a 40% layout hard to learn?

Expect a week or two of looking things up. Once the layers are in your fingers it is a quick, comfortable way to type, and QMK/VIA lets you arrange the layers to suit how you actually work.

What do I need to complete the kit?

Nothing. Case, PCB, plate, foams, stabilisers, switches and keycaps are all in the box. You assemble it, plug in or pair, and go.

How is Pixel different from the original GB40?

The internals are the same GB40 kit. Pixel is the new run of colourways and themed keycap sets, with the console-style details on the front edge and the engraved bottom plate.

Specifications

  • Model: 80Retros GB40 Pixel
  • Layout: 40%
  • Colourways: Game 1985, FC 1983, Blush 1990s
  • Case: CNC-machined 6063 aluminium, powder coated
  • Mount: gasket, eight silicone cushions
  • Plate: FR4
  • Foams: 3.5 mm Poron plate foam, 0.5 mm IXPE switch pad, Poron case foam
  • PCB: hot-swap, 3-pin and 5-pin MX-style
  • Connectivity: USB-C wired, Bluetooth 5.2, 2.4 GHz (receiver included)
  • Battery: 3000 mAh
  • Firmware: QMK/VIA
  • Switches: HMX, factory lubed
  • Keycaps: themed set per colourway, Cherry profile
Specifications

Mounting Style: Gasket-mount aluminium case

PCB: Hot-swappable, supports 3-pin & 5-pin switches

Foam: Poron plate foam + IXPE bottom case/switch foam

Connectivity: USB-C (wired) or Bluetooth (wireless)

Inclusion: Keyboard kit only (switches/keycaps may be included depending on variant)

Design: Original 80 Retros GB40 keyboard kit

Inside the box

1 × 80 Retros GB40 Mechanical Keyboard Kit
Includes: wireless dongle, switch/keycap puller, coiled USB-A to USB-C cable, joystick accent piece

Compatibility

Compatible with Cherry MX-style switch stems (3-pin/5-pin)

Supports full-sized layouts with number pad, function row, navigation cluster

Warranty

1 year manufacturer's warranty

Got questions? 🤔

Do you have any questions, or unsure if this product is compatible with your setup?