A gray cube with a D-pad has been sitting on my desk for three days, and I haven’t touched another speaker since.
With the Retro Cube 2, 8BitDo has built a speaker that fits perfectly between the Super Nintendo and the NES: gray body, red speaker grille, black D-pad on top. Anyone who grew up with Nintendo’s legendary consoles in the ’80s or ’90s will recognize the color scheme instantly. I’ve had the little cube running nonstop on my desk for three days, and I already don’t want to be without it.
Perfect for Your Desk
The oversized D-pad is more than just decoration. Each direction has a function: press left or right to adjust the volume, pause and play are mapped to the bottom, and the top turns it off. It all feels nicely analog. No touch surface, no fumbling around for tiny buttons.
There’s also a button in the center that switches between Audio and Gaming modes. Honestly, though, I barely noticed a difference. Audio mode may be slightly heavier on the bass. Which brings us to the sound.
Two five-watt drivers deliver stereo sound, while a bass reflex system handles the low end. The audio is perfectly fine for voices and simple game sounds, but don’t expect booming bass. Anyone looking for serious punch to fill a room is in the wrong place here. For retro games, podcasts, or a bit of focus music while working from home, though, it’s more than enough. I also use it as a Bluetooth speakerphone for my smartphone when an important call comes in.
Long-Lasting and Flexible
What surprised me most was the battery. The retro cube has been running constantly for three days in my setup and is still going. According to 8BitDo, the battery lasts a hefty 30 hours, and so far, we’re right on track.
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I didn’t notice any latency, either. You can connect the Retro Cube 2 either via a 2.4GHz connection using the USB-C dongle or via Bluetooth. To change the connection type, you flip a small switch on the back. There’s also a wired USB-C option, if you prefer to keep things old-school.
Price & Alternatives
The Retro Cube 2 is part of 8BitDo’s NES 40th Anniversary Collection, which also includes a stylish keyboard. The cube costs $45 — and yes, alternatives like the JBL Go 5 cost roughly the same, sound a bit punchier with music in a direct comparison, and are even waterproof.
I’ve still fallen for the little cube. Mostly because it fits my desk setup perfectly, and the classic design keeps reminding me of carefree days with my favorite consoles. So if you’re looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker for your gaming room, the Retro Cube 2 is right on target.
