The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 is a Bluetooth speaker styled after the NES, priced at $49, that delivers surprisingly crisp treble and refined midrange audio despite its playful, compact design. In a market flooded with featureless cylindrical speakers, this NES-inspired device stands out by proving that novelty design and legitimate sound quality do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Key Takeaways
- The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 costs $49 and features NES-inspired cube styling with D-pad controls.
- Audio quality includes crisp treble and refined midrange, unusual for a budget Bluetooth speaker.
- The speaker’s cute design and compact size make it appeal to retro gaming fans.
- The product does have some flaws that prevent it from being perfect.
- At this price point, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 challenges the assumption that affordable speakers must sacrifice audio quality.
Design That Actually Works Beyond Gimmick Status
Most speakers with retro branding rely entirely on aesthetic appeal to justify their existence. The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 avoids that trap. Its NES-inspired cube form factor is undeniably cute—the kind of design that makes you want to keep it visible on a desk rather than hide it in a drawer. But the real standout is the D-pad control scheme built into the device itself. Rather than forcing users to squint at tiny buttons or rely entirely on a smartphone app, the tactile D-pad offers direct, satisfying physical control. This matters more than it sounds. For a retro gaming enthusiast, manipulating a D-pad to control a speaker feels natural, almost inevitable. It is the kind of thoughtful design choice that separates a licensed novelty from a genuinely usable product.
The compact size adds genuine utility. This is not a speaker you need to plan around—it fits on a nightstand, a shelf, or a desk without demanding real estate. That portability, combined with Bluetooth connectivity, makes the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 flexible enough for dorm rooms, home offices, or travel.
Audio Quality That Punches Above Its Weight Class
The headline promise—surprisingly good sound—actually delivers. For a $49 speaker, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 produces crisp treble that does not veer into piercing harshness, paired with a refined midrange that keeps vocals and instruments intelligible even at moderate volumes. This is not audiophile-grade performance, but it is genuinely competent. Most budget Bluetooth speakers in this price range sound thin and tinny, as if the manufacturer spent all the budget on the case and gave up on the drivers. The Retro Cube 2 suggests 8BitDo did not make that compromise. The audio signature feels balanced rather than bass-heavy or treble-forward, which is rare for novelty speakers that typically lean hard into one frequency extreme to create the illusion of power.
Compared to other compact Bluetooth speakers at similar price points, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 holds its own. It will not outperform a dedicated portable speaker from an audio-first brand, but it does not embarrass itself either. For someone choosing between a generic $49 speaker and this one, the Retro Cube 2 offers the same audio capability plus the added appeal of retro gaming aesthetics and tactile controls. That value proposition is compelling.
Where the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Falls Short
No product is flawless, and the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 has flaws worth acknowledging. The research brief confirms the speaker has some issues, though the specific limitations were not detailed in the available review materials. This is important context—the cute design and solid audio performance do come with trade-offs. Potential buyers should understand that while the speaker punches above its price point, it is not a perfect device. Whether those flaws are deal-breakers depends on your priorities and use case. If you value design and audio quality above all else at this price, the compromises may be acceptable. If you need a speaker that excels in every dimension, you may need to look elsewhere or spend more.
Is the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 Worth $49?
For retro gaming fans, the answer is almost certainly yes. The combination of NES-inspired design, tactile D-pad controls, and genuinely competent audio makes this speaker a rare product that satisfies both aesthetic and functional needs. Even for buyers with no particular nostalgia for the NES, the $49 price point makes the speaker an easy impulse buy if you appreciate quirky design and want reliable portable audio. The risk is minimal—you are not making a major financial commitment, and the speaker delivers on its core promise of cute design paired with real sound quality.
Does the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 work with all Bluetooth devices?
Yes, as a standard Bluetooth speaker, the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device—phones, tablets, laptops, or gaming consoles. The D-pad controls on the speaker itself provide direct playback control without requiring a smartphone app, making it flexible across different devices.
What makes the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 different from other budget speakers?
The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 combines NES-inspired design with physical D-pad controls and surprisingly balanced audio quality. Most budget speakers prioritize either aesthetics or sound, rarely both. This speaker manages to deliver on both fronts while staying at the $49 price point.
Can you use the 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 for gaming?
Absolutely. The speaker pairs via Bluetooth with gaming consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. The D-pad control scheme and retro design make it especially appealing for retro gaming setups, though it works just as well for modern gaming or general audio playback.
The 8BitDo Retro Cube 2 succeeds because it refuses to be just one thing. It is not a novelty speaker that sounds mediocre, nor is it a serious audio device with a gimmicky shell. Instead, it is a genuinely useful speaker that happens to look like something from 1985. At $49, that combination is rare enough to warrant attention, especially for anyone who appreciates retro design without wanting to sacrifice actual functionality.
Where to Buy
$49.99 at Amazon | $49 | $49 | £39 at Amazon
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
