Add some retro gaming flare to your keyboard with these reimagined C64 keycaps

You have until October 5th to join the group buy

If you’re a big fan of retro gaming like we are at Guilty Gamer, and also love keyboards, then you should definitely give the latest keycap group buy from Keyreative a look. Those in the US will want to direct their attention to Cannonkeys’ listing for the gorgeous keyset aptly named KAT Retrobytes. The keyset is sold piecemeal, with 14 smaller sets to choose from to ensure there’s plenty of coverage, no matter your board’s layout. But rest assured, you can easily get out the door for $100; that’ll cover any 60%, 65%, or 75% keyboard.

KAT Retrobytes is a group buy that’s running for the next month

^{Source: SxM Designs}

Even in 2025, group buys are still one of the more popular ways to sell custom mechanical keyboards and their peripherals, such as keycaps. A group buy works much like crowdfunding, a way to ensure a product can be made by fans funding the manufacturing in advance, but of course, crowdfunding always comes with risks. The good news is that many trusted shops are taking part in this buy, and it’s unlikely Cannonkeys will do anyone wrong, as one of the most trusted shops in the community.

This means you have until October 5th to place your order for KAT Retrobytes, no matter if you place your order through Cannonkeys or one of the many mirrors around the world. Delivery is expected to take place in quarter 1 of 2026.

List of KAT Retrobytes GB storefronts

Show your love for the Commodore 64 with a modern interpretation

^{Source: SxM Designs}

Designed by SxM Designs (and soon to be produced by Keyreative), KAT Retrobytes reimagines the original Commodore 64 keycaps into something a bit more colorful with a blueish gray base, black legends, and secondary white legends for the unique C64 characters traditionally located on the side of the original caps. This results in a busier look, as all the legends are located on the top of KAT Retrobytes’ caps, which I find aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

There are also old-school options out there if you’re into brown

Now, if you’re looking for caps that are more traditional to the C64, Signature Plastics has your back with a brown set and side-injected legends. Drop used to also offer a similar retro theme for its MT3 caps, but they have been sold out for ages, with no word from Corsair (Drop’s owner) if more will ever be made.

Still, brown can be boring, which is why it’s very welcome to see the traditional set adjusted to something a lot more fun with KAT Retrobytes.

There’s more than one way to theme your keyboard

Of course, like any KAT keyset, there are many kitting options to choose from, whether you’re into Colvark (you animal) or simply want a pop of color on your board.

^{Source: SxM Designs}

The iconic ROYGB logo of the Commodore 64 is here in all of its glory, not only with a colorful extension to ensure your modifiers pop, but also a rainbow set of 1U caps that can fill the space of your F row and/or number row, much like the rainbow that runs along the top of the C64 logo on the original hardware.

^{Source: SxM Designs}

Best of all, if you’d like to show your retro computing or gaming flair on your board, there are two more optional kits that offer pixel art that’s quite striking.

Why I’m hyped for KAT Retrobytes

The first thing I’d like to note is that KAT is hands down my favorite profile, and Keyreative exclusively makes it. A significant selling point for me is the thickness of the caps, which are made of PBT, resulting in a superb sound. But of course, this is a special PBT blend, and shine does happen.

However, in the case of KAT Retrobytes, the caps are reverse dye-sub, which means they start with a light color, such as white, are then dyed blue/gray, and then have dark legends dyed on top. The good news is that Keyreative has pretty much perfected this process (unlike the early days and atrocities such as KAT Cyberspace), and tends to shine less quickly than doubleshot thanks to the dye.

^{Source: Keyreative}

KAT is also a sculpted set, which means each row curves a little to help meet your fingers. But unlike tall sets like Drop’s MT3 and Signature Plastic’s SA, KAT is a medium profile when it comes to height, which cuts down on the wobble taller caps are known for.

In other words, KAT is my go-to keycap profile thanks to a superb clack derived from its thickness, and its stability thanks to a perfect height, all wrapped up in an excellent sculpt that pleases my fingertips. It’s the ideal keycap profile for my builds, which is why I’ve built many boards with KAT caps. Next up will be KAT Retrobytes, thanks to its slick retro gaming theme that can’t be passed up — perhaps the perfect topper for the upcoming Lily.

You still have time to make up your mind

At the very least, you have a month to make up your mind if you’d like to join this group buy. But heed my warning, there is no guarantee every kit will be available as an extra. So if you plan on waiting until the caps are in stock, you may be in for a bad time. Still, with eleven shops included in the group buy, you’d hope there will be plenty of extras next year.

Order from Cannonkeys

KAT Retrobytes