Kick75 Almost Didn’t See the Light of Day: An Adventure in Mechanical Keyboards
The Beginning of a Dream
In the summer of 2022, the NuPhy team gathered in the office to discuss a bold idea: to create a keyboard that would make the very first keystroke feel radically different—so that users would instantly realize typing could feel this extraordinary.
At that time, we spent every day testing typing feel, experimenting with sounds, and adjusting designs. Every keystroke felt like asking ourselves, “Is this the tactile experience we’re aiming for?” Excitement and anxiety intertwined, as if each keypress carried the entire team’s dream.
A Spark of Inspiration
During a casual conversation, one designer mentioned a classic sneaker—the Air Force 1.
The Air Force 1 revolutionized basketball shoe cushioning with Nike’s Air Solo technology, significantly reducing the risk of injury during intense movements.
Similarly, the emerging gasket-mounted structure and pre-lubricated switches of the NuPhy Kick75 brought a qualitative leap in typing feel. Just as the Air Force 1 transformed the sneaker industry with Air Solo, could NuPhy’s fingertip innovation shake up the keyboard world?
This idea instantly energized the team. We eagerly sketched the first version on the computer—the seed of what would become the Kick series.
The Perfectionist Challenge
Yet, the path to development was far from smooth. We tried different materials and switch combinations, but nothing quite matched the tactile feel and sound we envisioned. Time and again, the team scrapped prototypes and tried new approaches, each test accompanied by tension and anticipation.
To achieve the ideal low-profile typing experience, we collaborated closely with our long-time partner Gateron, testing new switch designs over and over. Every sample was a trial: would the keystroke finally match our vision of the perfect standard switch?
Ultimately, we decided to develop an entirely new low-profile switch. It had to feel comfortable while giving low-profile keyboards the tactile feedback and sound of standard switches. This decision extended the project’s timeline, putting a nearly completed prototype back into a long development cycle.
A Critical Turning Point
Just when we thought the prototype was ready for release, a bold idea emerged: what if we created a keyboard with swappable switches? Would it attract even more users?
We knew most people wouldn’t frequently swap switches, but what mattered more to us was that users shouldn’t have their choice limited by a single decision.
The thought thrilled and terrified the team at the same time—it meant almost starting from scratch.
This redesigned keyboard became today’s Kick75. It embodies every ounce of the team’s effort: innovative switch design, flexible swappability, rich decorative details, and optimized typing feel. Every keystroke carries our ideals and dedication.
Attention to Detail
Kick75 is more than just a keyboard—it’s full of little surprises:
l A meticulously designed decorative bottom plate and detachable silicone strips let each user express their own personality; the bottom plate’s design draws inspiration from the classic game Super Mario Odyssey, paying tribute to its adventurous spirit.
l A wide variety of switch options allows users to explore the typing feel that suits them best.
l The innovative swappable design opens up endless possibilities.
The keyboard is not just a tool—it’s a fingertip adventure. The entire development process felt like playing a classic platforming game: every design adjustment and sample test was like facing a new level, full of challenges, tension, and excitement, yet also bringing countless moments of joy and accomplishment.
The Long March Ends
In 2025, Kick75 finally came to life.
From the first sketch in 2022, through delays and technical challenges, to its final form, the development took three and a half years—carrying with it countless moments of anxiety, sweat, and anticipation. From 2022 to 2025, we watched custom keyboard prices drop, magnetic switches reshape the gaming keyboard market, and better low-profile products emerge. The journey took longer than expected, and the market certainly wasn’t waiting for us.
Yet through it all, our mission remained unchanged: to create a low-profile keyboard that truly moves people.
The story of Kick75 continues. Its mission is only just beginning—to make the world of low-profile keyboards freer, more exciting, and full of possibilities.
Recognition from Users and Media
Upon launch, Kick75 quickly earned positive feedback from both users and the press. As Tom’s Guide praised:
“Want a beautiful-looking, beautiful-typing, beautiful-sounding, super-customizable mechanical keyboard? I can’t think of a board I’d recommend more right now than the NuPhy Kick75.”