Welcome to the latest edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly. This week saw a bunch of news in both the world of hardware and software, our writing team continues to be on an absolute tear, and there’s even a surprise or two sprinkled in! So sit back, grab a cup of coffee, and catch up on what’s happened this week in the world of Retro Handhelds.
Hardware
If there’s one thing we know about retro handhelds, it’s that there is always something new around the corner. Seriously, it’s “worse” than smartphones, as some companies release new handhelds every other week. On the bright side, at least there’s no shortage of options.
TrimUI Brick Reveal
The TrimUI Brick visually looks to borrow a lot of its design and influence from the Analogue Pocket but with some noticeable contrasts. Where the Analogue Pocket would be left empty, the Brick dedicates that space to the select and start buttons.
Retroid Pocket Mini Gameplay & Batocera Demo
While the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini are still in the pre-order phase, Retroid has taken this opportunity to continue teasing everyone. Recently, there have been a slew of Pocket Mini videos, showing off different things such as performance in various emulators such as AetherSX2, Citra, and others. Retroid has even gone so far as to show off an early build of Batocera running on the Pocket Mini.
MagicX Changes Up the Touch Two Lineup
There are three upcoming versions of the Touch Two. The chipset inside has been upgraded to the MediaTek Dimensity 1080. This may be surprising to some, as the company recently revealed that their new consoles will feature an Allwinner SoC as opposed to ones from MediaTek. Future, as used initially, is meant to emphasize devices that were not yet announced or in production stages. Allwinner SoCs are to be expected on any future-announced devices.
GKD Bubble Colors
#GKD_Bubble is coming pic.twitter.com/HOX8Bzfpd5
— Z-Pocket Game (@Z_Pocket_Game) September 13, 2024
Another handheld that has been picking up steam is the GKD Bubble. We’ve seen and heard rumblings about this Game Gear-inspired handheld for a while, and we might be getting closer to launch. Along with reaching out for recommendations on which colors to offer, the Z-Pocket Game Twitter account continues to share new and different pictures of the real Bubble in both Red and Black.
More Hardware News
- It’s Real! Sony Finally Reveals the PS5 Pro
- Retro Revival: Analogue Pocket GBC Colors Edition Announced
- Anbernic RG406V Official Promo Video
- Copper and Aluminum Steam Deck Button Sets
- R46S (R40S Successor) Features 1:1 Screen and RK3566
- 8Bitdo Mod for Official GameCube Controller
- PICO-8 Handheld Console Progress
- Powkiddy V10 Mod Makes it Slim
Software and Custom Firmware
Don’t get me wrong, hardware is definitely fun and exciting to talk about. But what good is an awesome handheld if it doesn’t even work? That’s where software and custom firmware come into play, so here’s everything you might’ve missed this week.
GammeOS Core Beta 1 Is Here
With Android on these older and relatively underpowered retro handhelds, players can expect some things to not function as they typically would on a phone. GammaOS is based on a clean version of LineageOS, so bloatware should be entirely absent. But GammaOS sets the peg a bit higher by coming preconfigured for retro handhelds.
muOS Banana Enters Beta
If you own a retro handheld powered by the Allwinner H700, then you likely have heard about muOS. Following the successful launch of Beanz, the muOS developers have been hard at work implementing even more changes and features. The muOS Banana train is plowing ahead full of steam, and there’s currently a beta available for devices.
EtherealSX2 is a PCSX2 Port for Mobile
This is exciting, the NetherSX2 dev is working on a port of PCSX2 for Android, a true successor to AetherSX2. This could mean improved (and regularly updated) PS2 emulation on Android based devices! https://t.co/6NuT8YWBKm
— Retro Game Corps (@RetroGameCorps) September 13, 2024
Ever since the situation surrounding AetherSX2 forced development to cease, we’ve been hoping for someone to pick up the mantle. It turns out that our hero might have arrived, as the developer of NetherSX2 has started working on a new PCSX2 Port for Android, dubbed EtherealSX2.
Other Software News
- Decky Loader 3.0 Arrives for the Steam Deck
- ES-DE 3.1.0 Brings QoL Improvements
- DuckStation is No Longer Open Source
From the Writers
While there’s always a lot of news to cover and talk about, we also try to take a step back and give everyone something a bit different to enjoy. These are the more editorial-styled articles that you might have missed over the course of this week.
RH Games: What We’re Playing
I love RPGs and I really want to play a good JRPG with lots of grinding and turn-based combat. So naturally, I picked up this short puzzle adventure game called Tinykin. If I could describe this game, I would say it is heavily inspired by Pikmin while using the aesthetic of a Paper Mario game. It is a ton of fun just to explore the different levels in this one and HLTB says it is only 6 hours so I will feel good about myself to take a game off the backlog.
Anbernic RG40XXV Review: So Much to Love
That being said, if you want a Pocket DMG on a budget, then the RG40XXV is the one to get. There’s a good chance that this will replace my beloved RG353V, but it might not sit on the throne for long, as the RG406V is coming soon.
CRKD Neo S Review: Hitting the Mark
What started out as a fun curiosity to add to the collection quickly became a candidate for a daily driver. Having never used a Nitro Deck, I was kind of going into this experience in the dark, but I’m certainly glad that I did. I will continue to keep my eye on offerings from CRKD in the future, because if they can keep releasing options like this, 8BitDo better keep an eye out.
OBSBot Meet 2: A Quick Look
When it comes to the Meet 2, I think it’s a fine upgrade over something like a Logitech C920. It’s plug-and-play, and its quality is actually quite nice coming from a guy who simply knows. “Looks Good” or “Looks Terrible, Fix your Stuff”.
ZPG A1 Unicorn: An Unhinged Take
After the arduous and time-consuming task of setting this doodad up, I ended up really enjoying the awkward and charming qualities of how the device looks, ergonomics, and button quality. Well, the experience on the 1:1 screen has been heavily talked about already, I think that everything here, including the price, is about where it needs to be.
How To Backup Cartridge Saves on an Analogue Pocket
Analogue added support for Memories over two years ago and has included more features as the days go by. With such a pivotal, useful, and needed feature being present in the Pocket, it’s a mystery why it’s not discussed more openly and frequently. Hopefully, this guide will help save some people from the heartache that is realizing your saves are dead and long gone.
Using a Game Boy DMG in 2024
I love the Game Boy. I grew up with the Game Boy Color and I have so much nostalgia for those games. Those sprites from that era just do something for me. I just missed the cutoff for having the good ole’ DMG though. I decided this year that if I saw a beaten-up one, I would restore it and give it a try.
On the YouTubes
Don’t think that the writers are the only ones getting things done. Over the past week, Stubbs gave us a “first look” at the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, Zu gives us a glimpse at what’s to come when muOS Bananas officially rolls out, and for some reason, Stubbs is in love with the MSI Claw.
Looking for Deals?
Another week, another set of deals to be had. The headlining deals this week come courtesy of AliExpress, as the retailer is hosting its “Fall Savings Event.” There are a variety of coupon codes to use, depending on how much you spend, but we’ve rounded up some of our favorite deals below.
- R36S: $31 w/ code FSUS03
- Miyoo A30: $29 w/ code FSUS03
- CB408: $62 w/ code FSUS08
- Powkiddy V10: $33 w/ code FSUS03
- TrimUI Smart Pro: $54 w/ code FSUS03
- Anbernic RG40XX H: $46 w/ code FSUS03
- Anbernic RG40XX V: $63 w/ code FSUS03
- MagicX XU Mini M: $41 w/ code FSUS03
- Retroid Pocket 4 Pro: $161.16 w/ code FSUS20
- 8BitDo Retro 18 Mechanical Numpad: $34 w/ code FSUS03
- ZPG A1 Unicorn: $123 w/ code FSUS08
- Lenovo Y700: $334 w/ code FSUS50
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