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.
Table of Contents
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.
Miyoo Flip Nears Launch: Time to Get Hyped (Again)
Can you believe that it’s been almost 9 months since we first caught wind of the Miyoo Flip? In that time, we’ve seen so many handhelds, including the Miyoo A30 and of course, the Anbernic RG35XXSP. However, while many of us are unboxing and starting to enjoy the Retroid Pocket 5, the Miyoo Flip might actually be nearing its release.
It started with @forthenext sharing a couple of photos of the Miyoo Flip in the flesh, complete with pastel buttons and Vita-style sticks. Then, the first video trailer for the MIyoo Flip was shared by the @miyoomini account on Twitter.
The ‘Antec Core Micro’ is a Rebranded Ayaneo Pocket Micro
There’s a new* handheld on the block, as the Antec Core Micro is now available for pre-order for $269, and will begin shipping on December 10th. But wait a minute, we’ve seen this handheld before. Oh right! It’s just the Ayaneo Pocket Micro but rebranded for Antec. The Core Micro comes in the same three colors, as you can choose Black, Grey, or Red.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen an Ayaneo device rebranded for Antec, as the Antec Core HS was briefly available earlier this year, and is simply a rebranded Ayaneo Slide. However, some have taken issue with this situation, due to the fact that Ayaneo recently announced that it would no longer be producing the 8GB / 256GB Pocket Micro in Red due to “sales exceeding expectations.” So while it’s possible to get the Pocket Core Micro in Red, you’ll have to go through Antec, and instead of paying $229, Antec is charging an extra $40.
MSI Claw 8 AI+ Could Arrive at CES 2025
In an effort to make everyone but Stubbs forget about the original Claw, MSI swiftly announced and offered a glimpse at its next handheld, the MSI Claw 8 AI+ back in June at Computex. However, despite being announced almost six months ago, it’s almost December and we have no idea when this Windows handheld will be released.
Surprisingly, the cat’s out of the bag, as the Claw 8 AI+ is listed as an “Honoree” for the CES 2025 Innovation Awards. CES 2025 is taking place in early January, so we don’t have too much longer to wait.
Ayaneo Pocket EVO Official Unboxing and Leaked Gameplay
With much of our attention being captured by the Retroid Pocket 5, Ayaneo decided to remind everyone that the Pocket EVO is still on the way. The company released a teaser video, giving us a look at the Retro Power Limited Edition unboxing experience, along with a bit of gameplay footage. Earlier this week, the NITTRX YouTube channel published a video of the Pocket EVO playing Devil May Cry 5 via Winlator, while managing to achieve 120FPS.
Sony Rumored to Be Working On a More Powerful PS Portal
It’s been almost a year since Sony released the PlayStation Portal, but until this week, it wasn’t possible to stream cloud games that weren’t installed on your PS5. Shortly after the latest update began rolling out, a report surfaced suggesting that Sony is currently developing a new handheld. This one “builds on the PlayStation Portal,” but will let you play PS5 games locally, making it more like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally X.
You might remember that rumors were swirling earlier this year about a potential PS Vita 2. We aren’t sure if the two rumors are connected, but we’re interested to see how everything plays out.
Other Hardware News
- “DOUBLE Exclusive Features” Shared for Ayaneo 3
- Valve’s Steam Controller 2 and ‘Deckard’ VR on the Horizon
- Retroid Begins Shipping White and 16Bit Pocket 5s
- OneXFly F1 Pro Is Shipping, Starting Price is $1,099
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.
Fanmade PC Port of Majora’s Mask Gets Monumental Update
2Ship2Harkinian, a fan-made PC Port of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, has been updated to version 1.1.1 which adds long-awaited features to the game. The 1.1.0 update features a modernized menu, game fixes, and new modes, but the 1.1.1 update afterward introduces a few more fixes and patches to address issues found in the 1.1.0 release. A few days after the update was released for PC and Linux users, the 2Ship2Harkinian Android port was also updated to include the new features and changes.
Steam Autumn Sale Starts This Week
Tis the season to spend a boatload of money on things you don’t need, or Christmas gifts, as the 2024 shopping season has arrived. Arguably more importantly, at least for some, Valve’s hosting the Steam Autumn Sale 2024 this week. It begins on November 27 at 10 AM PT (1 PM ET) and runs until December 4.
Star Fox 64 Port Is In the Works
With the latest major update for 2Ship2Harkinian out of the way, the Harbour Masters 64 development team is setting its sights on porting another classic N64 game. It seems that we’ll finally be getting a native PC port of Star Fox 64, with the announcement being accompanied by a two-hour “Beta Showcase”. In the stream, it’s revealed that the Star Fox 64 is expected to arrive “sometime in December.”
You Can Finally Use Steam and Epic Game Store in Winlator
With all of the turmoil surrounding Switch emulation, many of us have turned our attention to figuring out how to use Winlator. It turns out, we’re not the only ones, as many others are doing exactly the same. One of the sticking points with Winlator is the inability to use the Steam client, however, that problem has seemingly been solved. A new mod is now available that lets you use either Steam or the Epic Games Store from within Winlator.
Gamma Overclocks the Retroid Pocket 5
It seems that Gamma’s cooking something up, as he’s apparently working on overclocking the GPU. Recently, he was able to get a steady 60 FPS with the GPU overclocked to 1100MHz and 0.75x (540p/810p) resolution.
Other Software News
- melonDS 1.0 RC Now Available
- Yaba Sanshiro Saturn 30th Anniversary Update is Released
- eShop Access Might Return With Azahar 3DS Emulator
- shadPS4 Continues to Add Support for More Games
- BigPEmu Comes to iOS
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 and reviews that you might have missed over the course of this week.
RH Games: What We’re Playing This Week
With the hype of the new phone app, I have decided to go back and play the Game Boy Color game. The second game won GotM a while back and I really enjoyed that one. This is one I have owned since being a kid and I was always too dumb to figure it out. I am ready to go back and win some battles now as a slightly less dumb adult.
Help Us Pick the Best Handheld of the Year!
You can blame me for why this wasn’t published yesterday, as I was sitting in the cold trying to get a few autographs. Nevertheless, we’re back with Round 2 voting for the best handheld of the year! We still have the original categories, but there’s a bit of a change this time around, after some internal deliberation. Plus, there’s another bonus question for everyone to answer and have some fun with.
Anbernic RG406H Review: Everything Rolled Into One
Anbernic is back with all brand-new variations. What happens when you take a RG406 V and cross it with a RG Cube? Well, you get something much like the new RG406H. You can check out Andrew’s first impressions here and also the video Stubbs did below.
Could Console Launcher 2.0 Be Your Next Android Frontend?
Using Android for emulation can be wonderful, but often only once everything is set up. That initial installation process can be a bit of a bear, especially if you’re someone who just wants to play some games and isn’t particularly technically inclined. On top of any initial difficulties, the UI experience often leaves users feeling like they’re still on a phone and not a dedicated emulation device, but developer likeich aims to solve both of these annoyances with the newly revamped Console Launcher 2.0.
Joe’s Anbernic RGXX Series Tier List
To date, as of November 23, 2024, we have (9) XX device versions with…varying degrees of success and appeal. And some that are definitely better than others. And I’ve touched, scratched, and sniffed just about every single one minus those I had some help on. So…let’s make a tier list! (If any new handhelds under this line come out, I will update the list)
Anbernic RG406V and RG406H Setup Guide
The RG406H and RG406V will probably go down as two of the most solid releases this year. They’re currently the only devices that spout a 4:3 720p screen, making them optimal for nearly every console released before 16:9 became the new standard. Their power gives them great performance for PS2 and Gamecube games, and the weird quirks within their physical design are at an all-time low.
Controllers Under $40: Do You Need More?
Fast forward to 2024, and I’m on the hunt for “cheap” or “budget” controllers to fill that gap in my third-party heart for PC. So over the past couple of months, I’ve gathered 9 controllers for under $40, and I’d like to tell you what’s worth your time, or if you should spend a little more to get a little more. From cheap and clicky to pleasantly potent, join in as I share my experience over the past few months and what might be an actual budget banger.
- Controllers Under $40: Do You Need More?
TrimUI Brick First Impressions: SOLID
TrimUI is one of those companies that haven’t released a mountain of products. With that, they’re similar in vein to companies like Retroid and AYN. However, where they focus on Android at higher prices, the TrimUI brand lands on the lower end of the market. Following the Model S, Smart, and Smart Pro, we’re given the Brick. An odd name, but a small vertical with a lovely screen. So in my first impressions let’s talk about what I like, what I don’t, and whether I think it’ll be worth considering.
5 Games Where You Can Take Down Turkeys
In the USA, we are nearing the holiday of Thanksgiving. While we have a lot to be thankful for, I am usually thankful for that delicious turkey at the center of the feast. I live near a ton of farms, and our local farmers are cursing turkeys as they have been destroying their fields. This motivated me to list 5 games where you can take down turkeys!
On the YouTubes
Don’t think that the writers are the only ones getting things done. the RH video team is constantly working on new videos, and now’s the best time to subscribe. This week, Ban gets a Brick, Zu writes a love letter, Stubbs isn’t convinced by the Pocket DMG and the new Steam Deck OLED LE is in the house!
Looking for Deals?
With the days getting shorter and colder, it can only mean one thing — the 2024 holiday shopping season is underway. Coming as a bit of a surprise, many retailers have kicked off their Black Friday deals early, as we’re still a week away from the actual Black Friday. On the bright side, we don’t have to wait any longer to find incredible retro handheld deals from Amazon, AliExpress, Best Buy, and others.
If you’re looking for even steeper discounts, we have a few special coupon codes that you can still take advantage of. Just make sure you meet the minimum cost in your cart, then enter the coupon code at checkout. The only caveat when using these codes is that they are currently only available for those who live in the U.S.
- RHH9 – $9 off $49
- RHH15 – $15 off $89
- RHH25 – $25 off $159
- RHH60 – $60 off $299
More AE Codes
- USBF03 – $3 off $19
- USBF06 – $6 off $39
- USBF12 – $12 off $89
- USBF20 – $20 off $139
- USBF30 – $30 off $209
- USBF60 – $60 off $399
- USBF80 – $80 off $499
Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week: Black Friday Edition
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