Welcome to the latest edition of Retro Handhelds Weekly. This week, we saw a bunch of news in 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
Check Out Handheld.deals 2.0
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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.
Anbernic RG477M Announced and Showcased
The week kicked off with the Anbernic RG477M being officially announced, and a few days later, the first showcase video was published. Anbernic has yet to reveal the full spec sheet, but it did show off gameplay of the RG477M playing games with a second screen attached. We suspect it won’t be too much longer before more details are revealed.
TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks
We’re expecting the TrimUI Brick Hammer to show up any day now, but it turns out that the company has been working on another spin-off handheld. Patent images were found courtesy of CellPhish (retrospecd.gg) via Baidu, revealing the TrimUI Smart Pro Mini.
The leaked patent doesn’t provide any specifics about the handheld. However, some in the RH Discord seem to think it’ll feature a display somewhere between 3.5″ and 4″.
OneXSugar 1 Spec Sheet and Price Revealed
By the time you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that the ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 Indiegogo campaign has opened. Ahead of that, the pricing and spec sheet were revealed, confirming much of what we expected. This unique handheld is set to start at $599 for the first 72 hours, with the price being increased to $699 starting on July 24.
SJGAM Clamshell Patent
It seems that SJGAM wants to get in on the clamshell fun as a new patent has appeared from the company. For the most part, there’s not too much of a difference between this and the RG34XXSP or Miyoo Flip. However, the biggest change is that the joysticks are placed above the rest of the controls, which is an interesting decision, to say the least.
Redherring32 is Making a Portable GameCube
I’m making a portable GameCube.
It’s not a Wii.It’ll have a directly driven 480p laminated IPS panel for the crispiest GameCube pixels you’ve seen.
It’ll have USB C PD charging.
Video out over USB C.
Wireless 4 player multiplayer.Oh, it’ll play Gameboy games too. pic.twitter.com/d6GyzTHzYE
— Redherring32 (@redherring32) July 18, 2025
A week after we saw the Kawii project get open-sourced, there’s another new handheld project on the way. This one comes from @Redherring32 on X, as they are planning to build a portable GameCube, complete with a 480p IPS display. This is one project we’ll be paying close attention to.
Other Hardware News
- MSI Claw A8 with Ryzen Z2 Extreme Taiwanese Pricing
- ZX Spectrum Next Issue 3 Kickstarter
- Downing’s 5th GeN64 Portable Nintendo 64 DIY Kit
- Genesis-Themed Retroid Pocket Mini
- 8bitdo Announces the Pro 3 Controller, Now with Balls
- The Analogue 3D Has Been Delayed…Again
- ROG Xbox Ally X Pricing Leaked
- It’s 2025! Time to Bring Back Commodore?
Apps and Software
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.
Italian YouTuber Could Be Jailed for Reviewing Handhelds
An Italian YouTuber, Francesco Salicini, has a channel by the name of “Once Were Nerd,” was raided by the Italian financial police this week. The authorities claim that by reviewing retro handhelds with copyrighted games is “prohibited,” and Salicini could face up to three years in jail.
During the raid, the police are said to have confiscated around 30 handhelds, along with thier personal phone. It’s currently unknown who or what company filed the complaint to incite the raid.
ES-DE 3.3.0 Introduces Cross-Platform Importer Tool
ES-DE is one of the best front-ends for retro gaming, and updates like version 3.3.0 are the reason why. Not only is there a new game importer tool that “makes it possible to import games and apps into ES-DE.” But this is available on the Android, Windows, Linux, and macOS versions.
This is just one of the latest additions, so be sure to check out the official changelog to see everything else that’s been added.
GammaOS Next Comes to More Devices
It sure seems like Gamma never sleeps, as the master is back at it again with GammaOS Next. This week, Gamma released builds for the AYANEO Pocket Micro, Retroid Pocket Classic, and Pocket 4 Pro. Oh, and did we mention there are already plans to bring this excellent firmware to the RG Slide and remaining Retroid devices?
GammaOS Next Releases GammaOS Patreon
RomM 4.0 is the App’s Biggest Release Yet
RomM v4.0.0 has arrived, and this update is a doozy. The developers are calling it the “most feature-packed release yet,” and for good reason. With RomM 4.0, you’re now able to match your ROM library with “popular DATfile databases like No-Intro, Redump, and TOSEC.”
Not only that, but there’s a new RomM companion app for Android, letting you “browse, manage, and organize your retro gaming collection directly from your Android device.”
RomM v4.0.0: Hashed EditionRomM Android
More Software News
- New Android App for RomM
- ROCKNIX and Batocera forks now available for the BATLEXP G350
- Xbox’s ‘Stream your own game’ feature now extends to PC
- Starfox – Shindou Edition
- Atari Is Bringing Versions Of Some Of Its Classics To Volkswagen Vehicles
- Enter the Gungeon and Exit the Gungeon Coming to Mobile on August 14
- Google Play Store
- Apple App Store
- MGSHDFix
- Nostlan v2.8 : UI Animations
- GameCube and JITless Dreamcast, Hopefully Coming Soon to Provenance Emu
- Clustered Graphics for Portal 2: Community Edition
- Spyware Found in Mega Man X8 Demake Mod
- Cloudflare Starts Blocking Pirate Sites For UK Users
- Mario Kart 64: PC Recompiled 0.0.9 Gets HD Texture Pack Support
- Old School Rally gets hit with a DMCA and taken down from Steam
Custom Firmware Updates
Emulation Updates
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.
MagicX Zero 40 First Impressions: Weird but Good
Are you looking for the perfect DS machine, that is nice and compact, and does everything that you’re looking for perfectly? Well, I don’t think the MagicX Zero 40 is quite that, but it does a lot right for its modest price tag, and actually tries to do something unique in the year 2025.
Making Retroid Handhelds Look Corpo
Flip 2 and the Pocket Classic
The release of the Retroid Classic and Flip 2 brewed so many ideas in my head about trying to make it look like the device it’s trying to emulate. That GameCube flip, the PKM Classic…the potential was right there!
How to Install SteamOS on the Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows Edition)
I reviewed the Windows version of the Legion Go S when it was released in February. In that video, I said that Windows was holding back a handheld clearly designed for SteamOS. Now that the SteamOS models are out, and Valve has repurposed its operating system, it is very much possible to install SteamOS on the Windows Go S.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller Review: This Thing is Bananas
With the Switch 2 having just come out, everyone’s looking for a controller that can cater to their every need now and in the near future. And that whole “near future” aspect mostly includes me, as my Switch 2 orders have been a fight to the point where I still haven’t nabbed one just yet. So while AKNES sent me its latest 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller to test out and review, I’ll be using it across everything, but the latest Nintendo console.
How’s it hold up otherwise? Is it the only controller you need? Honestly, it’s just about there, but there’s still more to talk about.
What Exactly is E-Waste These Days, Anyway?
Which are diamonds and which are just plain rough?
E-waste is one of those popular terms born of the internet that tends to be used as a blanket cover-all when there’s a lack of better options. In the same way that GOAT gets thrown around in describing something that may actually only rate as great-ish in reality, how can every third thing be the greatest of all time? They can’t. It’s just language. And when we look at things that way, I don’t think it’s fair to label some devices as waste.
How To Play GameCube on Anbernic RGXX Handhelds
You’re not alone if you’ve been wondering what the next Linux-focused chip will supplant the Allwinner H700 in Anbernic’s lineup. However, it’s been over a year since this chip was first used in an RGXX handheld, and we’re still learning about new capabilities.
A Love Letter to the Nintendo 3DS
I was late getting into the DS/3DS world. I was “too cool” for Nintendo and just playing my PSP or Xbox instead. Later, I delved back into Nintendo after getting a Switch and remembering the joy of the games I grew up playing. I then saw a video about how easy it was to hack a Nintendo 2DS XL, and also…they were only $99 at Walmart, and it included Mario Kart 7.
Risky Revolution Revives the GBA Era on RG34XXSP
Since debuting in 2002, Shantae has built a reputation as one of the most beloved indie franchises in the platforming space. The blend of hair-whipping combat, metroidvania exploration, and goofy, colorful, and whimsical storytelling has carved out a niche of its own.
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.
Looking for Deals?
Another week, another set of deals to be had. Hit the button below to check out our favorite deals of the week. We know how much everyone loves a good deal, so we’ve been cooking up something to help you get the best deal possible.
Retro Handhelds Deals of the WeekHandheld.Deals
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