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Check out our thoughts on the latest retro handhelds, and retrospectives on ones we still can’t put down.
The Latest
How to Use ROM Hacks
A good portion of ROM hacks are made using tools made by other retro community members. These tools aim to simplify the process involved in editing palettes, changing text, or simply moving things around. These tools are making it easier for your average person to...
It’s Almost 2025 and I’m Collecting Pokemon Cards Again
Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we? It's the mid-90s, Super Mario 64 was breaking records, Mario Kart 64 was ruining friendships, and times were much simpler. As we neared the start of the new millennia, our parents were worried about the Y2K bug, but we...
The Games I Actually Play: PortMaster
You’ve got your PortMaster handheld. You’ve got it all set up with your favorite OS. Whether that’s ArkOS, Crossmix, or Rocknix; it’s running and you can get your game fix in now. But when you boot up PortMaster and look through games you realize there’s a lot that...
Anbernic “XX” Handheld Starter Guide
Greetings friends and fellow enthusiasts! This is Mikhailov from Team Retrogue, where we like retro games and the devices that bring them to us. I'm a fan of Anbernic's "XX" family of devices. The devices receive some amazing support from community developers and...
LaunchBox for Android: The Best-Kept Secret in Retro Gaming?
For anyone who isn't already familiar, LaunchBox is an emulation frontend developed by Unbroken Software. For years, I used LaunchBox as my preferred frontend for my homemade arcade cabinet running on a Windows PC. Since the handheld emulation wave that was the COVID...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic’s Not Done Yet, RP5 Delayed, and More!
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,...
Is the Panic Playdate Worth it in 2024?
I was so excited to buy the Panic Playdate. It was a device that I really looked at with such envy when someone posted it. The innovative crank, the indie games, the bright yellow color, this device had it all. After taking the plunge on one, did it hold the test of...
Retroid Pocket Mini: An Excessively Candid Look
Click clack, Retroid is Back by Joe It's that time of the year again. Retroid has once again bequeathed to us, from underneath a pile of H700 devices and putrid e-waste, a shining beacon of hope to the future of this niche within a niche in the form of a true...
Did Anbernic Make the BEST Budget Controller? RG P01 Review
Anbernic winded up and threw a curveball with one of their recent announcements. They decided to get into the controller game. As a company that makes many, many handhelds, it only makes sense. I mean, they are already making handheld controls, now they don't have to...
Anbernic RG CubeXX Review: This Actually Makes Sense
How do you start reviewing something that's basically the same as everything else a company has released, just in a different form factor? Frankly, I couldn't tell ya. I'm just rambling a bit, waiting for the writer's block to pass. Actually, hang on a second. let me...
How to Setup Obtainium on Android
Obtainium is an app that allows users to update and track apps distributed via GitHub, official websites, and other non-Play Store locations. This is an incredibly useful tool for retro handhelds running Android since a good portion of suggested apps and emulators are...
Building a Budget Customised PSP Go ‘BigBoi’
When I first discovered Retro Handhelds, one of the first questions I ever asked was “Can I play Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lions War on a pocket-sized handheld”. Considering this was back in the days of the RG351P, the answer always came back, “Just Buy a PSP Go”. So...
Game Console R46S First Impressions: A Solid 1:1 Budget Contender
The Powkiddy RGB30 showed us all how much fun a budget 1:1 device could be. It offered up a great experience to enjoy emulation systems that serve up alternate aspect adventures. Most users agreed that while the system was undoubtedly imperfect (I'll never know how...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: RP Mini Snafu, Nintendo’s Surprise, and More!
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,...
Frightful Five: The Scariest Nintendo DS Games to Play This Halloween
When the Nintendo DS was first released, I considered it a "console for kids". I was in middle school and moving away from Nintendo. The PSP was released around that same time and thought that seemed way more mature and cool. Now, I love the DS and bummed I didn't...
AYN Odin 2 Portal: Everything You Need To Know
Just as the weekly Retro Handhelds Podcast was kicking off, AYN dropped a massive surprise as the company announced the Odin 2 Portal handheld. This one came out of left field, as things have been pretty quiet in the AYN camp ever since the Odin 2 Mini was announced....
First Impressions: The Anbernic RG CubeXX
If you’re like many normal folks, the fatigue of Anbernic releasing handheld after handheld with the same chip might have set in already. However, if you’ve got problems like me, you’ve been sitting through the slog of waiting for the best H700 handheld. The 1:1. ...
My Pocketable Handhelds and How I Keep Them Safe
While crowning the original Miyoo Mini as the best handheld of 2022, Bob Wulff told his audience that "the best emulator is the one you have on you right now." While that quote didn't totally revolutionize the way I thought about handhelds, it did contribute to me...
Memo S3 Tablet Controller: A Brief Review
Telescopic controllers didn’t used to be a thing I’d be too interested in. I didn’t want my phone to give notifications that would distract me from the game. But I also didn’t want to turn on Do Not Disturb and miss an important call. However, when I got an Alldocube...
TrimUI Smart Pro Setup Guide
So you've shopped around and wisely decided that the TrimUI Smart Pro is the budget device for you, now what? The Smart Pro arrived in 2022 and has maintained a loyal fan base ever since. Multiple CFW options along with some very nice hardware and design choices make...
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic RG CubeXX, Game Freak Breach, and More!
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,...
5 Retro Games Based on Horror Movies
I have a series where I highlight licensed games that are actually good, but I thought this would be a fun twist. I wanted to spend the week trying out retro games that are based off of horror movies. Are they actually good? Most of them are not. I know there are...
How to Install GammaOS Core
Gamma released the beta version of GammaOS Core in early September. It supports a variety of low-powered consoles, bringing Android to devices once only able to run Linux. Table of Contents Introduction What You'll Need GammaOS Core Install Guide Step 1: Set Up Step...
A Slightly Unhinged Look at the RGB10X
It's extraordinarily yellow. by Joe I have a confession. I think Powkiddy is good now. And by good, I mean that they are putting out consistently above-...decent handhelds that don’t look suspiciously like they were generated by AI and sent to manufacturing plans with...
Powkiddy V10 Setup Guide
The Powkiddy V10 is only one of a few devices that are made almost specifically for the GBA. With its 3:2 screen at 480 x 320 resolution, it's the perfect device for playing GBA at 2x integer scaling. However, the device is a worthwhile device for numerous other retro...
RH Picks: Best Last Minute Prime Day Deals
Amazon is officially kicking off the 2024 holiday season, and the RH deal gnomes have been hard at work scouring the depths for the best Prime Day deals on handhelds, accessories, and various doodads that we, the tinkering folk, enjoy. So come show your appreciation...
My Perfect PortMaster Portable
Retro handhelds are for retro games. At least mostly. When I started grabbing handhelds, I was looking for something that would play Playstation 1 well on the go. Over time I shifted my goalposts. The best device for GBA, the best device that could do GameCube. And...
Miyoo A30 Setup Guide
The Miyoo A30 arrived as something of a stop-gap measure in handheld releases. While Anbernic has been churning out devices almost monthly throughout 2024, Miyoo has remained fairly quiet. The A30 emerged in April 2024 as a direct competitor to the Anbernic RG28XX....
Retro Handhelds Weekly: Au Revoir Ryujinx, We Need the M-Con, and More!
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,...
5 Lesser-Known Retro Horror Games
Happy spooky month! I love October. The fall weather, the pumpkin spice, the sweaters, and more importantly... the horror! I thought it would be a fun month to talk about different horror video games each week. I decided to start with some of my favorite lesser-known...