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.
Share Your Feedback with AKNES
AKNES might not be a brand that you know, but there’s a good chance you’ve heard of 8BitDo. Well, AKNES is asking for some feedback, specifically focused on the AKNES Discord. So hit the button below, let them know your thoughts, and if you aren’t already a member, be sure to join!
MSI Claw 8 AI+ and 7 AI+
We knew it was coming any day now, but MSI has officially unveiled both the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and Claw 7 AI+. It did so in a rather unceremonious fashion, randomly dropping a blog post. Both of these new handhelds have listings at Best Buy and Amazon, and we’re expecting pre-orders to open any day now.
GPD Win 4 arrives with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370
Are you looking for a Windows handheld that is more compact and more powerful than the Steam Deck? The GPD Win 4 is probably the handheld for you, and there’s a new model hitting the market. The latest iteration is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX370, and pricing starts at just north of $1,100 over at Indiegogo.
Anbernic RG34XX Announced
Image via RH Discord
A few days after revealing the Anbernic RG34XX, the company is back with a new promo video, while also revealing the specs and price. The wait is almost over, as pre-orders are slated to kick off on December 16 at 5 AM ET. The RG34XX will retail for $69.99 + shipping, but for the first 72 hours, you’ll be able to save $6, bringing the price down to $63.99.
Valve Rumored to Be Working on A New SteamOS Device
Valve has already confirmed that it doesn’t plan to release a Steam Deck 2 anytime soon. However, it’s clear that the company is working on a bunch of new hardware. According to a post on Reddit, it appears as though one of those new devices could be the Steam Box that we’ve been longing for.
More Lenovo Legion S Leaks
Last week, new renders of the Legion S were leaked, and this time around, we’re learning a bit more about Lenovo’s next gaming handheld. This latest batch of leaks comes via Roland Quandt of WinFuture, where they share some key specs. If the leaks are correct, the Legion S will feature an 8-inch IPS display, with a 120Hz refresh rate, while relying on AMD’s Ryzen “Z2 GO,” paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
Other Hardware News
- R36H Now Shipping
- Digital Foundry Backs Up Initial PS Handheld Report
- Atari 7800+ Released
- Raspberry Pi 5 Gets Steam Link Support
- Intel Announces Arc B580 and B570 ‘Battlemage’ GPUs
- You Can Order Your Own Balatro-themed Deck of Cards
- Samsung Reportedly Developing a Foldable Gaming Handheld
- Satisfye ZenGrip 2 Pre-Orders Go Live Suggesting “Spring 2025” Launch for Switch 2
- Sony Made More Than 160 Million PS2s
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.
KNULLI Firefly Released
Knulli CFW Main Menu
This one has been in the works for quite some time, but KNULLI Firefly is finally here! It’s one of the larger updates we’ve seen come to the custom firmware, but this release is particularly exciting. For one, it includes things like the removal of cardinal snapping, along with support for 32-bit PortMaster games. However, Firefly also now supports the RG40XX H, RG40XX V, RG CubeXX, AND the TrimUI Brick!
RPCS3 Introduces Native arm64 Support
When it comes to emulating on x86 hardware, it doesn’t get much better than RPCS3. Today, the developers announced that RPCS3 will now natively support arm64 hardware. This includes the likes of Apple’s M-Series of chips, along with the Snapdragon X lineup from Qualcomm. Exciting times, for sure.
There are now over 800 PortMaster titles
When it comes to playing retro games on our retro handhelds, PortMaster support has basically become a requirement for many of us. There are so many fantastic games that you can enjoy, and as of 12/5, there are now more than 800 games available for our various devices. That list also now includes The Legend of Zelda: Dungeons of Infinity, which is described as a “procedurally-generated rogue-like ‘Link to the Past’ dungeon crawler.”
Dolphin Gets Updated to Version 2412
While we may not see it on a regular basis, the team behind the beloved Dolphin emulator is constantly working behind the scenes to improve your gaming experience. Most recently, Dolphin 2412 was released, bringing with it a bunch of fixes that focus on “polishing to help make playing games a little more pleasant.” This update also makes it so you can finally play Eternal Darkness on your device of choice.
Batman Returns MD Coming on Christmas Day
Have you ever wanted to play the SNES version of Batman Returns on the Sega Genesis? Well, you’ll soon be able to do exactly that as Batman Returns MD is being released on Christmas Day. This will bring two-player mode, along with better graphics and performance at 60 fps. Christmas can’t get here soon enough, if you ask me.
Other Software News
- NES Tetris is coming to Switch Online
- Steam Updates its SteamOS Brand Guidelines; Suggests SteamOS Could Come to Other Devices
- Blizzard is Pulling Warcraft I & II from GOG
- “Tetris The Grandmaster 4 – Absolute Eye -” Coming to Steam in March 2025
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Launch Trailer
- Chiaki4Deck Makes it Easier to Sign Into PSN From Steam Deck
- Microsoft enables Xbox Cloud Saved Games for Indiana Jones on Steam
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.
Help Us Pick the Best Handheld of the Year!
We’ve reached the final round of voting, and have ended with a few surprises as we try to pick the best handheld of the year! Now is where the fun really begins. In the sections below, you’ll find the different categories that remain, which obviously include the best of the year. However, this is where you come in.
RH Games: What We’re Playing This Week
I wanted to try out my new Retroid Pocket 5 and decided to fire up one of the GotM games on it. I did not want to play Donkey Kong Country at first because I didn’t think I would be into it. I am actually really enjoying it. It is hard, but fun. Retroid Pocket 5 is just so great too.
Game Console R36MAX Hands-On: No Goal!
The new Game Console R36MAX is a fairly unremarkable device. It’s another clone – this time with a tall 1:1 form factor and a curvaceous rear end. In an apparent attempt to stand out from the crowd, its designers have given the latest RK3326 on the block some boldly nonsensical design flairs in the form of a soccer ball, pitch, and heart buttons.
Beitong Zeus 2 Elite Review: Worth the ‘Elite’ Tax?
When I think of pro controllers, my mind almost immediately goes to things like the Xbox Elite Series 2, the SCUF controller lineup, or more recently the DualSense Edge. And if you pull back a little on the features, you can drop to something like the Xbox Elite Core line. But what if you’re not just looking at the big names over here? What if you’re looking for full customizability down to the buttons?
The Games That Skipped America
Sometimes, in rare circumstances, the UK received a Japanese translation that never made it to the US. In this article, Dan W — RH’s European correspondent — picks what he thinks are the 5 best games to have “Skipped America”
TrimUI Brick Setup Guide
Scored yourself a new Brick, have ya? Congrats! The TrimUI Brick has proven a hit with reviewers across the board, and now that early adopters are getting their hands on units as well, it’s about time for some setup tips and tricks.
From Retro to Modern: An Interview with Riley Testut, Creator of Delta
We got a chance to interview Riley, the sole developer of Delta, to ask him questions about the design and thought process behind the app, how his past brought him to this point, the journey therein, and what his plans are for the future.
Exclusive! First Look at the MSI Claw 8 AI+
Street Fighter 6 on the MSI Claw 8 AI+.
This week, I, along with Stubbs, Rob, Russ, and several other YouTube personalities, got our first hands-on with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in Anaheim, CA. Through the experience, I formed some initial impressions of the device.
How to Set Up PS Remote Play on the Retroid Pocket 5
So yeah, PS Remote play is actually a feat that can’t be accomplished and you’re screwed. Okay, I lied again, twice to cancel our last one. Anyways here’s how to get remote play working without Sony breathing too hard down your back. For this guy, we will be using an old favorite: Chiaki.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro Review: The Best 3:2 Handheld?
In the past few years, I picked up and had a new GBA SP modded for a stronger metal shell, but with the original AGS-101 screen. I’ve also tried a number of 3:2 handhelds. From the RG351P up to the KTR1, and back down to the Powkiddy V10. But today we’re looking at a premium 3:2 with the Ayaneo Pocket Micro.
Analogue Pocket Worth It? 2024 Re-Review
Well, I did sell my Analogue Pocket and was overall very happy with my choice, but then along comes Russ from Retro Game Corps. I love Russ. He is what really got me into the hobby, but my wallet, on the other hand, my wallet hates him. He released a video about the Analogue Pocket in 2024 and really emphasized how good the dock was. I never had the dock before and was ready to be hurt again.
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, Zu rocks out with his Brick out, Stubbs takes a trip, and Zu buys some weird stuff.
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