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.
Retroid Announces the Pocket Flip 2 and Teases Another Handheld
The wishes have been granted! The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is officially arriving “this spring,” along with what appears to be a new vertical handheld.
Retroid first made the announcement over at the official Discord, simply revealing a fancy render of the Flip 2 with half of the second handheld covered. At first glance, it might look like Retroid would be releasing a smaller clamshell, similar to the RG35XXSP, but upon closer inspection, there’s no visible hinge. However, we won’t put the cart before the horse claiming it to be a regular vertical handheld.
The Powkiddy V20 Quietly Launches for $55
The Powkiddy V20 runs a pretty standard set of specs when compared to its peers but with the Allwinner A133P. This just so happens to be the same chip found in the TrimUI Smart Brick and the MagicX Mini Zero 28, we may see it become a key vertical option for those who are interested in the TrimUI handheld.
Raspberry Pi 5 Handheld Prototype
Despite being released in October 2023, we have yet to really see any third-party cases that let you turn the Raspberry Pi 5 into a gaming handheld. Leave it to the community to fill the gaps, as the Pi Deck 5 is here as a DIY solution. There’s a GitHub page that includes all of the necessary files that you’ll need to make this for yourself.
Game Bub: An Open-Source FPGA Retro Gaming Handheld
Speaking of the community releasing new projects, the Game Bub is another handheld that was announced this week. However, the Game Bub is an Open-source FPGA handheld, which includes support for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Similar to the Analogue Pocket and FPGBC, the Game Bub offers the ability to use physical cartridges, or you can just stick your ROM files on a microSD card.
Other Hardware News
- GameMT Adds Minimal Upgrades for New E6 MAX
- MagicX Gives Us a Glimpse Into The Future
- The Key Boy is a 3D-Printed Game Boy Keyboard
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.
Retro Handheld Simulator
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Indie games, but this one is a bit different. The game is called “Retro Handheld Simulator” and is described as being ” short, silly game making fun of the retro handheld community.” You can download this for free via the link below, and it can be played on anything that supports .gb files, but there’s even a version available if you have the Analogue Pocket.
Download Retro Handheld Simulator from itch.io
Pluvia for Android Updated with More Features and Better Performance
Winlator and GameSir’s GameHub are just two of the best ways that you can enjoy playing PC games on Android. However, those games primarily rely on non-DRM games from GOG. Pluvia, on the other hand, takes a different approach, as it lets you play DRM-free games right from your Steam library.
This week, Pluvia was updated to version v1.3, which includes the ability to chat with your Steam friends, view friend profiles, in-app customization options, and quite a few bug fixes.
Launchbox Rolls Out Big Updates for Windows and Android
We haven’t seen an update to Launchbox since December, but that doesn’t mean the developers haven’t been hard at work. Launchbox 13.19 for Windows and 1.17 for Android were both released this week, implementing a slew of bug fixes, along with even more “improvements.” Hit the buttons below to learn more about what’s new, and check out the video above if you want to see the changes in action.
Launchbox for Windows Launchbox for Android
DraStic Disappears from Google Play Store
It is possible that Nintendo worked directly with Google to have DraStic DS removed from their store leading up to the full reveal and launch of the Switch 2, but nothing directly points to that other than past circumstances. Visiting the former Google Play Store page for the app now simply shows an empty page.
MeloNX is the Latest Attempt at Switch Emulation on iOS
It’s a wild world we live in when you discover that it’s possible to emulate the Switch on an iPhone or iPad. MeloNX is the latest emulator attempting to make this possible, with varying levels of success. However, if you want to try this out for yourself, be prepared to set aside some time as the steps to get MeloNX running properly isn’t as simply as just sideloading the app.
Other Software News
- DeckFilter v1.9 Brings Speed Improvements, IsThereAnyDeal Integration, and More
- There Are Now More Than 200 Cloud Games Available for the PS Portal
- CitraMMJ Update Now Available
- Another psOff Update is Already Here
- Steam Deck Beta Update Rolling Out To Improve Battery Life
- Xwine1 Progress Update
- Return To Yoshi’s Island DEMO 2 (ROM hack)
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 Mini Zero 28 Review: Pocketable Power?
So when MagicX decided to drop an A133P, Android-powered update of it, I had to see it for myself. So let’s take a look at how the MagicX Mini Zero 28 holds up, and if it’s worth your money in today’s market.
GammaOS Makes the CB408 a Contender
GammaOS Booting on the CB408
With the release of GammaOS Beta 3, developer TheGammaSqueeze has answered our prayers for something to make this device shine. In addition to adding support for the CB408, Beta 3 includes memory optimizations, vibration support, updated graphics drivers, preinstalled app updates, and so much more.
Handheld Showdown: The New Generation of Micro Handhelds
Between the start of December 2024 and the end of January 2025, we’ve seen the release of 3 new devices that wish to lay claim to the “best micro handheld” title. That means it’s time for a new Handheld Shootout article.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with These Five Classic Co-op Games
Image via: EA / Hazelight Studios
Playing games with a loved one can be a challenging, but fun way to spend time together. Introducing your partner to games you love, or simply enjoying each other’s company while working towards a shared goal can create an invaluable bond. Even the frustration that comes along with co-op games quickly melts away when both people settle into the joy of experiencing a game together.
RH Games: What We’re Playing This Week
Spring Training is here, and I’m getting in the swing of things with Bad Hop Baseball on Steam. A bargain at $1.99, the game takes baseball and infuses it into the world of pachinko. Think baseball-themed Peggle and you get the idea. Players control the strength of their swing and leave the rest to chaos. Fun Stuff.
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, the guys had Baldly Rudy on as a guest, while Zu explained tariffs, and Stubbs reviewed the new Claw 7 AI+.
Looking for Deals?
Another week, another set of deals to be had. Unfortunately, the latest roundup of AliExpress sales have come to a close. However, not all hope is lost as some companies are offering sales of their own, as is the case with AYN extending its Spring Sale, and Anbernic kicking off its Spring Sale. Hit the button below to check out all of the best retro handheld deals.
Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week
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