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
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.
[UPDATE: Price and Availability] Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Is This the Start of the 2GB Refresh
Not long after initially announcing the RG35XX Pro, Anbernic revealed more information about its next handheld, including specs, pricing, and availability. Unfortunately, it’s yet another H700 handheld, and unlike the RG34XXSP, it only features 1GB of RAM. The RG35XX Pro will retail for $49.99 with pre-orders going live on June 10th, and for the first 72 hours, you’ll be able to save $5.
The AYANEO Pocket S2 Has a Few Tricks
It feels like it’s been an eternity since the AYANEO Pocket S2 was announced, but it seems we’re finally nearing a release. Last week, AYANEO’s CEO hosted a live stream showing off the upcoming Android handheld, giving us a better idea of what we can expect. And after the livestream concluded, the Indiegogo campaign page launched.
Anbernic Teases the RG Slide and I Can’t Believe It
For the better part of the last month, there’s been much speculation about whether the Anbernic RG Slide was real after a few renders and images appeared over on Baidu. After a few of the renders were confirmed to be AI-generated, we thought that would be the end of it. But the rumors have persisted, and for good reason, as Anbernic released a video teasing the RG Slide.
[UPDATE] Anbernic Handhelds Make Surprise Debut on Best Buy’s Website
Fresh off the release of the RG34XXSP and the showcase of the RG35XX Pro, Anbernic is apparently bringing select devices to Best Buy. According to a recent listing spotted on Best Buy’s website, three of Anbernic’s latest Android-based handhelds are set to arrive in the near future: the RG556, RG406V, and RG406H.
Someone got a Switch 2 early
The day is almost here for many of us, but for others, it’s already arrived as the Nintendo Switch 2 has started showing up ahead of its launch on June 5th. A post on Reddit gave us a look at the unboxing experience, while @wario64 shared that there will apparently be a “Day One” software update, as you can’t yet play games from the Switch 1.
More Hardware News
- VITURE x 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller
- “New Hardware projects will expand the Atari “Plus” platform” (Time Extension via PowerDubs)
- AYANEO Begins Shipping Pocket ACE to Backers
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.”
GammaOS Next Comes to Anbernic T820 Devices
Things have mostly been quiet on the GammaOS front, and for good reason. The legend himself just announced the release of GammaOS v1.0.0 for select Anbernic devices. This includes the lineup of T820 handhelds, such as the RG556, RG Cube, RG406V, and RG406H. There’s a lot to sift through, so keep your eyes peeled as we get it installed on our handhelds and share what we find.
It’s currently only available to download for Patreon subscribers, so hit the button below to support one of our favorite developers and get your hands on GammaOS Next.
GeForce NOW Native App Now Available for Steam Deck
Earlier this year, we learned that NVIDIA was gearing up to release a native Steam Deck app for its popular GeForce NOW service. The day has finally arrived, as the native app is now available for everyone to download. Not only that, but with SteamOS now officially being available for more devices, that means you can enjoy a native GeForce NOW experience without jumping through a bunch of hoops.
AK-xolotl, Trinity Trigger, and Night Slashers: Remake Land on Mobile
We’re seeing quite a few games being ported to mobile, and three of the latest games are pretty fantastic. AK-xolotl, Trinity Trigger, and Night Slashers: Remake are now available via the Google Play Store and/or the Apple App Store, so you can bring these excellent games with you wherever you are.
SEGA Is Discontinuing a Number of Games on Mobile
Image via: Wario64
At the same time that we’re getting more ports on mobile, even more are actually being removed. It started with people being greeted with an “End of Service” message in a couple of Sonic games. A little while later, it was confirmed that the only remaining Sega Forever games that don’t show that message are Sonic 1 & 2 Classic.
Mega Man VI Gets Fanmade SNES Port
Have you ever wondered what Mega Man 6 would look like on the SNES? Thanks to @infidelity_nes (via Time Extension), you no longer have to wonder, as Beta 1.0 of the port is now available to download. I don’t really have much more to add here, except that seeing this kind of stuff is extremely exciting and shows how active the retro gaming community is.
More Software News
- New features coming to N64 on Switch 2 via Switch Online
- zeldaret decompiles the N64 emulator for GameCube
- Playdate Season Two
- Adrenotools Drivers Downloader
Emulator 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.
Trying the New Anbernic AI on the RG557
You may have heard something about this AI stuff. It’s been making a bit of a splash in the zeitgeist lately, to put it mildly. Striking while the iron is hot, Anbernic has jumped into the pool with the latest OTA update for the RG557 with Anbernic AI.
Anbernic has done more here than hop on the LLM train, though; they have developed a custom-branded app that uses AI implementations in a sensible way for users of an emulation handheld. The update promises live chat functionality for on-the-fly assistance with a game you might be playing, live translation services for titles from outside your region, and even an AI photo editing suite.
Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Review: The Clammiest of Clams
I joined the hobby after sometime after the original Pocket Flip was released, and by that point, I couldn’t get one without going through eBay or the RH Market. In hindsight, I wish I had picked one up, just so I would have something to compare the Pocket Flip 2 to.
That being said, as soon as Retroid announced its latest clamshell, I was all-in, no matter what. So was that the right decision, or should I have sat this one out?
SteamOS on the Legion Go S is Surprisingly Stable
Can you believe we’re already almost halfway through the year? That means it’s been five months since Lenovo released the Legion Go S with Windows, which debuted the month before at CES 2025.
Fast forward to now, and Valve just released SteamOS 3.7.8, which introduces official support for a variety of AMD handhelds, including the Z2 Go-powered Legion Go S. As luck would have it, Zu took time out of his busy schedule to install SteamOS onto his Legion Go S and shares his thoughts.
Anbernic RG34XXSP: A Week Later
Anbernic is trying to add to their success of the RG35XXSP by taking a peek at the Miyoo Mini Flip. Mine showed up, and I was excited because I knew nothing about it. After spending a week with it, here are my thoughts. Check out our first impressions here, our written review, and our videos below!
Anbernic RG34XXSP Setup Guide
Anbernic surprised many when it introduced a new clamshell into the mix, but it was likely done in response to the Miyoo Flip. Nevertheless, the RG34XXSP has arrived, and if you’re trying to figure out where to start or what’s possible, we’ve got you covered.
The Thumby Effect: How Small Can Handheld Gaming Get?
How small would you want your handheld? Miyoo Mini? RG Nano? Maybe a Funkey S if you’re feeling flippy. What if you could go smaller? Take out the emulation, take out all the excess, take out anything extra, and what are you left with?
The Thumby. And in today’s case, the Thumby Color as well. These pocket-sized devices are cheap and cheerful gifts, but I want to take a look and show you what they’ve got cooking under their adorably tiny hoods.
Knulli Gladiator Has Arrived: Why It Might Be Your New Favorite CFW
The Knulli team has announced its latest release, this time christened Gladiator, causing no end of Retro Gamers to stand to their feet as one and cry, “Are you not entertained?”
The improvements introduced into this release can be categorized by affected devices. The most significant changes will affect devices with only one SD card slot – essentially the TrimUI devices. There are also general updates that will affect all devices, and new information suggesting support for other devices is on its way.
The Best Ways to Play: Sega Master System
If you grew up in the North American video game market in the 80s and 90s, chances are that you’re very familiar with the console wars that occurred between Nintendo’s SNES and Sega Genesis. Genesis supposedly did what Nintendon’t — blast processing, and all that good marketing nonsense.
But before there were the 16-bit console wars, there was the Sega Master System (SMS). This is a system that passed a lot of USA consumers by at the time, but contains a great library worthy of another (or a first time) look.
GotX Goes Back in Time to the Age of Dinosaurs With Jurassic June
Like a Dinosaur, GotX is a simple beast. For the uninitiated, GotX is the Retro Handhelds Discord’s equivalent of a book club, where we all play the same games together and chat about them on the respective Discord threads. Proving completion of a game in the relevant thread earns players a GotX point, which can be exchanged for RH merch.
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 checks out the new Rokid MAX 2 AR glasses, while Stubbs live-streamed an emulation showcase with the RG34XXSP.
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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