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
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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 Specs Revealed
Anbernic threw a bit of a curveball last week as it dropped another promo video for the upcoming RG477M. Unlike the showcase video from before, this promo video was short and sweet, just showing off various details along with giving us the full spec sheet. Here are the key specs:
- Display: 4.7-inch LTPS, 1280 x 960, 120Hz
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8300
- RAM: 8GB/12GB
- GPU: Mali-G615 MC6
- Storage: 128GB/256GB + microSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
- Battery: 5,300mAh (~7 hours)
- Extras: Hall Effect Joysticks with RGB, Anbernic AI, Active Cooling, Vibration Motor, 3.5mm Audio Jack
- OS: Android 14
XU Retro Details 2025 Handheld Lineup
A couple of weeks ago, XU Retro (who may or may not be somehow tied to MagicX) shared some details about their 2025 roadmap, including three new devices. The official image they shared only included device names and SOCs, but they shared a few more details with Redditor u/N4riN4ri.
These include the XU20 V32, XU30 V36, and XU40 H55. All three handhelds are expected to be more budget-friendly, but no other details were shared about when they would arrive.
AYANEO Pocket DS Could Be Announced On July 28
AYANEO is still working on fulfilling orders for the Pocket ACE, but the company is already gearing up to show off what’s next. Thanks to a well-timed teaser, it seems that AYANEO is set to announce the Pocket DS, which we can only assume is an Android-powered version of the Flip 1S DS. The announcement will likely be made during AYANEO’s upcoming Strategy Sharing Session, which is set to kick off at 8 AM ET on July 28 (tomorrow).
GPD Announces the GPD Win 5 With Teaser Trailer
GPD has just launched a teaser trailer for the GPD Win 5, coming almost a month after images circulated that the company was testing a potential Win 4 successor. For the moment, the GPD is sharing very few details, but we can share what little information we have available.
OneXSugar Officially Launches, and It Sure Is Something
In case you’ve missed it, One-Netbook, one of the prominent x86 manufacturers of the past few years, has partnered with Qualcomm to produce and release the OneXSugar. One-Netbook describes this as being the “1st Dual-Screen Transformable Handheld.” It dips, dives, flips, and flops, but what is it, how much is it, and where can you find it?
MSI Claw A8 Comes to Germany, Priced at €999
Image via MSI
We aren’t entirely sure what MSI’s marketing strategy is, but it seems perfectly content with one of the slowest device rollouts we’ve seen. After first being released in select regions earlier in July, the MSI Claw A8 will apparently launch in Germany sometime between August 4 and August 10. As for pricing, the page listing spotted by VideoCardz shows the Neon Green model starting at €999 (~$1,172).
Other Hardware News
- Legion Go 2 Prototype Running Bazzite
- Atari X Pac-Man Collection
- Nintendo Switch 2 OLED Prototype Rumor
- A New Game Boy is Coming and it’s…LEGO?!
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.
Open-Source Linux Driver for AYN Handhelds
It’s always pretty awesome when new life is breathed into old hardware, and that’s exactly what seems to be happening for the AYN Loki. According to Phoronix, a new “Ayn platform EC driver for Linux” will soon be mainlined, bringing with it fan control, custom fan curves, and RGB light controls for the Loki.
GameFusion Collab with MediaTek
One of the biggest complaints when it comes to emulation on devices powered by MediaTek is the lack of driver support. In some cases, MediaTek SoCs offer more raw power compared to Qualcomm, but that doesn’t translate into performance due to improper tuning.
That might all soon change, as a notification appeared (via Reddit) in the GameFusion (GameHub) app, stating that the team will be collaborating with MediaTek directly. The goal is “to address long-standing Mali GPU issues at the chip level,” which is just absolutely fantastic news to hear.
Eden v0.0.3-rc1
It had been almost three months since the last update for Eden was released, and after looking at the changelog for v0.0.3-rc1, we can see why. This is one of the longest changelogs that I’ve seen for an emulator, as the team has implemented new features, bug fixes, and much more. The update is available to download now from over at GitHub.
Xbox Cross-Device Play History and Access to Cloud-Playable Console Games on PC
We’re hoping to get our hands on the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X sooner rather than later, and it feels like Microsoft just keeps teasing us. Recently, a blog post was published on the Xbox Wire revealing that Xbox Insiders are now able to access their play history via the Xbox PC app. This includes games started via either Cloud Gaming, Game Pass, or on the Xbox console itself.
More Software News
- Steam and Itch.io Acquiesce to Credit Card Companies
- Kirby’s Air Ride Deluxe v1.0.0
- NSMB-MarioVsLuigi v2.0.3.0
- Balatro GBA Port | GitHub
- Is Citron Emulator back?
- Metal Slug Tactics launches on mobile
- Red Viper v1.0.0 | GitHub
- GOG Player Emulator | Play Store
- Ship of Harkinian (9.0.3)
- 2Ship2Harkinian (2.0.0)
- NeoJ2ME
- Mortal Kombat Deux (Genesis) Romhack
- TrinketOS 2.0
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.
Five Android Games Worth Playing (July 26)
Back in September of 2024, I took some time to talk about some of the Android games I found myself playing the most at the time. Somehow, 9 months later, what I’m playing has almost completely changed from the last go around, and now there are way more games worth playing on the Play Store, even if it is hard to actually navigate to new and upcoming games there.
So if you’re looking for a few more recommendations for Android games, this is just a few of my favorites that might be worth taking a look at. Or you could go to the Retro Tech Dad’s YouTube channel on this…he’s got like 15 videos on the topic.
An Un(hinged) Review the Miyoo Flip V2 After 5 Months
Hey everyone, it’s good to see you again (You should probably disable your front-facing cameras). I will cut to the chase: I like the Miyoo Flip V2. I think I even like-like it despite the internet trying to gaslight me into believing it’s terrible and I should feel bad for playing on it. On the contrary, it actually makes me feel good, and now I believe I should counter-gaslight you (Reverse-gaslight? Un-gaslight? Re-gaslight?) and offer a re-evaluation from someone unperturbed by the hype cycle.
GameSir Nova Lite 2 Review: Cheaper but Better?
One of the regularly mentioned “Best Budget Controllers” has been the GameSir Nova Lite. A $25-ish controller that manages to connect to just about anything while still being a solid piece of kit. However, the Nova family extends well past that one controller.
The OG Nova is a Bluetooth controller for Switch, the Super Nova is a high-end expansion of the Nova Lite, and now this. The GameSir Nova Lite 2 bumps the price up to $30 and offers compatibility with the Super Nova Charging dock. But if you’re getting both of those, does it make sense? Is this controller worth it?
LineageOS Brings Android to the R36S and R36H
A whole new world
Never one to miss out on a new, exciting development with the ever-versatile Game Console R36 lineup, I was thrilled to see a post in the Developer News section of the RH Discord announcing the release of LineageOS on the R36 line of devices.
Retroid Pocket Flip 2: A Few Months Later
I had such a weird ride with the Retroid Pocket Flip 2. I had one preordered with the bundle for the classic night one or release. After watching some reviews, I decided to cancel the Flip. I then got FOMO and ordered one in May when they extended the tariff policy and ended up paying more and waiting longer. After some time with it, here are my thoughts.
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.
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