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.
Anbernic RG DS
In recent months, we’ve seen both AYANEO and AYN introduce dual-screen handhelds. Now, it seems that Anbernic is going to get in on the fun with the Anbernic RG DS.
MANGMI Air X Delayed to Mid-October
Those of us anxiously awaiting the release of the new MANGMI Air X will have to wait just a little longer, as the company announced a “minor fulfillment” delay. Initially planned for a September release, the release has been moved to October 15, 2025, with extra in-stock units available the same day.
ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Pre-Orders Open
ASUS has confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally will start at $599, while the ROG Xbox Ally X comes in at $999. Pre-orders for both of these handhelds are now available from Best Buy and other retailers.
OneXPlayer OneXFly Apex
🚀 OneXfly Apex is here!
⚡ AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 flagship processor
💧 120W power unleashed with silent liquid cooling
📺 8″ native landscape · 120Hz + VRR support
🎮 Adjustable multi-stage triggers
🔊 Harman-tuned dual speakers
🔥 The ultimate choice for hardcore gamers!… pic.twitter.com/CEeVdWxqyC
— OneXPlayer_Official (@OnexPlayer_) September 26, 2025
While much of the recent focus has been on the GPD Win 5, ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go 2, OneXPlayer isn’t standing pat. This week, the company announced its next flagship handheld in the OneXFly Apex. Like the Win 5, it’s powered by the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, while also sporting an 8-inch 120Hz VRR display, and even features a Mini SSD.
MCON Is About to Change the Way You Game on Your Phone
It’s been a little over a year and a half since Josh King took to Reddit, revealing a magnetic controller attachment for your phone. Since then, we’ve seen numerous iterations of the MCON controller, along with an impressive Kickstarter campaign that ended up raising just north of $1.7 million. This long journey is finally nearing its next stop, as there’s now a countdown on the official MCON landing page.
MagicX Zero 40 Now Comes in Emerald Green
It’s not often that we see companies besides Anbernic release a new color of a handheld after the initial launch. However, that’s exactly what MagicX has done, as the Zero 40 is now available in Emerald Green. And the best part is that you don’t have to wait, as you can pick one of these up now!
MagicX Zero 40 Emerald GreenMagicX Zero 40 Emerald Green (Ampown)MagicX Zero 40 Emerald Green (AliExpress)
Raspberry Pi 500+
It’s not often that we cover Raspberry Pi products here, but sometimes they are just too cool not to shout out. The latest of which is the Raspberry Pi 500+, an upgrade over the original Raspberry Pi 500. The entire computer is packed into a case that also houses a mechanical keyboard, meaning that all you’ll need is a monitor to connect it to. We can think of a few retro projects that this could be the centerpiece of.
Xiaomi Turns Camera Bump into Retro Handheld
On the back of the Xiaomi 17 Pro lies its camera bump, housing two separate lenses. On traditional phones, this space is simply used to house the internals needed for the camera, but Xiaomi is using theirs to include an entire secondary screen. Plus, you’ll be able to use it for retro gaming when paired with an official controller case.
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.
Eden Pulled from Play Store
Just a couple of weeks after the Eden Switch emulator arrived on the Play Store, it’s since been removed. The specifics are unknown, but it’s largely assumed that Nintendo issued a DMCA to get it removed. While disappointing, this isn’t the end of the road for Eden, as you can still download it from the GitHub repo.
Download Snapdragon 8 Elite Drivers Easily
One of the common complaints with emulation on Snapdragon 8 Elite devices is that there’s a lack of driver support. Oftentimes, the driver on your device isn’t the latest release from Qualcomm. But now, the founder of GameNative has created a landing page so we can download the latest drivers as soon as they’re released.
Winlator 11.0 (Beta)
GameSir’s GameHub and GameNative have been all the rage as of late for Android handhelds. But we can’t forget about Winlator, the app that started it all. This week, the first Winlator 11.0 Beta was released, bringing with it support for multiple controllers, improved Steam compatibility, and more.
LairLauncher / iiSU
There’s a new launcher on its way, and if you’ve been messing around with dual-screen Android devices, it comes from a familiar face. SapphireRhodite is working on LairLauncher, which is described as being “built from the ground up with dual-screen compatibility in mind.
Since then, a launcher concept was published by the name of iiSU, and now, it seems that the two have merged. The LairLauncher developer shared the above image of what the launcher looks like now, providing a big UI upgrade over the original interface.
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.
How to Watch Movies and TV Shows on Retro Handhelds with Switchfin
PortMaster has had an incredibly busy few weeks, with 18 new ports added to its already impressive library in August alone. From time to time, utilities like KOReader or LibreSpot get added as well, adding entirely new functions to these already versatile devices. Recently, one such utility was released that turns your PortMaster device into a full-blown media player.
Final Fantasy Tactics: A Journey Through Time
There’s a theory, which I subscribe to, that states JRPGs never made it to the big time in the West until Final Fantasy 7 launched on PS1. Certain FF7 is one of the three games which considered to have expanded my appreciation of what level of storytelling is possible within the medium of video games.
A Real Fix for Retroid’s Button Noise
Tech-tuber What Obi Plays did a thorough investigation into the causes of button clack and came up with a simple, but effective way of detinning the rubber membrane button noise altogether without having to cut them up through the use of 3D printed TPU. While he focuses heavily on the RP Mini (which infamously has very loud buttons), he stresses that the mod can be applied to other devices too.
Flydigi Apex 5 Review: Good Controller, Better with the Software
When it comes to controllers, one of the first things I’ll disregard is the software. For the most part, people are using controllers in situations that may not have a way to install any accompanying software. Whether that’s on mobile, Linux, or handheld devices, however, I’ve realized that’s not always going to be the case.
For some Windows users, the software could make or break one’s use of a controller. So when MiniXPC offered up the Flydigi Apex 5 for review, not only could I not turn that down, I kind of wanted to see what the software for these triggers is all about. And admittedly, it feels a bit game-changing. Somewhat.
Anbernic RG476H: First Impressions
The Anbernic RG476H is here, and it’s exactly what fans of the company have been waiting for, with an asterisk. It wouldn’t be an Anbernic device without a couple of drawbacks, but after some time with the RG476H, I’m pleased to say the drawbacks will only disqualify this device for those seeking raw power.
AYN Thor: Some Thoughts While We Wait
Greetings, fellow dual-screen AMOLED, 3DS, multitasking, and…flipping(?) enjoyers, it’s Joe! I have some unsolicited thoughts about the AYN Thor on why it excites me personally as my first AYN preorder since the Odin 1, and also addressing some concerns I have.
They have been drip-feeding information, footage, and photos leading up to its mid-October shipping schedule, and it’s shaping up to be a very curious release with its attractive price point, interesting features, premium and compact design, and those sweet, sweet AMOLED screens. Let’s get into it!
GammaOS Next Setup Guide
GammaOS Next Start
TheGammaSqueeze is a man of many talents, most notably for the excellent GammaOS operating system that he has brought to retro handhelds of many shapes and sizes. While you should definitely support TheGammaSqueeze on Patreon if you are able, the most recent version of GammaOS Next was just made publicly available on August 28, 2025. Having just got my hands on a metal KT-R1, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try out GammaOS Next.
Radical Retrospective: Rockstar’s THPS Competitor
This week, pretty much every mainline game in the Pro Skater series is celebrating a birthday, with the legendary Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 turning 25 years old just a few days ago. Of course, talking about those games today would be too obvious, and I’m not ready to dig into such a massive topic, at least not in earnest.
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.
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
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.