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
- Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita Pro: Anbernic might not have revealed everything about its upcoming handhelds, but we’ve been able to independently confirm a few key details. For one, both handhelds are set to launch in March, while the RG Vita Pro will be equipped with a new RockChip SoC and a 1080p display.
- TrimUI ‘Flap X1’: A series of CAD renders popped up on Reddit, showing off what could be TrimUI’s first clamshell handheld. Thanks to some sleuthing in the RH Discord, the “Flap X1” could be positioned as an alternative to the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.
- MagicX Two Dream: MagicX sure does love to slow-drip the details when it comes to new handhelds. The latest of which looks to be the Two Dream, a 4:3 handheld sporting a 4.5-inch 1440 x 1080 display. And now, we have a better idea of what the upcoming device will look like.
Upcoming Releases
- MANGMI Pocket Max – February 24
- Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita Pro – TBD
- KinHank K59 – February 28
Apps and Software
- ES-DE Directories (Android): Our ole’ pal Russ from Retro Game Corps decided to share a new and useful way to get ES-DE setup and ready to go while you wait for a new Android handheld to arrive.
- Cocoon Shell: CocoonFE has evolved into Cocoon Shell! The team just released the 2.0 Beta, bringing with it a complete overhaul of the entire launcher. Not only is it designed to be great for dual-screen Android handhelds, but it’s also been optimized for single-screen handhelds.
- OoT PSX: This is one we never thought of, but OoT PSX is an in-progress PlayStation 1 port of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Currently, there aren’t any “releases” to speak of, but if you head over to the GitHub page, you can follow the instructions there to get it all set up for yourself.
- This SM64 Hack Lets N64 and PS2 Play Online Co‑Op
- Sonic Dream Team on Windows PCs?
- GameShark Returns: The Complete Cheat Code Compendium
- FlappyB64bitAndroid v1.5 Beta #2
- Crunchyroll Game Vault
- Tomb Raider (2013) Now Available on Android and iOS
- Rayman 30th Anniversary Edition Lands on Steam
- DS4MapperTest
- GB Studio 4.2.0
- TrackPadDS v1.0.5
- Jarngreipr Launcher v1.7.1
Emulation Updates
- Eden v0.2.0-rc1
- Kenji-NX Android 2.1.0-pr.1
- ManicEMU v1.8.3
- Vita3K Android Experimental External Display Rear Touch Support!
- Arkadyzja v0.0.41
- RetroDECK 0.10.3b
- GameNative – v0.7.2
- Geargrafx 1.7.0
Custom Firmware
- NextUI – v6.9.0
- UnofficialOS – 20260212
- ROCKNIX Nightly adds initial Retroid Pocket 6 support
- GammaOS v1.2 for MANGMI Air X
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.
Hacking The Mainframe #1: First Fight
Lately, Jim’s been covering a lot of games. Like, a LOT. So, to avoid flooding your feed with every cool game that crosses my path, I’m going to start doing weekly recaps in a few categories. This is the inaugural issue of Hacking The Mainframe, where the focus is on fan work: ROM hacks that tune or reinvent classics, and translations that finally make microcomputer smut and Famicom curios readable.
MagicX Zero 40: Seven Months Later
At its original $75 price, I think it’s a bit too expensive. At the current $50 price, I think the Zero 40 is a solid overall value for vertical gameplay on a handheld dedicated to it. If you want versatility, you go for the One 35; if you want true DS gameplay, I recommend an actual DS. But if you know you want to play vertically oriented games, and you know not much else is going to be worth it on a small screen, this is going to be the option to go for. As if there were many others.
Blood Strike is a Shameless COD Ripoff: I’m Fine With That
Until the recent release of Destiny: Rising, I wasn’t familiar with developer/publisher NetEase. But this Chinese mobile developer commands some serious IP in its roster. While testing out Android games on my new Odin 3, I stumbled upon (nobody asked me to try it or write this article) NetEase’s new answer to rival Tencent’s Call of Duty Mobile.
Next Level #1: Iron & Grind
This is the inaugural issue of Next Level, where I’ll cover new and upcoming games that tickle your fancy without clogging your feed. This week is looking stacked, with a plethora of games that aren’t just reskinned survival slop and cozy time-killers. We’re getting decopunk sky cities, cyberpunk fistfights, cursed fairy tales, haunted terminals, and a next‑gen skatepark built for modders. Clear your backlog accordingly.
Anbernic RG Vita: First Impressions
The RG Vita is here, and Jim has spent enough time with it to get a good feel for its strengths and frustrations. What we do not have is a price, and that hangs over everything. Without knowing where this lands on the ladder, all we can really do is tell you what it feels like, what works, what doesn’t, and which devices it seems ready to stand next to. Whether it is worth buying will live or die on whatever number Anbernic eventually slaps on the store page.
Ratcheteer DX Q&A With Shaun Inman
It is hard to write an intro for an artist you admire, let alone one you consider a friend, but here goes: Shaun Inman makes things. From chiptune music, to custom firmware, to games, and a game engine for the little yellow marvel called the Playdate. One of those games, 2022’s Playdate Game of the Year Ratcheteer, is getting the DX treatment and heading to the Nintendo Switch, Steam, itch, and the Mac App Store on March 5th, in full color.
Homebrew Side Quests #1: Wii Did It
This is the inaugural issue of Homebrew Side Quests: a look at new projects pushing old hardware in directions the original manufacturers often did not plan for.
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?
- Anbernic Spring Festival Sale – Save Up to 55%
- RG Slide –
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- RG Slide –
- AliExpress Spring Sale: 2/15 – 2/22
- USSS02 – $2 off $15+
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- MANGMI Pocket Max:
$239.99$219.99 - Retroid Pocket 5:
$249$209 at Amazon - AYN Odin 2 Portal
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