Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Steam Machine Geekbench Scores Hint at Modest But Capable Performance

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-machine-geekbench-scores-hint-at-modest-but-capable-performance/

The wait for Valve’s Steam Machine is finally yielding some real numbers, and the results are… surprisingly modest. Thanks to fresh Geekbench 6 scores, we now know exactly what kind of performance to expect from this small, SteamOS-powered PC. Think of it less as a desktop powerhouse and more as a refined, living-room-optimized console.

Here’s the breakdown: The machine sports a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads, running at a very efficient 30-watt TDP. In practice, that translates to a single-core score of 2,282 and a multicore score of 7,392. To put that in perspective, it’s performing roughly on par with a low-TDP Ryzen 5 7640U for single tasks, but its multicore chops align more closely with older Ryzen 5000 series chips like the 5500 or 5600.

So, what does this mean for gamers? It means you aren’t getting a raw PC monster. You’re getting something closer to a high-end handheld or a Steam Deck on steroids. It’s plenty capable of handling most modern titles at decent settings, but don’t expect to max out 4K ray tracing. The real story here isn’t just the silicon; it’s the price. With estimates ranging from under $1,000 to well above it, the final sticker shock will likely determine whether this machine sinks or floats. We’re closing in on a launch, so keep your wallets ready.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GoldenEye 007 Recompilation: From PC With Love

https://retrohandhelds.gg/goldeneye-007-recompilation-from-pc-with-love/

Remember the golden era of couch co-op? If your nostalgia for GoldenEye 007 is as strong as your hatred for missing the bathroom during a split-screen match, you’re in luck. Thanks to a clever bit of fan engineering, the N64 classic is finally getting a proper native PC port.

This isn’t just another emulator wrapper. Developed by SunJaycy, this “Recomp” translates the original code directly into C++, bypassing the hardware simulation overhead that often slows emulation down. The result? A buttery smooth 60 frames-per-second experience with modern controller support, widescreen fixes, and online multiplayer. It’s essentially the game we’ve all been waiting for, running exactly as it should on modern hardware.

However, there’s a catch: you need the game files. Since the official Xbox 360 version was cancelled, the project doesn’t include assets. You’ll have to track down the leaked Xbox 360 data yourself—a bit of digital detective work, but worth it for the payoff. Once you drop those files into the folder and run the executable, you’re ready to cause some diplomatic incidents in London.

This project highlights a growing trend where fans are taking preservation into their own hands. Instead of waiting for a remaster that may never come, enthusiasts are building better ways to play the games they love. It’s a win for preservation, performance, and anyone who just wants to play 4-player deathmatch without lag.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Genesis 1 – 2 Output Converter

https://retrorgb.com/genesis-1-2-output-converter.html

Got a Sega Genesis Model 1 and feeling left out of the high-definition video party? You’re not alone, but there’s a sleek fix that might just save your retro gaming setup. Kyle from Retro-Access has released the “Genesis Bridge,” a tiny adapter that transforms the bulky DIN port on Genesis 1s and Sega Master Systems into the more common MiniDIN found on later models.

The best part? It’s a true passthrough. Every pin connects directly, meaning your existing composite, RGB SCART, HD Retrovision, and even RAD2x cables work exactly as they should. Because it’s a small PCB rather than a long cable, you also avoid the interference headaches that can sometimes plague longer adapter wires. Audio and video stay crisp and clean.

A quick heads-up, though: Japanese Master Systems need a different cable due to unique motherboard components, so this bridge won’t help with those specific units. Also, if you have a Model 1 and never plan on owning the 32x expansion, a dedicated Model 1 cable with a 3.5mm jack is cheaper. But for most collectors who might upgrade later or own multiple revisions, this bridge plus a quality Genesis 2 cable is the ultimate flexible solution. It’s a small piece of hardware that keeps your options wide open.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Music Labels Win Canadian Site Blocking Order Against Y2Mate, YTMP3, and Savefrom

https://torrentfreak.com/music-labels-win-canadian-site-blocking-order-against-y2mate-ytmp3-and-savefrom/

Canadian music fans, say goodbye to easy offline playlists. A federal court in Ottawa has issued the country’s first-ever site-blocking order against stream-ripping services, marking a significant win for major labels like Sony, Universal, and Warner. The ruling targets notorious platforms like Y2Mate, YTMP3, and SaveFrom, ordering nine major ISPs—including Bell and Rogers—to block access to their domains.

The judge’s reasoning was straightforward: these sites exist solely to facilitate unauthorized copyright infringement. By allowing users to rip and download streaming content, they violate the Copyright Act. The order requires ISPs to use DNS blocking or similar technical measures, complete with a notification page explaining why the site is inaccessible.

What’s clever here is the “John Doe” aspect. The court didn’t just block the four specific domains currently listed; it created a framework for future enforcement. If copycat sites pop up to fill the void, labels can add them to the blocklist with minimal legal hassle, provided no ISP objects. While the current targets aren’t traffic giants (many are actually lower-traffic clones of bigger sites), this precedent sets a powerful trap for any new ripper service that tries to take their place. In short, the cat-and-mouse game just got a lot harder for the mice.

📰 New article from Wololo.net

Homebrew Release: Warnel Chawpiovs v1.4.0 (PC, Nintendo Switch, Android), adds Android Support, 7 new heroes, and 5 new scenarios

https://wololo.net/2026/06/16/homebrew-release-warnel-chawpiovs-v1-4-0-pc-nintendo-switch-android-adds-android-support-7-new-heroes-and-5-new-scenarios/

Marvel Champions fans, rejoice: your favorite homebrew companion just got a major upgrade. Warnel Chawpiovs version 1.4.0 is here, and it’s officially bringing the table-top experience to your Android phone. That’s right, you can finally fight cosmic threats on the go, provided you don’t mind squinting at text that’s barely readable on smaller screens.

This update is no small feat. It introduces seven new heroes, including the ever-popular Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. You’ll also face off against five fresh scenarios from the Mutant Genesis expansion, featuring heavy hitters like Magneto and the Sentinel. If you’ve ever struggled with Magneto in solo mode, be warned: he’s still brutally difficult, but at least the rules are now enforced more accurately than ever.

Beyond the new content, the developer has poured effort into performance. Loading times are snappier thanks to new caching layers, and visual glitches have been smoothed out. However, a word of caution for Switch users: the game is still a bit sluggish. You might want to overclock your console if you plan on playing with multiple heroes.

Whether you’re on PC, Switch, or now Android, this update makes the digital adaptation feel closer to the real thing. It’s not perfect—multiplayer is still largely broken, and Mac support is officially “unsupported”—but for solo players looking to automate the rules and dive into new storylines, it’s a massive step forward.

📰 New article from Wololo.net

Unlocking the PSP’s Dual Core setup.

https://wololo.net/2026/06/16/unlocking-the-psps-dual-core-setup/

Think the PSP is just a single-core relic? Think again. Thanks to some serious detective work by developer m-cid, we now know the handheld actually hides a secret dual-core setup. It’s not just a fun fact for old-school geeks; it’s a major unlock for homebrew potential.

For years, Sony kept the Media Engine (ME) locked behind kernel-level access, using it strictly for decoding audio and video. Retail games could only ask the kernel to do the heavy lifting. This was likely a strategic move to allow hardware revisions without breaking compatibility—a strategy Sony later botched with the PS Vita, which lacks the ME entirely.

But m-cid has cracked the code. They’ve identified the ME’s co-processor, the Virtual Mobile Engine (VME), and created easy-to-use libraries that let developers tap into this raw power. This isn’t just about tinkering; it’s about performance. We’re talking about hardware-accelerated 64-bit integer math and potential FPS boosts for emulators.

The results are already showing up in projects like the Perfect Dark port. If you’re into the technical nitty-gritty, the GitHub repos linked in the original post offer a treasure trove of documentation. It’s a reminder that even retired hardware still has plenty of surprises left in its silicon.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Valve Expands SteamOS Support to Include Intel-Powered Handhelds and PCs

https://retrohandhelds.gg/valve-expands-steamos-support-to-include-intel-powered-handhelds-and-pcs/

Valve is officially widening the net for SteamOS, and if you’ve been holding out for an Intel-powered handheld to run the Linux-based OS, your wait is finally over. While AMD devices like the ASUS ROG Ally have been the usual suspects, recent beta builds now support Intel-powered rigs, sparked by excitement around new chips like the Arc G3 and MSI’s Claw 8 AI+.

The proof is in the pudding. Beta tester ETA Prime recently showed SteamOS running smoothly on the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 and Arc graphics. Even cooler? A Reddit user confirmed compatibility with the desktop Arc B580 GPU, proving Valve isn’t just sticking to mobile chips. They’ve even gotten the OS running on the Ryzen-powered MSI Claw A8, signaling a serious push to make SteamOS the go-to for any handheld.

But hold your horses. Just because it can run doesn’t mean it should. Early performance on the Arc B580 actually lagged behind Windows, and tweaking settings like TDP requires some serious tinkering. Unless you’re a Linux enthusiast eager to beta-test, you might want to stick with Windows or try distros like Bazzite for now. Valve is clearly working hard, but these builds are still a bit rough around the edges.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Lenovo’s Retro Handheld Returns as the “SUNYAO G02”

https://retrohandhelds.gg/lenovos-retro-handheld-returns-as-the-sunyao-g02/

Remember the Lenovo G02? That controversial little retro handheld that allegedly popped up on AliExpress before vanishing into the digital ether? It’s back, but with a name change that feels less like a rebrand and more like a clever disguise.

Enter the SUNYAO G02.

Just when we thought the dust had settled on the “was it really made by Lenovo?” debate, this device is back in stores. The twist? It’s being sold under the SUNYAO brand, which a listing cheekily claims is part of the “Lenovo ecosystem” and “wholly owned by Lenovo.” It’s a bold move, essentially admitting the connection while trying to sidestep the legal headaches that caused the original launch to collapse.

Why did the first round fail? Simple: pre-loaded ROMs. Like many in the retro scene, the original G02 shipped with thousands of pirated game files, prompting Lenovo to pull it quickly. The SUNYAO version appears to be following the same blueprint, offering that classic 4.5-inch IPS screen and Rockchip RK3326 power for around $50.

The real takeaway here isn’t just the specs—it’s the cat-and-mouse game. Lenovo seems eager to test the waters of the retro market without getting sued into oblivion. But given how fast they moved last time, you might want to snap one up now before they decide to yank the listings again. It’s a risky buy, but for $50, the gamble might be worth it.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game Store Rentals: GameCube Edition

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-store-rentals-gamecube-edition/

Remember when your Friday night entertainment depended on whether a local clerk had a specific disc in stock? Before the digital deluge of Xbox Live and PlayStation Store, rental stores were our gateways to gaming nirvana. Inspired by a recent nostalgia trip, one writer revisits the GameCube era, highlighting five titles that defined those late-night rental runs.

First up is Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg, a bizarrely charming platformer where you roll around as a boy in a chicken suit, using eggs as both weapons and tools. It’s weird, colorful, and surprisingly deep. For those who preferred their sports with a side of style, NFL Street 2 offered arcade football that prioritized flashy moves and taunts over realistic rules. It’s the game that taught a generation how to look cool while tackling.

JRPG fans found gems like Baten Kaitos, where tactical combat revolves around crafting decks with magical cards, and the deeply overlooked Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom, a real-time strategy spinoff that actually plays like a tactical RPG. Finally, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance proved the franchise had serious legs, offering gritty storytelling and permadeath stakes in a 3D world.

These games remind us that discovery used to require a trip to the store. With modern remasters and emulations, you don’t need a rental card to experience these classics anymore. But do you remember the thrill of hoping the clerk actually had Billy Hatcher in stock?

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Meta Must Face Adult Film Piracy Lawsuit as Court Denies Dismissal

https://torrentfreak.com/meta-must-face-adult-film-piracy-lawsuit-as-court-denies-dismissal/

Meta thought it could dodge a lawsuit by claiming its network was just a victim of rogue employees. Unfortunately for the tech giant, a federal judge in California isn’t buying that excuse. Strike 3 Holdings and Counterlife Media accused Meta of using adult films to train its AI models via BitTorrent, and Meta tried to dismiss the case by arguing the IP address evidence was meaningless without proof of central orchestration.

Judge Eumi K. Lee rejected that motion in a sharp 16-page order, letting all infringement claims proceed. The court found the idea that multiple corporate IPs coincidentally downloaded identical files—ranging from explicit adult content to Teen Titans and out-of-order episodes of Ted Lasso—to be absurd. The patterns were too consistent, suggesting algorithmic keyword scraping rather than random human error.

Why does this matter? It establishes that simply copying content via BitTorrent is infringement, regardless of whether it ends up in an AI model. It also sidesteps the Cox Communications defense, as Meta allegedly built tools specifically to facilitate this torrenting. The case moves into discovery, with a jury trial set for February 2028. Meta’s “it wasn’t us” defense has officially stalled; now it’s time for the hard evidence.