Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Those Weird Handhelds From Gamescom Might Be Nearing Their Release

https://retrohandhelds.gg/those-weird-handhelds-from-gamescom-might-be-nearing-their-release/

Remember those mysterious handheld consoles that popped up around Gamescom? At first glance, they felt a bit like “AI slop”—the kind of tech vaporware that promises the moon but delivers nothing but a broken link.

Well, color me cautiously optimistic. A company called Yoniq has officially launched landing pages for their two main contenders: the Yoniq Duo and the Yoniq Portal.

While the pages are currently a bit thin on the “how it actually works” part, we do have some clues:

• The Duo: Features a dual-screen design (think a tiny, handheld DS vibe) aimed at multitasking. It’s slated to start at $159.
• The Portal: A more traditional single-screen handheld, priced around $199.

The catch? Despite the pricing being front and center, you still can’t actually buy them. The pages feel more like placeholders than a functional shop, and the “specs” are currently a collection of very vague marketing buzzwords like “smooth, intuitive operation.”

Are these the next big thing in retro gaming, or just another digital mirage? We’re keeping a close eye on them.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

8BitDo 64 Review: Jack of None, Master of One

https://retrohandhelds.gg/8bitdo-64-review/

### The N64’s “Third Leg” Problem, Solved?

If you grew up in the 90s, you remember the struggle: the Nintendo 64 controller was iconic, but its ergonomics were… questionable. Between the single analog stick and that infamous protruding “third leg,” it wasn’t exactly a masterpiece of comfort.

Enter the 8BitDo 64.

This new controller is a love letter to N64 enthusiasts who want the nostalgia without the hand cramps. It ditches the awkward original shape for a more familiar, ergonomic build similar to 8BitDo’s popular “Ultimate” line. While it might feel a bit small for those with massive hands, it’s a dream for medium-sized players.

The quick hits:

• Modern Tech: It features a Hall Effect stick (meaning no annoying stick drift) and USB-C charging.
• Versatility: It works beautifully with Nintendo Switch Online, PC, and Android emulation.
• Build Quality: Solid, sturdy, and much more reliable than the “creepy” third-party knockoffs of the past.

Bottom line? If you live for Star Fox 64 or Mario Party but want a controller that actually feels good in 2024, this is a must-buy.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #531

https://retrorgb.com/week531.html

If you thought your weekend was going to be quiet, think again. The latest RetroRGB roundup is here, and it’s a packed bag of hardware updates, delays, and a little bit of everything else.

The big bummer this week? The AES+ is officially hitting the snooze button, with its release delayed by a full year to September 2027. If you were planning on upgrading your Neo-Geo setup anytime soon, you might want to find a new hobby in the meantime.

On the brighter side, the MiSTer community is keeping the momentum high with new updates for Sega’s Y-Board and Model 1, plus some extra love for Hard Drivin’. If you’re looking for something portable, there’s a review of the GameBub FPGA and a look at the Unico Traveller prototype that’s tackling that pesky 100ms lag.

Quick hits from the roundup:

New Release: A fresh SMS shmup, Razing Core*, is out now.

• Display News: Arcooda is making waves with a 21.3” LCD, and Wobbling Pixels has dropped new 1080p profiles for the RetroTINK 6x.
• Oddity of the Week: Because why not? There’s even a mention of Brooks Ghost alternative sneakers.

Whether you’re into FPGA tech or just want to watch a Sharp Twin Famicom get a fresh lease on life, this week has you covered.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Denuvo Sues Game Cracker ‘voices38’ for Bypassing its Anti-Tamper DRM

https://torrentfreak.com/denuvo-sues-game-cracker-voices38-for-bypassing-its-anti-tamper-drm/

### Denuvo is Playing Hardball

It looks like the digital cat-and-mouse game between game developers and pirates just got a lot more litigious. For years, Denuvo—the heavy-duty anti-tamper software used to protect big-budget titles—has been the primary shield against game cracking. But lately, an anonymous cracker known as “voices38” has been making a habit of slicing right through that shield.

In a move that marks a major escalation, Denuvo has officially filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court. Here’s the twist: Denuvo doesn’t actually own the copyrights to the games being cracked (like Hogwarts Legacy or Black Myth: Wukong). Instead, they are suing under the DMCA’s anti-circumvention provisions, arguing that bypassing their security directly harms their business model.

The tricky part? Nobody actually knows who voices38 is. Denuvo is currently playing detective, using a list of Reddit, Discord, and Steam IDs to try and unmask the individual. They’re hoping a court-ordered subpoena can pull personal data from these platforms to find a real name.

Why this matters:

• A new legal precedent: This is the first time Denuvo has sued a cracker directly in a U.S. court.

The “Future” Clause: Denuvo isn’t just suing for past cracks; they want an injunction to bar the defendant from bypassing future* games that haven’t even been released yet.

• The Deterrent Factor: Even if they never catch the person, the lawsuit serves as a massive warning shot to the cracking community.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The GAMEMT MTX Combines Emulation With a GBA Cartridge Slot For Less Than $80

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-gamemt-mtx-combines-emulation-with-a-gba-cartridge-slot-for-less-than-80/

If you’re the kind of person who still keeps a box of old Game Boy Advance cartridges under your bed “just in case,” your nostalgia just got a new home.

The GAMEMT MTX has officially moved from mysterious Discord leaks to actual availability, and it’s doing something most handhelds won’t: it features a physical cartridge slot. While it’s specifically built for GBA games, there’s a good chance your classic Game Boy and Color library will slide right in, too.

Under the hood, it’s packing an Allwinner T509 chip that promises to punch above its weight class, potentially handling PSP emulation at 2X resolution. It’s a compact, horizontal little device with a crisp 1:1 aspect ratio screen, though you’ll have to do without analog sticks (it’s all about that D-pad life here).

The best part? It won’t break the bank. You can snag one for under $80, making it a surprisingly affordable way to bridge the gap between your old physical collection and modern digital emulation.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

A10 Mini Review: A Miyoo Mini Clone That Earns Its Keep

https://retrohandhelds.gg/a10-mini-review/

### The Imposter in the Handheld Hall of Fame

If you’ve been in the retro gaming scene for a while, you know the Miyoo Mini is a legend. But with the original supply of parts drying up, the “king” of small-form emulation is becoming a rare relic. Enter the A10 Mini: a device that isn’t even trying to hide the fact that it’s a 1:1 clone of the original.

So, is this just a cheap knockoff, or a worthy successor? Surprisingly, it might actually be an upgrade in some departments. The A10 swaps out the Miyoo’s somewhat “e-wastey” volume scroll wheel for much more sensible buttons and packs a beefier Rockchip processor with more RAM. This means it handles 3D gaming and slightly more demanding titles with a bit more grace.

However, being a clone comes with the usual “Wild West” baggage:

• The “Clack” Factor: The rear shoulder buttons are loud and clicky—not ideal for late-night gaming while your partner sleeps.
• D-Pad Drift: The directional pad feels a bit mushy compared to the crisp, purposeful feel of the original.
• Quality Control: Like many mystery clones, hardware revisions seem to vary wildly.

The Bottom Line: If you can find a genuine Miyoo Mini for a decent price, grab it. But if you missed the boat and want that classic vertical handheld experience without breaking the bank, the A10 Mini is a surprisingly solid way to fill the gap.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Rep. Issa Files Competing U.S. Pirate Site Blocking Bill

https://torrentfreak.com/rep-issa-files-competing-u-s-pirate-site-blocking-bill/

Remember the SOPA bill of 2012? The one that caused a massive internet meltdown? Well, the ghost of copyright enforcement past is officially back in the building.

Rep. Darrell Issa has officially introduced a new bill aimed at blocking foreign pirate sites at the ISP level. While the official text is currently playing hard to get (it hasn’t been released to the public yet), we can take a pretty good guess at what’s inside based on Issa’s previous drafts.

Essentially, the bill would allow copyright holders to get court orders that force internet providers to block access to specific foreign websites. It’s a move that has already sparked a bit of a “Battle of the Bills” on Capitol Hill, as Issa’s proposal is competing with other site-blocking efforts currently being debated.

The pushback is already starting, too. Critics, including the group Public Knowledge, are sounding the alarm that this turns broadband providers into “copyright police.” The big fear? “Overblocking”—where a court order meant for a pirate site accidentally knocks out a legitimate small business, a nonprofit, or even a telehealth service.

Whether this becomes the law of the land or another legislative casualty remains to be seen, but the fight for the “open web” is heating up again.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Accused Impostor in Private Tracker Lawsuit Driven by Revenge, Defense Says

https://torrentfreak.com/accused-impostor-in-private-tracker-lawsuit-driven-by-revenge-defense-says/

If you thought your last breakup was messy, try being a copyright plaintiff who might actually be a fake.

The legal drama surrounding a massive lawsuit against major private trackers (like PassThePopcorn and HDBits) just took a surreal turn. After it was revealed that the name on the lawsuit belonged to a Canadian filmmaker who had zero involvement in the case, the “plaintiff” claimed they were actually a different Matthew Schneider from the UK.

Suddenly, the plaintiff dropped the lawsuit entirely. But don’t expect a happy ending just yet.

While the trackers are safe from the copyright claims, the judge isn’t letting the “impostor” off the hook. Defense attorneys are pushing for heavy sanctions, alleging this wasn’t just a case of mistaken identity, but a calculated act of revenge. The theory? The person behind the lawsuit was a banned user who was blacklisted from these trackers for selling invites and decided to strike back.

The real test comes next: the court wants to see this “UK filmmaker” on video to prove he’s actually who he says he is. Until then, we’re all just waiting to see if this is a case of cosmic coincidence or a very elaborate digital grudge.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Wobbling Pixels RetroTINK 6x / 4K Profile Updates

https://retrorgb.com/wobbling-pixels-retrotink-6x-4k-profile-updates.html

If you’ve ever spent your Saturday night obsessively tweaking scaling modes and mask effects on your RetroTINK, we have some very good news. The legend himself, Wobbling Pixels, has just dropped a massive update that is essentially a “shortcut to perfection” for your retro setup.

The new profile pack is specifically designed for 1080p and 1440p outputs. While this is a game-changer for RetroTINK 6x users, it’s equally vital for the 4K crowd. Why? Because if you want to use high-refresh-rate features like Black Frame Insertion (BFI) to get that silky-smooth motion, you often have to drop your resolution below 4K.

Instead of manually rebuilding your settings every time you switch resolutions, these profiles do the heavy lifting for you. They offer:

• Pixel-perfect scaling at lower resolutions (including 120Hz+ modes).
• Console-specific CRT blur that mimics the “magic” of an old-school tube TV.
• Optimized cropping for everything from SNES and Genesis to N64 and PS2.

Whether you’re a hardcore tinkerer or just want your games to look gorgeous with zero effort, this update is a massive win for the community. The gap between your modern OLED and a vintage CRT just got a little bit smaller.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Gamenative Drops its full V1.2.1 Update

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamenative-drops-its-full-v1-2-1-update/

If you thought the Gamenative team was slowing down after their pre-release earlier this week, think again. They’ve been busy in the kitchen, and the full V1.2.1 update officially dropped yesterday.

It’s a relatively quick turnaround, but don’t let the “minor” version number fool you. This update is all about smoothing out the wrinkles and making the user experience feel a lot less like a science experiment and a lot more like a finished product.

The highlights include some much-needed quality-of-life fixes, such as:

• Better Library Management: You can now hide those pesky platform-hidden Steam and GOG games that clutter up your view.
• Precision Gaming: A new relative mouse input option for “Shooter Mode” should make aiming a lot less frustrating.
• Steam Integration: Improved handling for Steam family library copies and DLC selection.
• Under-the-Hood Tweaks: Faster external loading and a new toggle to hide those distracting AI debugging popups.

While it’s not a massive overhaul, these refinements are exactly what a growing platform needs. With the “Steam Frame” on the horizon, the big question remains: will these steady improvements pave the way for better x86 emulation, or is Gamenative just perfecting the basics? Only time will tell.