Author: taternews

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Belgian Pirate Site Blocking Order Targets Cloudflare and Google, But Not Their DNS

https://torrentfreak.com/belgian-pirate-site-blocking-order-targets-cloudflare-and-google-but-not-their-dns/

Belgium’s “two‑step” pirate‑site blockade is getting more surgical, and this week it turned its sights on illegal IPTV streams.

Broadcasters RTL Belgium and RTBF won a court order that forces the country’s five big ISPs—Proximus, Telenet, Orange Belgium, Mobile Vikings and DIGI—to block the domains of five shady IPTV services (LEMEILLEURIPTV, BESTIPTVABO, ATLASPRO12, OTT PREMIUM and MIJNIPTV) and any future mirrors. The ban is DNS‑based, but here’s the twist: the order doesn’t ask Cloudflare or Google to block at the resolver level.

Instead, both tech giants must act as infrastructure providers: Cloudflare must stop serving the sites if it’s acting as CDN/host, while Google must pull the domains from its search index, ads network and relevant cloud services. Their public DNS resolvers (including Google Public DNS and Cloudflare 1.1.1.1) are left untouched—a concession likely tied to Cisco’s ongoing appeal over earlier DNS‑blocking mandates.

What this means for users is simple: your ISP will cut off the IPTV sites, but you can still resolve their names elsewhere—though you won’t find them in Google search or on Cloudflare‑hosted pages. The case underscores how Belgium’s blocking regime keeps tweaking its scope in real time, and it may set a precedent for future European orders that target infrastructure without throttling public DNS.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Handhelds with Knobs, Xbox on Android, Tariff Updates, and More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-87/

If you thought handhelds had hit their design ceiling, think again—this week’s roundup proves the opposite. GameMT is rolling out the Pocket Super Knob 5000, a gloriously over‑the‑top Android box that basically says “knobs are back” (and it lands in April). Meanwhile, Lenovo and ASUS quietly announced they’ll stop pushing driver updates for the Legion Go’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme, hinting AMD might be pulling the plug on support entirely.

On the competition front, ASUS’s ROG Xbox Ally isn’t selling as fast as hoped, despite early hype that it could dent the Steam Deck’s market share. In software news, an Android‑native Xbox emulator (a fork of xemu) has hit GitHub—early, hungry for resources, but a tantalizing glimpse of console gaming on phones. And if you’ve ever dreamed of Dreamcast in your browser, a Flycast‑WASM core now lets you stream those classics via EmulatorJS.

A quick glance at the broader scene shows price hikes looming for Lenovo devices, an official Evercade wireless controller arriving soon, and a slew of new RetroArch cores promising Xbox, PS3, and Wii U emulation—still in alpha, but worth keeping on your radar. Grab a coffee; the retro handheld world is anything but static.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Modding The Zelda Game & Watch

https://retrorgb.com/modding-the-zelda-game-watch.html

Ever wondered if your dusty Game & Watch could moonlight as a pocket‑sized retro console? Tito from Macho Nacho Productions just proved it can—by turning the little handheld into a full‑blown emulation machine.

In his new video he walks through a fairly advanced mod, swapping out the original firmware for GnWManager and loading a curated SD card of classic titles. The hardware hack isn’t for first‑timers, but the end result is a sleek, feature‑rich device that can run everything from NES to Game Boy games—all on the same 2‑inch screen you’ve been pressing “Start” on for decades.

Why care? Besides the cool factor, this shows how far the Game & Watch modding scene has come after five years of tinkering. There are simpler “jailbreak” routes if you just want basic homebrew, but Tito’s setup packs the most bang for your buck—full‑screen menus, save states, and a tidy SD library.

If you’re curious, check out the GnWManager install guide on GitHub and the pre‑modded emulator collection to see what’s possible. And hey, if the video sparked joy, consider tossing a few bucks Bob’s way on Patreon. Happy hacking!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The Legend of Zelda Series Turns 40!

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-legend-of-zelda-series-turns-40/

Four decades ago, Nintendo slipped a green‑clad kid and a princess into our living rooms, and the rest is legend—literally. On Feb. 21, 1986 the original Legend of Zelda burst onto the NES, turning Shigeru Miyamoto’s childhood wanderings in Kyoto into a sprawling, time‑bending adventure franchise that still feels fresh.

Why does it matter? Because Zelda has been the playground for gaming’s biggest “what if” experiments: Ocarina of Time’s dungeon design, Majora’s Mask’s three‑day loop, Breath of the Wild’s physics‑driven open world. Each new entry rewrites how we explore, solve puzzles, and even control a hero who can be a boy, a wolf, or—occasionally—a bunny.

The series also boasts a chameleon‑like art style, from 8‑bit pixel charm to Wind Waker’s cartoon seas and the lush, Studio Ghibli‑inspired vistas of Breath of the Wild. Its influence ripples through titles like Assassin’s Creed, Elden Ring and The Elder Scrolls, proving no one else can quite capture that mix of whimsy and epic questing.

Bottom line: Zelda isn’t just 40 years old; it’s a living laboratory for adventure gaming—still daring us to pick up the controller, pull out our swords, and save Hyrule…again.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

ProtonVPN Fights French Pirate Site Blockades, But Court Rejects Overblocking Fears

https://torrentfreak.com/protonvpn-fights-french-pirate-site-blockades-but-court-rejects-overblocking-fears/

Ever tried watching a live match on a “secret” stream, only to hit a VPN wall? ProtonVPN just found out the hard way that French courts aren’t shy about ordering it to block pirate sites – and they’ve already won.

In late January Paris handed down two separate injunctions against Proton (the Swiss‑based VPN). One targets 16 domains streaming Premier League games; the other goes after another 16 sites peddling Top 14 rugby. The orders run until each season ends in mid‑2026, and they’re “dynamic” – meaning any new mirror can be added on the fly.

Proton fought back with every argument in its playbook: jurisdiction questions, net‑neutrality violations, WTO trade rules, and even the technical impossibility of blocking only French users. The court brushed each one aside as vague or unsubstantiated, noting no concrete evidence that a global blackout would result.

The verdict? Proton must block the 31 domains (one overlap) but won’t have to plaster the ruling on its site or pay Canal+’s €30 k claim. Meanwhile, French right‑sholders are also pushing Google DNS and ISP blocks, so the battle is far from over – and Europe’s top court may be the next arena. Bottom line: if you’re using a VPN in France to dodge piracy filters, expect more “access denied” screens heading your way.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Our Handhelds and Tariffs: An Optimistic Future?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/our-handhelds-and-tariffs-an-optimistic-future/

Turns out the Supreme Court doesn’t love the “trade war” drama nearly as much as the headlines suggest. Last year’s sweeping tariffs were deemed unlawful, potentially clearing the path for cheaper imports. However, don’t throw away your wallet just yet. The current administration has already slapped a temporary 10% global tariff on everything (except electronics) to replace the old ones.

It’s a complicated, ever-shifting bureaucratic chess match. While the threat of those crazy high China tariffs (which were up to 140% at their peak) might be fading, the government is just swapping one tax for another. For now, companies are still figuring out how to adapt—some are eating the costs, while others are stockpiling inventory to avoid the fees.

The moral of the story? In the world of tariffs, nothing is set in stone. Things will change again, and we’ll find a way to keep playing those retro games without breaking the bank. In the meantime, let’s just keep our fingers crossed and wait for the next update.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Hyper Street Kart is the Mashup I Want in a ROM Hack

https://retrohandhelds.gg/hyper-street-kart-is-the-mashup-i-want-in-a-rom-hack/

Ever feel paralyzed by the sheer number of games and handhelds sitting on your shelf? You’re not alone.

Sometimes the best cure for choice paralysis is a wild mashup, like Hyper Street Kart: The Road Warriors. This isn’t just a Mario Kart skin job; it’s a genuine love letter to the SNES era. The developer has completely overhauled the track layouts, added new pixel art, and replaced items like Turtle Shells with Fireballs.

The gameplay feels snappy, though you’ll need a delicate touch—the drift physics are much looser than the original, so don’t expect your kart to stick to the road.

Here’s why you should play:

• New Twists: Tracks change terrain mid-race, and the physics require a different driving style.
• Visual Overhaul: Character palettes swap instantly (Bowser becomes Blanka, for example).
• Battle Mode: Classic balloon popping is included, though it’s strictly for couch co-op.

It’s a fresh take on an old favorite that proves sometimes the best way to find a new gem is to stop looking and just start driving.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

No More Dongles: Official Evercade Wireless Controller Is On The Way

https://retrohandhelds.gg/no-more-dongles-official-evercade-wireless-controller-is-on-the-way/

No More Dongles: Evercade’s Long-Awaited Wireless Controller Is Finally Happening!

After years of forum debates, 8BitDo adapter hunts, and hopes pinned on “maybe this firmware update’ll fix it,” Evercade is finally dropping its own official wireless controller—because who doesn’t want a plug-and-play pad for couch-fighting Neo Geo legends?

The Evercade Wireless Controller arrives Sept 2026 and is built first for the VS-R, EXP-R, and Alpha systems. It brings turbo fire, analog sticks, and a magnetic dongle storage—no more losing tiny USB receivers in couch cushions. Priced at £34.99 GBP, it’ll likely land near $50 USD in the States.

Why this matters:

• ✅ First-party = better compatibility (no more guessing if your 8BitDo really works in VS mode)
• ✅ Designed for action/fighting games where lag and poor D-pads ruin the fun
• ✅ Signals Blaze is seriously leveling up its ecosystem—especially after recent firmware upgrades for Neo Geo and Atari support

The big question? Will it actually beat third-party options in ergonomics and responsiveness? If Blaze nails it, this could be the missing piece in Evercade’s retro revival puzzle. 🎮✨

Pre-orders? Soon, says the tweet.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Pokemon Fire Red and Leaf Green Are Coming to Nintendo Switch

https://retrohandhelds.gg/pokemon-fire-red-and-leaf-green-are-coming-to-nintendo-switch/

Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Are Hopping Onto Switch—No Subscription Needed! 🌟

Forget the yearly fee and dusty cartridges: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen are officially coming to the Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 eShop on February 27, 2026, as part of the Pokémon 30th-anniversary celebration. That’s right—no Nintendo Switch Online required, just pure, unaltered GBA nostalgia in your pocket (or on your docked TV).

Originally released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004, these remakes upgraded the originals with enhanced graphics, new post-game islands (looking at you, Sevii Islands), and quality-of-life fixes—making them fan favorites for over two decades. Now, they’re getting a shiny new lease on life… for $20 each, or $40 for the duo.

✅ Play anywhere on any Switch model

✅ No subscription needed

✅ Full language support (English, French, Spanish, etc.)

Sure, some fans might miss the retro charm of emulators or homebrew—but hey, if you want legitimacy and portability without breaking the bank? This might just be worth the trip down Memory Lane.

Got thoughts on this announcement—or your favorite handheld Pokémon run? Drop a line in the comments or join the chat over at Retro Handhelds’ Discord! 🎮✨

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

MustardOS “Jacaranda” Update Brings Color Controls and Smarter UI Features

https://retrohandhelds.gg/mustardos-jacaranda-update-brings-color-controls-and-smarter-ui-features/

MustardOS “Jacaranda” Update: Color Controls, Smarter UI, and a Bit of Nostalgia

The MustardOS (muOS) team just dropped Jacaranda—version 2601.0—the first major update of 2026—and it’s packed with polish, personality, and performance tweaks. As a “stealth drop,” the team quietly rolled it out last week to iron out kinks before the big reveal. A patch (2601.1) is already in the works.

One standout feature? Hardware-injected overlays—think real-time brightness, battery, and volume HUDs that don’t hog CPU cycles. Works great across emulators (including RetroArch!) and GLES apps, though PortMaster users will have to wait for compatibility fixes.

Gamers with an eye for aesthetics (or accessibility) will love the global color controls and per-game filters, including presets for color-blind modes. And yes—you can now choose between organized playlists or gloriously chaotic folder sorting.

Bonus tidbits:

• 📺 DVD-bounce screensaver (yes, really)
• 🎮 On-device community news & “Game of the Month” updates
• ⏱️ Activity tracker that builds your Play Style profile—exportable as HTML, for sharing with friends or flexing online

As always: back up before updating. muOS devs aren’t liable for lost saves—but they are listening (check the Discord and forums).