Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Beginners Guide: Windows, Armoury Crate, and Emulation

https://retrohandhelds.gg/asus-rog-xbox-ally-beginners-guide/

Santa dropped an ASUS ROG Xbox Ally under your tree? Congrats—you’ve got a tiny Windows PC that thinks it’s an Xbox.

Here’s the quick cheat code: Update everything. Seriously. Armoury Crate, Windows, MYASUS app, Microsoft Store—yes, all four. Do it while plugged in (no, your phone charger won’t cut it). Skip this, and you’ll be staring at a brick that calls itself “the future of handhelds.”

Got controller drift? Open Armoury Crate → Calibration. Do the weird stick wiggle dance like you’re at a rave. It works.

Want to play Steam or Epic games without booting into desktop mode? Install One Game Launcher (find it in Widgets). Add your .exe files, slap on cover art, and boom—you’ve got a pseudo-console library. Also, turn off Armoury Crate’s auto-launch so your Xbox button doesn’t randomly open a fan control panel mid-boss fight.

Pro tip: Use Gaming Copilot (Command Center → right side) to ask voice questions like, “How do I beat this boss?” or “Why’s my frame rate crying?” It actually helps.

For performance: bump GPU RAM to 6GB (or 10GB on the X), and tweak those Eco Assist sliders. No need to be a hacker—just slide, apply, ignore the warnings.

Battery life? Cap it at 80% if you plan to keep this thing past next year. Otherwise, go wild.

Bottom line: It’s not a Steam Deck. But with 3 hours of setup, it’ll feel like one. Happy gaming. 🎮

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Tito’s Virtual Boy Rebuild

https://retrorgb.com/titos-virtual-boy-rebuild.html

Let’s be real—nobody buys a Virtual Boy and thinks, “Yep, this’ll last forever.” That red-lensed nightmare from ’95 is basically a time capsule of 90s engineering, held together by hope and duct tape. Enter Tito from Macho Nacho Productions, who just dropped a masterclass in Virtual Boy resurrection.

He didn’t just fix one—he rebuilt it. From ribbon cable replacements to delicate screen recalibrations, Tito’s video is a love letter to the most misunderstood console of all time. And if you’re thinking, “I’ll just do it myself”—maybe grab a snack first. This isn’t a DIY project; it’s a zen meditation with a screwdriver.

But here’s the fun part: the VB isn’t dead. Far from it. Homebrew devs are dropping eInk cartridges, single-ROM carts, and even Mr. Cart (yes, that’s a real thing). We’re talking new games for a system that was retired 25 years ago. It’s like giving a flip phone a TikTok account.

If you’ve ever stared at a VB and whispered, “I miss you,” now’s your chance to bring it back—preferably with a professional. Or at least, a really patient friend.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Odin 3 First Impressions: Alright, This Is What I’ve Been Wanting

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-odin-3-first-impressions/

You know that feeling when you hold something and just smile? That’s the AYN Odin 3.

After selling his beloved Odin 2, writer kalkeg thought he’d moved on—until AYN dropped this holiday surprise. And wow. The controls? Perfect. Bigger, better analog sticks (finally standard!), ABXY buttons that click without sounding like a mechanical keyboard, and a D-pad that glides. Even the back bumps feel like they were sculpted by a hand that knows what gamers actually want.

The 6” 120Hz AMOLED screen? Pure magic. Vibrant, crisp, and yes—it hits different. Compared to the heavier aluminum Pocket S2 or even the larger Odin 2 Portal, this thing fits like a glove. And yes, there’s a pixel refresher (because OLEDs get ghosty), but it’s smooth, not annoying.

Accessories? Meh. The screen protector is a nightmare. The TPU grip? Nice, but unnecessary. The case? Gorgeous. The bag? Meh again.

Bottom line: Odin 3 isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the handheld version of your favorite hoodie. Soft, snug, and made to be held. Software hiccups? We’ll sort those later. Right now? It just feels right.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket Ace Review: Not Quite One & Done

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-ace-review/

Let’s be real: if you’re buying a handheld just to play Golden Sun and Pokémon Emerald, the AYANEO Pocket Ace is basically a love letter to your inner 12-year-old.

It’s got a gorgeous 4.5” 3:2 screen—perfect for GBA, DS, and PSP games—and controls that feel like a warm hug from your favorite childhood console. The triggers? Delightfully squishy. The D-pad? Pure nostalgia. The analog sticks? Forget they exist. They’re tiny, useless, and honestly, kind of rude.

But here’s the kicker: it costs $350–$700. For that price, you could get a Konkr with an 8 Gen 3 chip… or even an Odin 3. And sure, it runs Switch and GameCube games—but with black bars everywhere, like a widescreen movie on your old CRT. Not bad… just not great.

The real magic? It’s the best 3:2 handheld on the market. If you’re all-in on GBA, it’s your unicorn. But if you want one device to rule them all? Nah. The Pocket Ace isn’t the last handheld you’ll ever need—it’s just the one that makes you forget you ever needed anything else… for a while.

Bottom line: Buy it if you love GBA. Skip it if you’re chasing 16:9 perfection. And if you just want a sleek, affordable GBA beast? The Pocket Micro does 90% of the job for half the price.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Krikzz Releases New Everdrive GBA Pro

https://retrorgb.com/krikzz-releases-new-everdrive-gba-pro.html

Forget “just another flash cart”—Krikzz just dropped the GBA’s ultimate power-up.

The Everdrive GBA Pro isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a time machine with cheat codes, gyro controls, and 98 save states per game. Need to pause Wario Ware: Twisted mid-spike-ball-chaos? Done. Want to play NES games on your GBA without juggling cartridges? Yep, it’s got you. Even better: real-time clocks that don’t reset when you turn it off, and menus so slick they make the original feel like a flip phone.

Sure, it’s $129—$30 more than the classic model—but for retro fans who want everything (including DMG/GBC emulation and mGBA cheat support), this is the Swiss Army knife of handhelds. The only thing missing? Rumble. (RIP, Drill Dozer purists.)

And as of Dec 23rd? Sold out. But with holiday chaos behind us, restocks are coming—probably faster than you can say “Save State #47: ‘I swear I’ll finish this level tomorrow.’”

If you’ve ever wished your GBA could do more than… well, play Game Boy games—this is your sign. Or, if you’re frugal? The original still rocks. Just don’t cry when it doesn’t tilt for Metroid Fusion.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #493

https://retrorgb.com/week493.html

Hey there, retro lovers — your weekly dose of pixel-perfect magic is here, and it’s wild.

First up: Kaze’s deep-dive on the Analogue 3D? It’s like X-ray vision for your GameCube. Turns out, the “3D” isn’t just marketing fluff — it’s a clever bit of hardware wizardry that actually works. And if you’ve ever wondered what’s hiding inside the sleek black box? There’s a teardown. Spoiler: it’s got more guts than your 2003 Xbox.

Meanwhile, Resident Evil on GBC? Yeah, it’s real. And yes, someone finally dug up a working copy. Imagine facing off against Mr. X… on a screen the size of your thumb. Chilling.

The RetroTink 4K just got smarter with new scanline filters, the OSSC firmware dropped a sweet update (less lag, more clarity), and RGB-Pi 2 is now a thing — because why wouldn’t you want to turn your Raspberry Pi into a full-blown retro console?

Oh, and Blur Busters 3.0? If you’ve ever squinted at motion blur on your old CRT, this is your new best friend. Also: a HDMI Time Crisis light gun kit. Yes, you can now shoot zombies in HD. With a real gun. No, really.

Feet? We all have ‘em. But do they know how to dance with your N64 controller? Watch the video. You’ll thank us later.

Support Bob if you love this stuff — or just buy that $50 cable you were already gonna get. Win-win.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Review: The New Steam Deck?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/asus-rog-xbox-ally-review/

Let’s be real: if you’re spending $600 on a handheld, you better feel like you’re holding the future—or at least a really comfy Xbox controller with a screen.

Enter the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. It’s chunky, it’s pricey, and it doesn’t outgun the Steam Deck OLED or AYN Loki. But here’s the twist: it feels amazing in your hands. Big, meaty grips? Textured triggers? A design that actually mimics an Xbox controller? Yes. For gamers who hate squinting at tiny sticks or wrist-cramping ergonomics, this is the handheld equivalent of a warm blanket after a long day.

Performance? Solid for indie gems and older AAA titles—Forza Horizon 4 at 900p? Smooth. Forza Horizon 5? Gotta drop to 720p. It’s not a beast, but it doesn’t need to be. The real win is Windows + Xbox Full-Screen Experience (still a bit buggy, but improving) and the fact that you can swap out the SSD like it’s a snack.

Competition? The Steam Deck OLED is sharper and more powerful. The Lenovo Legion Go S gives you the same chip for less. But if comfort is king? The Ally wears the crown.

Bottom line: Buy it if you love Xbox vibes and want a plush handheld. Not if you’re chasing raw power. Your AYN Loki is still the smarter buy… unless you just really, really like big buttons.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Inside The Analogue 3D

https://retrorgb.com/inside-the-analogue-3d.html

If you’ve ever wondered what makes the Analogue 3D feel like a N64 but better—Ken from What’s Ken Making just cracked it open, and it’s basically a tech love letter to retro gaming. Inside? A sleek FPGA brain, flawless video output, and… a sneaky little Bluetooth stack that’s not actually free for commercial use.

Yep. Analogue used an open-source Bluetooth library—cool, right? Except this one requires a paid license if you’re selling products. And yet… no public credit. No mention in the docs. Just silence.

Is this a violation? Probably not—if Analogue paid for the license, they’re likely under NDA or terms that let them stay mum. But it’s still a weird vibe in the open-source world, where attribution is basically gospel. You don’t just borrow someone’s code and pretend it’s yours.

Still, the console itself? Pure magic. The video quality is buttery, the controllers feel like nostalgia with a turbo boost, and the whole thing just works. So while we wait for Analogue to drop a “Built with ❤️ and licensed libs” footnote, just know: you’re not buying a box—you’re buying engineering art. And maybe a tiny bit of legal gray area.

(Still totally worth it.)

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

French Torrent Giant YggTorrent Faces User Revolt after Introducing Paid ‘Turbo Mode’

https://torrentfreak.com/french-torrent-giant-yggtorrent-faces-user-revolt-after-introducing-paid-turbo-mode/

French torrent giant YggTorrent just turned its loyal user base into an angry mob—and it’s not even Christmas anymore.

For years, YggTorrent thrived as a rare, community-run tracker where uploaders and leechers coexisted in sweet, free harmony. Then came “Turbo Mode”: an €86 lifetime fee to bypass a 30-second countdown and download more than five torrents daily. Non-payers? Welcome to the slow lane, folks.

The backlash was immediate. Team_QTZ, a legendary upload crew with over 3,300 high-quality releases, called it a betrayal: “You’re monetizing our hard work.” They launched a site-wide seeding strike. YggTorrent’s response? Ban them. Delete their post. No apologies.

Now, users are whispering: Is this an exit scam? Are they cashing out before the lights go out? No proof yet—but the optics are not good. Meanwhile, fans are fleeing to alternatives like Sharewood and TheOldSchool, packing up their torrents faster than a pirated movie hits the web.

YggTorrent claims it’s about curbing bots and leechers. Fair point. But when your community feels exploited, even the best server can’t save you. Sometimes, the real bandwidth issue isn’t technical—it’s trust. And that? Can’t be bought with €86.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

MANGMI’s Pocket Max is Powered by a Rather Familiar Processor

https://retrohandhelds.gg/mangmis-pocket-max-is-powered-by-a-rather-familiar-processor/

MANGMI’s new Pocket Max just dropped a bombshell—or at least, a slightly smudged one. The device’s heart? The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. Yes, that Snapdragon. The same chip that powered your 2020 flagship phone. And yes, it’s still a solid pick for retro gaming.

Here’s the twist: MANGMI first tweeted it’d come with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage… then deleted it. Oops. The updated post only confirmed the chip, leaving RAM and storage in limbo. Could’ve been a typo. Or maybe global memory prices forced a downgrade to the more common 6GB version—like the Retroid Pocket Mini V2. Either way, it’s not a dealbreaker. The 865 still crushes NDS, PS1, and even early GameCube emulation.

The real mystery? Price. MANGMI’s Discord teased an “extremely sweet” early bird deal—meaning you’ll probably pay double later. Classic move. If you’re itching to grab one, now’s the time to watch your inbox. And maybe stock up on snacks—you’ll need ‘em while you’re reliving the golden age of gaming on a device that’s basically a smartphone from 2019… but cooler. 🕹️