Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic Joins in on the 2026 Weirdness with the RG Rotate

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-joins-in-on-the-2026-weirdness-with-the-rg-rotate/

Anbernic’s Latest Pivot: The RG Rotate

If 2026 has felt a little “off” for Anbernic fans, you aren’t alone. Between some mixed reactions to the RG Vita and new controllers, the company has been navigating some rocky waters lately. But it looks like they’ve decided that if they can’t be perfect, they might as well be weird.

Enter the RG Rotate. We don’t have much info on the internals yet—the CPU and battery life are currently shrouded in mystery—but the design is certainly making a statement. Featuring a swivel hinge, aluminum body, and square screen, it’s positioned as a multifunctional gadget for gaming, music, and even… a desk clock?

A few things to keep an eye on:

• The Design: It boasts adjustable shoulder buttons and comes in “Aurora Silver” and “Polar Black.”
• The Specs (or lack thereof): There is speculation it runs Android, but the absence of analog sticks might limit high-end emulation.
• The Controversy: Early commenters are already pointing out the lack of a headphone jack on a device marketed for music.

It’s a bold, experimental move. Whether this becomes a handheld classic or a pricey design experiment remains to be seen, but at least Anbernic is keeping us on our toes.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game Over: Mattel Odyssey 3/Videopac G7400

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-over-mattel-odyssey-3-videopac-g7400/

The Console That Time Forgot

Ever feel like you’re working incredibly hard, only for the rest of the world to completely ignore your efforts? That is precisely the tragic backstory of the Philips Videopac G7400 (and its North American ghost, the Odyssey³).

This wasn’t a case of bad engineering or boring gameplay. Instead, the G7400 fell victim to the ultimate buzzkill: terrible timing. Released in 1983, it arrived just as the industry was undergoing a massive identity crisis. While engineers were busy polishing sprites and improving resolution, the rest of the world was moving on to 8-bit powerhouses like the ColecoVision and the upcoming NES.

The situation got even bleaker for the North American market:

• The Crash: The massive video game crash of ’83 hit retailers hard.
• The Cancellation: Magnavox, seeing the writing on the wall, canceled the Odyssey³ before it could ever reach store shelves.
• The Computer Surge: In Europe, players were ditching dedicated consoles altogether in favor of home computers like the Commodore 64.

Ultimately, the G7400 wasn’t a failure because it was “bad”—it just couldn’t keep up with a world that had stopped caring about incremental upgrades and started demanding full generational leaps.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Paris Court Issued Simultaneous Site Blocking Orders Against ISPs, DNS Resolvers and VPNs

https://torrentfreak.com/paris-court-issued-simultaneous-site-blocking-orders-against-isps-dns-resolvers-and-vpns/

### The Great French Internet Lockdown

If you’ve been using a VPN or a custom DNS to sneakily watch LaLiga matches in France, you might want to check your connection settings. A Paris court just pulled off one of the most massive, coordinated “site-blocking” sweeps we’ve ever seen.

In a single day, Judge Jean-Christophe Gayet issued seven simultaneous rulings aimed at shutting down 35 pirate sports streaming domains. But here’s the kicker: they didn’t just target the pirate sites themselves; they went after the entire technical “stack.” We’re talking about major French ISPs (like Orange and SFR), DNS resolvers (Google, Cloudflare, Quad9), and even heavy-hitting VPN providers like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost.

The goal? To close every loophole. If you try to bypass an ISP block by switching your DNS, the court has already ordered those resolvers to block you, too.

Interestingly, the Spanish league LaLiga actually lost its initial bid because the court ruled they didn’t have the specific legal standing required under French law. However, beIN Sports France—the actual rights holder in France—stepped in to save the day, proving the infringement was real and getting the orders granted.

The crackdown is set to run until June 2026, so for now, the “wild west” of free football streaming in France is looking a lot more like a closedown.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: TrimUI Brick Pro Leak, Retroid Surprise, and ES-DE Goes Big

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-94/

Retro Handhelds Weekly: TrimUI Brick Pro Leak, Retroid Surprise, and ES-DE Goes Big

If you thought your wallet was safe from the handheld hobby this week, think again. Between rising hardware costs and some massive software updates, there is plenty to keep your eyes on (and your credit card ready).

The big hardware news is a bit of a mixed bag. We got our first real look at the TrimUI Brick Pro packaging, confirming a 3.95-inch display and three color options—exciting stuff if you’re looking for your next portable fix. On the flip side, AYANEO has officially raised prices on several devices to combat rising component costs, so if you’ve been eyeing a KONKR Pocket Fit, you might want to move fast. Also, a quick heads-up: Retroid “surprised” fans this week, but only by announcing two new colors for the Pocket 5. Nice try, Retroid!

On the software front, ES-DE has returned after a five-month hiatus with a massive update. We’re talking a mile-long changelog that includes Xbox integration and enough new features to satisfy any emulation enthusiast. Meanwhile, the EmuDeck Store has been revamped to better showcase homebrew gems, giving indie developers a much-needed spotlight.

Whether you’re hunting for leaks or updating your frontend, it’s been a busy week in the retro world.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Cheap, Retro-Compatible HDMI to YPbPr DAC

https://retrorgb.com/cheap-retro-compatible-hdmi-to-ypbpr-dac.html

Title: A Budget Gem (If You Can Catch It)

If you’ve ever tried to connect a retro setup to a modern screen, you know the struggle is real. Finding a decent HDMI to YPbPr converter that actually respects those 15Khz 240p signals can feel like a high-stakes scavenger hunt.

Luckily, a budget-friendly option just popped up on the radar. This little DAC (digital-to-analog converter) costs under $20 and is surprisingly compatible with the tricky signals we love. It’s quirky, it’s cheap, and it’s exactly what you need if you’re trying to keep your setup high-quality without breaking the bank.

There is, however, a catch:

• Stock is unpredictable: The seller claims to have plenty, but these things tend to vanish quickly.
• The “Hunt” is on: Since finding the exact motherboard and chip configuration is tricky, we’re essentially in a community-wide search for the perfect, reliable version.

It’s not a high-end, feature-packed solution, but until someone engineers a perfect sub-$50 gold standard, this little guy is a fantastic way to bridge the gap between retro charm and modern tech. Grab one before the “out of stock” sign goes up!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

TrimUI Brick Pro Inches Closer to an Official Release

https://retrohandhelds.gg/trimui-brick-pro-inches-closer-to-an-official-release/

The TrimUI Brick Pro is almost here—and it’s looking pretty “pro.”

If you’ve been refreshing your favorite retro handheld forums with bated breath, you can finally take a deep breath. A recent leak from the Retro Handhelds Discord has revealed the official packaging for the TrimUI Brick Pro, suggesting this device is officially in the home stretch of production.

This isn’t just a minor tweak to the existing lineup. The Brick Pro is set to feature a significantly larger 3.95-inch display compared to its predecessors, making it the first vertical handheld from TrimUI to really push that screen real estate. We’re also looking at:

• Stereo speakers for that immersive retro vibe.
• WLAN and USB Type-C connectivity.
• Three color options: Black, White, and a mysterious “Retro” edition.

While the leak confirms we are nearing an official release, one massive question remains: the price tag. With global shortages in RAM and storage still haunting the tech industry, we’re all crossing our fingers that this stays near the $100 mark without cutting too many corners.

Stay tuned—the handheld revolution is getting a bit bigger.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Close Enough: The Spiritual Successors to Classic Games

https://retrohandhelds.gg/close-enough-the-spiritual-successors-to-classic-games/

### The Love Letters We Never Got

Ever finished a classic game and thought, “Man, I wish there was a sequel to this”—only to realize the franchise has been gathering dust for two decades? It’s a heartbreak many of us know well. Between licensing nightmares and publishers playing it safe, our favorite retro worlds often stay frozen in time.

But a new wave of indie developers is refusing to let those legends die. Instead of making “copycats” that just chase trends, they’re crafting “spiritual successors”—games that act as heartfelt love letters to the classics. We’re talking about modern titles that capture the soul, the difficulty, and even the pixelated aesthetic of the originals, while adding much-needed polish.

If you’re looking to scratch that retro itch without actually digging out an old console, keep these on your radar:

Gravity Circuit: A high-octane tribute to Shatterhand*.

Pizza Tower: An addictive, frenetic homage to the Wario Land* series.

Slipstream: For anyone missing the open roads and synth-wave vibes of Outrun*.

Berserk Boy: A stunningly beautiful nod to the Mega Man ZX* era.

It’s proof that even when a franchise officially ends, the magic can live on through the hands of developers who simply loved the original too much to let it go.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

RapidIPTV Kingpin ‘Dash the Iranian’ Gets Two Years Prison Under Spanish Plea Deal

https://torrentfreak.com/rapidiptv-kingpin-dash-the-iranian-gets-two-years-prison-under-spanish-plea-deal/

### The Great IPTV Plea Deal: From 22 Years to Just Two

If you thought your legal battles were dragging, spare a thought for “Dash the Iranian.” After nearly six years of pre-trial limbo following massive police raids in 2020, the mastermind behind the RapidIPTV empire finally saw his day in court. But don’t expect a long-running courtroom drama; this trial ended faster than a bad internet connection.

In a stunning three-hour negotiation, the defendants reached a plea deal with Spanish prosecutors. The heavy lifting—specifically the charge of belonging to a criminal organization—was dropped in exchange for guilty pleas on other counts. The result? A massive sentencing reduction. Prosecutors were originally hunting for 22.5 years behind bars; instead, Amir Z. is looking at just over two.

The fallout, however, is still heavy:

• Huge Fines: A money-laundering fine was slashed from a staggering €70 million to €8 million.
• Damage Claims: Affected giants like Netflix, Disney, and Warner Bros. are set to receive €12 million in damages.
• Seizures: Authorities are confiscating assets linked to the group’s alleged movement of €25 million, which reportedly funded luxury cars and even a building in Iran.

The case is officially closed—no appeals allowed. Just another day in the high-stakes world of digital piracy.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

VoidScaler Firmware v0.91 (OSSC Downscaler)

https://retrorgb.com/voidscaler-firmware-v0-91-ossc-downscaler.html

The OSSC just got a major identity crisis (in the best way possible)

If you’re a CRT enthusiast, you probably know the Open Source Scan Converter (OSSC) as the gold standard for getting retro consoles onto old-school glass. But what if your converter could do more than just “retro”?

Developer e8root has released a massive update to the VoidScaler project (v0.91), and it’s a game-changer. This alternative firmware essentially transforms your OSSC from a simple scan converter into a powerful downscaler. If you have an HDMI DAC, you can now use your OSSC to play modern content—like 240p or 480i signals—on your favorite CRT.

The coolest part? It’s incredibly low-stress to use. You can launch this second firmware directly from the OSSC menu with a single click. The moment you power-cycle the device, it reverts right back to its original, normal settings. No permanent flashing or risky hardware mods required for most users.

What’s new in v0.91:

• Modern Content Support: Downscale HDMI signals for seamless CRT playback.
• Smart Mode Selection: Automatic mode matching based on EDID resolutions.
• Enhanced Stability: Fixed bugs with 480p and improved HDMI-to-Component compatibility.
• Visual Tweaks: Added a sharpen filter and better aspect ratio corrections.

It’s rare to see a device get this much fresh life years after its release, but VoidScaler is making it happen.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

OutRun: Amiga Edition Vinyl Release

https://retrorgb.com/outrun-amiga-edition-vinyl-release.html

OutRun: Amiga Edition Vinyl Release

If you’ve ever wanted to experience the high-speed thrills of OutRun while feeling like you’re stuck in a beautiful, retro-computing fever dream, listen up.

The developer over at reassembler has just dropped a stunning vinyl release of OutRun: Amiga Edition. This isn’t just a standard reissue, either. The tracks were painstakingly reverse-engineered from the original Arcade ROMs and recomposed from scratch in an 8-bit Protracker format specifically for the Amiga. To keep things thematic, the record plays at 45rpm—or as the dev puts it, “45km/h.”

Here is the lowdown on this collector’s item:

• The Look: A gorgeous, translucent red and blue limited edition featuring artwork by Sam Miller.
• The Goods: A £25 purchase gets you the LP plus a digital download (including the MOD files) via Bandcamp.
• The Catch: This is a self-released indie project. It is numbered, strictly limited, and there are zero plans for a repress.

If you’re more of a gamer than a collector, don’t fret—the full Amiga Edition game is available for free on itch.io. Happy driving!