Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Xbox Mode Escapes The Ally And Lands On Windows 11 For Everyone

https://retrohandhelds.gg/xbox-mode-escapes-the-ally-and-lands-on-windows-11-for-everyone/

Xbox Mode Is Going Full Console—And It’s Coming to Every Windows 11 PC

Remember when Xbox Mode was just for the ROG Xbox Ally? Yeah, me neither—because it’s not anymore. Starting this April, Microsoft is rolling out Xbox Mode to all Windows 11 devices: laptops, desktops, mini PCs—even tablets. Think of it as your PC’s very own console dashboard: full-screen, controller-first, and blissfully free of desktop clutter.

Here’s the kicker:

• It pulls games from multiple stores (Xbox, Game Pass, Steam), making your PC feel like a unified gaming hub
• Background processes tone down to squeeze out extra RAM—great news for underpowered handhelds and budget laptops
• Jump in with Win+F11 or via Game Bar (Win+G), then instantly escape back to Windows when needed

It’s basically Microsoft’s subtle nod that people still play games on PCs with controllers, and maybe even a preview of what’s coming with Project Helix—their rumored next-gen gaming OS.

So here’s the real question:

If you’re already running Playnite, EmulationStation, or Bazzite on your handheld… does Xbox Mode feel like the polished default—or just one more UI you’ll skip for something more niche? 🎮

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

EmuLnk Makes Dual‑Screen Handhelds Finally Make Sense

https://retrohandhelds.gg/emulnk-makes-dual-screen-handhelds-finally-make-sense/

EmuLnk: Because Your Second Screen Should Do More Than Look Pretty

What if your second screen wasn’t just a novelty—but actually useful? That’s the bold promise of EmuLnk, a new Android app turning dual-screen handhelds (like the AYN Thor or Anbernic RG DS) into next-level emulation machines.

Here’s the magic: EmuLnk talks to your emulator over UDP, reads real-time game memory, and dynamically renders themed UIs on the secondary screen—think live maps for Wind Waker, always-visible Pokémon stats in Emerald, or even a HUD for Dolphin games. No more pausing to check your inventory; it’s all there, in real time.

Built with Kotlin and HTML/CSS/JS (via WebView), it’s modular, extensible, and game-aware—not just a static overlay. Right now? Still early days: rough around the edges, Wind Waker is the poster child, and devs are begging for theme contributors. But if you’ve been eyeing those flashy dual-screen gadgets and wondering “who’s making the second screen feel essential?”—EmuLnk might just be the answer.

TL;DR: It’s not another frontend—it’s a smart companion app that finally gives secondary displays a real job in emulation. 🎮✨

[Grab it on GitHub](#) (yes, the links are affiliate-free in real life—but you get the idea)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Major Nelson Lands At Commodore

https://retrohandhelds.gg/major-nelson-lands-at-commodore/

Major Nelson Joins Commodore — And It’s Actually a Brilliant Move

Remember Major Nelson? The Xbox Live legend who made gaming feel like a conversation, not a monologue? He’s swapped Halo for SID chips—and it makes way more sense than you’d think.

Commodore’s 2026 revival isn’t just nostalgia bait: it’s a carefully orchestrated IP resurrection, led by CEO Christian “Peri Fractic” Simpson, who somehow corralled all 47 original trademarks back under one roof. Their flagship product? The Commodore 64 Ultimate—an FPGA-powered, HDMI-ready, Wi-Fi-equipped love letter to the ’80s that actually works and sells for $299.

Enter Hryb. After Microsoft, after Unity’s layoffs, he’s stepping into the role of Community Development Advisor—not to sell gadgets, but to rebuild trust. In an era where “community” is often just a buzzword on a corporate org chart, Major Nelson lived it: weekly shows, transparent updates, real dev-player dialogue. He doesn’t just talk to fans—he talks with them.

This isn’t about scale. It’s about soul. And if Commodore’s betting big on authenticity over volume, Hryb might be the secret weapon that turns “cute FPGA throwback” into a legitimate comeback story.

TL;DR: A Xbox OG joins a retro reboot. The math checks out. 🎮💾

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

DuckStation On Android Is Basically On Life Support Now

https://retrohandhelds.gg/duckstation-on-android-is-basically-on-life-support-now/

DuckStation on Android: A Quiet Fade to Black

DuckStation—the beloved PS1 emulator that’s powered countless retro gaming sessions on Android—isn’t technically dead… but it might as well be resting in peace. The last official update? May 1, 2025. That’s over a year ago. Developer Stenzek has effectively stepped away, bluntly telling users: “No, because I don’t have the time and Android users told me they don’t want updates.” Ouch.

What’s worse? He’s not just disengaged—he’s emotionally drained by the negativity. GitHub builds carry a stark “no support provided” disclaimer, and Discord mods are actively shutting down Android troubleshooting threads before they even begin. It’s like the emulator version of watching a car sputter down a highway, smoke in its rearview.

The irony? DuckStation remains excellent—fast, polished, and intuitive. But that “works today” guarantee won’t last forever. With Android evolving (and breaking APIs left and right), it’s only a matter of time before a security patch or OS update nukes compatibility.

For now? Back up your APK and configs. Start testing alternatives—SwanStation, Beetle PSX—before the rug’s pulled out. And maybe take this as a lesson: when your digital life depends on one overworked dev with a GitHub account… you’re always one commit away from heartbreak. 🕹️💀

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game Boy ROMs Go Native With New Static Recompiler

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-boy-roms-go-native-with-new-static-recompiler/

Game Boy ROMs Just Got a Massive Upgrade—From Emulated to Actually Native

Imagine popping in a Game Boy ROM and watching it compile into a sleek `.exe` (or `.out`, depending on your OS), complete with native speed and zero emulator overhead. That’s exactly what gb-recompiled is doing—thanks to static recompilation, ROMs get translated directly into portable C code, then compiled into standalone binaries. Think of it as “emulation, but you’re the compiler now.”

The project—led by dev arcanite24—has already churned through ~98% of the Game Boy library (DMG titles only, for now), but don’t expect perfection: some games boot, others glitch out like a Game Genie on espresso. It’s very much alpha: more “proof of concept with commitment” than a drop-in replacement for emu lovers (though yes, emulation is already absurdly efficient).

Why bother? Pure nerd joy, plus technical gold: untangling the DMG’s quirky control flow and undocumented behaviors is a masterclass in retro reverse engineering. And since the code’s open, the community’s already pitching in with PRs—because someone definitely wants to see Pokémon Red run as a real process instead of a VM.

So… when’s Link’s Awakening: DX Native dropping? 🎮💥

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Court Officially Orders U.S.-Based IPTV Operator to Pay Amazon & Netflix $18.75 Million

https://torrentfreak.com/court-officially-orders-u-s-based-iptv-operator-to-pay-amazon-netflix-18-75-million/

U.S. Court Slaps $18.75M Judgment on Pirate IPTV Operator—And Seizes His Domains

A Dallas-based IPTV operator, William Freemon, is now on the hook for $18.75 million after a federal court granted a default judgment in favor of Amazon, Netflix, and major Hollywood studios.

Freemon ran four unauthorized streaming services—including Streaming TV Now, TV Nitro, and Cash App IPTV—offering over 11,000 live channels and tens of thousands of pirated movies and TV shows. He represented himself in court (no lawyer, per court records), filed motions but never formally answered the complaint. When he failed to appear or defend, the studios asked for—and got—a full default judgment.

The court awarded $150,000 per copyrighted work (the statutory max for willful infringement), based on 125 identified works—including Oppenheimer. That brings the total to exactly $18.75 million—and it’s growing: 3.51% annual interest is stacking up, and attorney fees are still pending.

But the real teeth? A permanent injunction forcing Freemon to stop infringement and hand over eight domain names—like `streamingtvnow.com` and `livetvresellers.com`—to the studios within five days. If domain registries don’t comply, they could be ordered offline or seized.

In short: the studios just made it very clear—they’re ready for round two.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Community Rhythm Games and the CRKD Les Paul Pro Have Me Back In 2006 Again

https://retrohandhelds.gg/community-rhythm-games-and-the-crkd-les-paul-pro-have-me-back-in-2006-again/

Retro Rhythm Revival: How Clone Hero, YARG & the CRKD Les Paul Pro Brought Me Back to 2006

Remember those glory days of plastic guitars, frantic strumming, and bonding over “Trogdor! Burninate the countryside!”? Yeah, I thought rhythm games were dead—buried under a pile of oversaturated sequels and thrift store clearance bins. But thanks to two open-source powerhouses—Clone Hero and YARG—the genre’s back, better than ever.

These community-driven heirs to Guitar Hero and Rock Band let you download custom charts, play online with friends (Clone Hero), or chase perfection with tight latency control (YARG). They run on nearly any platform—including Android—and even support real guitar controllers.

Which brings me to the CRKD Les Paul Pro, a sleek, modern twist on the classic plastic axe. Mechanical frets, hall-effect strum bar with adjustable haptic feedback, swappable RGB necks, and Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity? This thing feels premium—especially compared to the squishy buttons of yesteryear. (Side note: The app’s weird photo request? Hard pass.)

If you missed the rhythm game wave—or just want to relive it—the stars (and Star Power) are aligning again. 🎸🔥

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Mat Mania, PC Jr, Atari Jaguar & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-mat-mania-pc-jr-atari-jaguar-more.html

MiSTer FPGA Update: Controller Cases, Jaguar NFC Drops & Arcade Revivals!

Looking to beef up your MiSTer setup? One Reddit user went full cyber-arcade with a custom ITX case packed with Genesis, Saturn, NES, SNES, N64, and PlayStation controller ports—plus a TTY20LED screen and extra USBs. Yes, please.

On the arcade front, things are heating up:

• Mat Mania (1985 Technos wrestling classic) and Syvalion (Taito’s 1988 H-System shooter) are both in active development by CoinOp Collection. Syvalion’s still wrestling with bandwidth and trackball support.
• Crude Buster is almost done—sprite generator complete, next up: Edward Randy, a Data East banger with wild graphical effects.
• And for classic run-and-gun fans, Caliber 50 is near-beta-ready—just one ugly audio bug to squash.

Meanwhile, Atari Jaguar gets love: CD streaming improved (no more stutter when hitting OSD), and GameDrive emulation is finally here—crucial for newer titles like Mortal Kombat.

Not to be outdone, PCjr has a new core (hello, 1984 IBM gaming underdog!) and Zaparoo launched NFC game cards—starting with 10 Reboot Games titles for Jaguar. Think “physical digital collectibles,” no disc swapping required.

Last but not least: Vastar arcade core is playable-ish on GitHub—fingers crossed for full emulation soon.

The FPGA renaissance is real, and it’s getting wilder by the day. 🎮⚡

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Court Dismisses DISH’s $25 Million IPTV Piracy Lawsuit Against UK Hosting Provider

https://torrentfreak.com/court-dismisses-dishs-25-million-iptv-piracy-lawsuit-against-uk-hosting-provider/

Court Tosses DISH’s $25M Lawsuit Against UK Hosting Provider Over Pirate IPTV

DISH Network and its anti-piracy allies have been on a legal tear targeting pirate IPTV services—but a recent courtroom setback shows jurisdictional limits matter.

DISH sued UK-based hosting provider Innetra PC last year, alleging it knowingly aided major pirate streams like Lemo TV and Kemo IPTV—and ignored hundreds of takedown requests. The $25 million suit claimed Innetra forfeited DMCA safe harbor protections by lacking a designated agent and repeat-infringer policy.

But Innetra fought back, arguing the U.S. court lacked jurisdiction: it had virtually no U.S. footprint—just two brief American customers (one paying $682 for two months), no U.S. servers, and contracts with European arms of NTT and Lumen, not their U.S. branches.

A federal judge in California agreed, dismissing the case without prejudice after finding DISH couldn’t prove Innetra “purposefully directed” activities at the U.S. The court stressed that just because pirates used Innetra’s infrastructure to reach American viewers doesn’t make Innetra subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Still, DISH can refile—or sue in the UK, as Innetra suggested. (Bonus context: A similar case against Ukraine’s Virtual Systems ended in a default judgment after they didn’t respond.)

Meanwhile, DISH keeps pushing: just last month, it filed another $21M suit—this time against a crew allegedly impersonating Vince Gilligan to promote pirate service DMTN.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

[UPDATE: AYANEO Response] AYANEO in the Spotlight for the Wrong Reasons After AYAWindow Discovery

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-in-the-spotlight-for-the-wrong-reasons-after-ayawindow-discovery/

AYANEO’s AYAWindow App Sparks Privacy Concerns — But Is It Actually Spying?

A recent discovery on GitHub has thrown AYANEO under the spotlight—not for pre-order chaos or shipping delays (though those are familiar headaches), but for something far more unsettling: suspicious screenshot behavior in its AYAWindow app.

Users with rooted AYANEO Pocket DS devices found over 1,200 auto-saved screenshots stacked in a hidden cache folder (`com.ayaneo.gamewindow/cache/snapshot`). Even weirder: the folder updates in real time, even snapping photos of open screenshots—like a recursive surveillance loop. One user reported 12.5GB of data transmitted since November.

AYANEO quickly responded, acknowledging a bug in the screenshot caching system, clarifying that:

• Screenshots are for internal task manager thumbnails (normal behavior)
• Data isn’t uploaded or shared
• The high data usage stems from Android grouping network traffic under the system UID (shared with apps like “Phone”)

But doubts linger. The Tencent-hosted `bugly.qq.com` domain—used for crash reporting—was spotted transferring data from the Pocket DS, while other models (like ACE or DMG) don’t show the same folder. Why? Is this version-specific? A regional rollout quirk?

While AYANEO seems cooperative and transparent for now, the lack of prior disclosure about screenshot capture—and why it’s only on the Pocket DS—leaves users just a little too exposed for comfort.

We’ll keep an eye on the fix—and your privacy. 🕵️‍♂️