Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

ROCKNIX Releases First New Stable Build in Over a Year

https://retrohandhelds.gg/rocknix-releases-first-new-stable-build-in-over-a-year/

If you’ve been living under a rock—or just haven’t checked your handheld’s software in a while—you might want to sit down for this one. After a year of primarily pushing nightly builds, the ROCKNIX team has finally dropped a massive, official stable update.

And when I say “massive,” I mean it. The changelog is a staggering 1,400 lines long. Reading the whole thing would probably take longer than a full playthrough of Final Fantasy VII, so let’s get straight to the highlights.

The biggest win here is device support. The team has expanded their stable lineup by 35%, adding support for dozens of new handhelds, including the AYN Odin 3, various Retroid Pocket 6 models, and a whole fleet of Ayaneo Pocket devices.

Aside from the hardware expansion, the software has had a serious glow-up. You’re getting:

• New Emulators: Including FEX-emu, Vita3K, and Steam support.
• Performance Tweaks: Major updates to drivers, controller support, and PortMaster.
• Fresh Features: Improvements to achievements and screen updating.

If you’ve been sticking to the “nightly” builds, you’re likely already up to speed. But if you’re rocking a brand-new device, now is the perfect time to grab the stable version and get playing.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Building an Always-On RomM Server with the Acemagic Kron Mini K1

https://retrohandhelds.gg/building-an-always-on-romm-server-with-the-acemagic-kron-mini-k1/

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📰 New article from RetroRGB

Recalbox Raspberry Pi 5 JVS Arcade Kit

https://retrorgb.com/recalbox-raspberry-pi-5-jvs-arcade-kit.html

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📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Google’s Top DMCA Sender Plateaus at 70 Million Takedowns Per Week

https://torrentfreak.com/googles-top-dmca-sender-plateaus-at-70-million-takedowns-per-week/

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📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Sony Patents AI Loading Screen Ads for PlayStation

https://retrohandhelds.gg/sony-patents-ai-loading-screen-ads-for-playstation/

Loading Screen Shenanigans: Sony Goes Full AI Ad Boss!

Get ready to ditch those agonizingly long loading screens, folks. Sony has dropped a patent that suggests AI could be popping up ads and video clips right in your PlayStation loading window. Sounds wild, but that’s the future of waiting around!

This isn’t just about showing a boring screen; the tech aims to keep you hooked. The AI component is supposed to smartly time short-form videos—think social media clips or gameplay highlights—to perfectly fill the gap while your game loads. It’s all about preserving immersion and stopping you from instinctively reaching for your phone.

While a patent isn’t a product launch, it definitely signals that Sony is thinking about monetizing that downtime. With a massive PlayStation Network user base, the potential for these AI-driven ads is huge. We’ll have to wait and see if this concept actually makes it into the PS6, but for now, prepare for some very distracting loading times!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 5x v3.98 Firmware

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-5x-v3-98-firmware.html

Pixel Perfection Just Got an Upgrade!

Hold onto your high-res screens, because Mike Chi has dropped what looks like the final firmware for the RetroTINK 5x! While this release is mostly a tidy-up of previous experimental builds, it’s packed with features that matter to those of us obsessed with pixel perfection.

The headline feature? An automatic switch to an ultra-sharp, nearest-neighbor vertical scale whenever you select a vertical integer. This means your 1080p and 1440p modes will get an extra edge without you lifting a finger.

Beyond the sharpness, there are solid backend improvements, too. Expect better 480i processing, a smoother motion deinterlacer, and a neat feature that brings true progressive scan to certain 480i games. If you’re a pixel purist, this is a nice little polish. Time to check out the details and see what the v4 firmware brings next!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AliExpress Summer Sale: Big Savings on Anbernic, Retroid, AYN, and More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/aliexpress-summer-sale-big-savings-on-anbernic-retroid-ayn-and-more/

Score Big While Saving Big on Handhelds!

Summer is officially here, and if you’re deep into the world of handheld gaming, the AliExpress Summer Sale is the absolute perfect time to strike. Forget waiting for a slow discount—these deals are flying off the shelves, and you can snag some seriously sweet bargains on everything from Anbernic and Retroid to AYN devices.

We dove into the chaos and found some absolute steals on popular models. Whether you’re hunting for a new Anbernic or eyeing the latest AYN, there are tons of discount codes available to slash those prices.

Pro-tip for maximum savings? Don’t forget about PayPal and Rakuten! Using these services at checkout can unlock extra cash back and deep discounts, turning a good deal into a great deal. Go grab those handhelds before the sale ends!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game of the Month: June Was Doomed From the Start

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-of-the-month-doomed-june/

June’s Games: A Trip Down Memory Lane (and a Gentle Reality Check)

Get ready to dust off those old cartridges because this month on Retro Handhelds, we’re diving into games that might have slipped under the radar back in the day. We’re focusing on titles from consoles that didn’t exactly break the bank in their heyday.

It turns out these forgotten gems are actually quite the sleeper hits—some are so good they spawned sequels and remakes on newer platforms! We’ve got a fantastic lineup, including classics like Panzer Dragoon and Sonic Adventure, alongside deep dives into sprawling adventures like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

If you’re looking for a quick hit, keep an eye out for our weekly “Game of the Week,” which features speedy, under-two-hour challenges. Join the GotX crew on Discord to argue, celebrate, and see which forgotten classics we decide to resurrect this month!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – New PC Core, Atari Star Wars, Darius 2 & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-new-pc-core-atari-star-wars-darius-2-more.html

🕹️ Arcade News: What’s New in the MiSTer World?

Well, looks like the retro gaming community is always churning out new magic! This week’s news is packed with new cores and upgrades that are making those classic arcade machines feel even more authentic.

The big news? A brand new PC core, z386, is here! This unofficial 386 core is an experimental beast, offering a taste of old-school PC power (think 16MB of RAM). Keep in mind, it’s experimental, but the tinkering continues!

We’re also seeing a ton of polish across the board. Zaparoo has rolled out a major frontend upgrade, complete with native 320×240 CRT support—so your monitor looks just like it did back in the day! Plus, we saw new cores for classics like Vapor Trail and Darius 2.

On the hardware front, some developers are making things work better. The NeoGeo Pocket Core is now reportedly reliable for saving games, and there are new cores for titles like Atari Star Wars that map your controller axes perfectly.

So, whether you’re digging into classic shooters or trying to squeeze some retro PC power, there’s something here for everyone. Time to fire up that joystick and see what the FPGA can do! 🚀

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Turns the Xbox Ally X Into a 20th Anniversary Showpiece

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-rog-xbox-ally-x20-turns-the-xbox-ally-x-into-a-20th-anniversary-showpiece/

Ready to rock out some games with a new toy? The ROG Xbox Ally X20 has landed, and it looks like ASUS is celebrating 20 years by leveling up the game!

Forget the usual hardware refresh; this model is a proper commemorative piece. It sports a new translucent shell with gold buttons, and yes, that Xbox Mode button actually glows green. It’s all about making this thing look as epic as it plays.

The big news? They bolted in an OLED display. We’re talking a massive, HDR 7.4-inch screen, which is a huge leap from its predecessor. Plus, the controls are getting fancy with TMR joysticks and a “Transforming D-pad” that changes layout on the fly.

Now, hang tight because the catch is sweet. Apparently, the Ally X20 is only available bundled with the XREAL R1 Edition 20 AR glasses. So, if you want this showpiece, you’re looking at a hefty price tag—think $2,000 to $3,000. Looks like you’ll need serious cash to capture this beauty!