📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #509

https://retrorgb.com/week509.html

Weekly Roundup #509

If you’ve ever stared at your CRT and wondered why the colors look just a little off, Bob from RetroRGB has been doing the heavy lifting for you. The latest weekly roundup is officially live, and it’s packed with enough technical deep-dives to keep any retro enthusiast busy all weekend.

The episode kicks off with a fascinating look at color discrepancies between the SG-1000 and the SMS, plus a demo of Super Mario Bros. ported to the SMS that you definitely don’t want to miss. If you’re into hardware updates, there is plenty of good news regarding OSSC firmware, the 240p Test Suite (now with N64 support!), and the latest MiSTer FPGA developments.

Here are a few quick highlights:

• Hardware in Stock: NESRGB v5.0 and Scalable Video Switches are ready to ship.
• Retro Tech Tips: Learn how RGB is actually possible from a composite-only NES.

For the Collectors: Check out the new OutRun* Amiaga Edition vinyl release.

Whether you’re watching the video or catching the audio on Spotify, it’s a great way to stay up-to-speed on the ever-evolving world of retro display tech.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Anna’s Archive Loses $322 Million Spotify Piracy Case Without a Fight

https://torrentfreak.com/annas-archive-loses-322-million-spotify-piracy-case-without-a-fight/

### The $322 Million Ghosting

If you’ve ever ignored a “we missed you” text from an ex, you haven’t quite reached the level of avoidance demonstrated by Anna’s Archive. This shadow library—famous for helping users find pirated books—recently attempted to ghost a massive U.S. lawsuit, and the legal consequences are nothing short of astronomical.

Last December, the site sent shockwaves through the music industry by announcing it had backed up Spotify metadata. While they initially only hosted descriptions rather than actual songs, the major labels (Sony, Warner, and Universal) and Spotify weren’t taking any chances. They filed suit immediately.

In a move that was likely intended to save the site, the operators removed the offending Spotify listings. Unfortunately, this didn’t convince the court to back down; instead, it paved the way for a massive default judgment. Because the site’s unidentified operators failed to show up in court to defend themselves, Judge Jed Rakoff awarded the plaintiffs a staggering $322 million.

The breakdown of the win:

• Statutory Damages: Large sums for copyright infringement across various recordings.
• Spotify’s Claim: A massive $300 million specifically for bypassing technological measures.
• The Injunction: A permanent worldwide order to disable ten of the site’s domains.

Of course, collecting $322 million from an anonymous entity is nearly impossible. For now, this victory is mostly a “paper win”—but with domain registrars and hosts being ordered to cut off access, the shadow library’s days on the web might be numbered.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

EU Pirate Site-Blocking Is Broken: Report Calls for IP Blocking Ban and Rightsholder Liability

https://torrentfreak.com/eu-pirate-site-blocking-is-broken-report-calls-for-ip-blocking-ban-and-rightsholder-liability/

### The EU’s War on Piracy is Hitting Too Many Innocent Bystanders

If you thought your internet connection was safe from accidental “collateral damage,” think again. A new report from the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) suggests that Europe’s aggressive push to block pirate sites is essentially a digital sledgehammer being used for a surgical task.

The findings are pretty blunt: current site-blocking methods—especially those targeting IP addresses—are notoriously broken. Because one IP address can host thousands of legitimate websites, the “block” often catches innocent bystanders in the crossfire. We’ve already seen this play out in Spain and Italy, where court orders intended to stop illegal streams ended up breaking access to thousands of lawful services.

The report highlights a major “incentive problem”:

• No accountability: Rightsholders push for strict blocks but don’t pay for the implementation or the mistakes.
• High stakes for providers: Companies like Cloudflare have faced massive fines for resisting overreaching orders.
• Questionable results: While piracy is down, the report credits cheap, legal streaming services rather than these heavy-handed blocks.

The fix? The report calls for an outright ban on IP-based blocking in favor of more precise URL or DNS-level methods. It also suggests that if rightsholders want to play “internet police,” they should be held liable for any damages caused by overblocking.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Recommended BIOS Files for Emulation

https://retrohandhelds.gg/recommended-bios-files-for-emulation/

### The “Missing Link” for Your Emulation Setup

Ever spent an hour setting up a beautiful new handheld emulator, only to click “Play” and get nothing but a black screen? It’s frustrating, it’s confusing, and most likely, you’re missing a BIOS file.

Think of a BIOS as the soul of the console. While many modern emulators can mimic basic functions, disc-based systems (like PS2 or GameCube) and complex handhelds (like the 3DS or Switch) often need these specific system files to actually boot up games and show that nostalgic startup animation.

While we can’t point you directly to download sites (Google is your best friend here!), a new guide from Retro Handhelds provides a massive cheat sheet of exactly what to look for.

Here are a few quick takeaways to help you troubleshoot:

• Identify the format: Look for specific filenames like `scphXXXXX.bin` for PlayStation or `gba_bios.bin` for Game Boy Advance.
• Check your folders: Most RetroArch setups require these files to be placed in a very specific directory (usually the `/system` folder).
• Region matters: For systems like the Saturn or PS1, you might need a specific BIOS version to match the region of your game.

It’s a bit of a scavenger hunt, but getting these files right is the difference between a broken setup and a perfect retro library.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Scalable Video Switch – In Stock This Saturday

https://retrorgb.com/scalable-video-switch-in-stock-this-saturday.html

The Modular Dream is Back in Stock

If you’ve ever spent your afternoon untangling a “spaghetti monster” of video cables, this one is for you. The Scalable Video Switch (SVS) is officially making its comeback this Saturday, April 18th, at 5 PM NYC time.

For those who don’t know, the SVS is a modular beast. It allows you to customize your setup with up to 32 inputs and 6 outputs. This restock includes modules for SCART, Component, VGA, and Composite/S-Video. Even better? The creator has upgraded them from 3D-printed shells to sleek, injection-molded cases.

A few quick notes for your shopping list:

• The Price Tag: Modules range from $25–$35 each.

The Catch: You must* also purchase one $40 control module to make the system work.

• Compatibility: If you already own the older 3D-printed versions, don’t worry—they are fully compatible with the new modules.

While we wait for some upcoming modules like BNC and D-Terminal, this restock is a perfect chance to expand your setup. Just set those alarms!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Darius, 3DO, SF3 PS2 Port, IGS PGM, PICO-8 & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-darius-3do-sf3-ps2-port-igs-pgm-pico-8-more.html

MiSTer FPGA News: From 3DO Dreams to Fractal Eye Candy

If you thought the MiSTer FPGA was already a powerhouse, think again. The latest wave of updates is bringing everything from retro arcade classics to hypnotic digital art straight to your setup.

The headline star? “MiSTerbrot.” It’s a new Mandelbrot fractal core that serves as pure 90s-style digital eye candy. If you want to watch beautiful, real-time zooming and color cycling, this is your new favorite way to procrastinate.

For the heavy hitters, there’s plenty of progress on the hardware front:

• 3DO Accessibility: The in-development 3DO core can now run on a single SDRAM stick, making it much more accessible for the average user.
• PICO-8 arrives: Fans of the “fantasy console” can finally enjoy PICO-8 with full CRT support and scanlines—zero lag, all the vibes.

Arcade Wins: A massive Darius* core is available, running entire ROM sets end-to-end, while the CPS3 core is starting to show its first graphical bits in simulation.

Whether you’re looking for a new way to play Street Fighter 3rd Strike via the MiSTer Companion or just want to stare at fractals, the ecosystem is growing faster than ever.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

SegaXtreme Homebrew Showcase Deadline Just Four Weeks Away

https://retrorgb.com/segaxtreme-homebrew-showcase-deadline-just-four-weeks-away.html

Sega Saturn Developers: The Clock is Ticking

If you’ve been tinkering with some Sega Saturn code in your spare time, it’s time to stop procrastinating and start polishing. We are officially four weeks away from the deadline for the SegaXtreme Homebrew Showcase.

The cutoff is May 11—a date chosen specifically to honor the 31st anniversary of the Saturn’s North American launch. Whether you’ve created an entirely original game, a handy new utility, or a much-needed translation patch, there is a category waiting for your entry.

This year isn’t just about fierce competition; organizer Emerald Nova wants this to be a massive community celebration. Once the dust settles, all entries will be featured in:

• A dedicated digital magazine (distributed for free!)
• Live streams on Twitch and YouTube
• Extensive coverage via the SHIRO! network

There is still some serious motivation to enter, though. A pool of nearly $1,000 in cash prizes—donated entirely by fans and the organizer—is up for grabs across several categories, including “Most Creative” and “Best Original Game.”

So, dust off those old consoles and get your submissions in before May 11!

📰 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.