Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Epomaker HE75 V2 TMR Review: Who Names These Things?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/epomaker-h75-v2-tmr-review/

### The Keyboard That Tries to Do It All

Epomaker is clearly on a mission to conquer every corner of the keyboard market, and their latest entry, the HE75 V2 TMR, is a bit of a Swiss Army knife. While most “high-speed” gaming boards force you to choose between performance and customization, this one attempts to give you both.

The standout feature here is the TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) technology. It’s designed to compete with high-end “rapid trigger” boards used by pro gamers, but with a twist: it remains compatible with standard mechanical switches. For $129, you’re getting a 75% layout that’s built solid, even if the “crystalline” RGB backlighting on the case is a little flashy for those who prefer a minimalist desk.

The Quick Takeaways:

• The Good: The Creamy Jade and Zebra magnetic switches are incredibly smooth, and the build quality is surprisingly rigid for an ABS plastic board.

The Not-So-Good: The software is a bit unpolished, and the “Crystal” silent switches are a total skip if you actually enjoy the satisfying clack* of a mechanical keyboard.

• The Verdict: If you want a gaming powerhouse that doesn’t lock you out of the mechanical switch world, this is a winner. If you just want a reliable daily driver, save $40 and grab the non-TMR version.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Alleged Kemo IPTV Operator Faces Criminal Prosecution in Dubai Following ACE Complaint

https://torrentfreak.com/alleged-kemo-iptv-operator-faces-criminal-prosecution-in-dubai-following-ace-complaint/

### The IPTV Tug-of-War: Dubai, DISH, and a $28 Million Headache

If you thought legal battles were just about paperwork and stale coffee, think again. The fight over the alleged Kemo and Lemo IPTV services just turned into a high-stakes international drama involving frozen assets, travel bans, and a massive $28.65 million judgment that just hit a major roadblock.

For a while, it looked like DISH Network had the upper hand. After the defendants failed to show up in court, DISH was sitting pretty with a massive default judgment. But then came the “but.” The alleged operator, Ammar Towir, claims he was never properly served in the U.S. because he lives in Dubai, not Malaysia. A judge recently agreed that DISH hadn’t done enough to prove they actually reached him, effectively hitting the “pause” button on that multi-million dollar payday.

But the plot thickens: while the U.S. case stalls, Towir is reportedly in hot water in Dubai. He claims he’s facing criminal charges filed by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)—a powerhouse coalition including Disney, Netflix, and Amazon.

The current status of the saga:

• In the U.S.: The $28.65M judgment is denied for now, pending a decision on whether service was legal.
• In Dubai: Towir is allegedly under investigation, has had his devices seized, and is currently under a travel ban.
• On the web: Despite the legal fireworks, some IPTV storefronts are still up and running.

It’s a classic case of “it’s complicated,” played out across two continents.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Some Retroid Customers Are Getting Packages, Just Not Their Handhelds

https://retrohandhelds.gg/some-retroid-customers-are-getting-packages-just-not-their-handhelds/

Imagine the pure, unadulterated joy of unboxing your brand-new Retroid Pocket Nova, only to realize you’ve essentially just paid for a very expensive, very empty cardboard box.

That’s the nightmare currently facing a growing number of Retroid customers. It turns out that a wave of “empty box” deliveries is sweeping through the community. Reports suggest that when shipments pass through Chicago via YunExpress—specifically involving a third-party service called GOFO—the devices are being swiped mid-transit, and the packages are being professionally re-sealed to hide the theft.

It’s not just empty boxes, either. Some unlucky buyers are reporting water-damaged units and non-functional buttons.

If you’re currently staring at a hollow box, here is the frustrating reality:

• The Holiday Lag: Retroid and its partners are currently on holiday until October 8, so customer support is effectively on snooze.
• The Paper Trail: If you’re hit by this, document everything. Take photos of the re-sealed tape or any damage.
• The Backup Plan: If Retroid can’t resolve it quickly once they return, look into a chargeback through PayPal or your credit card company.

Keep an eye on the Retroid subreddit; it’s becoming a bit of a digital support group for the “box-less.”

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

PortMaster Roundup: September 2026

https://retrohandhelds.gg/portmaster-roundup-september-2026/

### A Massive Month for PortMaster

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to dust off your handheld and sink some serious hours into gaming, this is it. The September 2026 PortMaster roundup has officially landed, and honestly? It might be the most impressive one yet.

We’re seeing a dizzying mix of genres this month. You’ve got everything from nostalgic “demakes”—like an 8-bit, NES-style reimagining of Metroid Prime Origins—to high-octane modern classics. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a massive selection of free titles, including the N64-inspired Celeste 64 and a charming Zelda-style adventure called Fanwor.

For those willing to pay a little more for premium experiences, the “Paid” list is stacked with heavy hitters:

The Classics: FEZ, Unreal Tournament ’99, and Professor Layton & the Curious Village*.

Indie Gems: The emotional puzzle-adventure OneShot and the chaotic punk-rock beat-em-up Charlie Murder*.

Wildcards: The blackjack-inspired roguelike Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers*.

Whether you want to pilot a craft in an Asteroids clone or solve riddles in a mysterious village, your battery life is about to take a serious hit. Happy gaming!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Sega Saturn Themed MiSTerFPGA Kit

https://retrorgb.com/sega-saturn-themed-misterfpga-kit.html

If your idea of a perfect Saturday night involves fighting bosses in Nights into Dreams or Panzer Dragoon, you might want to clear some space on your media console.

Df3mod, the mind behind the MiSTer Ironclad, has officially opened pre-orders for the “Mercury”—a complete MiSTer FPGA kit themed entirely after the Sega Saturn. Taking its name from the Saturn’s original codename, the kit features a sleek, white injection-molded shell that looks like it was plucked straight out of a 1995 SEGA catalog.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• The Setup: It includes everything you need except the DE-10 Nano (though it’s also compatible with the MiSTer Pi via a small adapter).
• The Tech: You get a 24-bit DAC and both VGA and MiniDIN ports. Note that while there’s no composite video, S-Video is fully supported.
• The Cost: Prices start around $260, with plenty of add-ons available.

The catch? You’ll have to be patient. Shipping isn’t expected until early 2027. It’s definitely a premium “modern-retro” luxury, but if you want your high-end FPGA setup to blend seamlessly with your 90s hardware, this is the holy grail.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

8 Games to Grow Your Backlog – October 2026

https://retrohandhelds.gg/8-games-to-grow-your-backlog-october-2026/

Is your gaming backlog looking more like a mountain than a hobby? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Whether you’re looking to cozy up with a puzzle or embrace your inner monster this spooky season, there’s a fresh batch of titles ready to claim your free time.

This month’s lineup is a bit of a wild ride. If you want to avoid the October gloom, grab some friends for Big Walk, a massive co-op adventure from the Untitled Goose Game devs. If you prefer something more addictive (and potentially infinite), The Loopler combines toy car racing with roguelite deck-building—perfect for a quick handheld session.

For those leaning into the Halloween vibes, we have:

• Carrion: A “reverse horror” game where you play the terrifying monster.
• Super Skelemania: A bite-sized Metroidvania where you can literally use your own skull as a bowling ball.
• Skate Story: High-speed underworld skating as a glass demon.

From the zen organization of A Little to the Left to the atmospheric survival of Pacific Drive, there is something for every screen size and mood. Happy gaming!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Sony’s AI-Powered Controller Assistant Could Help Disabled Players, If It Ever Ships

https://retrohandhelds.gg/sonys-ai-powered-controller-assistant-could-help-disabled-players-if-it-ever-ships/

Sony has a habit of filing patents that range from “genuinely brilliant” to “wait, what?” Their latest entry, however, actually deserves a round of applause—if it ever actually makes it out of the legal archives.

The patent describes an AI-powered assistant designed to help players with physical disabilities. Essentially, the AI would watch how you interact with a controller and “fill in the blanks.” If your thumb drifts slightly off a stick or you struggle to fully pull a trigger, the AI recognizes your intent and smooths out the input in real time. It even includes safeguards to show other players when assistance is active, preventing any “he’s cheating!” drama in multiplayer.

The catch? It’s just a patent.

We’ve seen this dance with Sony before: they document a cool idea, protect the intellectual property, and then let it sit in “patent purgatory” for years. While the tech itself is a massive win for accessibility, don’t go clearing a spot on your shelf for a new controller just yet. For now, treat this as a very promising “maybe.”

📰 New article from RetroRGB

240p/480i Compatible HDMI to YPbPr Component Video Adapter

https://retrorgb.com/240p-480i-compatible-hdmi-to-ypbpr-component-video-adapter.html

If you’re a retro gaming enthusiast, you know the struggle: trying to get that crisp, authentic look on a CRT without spending a fortune on high-end DACs. Well, a new player has entered the ring, and it’s surprisingly affordable.

A new HDMI to YPbPr component video adapter has surfaced, and it’s doing something most budget converters fail at: it actually supports 240p and 480i. For anyone trying to play classic consoles on a tube TV, that’s the “holy grail” of compatibility.

Here’s the quick lowdown:

• The Good: It’s zero-lag, handles multiple resolutions, and costs only about $22. It even features a built-in power switch, which is a lifesaver if you use an auto-switching video switcher.
• The Catch: The cables are built-in, meaning they aren’t as heavily shielded as the premium stuff. You might see a tiny bit of interference on a digital display, though it should be a non-issue on a standard CRT.

While it won’t replace a high-end Reflex Prism, it’s a massive win for your wallet. It’s a solid, budget-friendly way to bridge the gap between modern HDMI outputs and your favorite old-school television.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Abxylute M4 Review: Great Idea but…

https://retrohandhelds.gg/abxylute-m4-review/

### A Great Idea, but the Execution is a Bit… Magnetic?

We’ve all been there: you want to play mobile games on the go, but holding a giant smartphone feels like trying to play a game of Tetris with a brick. Enter the Abxylute M4, a tiny, ultra-portable controller that attempts to solve this by using MagSafe magnets to snap your phone directly onto the device.

On paper, it’s a dream. In practice? It’s a bit of a mixed bag.

The build quality is surprisingly solid—the magnets are strong enough to hold a phone securely, and the device doesn’t feel like a cheap toy. Plus, the “abxy game” companion app is actually decent, acting as a handy game launcher rather than the usual clunky software we’ve come to expect.

However, the ergonomics leave much to be desired. If you want to use the face buttons, you’ll find yourself contorting your thumbs into a “claw” shape. To make matters worse, the analog sticks have almost zero travel, making precise movements nearly impossible.

The Verdict: Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the MagSafe gimmick, you might want to sit this one out. For the same price, you could grab a much more reliable 8BitDo or a dedicated Xbox controller. If you’re determined to go tiny, wait for the M5 or M6 to see if they’ve ironed out these awkward kinks.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

LaLiga Wants Major VPNs on EU Piracy Watch List Over Affiliate Marketing

https://torrentfreak.com/laliga-wants-major-vpns-on-eu-piracy-watch-list-over-affiliate-marketing/

### Football, Fans, and the Fight Against VPNs

It looks like the battle for broadcasting rights is moving from the pitch to the server room. LaLiga, Spain’s premier football league, is making a bold move to get major VPN players—including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark—placed on the EU’s “Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List.”

Now, before you panic, the league isn’t actually coming for the technology itself. They aren’t claiming that using a VPN is inherently illegal. Instead, they’re targeting the “affiliate marketing” ecosystem.

Here is the crux of the issue:

• The “How-To” Guides: Influencers and websites write detailed guides on how to use VPNs to bypass geoblocks and watch matches for free.
• The Payoff: These guides link to VPN providers via affiliate programs, meaning the publishers earn a commission every time a fan signs up to circumvent broadcasting rules.
• The Piracy Link: LaLiga also claims some guides specifically teach users how to use VPNs to bypass court-ordered blocks on pirate streaming sites.

Essentially, LaLiga argues that while the VPNs are “neutral” tools, the way they are being sold to fans makes them active participants in the piracy chain. Whether the European Commission agrees is a whole different ballgame.