Author: taternews

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The Pocket Air Mini B. Duck Edition is Now Available

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-pocket-air-mini-b-duck-edition-is-now-available/

The Pocket Air Mini B. Duck Edition Is Here — and It’s Yellow (Yes, Really!)

AYANEO is doubling down on fun with its new Pocket Air Mini B. Duck Edition—a limited-run, yellow-hued twist on the already-popular budget retro handheld. If you’ve ever wanted a device that screams “joyful chaos” instead of “serious gamer,” this is your moment.

The B. Duck edition keeps all the solid specs of the standard Pocket Air Mini: Helio G90T chip, 1280×960 LCD screen, and that satisfyingly sturdy build. But now it wears a bold yellow coat with the iconic B. Duck mascot front and center—making it one of the few (if not the only) yellow retro handhelds out there. Cute? Absolutely. Rare? Also yes.

Pricing stays refreshingly accessible:

• 2GB/32GB: $99.99 ($119.99 with shipping)
• 3GB/64GB: $109.99 ($129.99 with shipping)

But don’t get too comfortable—AYANEO stress-tested “limited quantities” like it’s a firmware update. If you’re after whimsy and worth, grab yours before it quacks away. 🦆

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Uploading Pirated Books via BitTorrent Qualifies as Fair Use, Meta Suggests

https://torrentfreak.com/uploading-pirated-books-via-bittorrent-qualifies-as-fair-use-meta-suggests/

Meta Says Seeding Pirated Books is Fair Use—And It’s Complicated

In a twist that even BitTorrent power users might find ironic, Meta is now arguing that uploading pirated books via BitTorrent—yes, the part where your computer shares files with others—is protected under fair use. Why? Because the protocol requires seeding, and without it, downloading wouldn’t work.

The context: Meta used pirated books from shadow libraries like Anna’s Archive to train its Llama AI models. Last summer, a judge ruled that training on copyrighted material was fair use—but the court left open whether merely downloading and sharing those files (i.e., torrenting them) also qualified. That’s where Meta’s new legal gambit comes in.

Meta claims the seeding wasn’t voluntary—it was a technical inevitability. As their lawyers put it, “part and parcel” of the download process. And since the main goal (training AI) was deemed fair use, so too must be the means to obtain the data.

But the authors aren’t buying it. They argue Meta waited too long to raise this defense—despite being aware of the seeding claims since late 2024—and that it’s trying to bypass discovery deadlines.

Meanwhile, Meta leans on admissions from the authors themselves: none can point to an AI-generated output that copies their books. As Sarah Silverman put it: “It doesn’t matter at all.”

This case isn’t just about books or torrents—it’s about how AI learns, and who gets to decide the rules. Judges will be watching closely.

—

For the legally curious: Meta’s filings are [here](link), the authors’ objection is [here](link), and Meta’s reply is [here](link).

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Offers Surprise Update on KONKR Pocket Fit ELITE Status

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-offers-surprise-update-on-konkr-pocket-fit-elite-status/

AYANEO Finally Drops Timeline for KONKR Pocket Fit ELITE — But Questions Remain

After months of silence, AYANEO has finally shared a concrete update on the long-awaited KONKR Pocket Fit ELITE—and it’s almost time for production to begin.

In a surprise Indiegigo post, the company confirmed that manufacturing is scheduled to start March 17, with shipments expected by end of March. Backers who previously requested accessory refunds can expect the bulk refund process to kick off March 15, with refunds typically processed within 7 business days.

But here’s the catch:

• The Indiegogo campaign remains closed to new backers.
• The Pocket Fit ELITE is not listed on AYANEO’s official storefront.
• Meanwhile, suspicious listings have popped up on AliExpress—but given the timeline, these are almost certainly not legitimate pre-orders.

So while this update brings relief to long-suffering backers, the broader availability—and even official confirmation of retail plans—still hangs in the air. We’ll be watching closely.

What’s your take? Excited? Skeptical? Drop a comment or join the chat over on Discord.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Nintendo Is Suing the United States Government

https://retrohandhelds.gg/nintendo-is-suing-the-united-states-government/

Nintendo Sues the U.S. Government Over Tariffs — Because of Mario and Money 🍄⚖️

In a move that’s equal parts surprising and oddly inevitable, Nintendo is suing the U.S. government—yes, really—to recover millions in tariffs it claims were illegally imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The twist? These tariffs targeted Chinese-made electronics—including Nintendo gear—long before the Switch 2 even existed.

Here’s why it gets spicy:

• In early 2025, Nintendo scrambled to avoid tariffs by shifting Switch 2 production to Vietnam.
• Despite a new trade deal (with still 15–20% tariffs), Nintendo kept console prices steady… but slapped hikes on accessories, Amiibo, and older Switch models to cover the hit.
• Now, after a court ruled IEEPA-based tariffs were unlawful, Nintendo’s legal team is demanding refunds—plus interest—for every dollar they paid.

The kicker? Even if Nintendo wins, you probably won’t see a refund. Tariffs are baked into retail pricing, and unless prices drop across the board (hey, a guy can dream), consumers stay on the hook.

So what’s next?

🔹 Scenario A: Nintendo loses → you keep paying more.

🔹 Scenario B: Nintendo wins → they get reimbursed, but prices probably stay the same.

Either way: the only thing getting a power-up is Nintendo’s litigation budget.

What do you think—should Big N win this one? 🎮⚖️

(Drop your hot takes in the comments—or better yet, join the Discord.)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

[UPDATE: Apparently Not] Steam Machine, Frame, and Controller Could Finally Be Here Soon

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-machine-frame-and-controller-could-finally-be-here-soon/

Valve’s Steam Trio Finally Gets a “Coming Soon” Nudge — But Don’t Pop the Champagne Yet

Remember when Valve teased three new hardware pieces—the Steam Machine, Frame, and Controller—back in November 2025? Yeah, us too. We got hyped… then hit with RAM/storage shortages, delays, and silence.

Fast forward to early 2026: Valve just dropped its Steam Year in Review 2025 post—and sure enough, the hardware trio is front and center. The kicker? They’re confirming all three will ship this year, though the original “first half 2026” target is now officially off the table.

SteamDB has also updated their listings to “Coming soon”—a small but meaningful sign Valve’s moving toward pre-orders (or at least pretending to). But here’s the rub: no pricing, no firm dates.

Early leaks suggested a $950+ Steam Machine—before North American taxes or markups. Meanwhile, component costs keep climbing, and handheld makers like AYN and Retroid are trimming lines or hiking prices.

So where does that leave us? Still waiting… but maybe slightly closer. Here’s hoping Valve drops pricing details soon—or at least gives us a timeline where “2026” doesn’t just mean “sometime before Christmas.”

What do you think the price tag should be? 🎮💸

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Castlevania 2 NES to SNES Conversion & Enhancements

https://retrorgb.com/castlevania-2-nes-to-snes-conversion-enhancements.html

Castlevania 2 Gets the SNES Upgrade — And It’s Glorious

Remember Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest? The one with the confusing day/night cycle, cryptic NPC dialogue, and that one famously frustrating walk through the desert? Well, thanks to developer Rumbleminze, it’s now not just playable on SNES—it’s perfected.

This isn’t a vanilla port: it’s built on Bisqwit’s “Enhanced Edition”, which already overhauled the NES original with quality-of-life fixes and modern conveniences. Rumbleminze then supercharges it for SNES hardware, nixing the NES’s infamous sprite flicker and slowdown while adding slick new features like:

• SRAM save support (no more resetting after every town visit!)
• Jump down stairs with Down + A (yes, finally)
• Palette fades instead of text popups for day/night transitions
• Larger dialog boxes and improved translation
• A cinematic prologue, plus extended Japanese ending
• And—bonus—rumble support when using compatible controllers

But wait, there’s audio too: MSU-1 support brings 8 track options, from clean NES/FDS dumps to orchestral and prog metal remixes.

If you’ve ever dreamt of revisiting Belmont’s second adventure without the NES-era pain points… this is your moment.

🔗 Grab it here (Archive.org) or here (Mega.nz).

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Steam Machine, Frame, and Controller Could Finally Be Here Soon

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-machine-frame-and-controller-could-finally-be-here-soon/

Valve’s “New Steam Hardware” Trio: Still Coming Soon… But How Much?

Remember when Valve dropped three exciting new hardware announcements—Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller—and everyone collectively lost their minds (while briefly forgetting the Steam Deck 2 wasn’t one of them)? Yeah, us too.

Fast forward to early 2026: RAM and storage shortages delayed everything, hopes of a spring launch are now “maybe,” and the real question has shifted from “When?” to “How much is this going to cost?!”

SteamDB just updated the product pages for all three, now listing them as “Coming soon”—a subtle but hopeful nudge that Valve’s finally working toward pre-orders. But those Czech retailer leaks? Ouch: a 512GB Steam Machine priced at ~$950, and the 2TB model near $1,100. Meanwhile, PC components keep climbing in price (that 1TB NVMe? $200), and handheld makers like AYN and Retroid are hiking prices—or axing models entirely.

Valve, if you’re listening: just tell us the price already. Even if it means waiting a few extra weeks—we’ll take the yacht-purchasing hit. 🏖️

(Source: Retro Handhelds)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Don’t Stress: Eden’s Gone From GitHub, but It’s Not a Big Deal

https://retrohandhelds.gg/dont-stress-edens-gone-from-github-but-its-not-a-big-deal/

Don’t Panic—Eden’s GitHub Disappearance Is Mostly a Bump, Not a Crash

So, Eden’s GitHub repo got disabled after Nintendo filed a DMCA notice. Yikes—but before you hit refresh for doomscroll: the project is very much alive, and the devs had planned for this.

Here’s the tea ☕:

• Eden (and others like Citron/Yuzu) have been quietly moving away from GitHub-hosted code for months—opting instead for self-hosted Git servers or private repos.
• The Releases repo (where binaries go) was the only public-facing GitHub asset—and yes, it got hit. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Good news? All official builds and source code live elsewhere:

• 🚀 Main repo: `git.eden-emu.dev`
• 📦 Releases: same domain, `/releases` path
• 💾 Backup mirror (thanks, @crueter): `archive.crueter.xyz/…`

Nintendo’s latest takedown wave is disruptive—but frankly, predictable. Emulator devs have been preparing for this moment, like digital ninjas with contingency plans tucked into their GitHub bios.

The real takeaway? Nothing’s gone. Just relocated. And Eden 0.2 is still rolling along.

(App: Eden Emulator | Free | Direct download)

Got thoughts? Join the chatter on Discord. 🎮

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Bitlink DC Wireless Controller Kit

https://retrorgb.com/bitlink-dc-wireless-controller-kit.html

Dreamcast Fans, Rejoice: Wireless Upgrade Kit for Classic Controllers Is Here!

Pre-orders are live for Bitlink’s new Dreamcast controller peripherals—because who doesn’t want modern wireless magic on a 24-year-old console?

The BitLink DC Dongle brings Bluetooth 5.0 LE, USB-C, and 2.4GHz connectivity to your Dreamcast—and supports up to four virtual VMUs (Memory Cards). You can get just the dongle for $30, or bundle it with the BitLink DC Adapter (which lets you retrofit any original Dreamcast controller) for ~$80. Bonus: no soldering required—just swap cables like a pro.

Here’s the real kicker:

✅ Works on all Dreamcast controllers (and even arcade sticks!)

✅ Full VMU support—including the rare VMU Pro

✅ Built-in rumble motor

✅ Use your modded controller on PC/Mac via Bluetooth after installation

And yes—keyboard & mouse support is included, making this a serious productivity upgrade for Dreamcast emulators or retro PC gaming.

Shipping starts in July, so if you’ve been waiting for a reason to crack open that dusty controller and give it a deep clean… now’s your chance.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Guide: How to Install Arch-R on the Game Console R36S

https://retrohandhelds.gg/guide-how-to-install-arch-r-on-the-game-console-r36s/

Arch Linux on Your Pocket-sized Powerhouse? Yes, Please — Meet Arch-R for the R36S

If you’ve ever wanted to run a bleeding-edge Linux distro on your budget handheld but weren’t ready to sacrifice portability or price, the Game Console R36S just got a whole lot more exciting — thanks to Arch-R, a new custom firmware built specifically for this tiny titan.

Priced as low as $30, the R36S has become a cult favorite in emulation circles thanks to its rugged build, dual microSD slots, and surprising flexibility. Now, with Arch-R, fans of Arch Linux (and fans of doing things the hard way—we see you, CLI lovers) can bring that rock-solid, minimalistic ecosystem to the palm of their hand.

### What Makes Arch-R Special?

• ✅ Works across all R36S variants—including clones—with support for 18 different screen panels
• ✅ Boots straight into EmulationStation, with auto-scanning for your ROMs
• ✅ Lightweight yet highly customizable—perfect for tinkerers who want control and performance
• ✅ Default login: `archr` / `archr` (yes, really)

### Quick Setup Recap:

1. Flash the `.img` to a clean SD card using Balena Etcher

2. Boot the R36S — let it auto-detect your screen panel (press A after the right number of beeps, or hold X if things look garbled)

3. Pop the card back in your PC, drop ROMs into their respective folders (Megadrive, not Genesis!), and go

So far, early tests show solid performance across retro systems—from NES to Dreamcast—and EmulationStation’s UI is responsive and familiar.

Bottom line: If you’re already rocking an R36S (or eyeing one), Arch-R is absolutely worth a试 (try). It’s not just another firmware—it’s a full Linux playground in your pocket.

Got questions? Head over to the [Discord](link) or drop a comment — and hey, if you finally master `pacman -Syu` on handheld… you’re basically a wizard now. 🪄