Category: Tater News

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Analogue 3D Analyzed

https://retrorgb.com/analogue-3d-analyzed.html

Let’s be real: Analogue’s 3D console promised “perfect N64 hardware emulation.” Spoiler? It’s 5% off. Not bad for a $1,000 box—but not “perfect,” either.

Kaze Emanuar’s deep-dive video breaks it down with surgical precision: frame timing, audio glitches, texture quirks. Turns out, the A3D’s FPGA magic is impressively close… but not magic. It’s more like a really fancy emulator with a sleek aluminum body and a price tag that could buy a used car.

Here’s the twist: Kaze likes Analogue. He’s bought their stuff, praised their build quality. But he won’t let marketing spin pass unchallenged. And honestly? That’s refreshing. You don’t have to hate a brand to call out its hype.

So if you want gorgeous hardware and don’t need pixel-perfect accuracy? Go for it.

If you’re chasing “true N64” vibes? Stick with Ryujinx or Project64 on a good PC.

And if you just want to laugh? Check Kaze’s side channel—he dropped a song about it. Because nothing says “emulation drama” like a synth-heavy bop about texture filters.

Support the truth. Even if it costs $999.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #492

https://retrorgb.com/week492.html

Let’s be real—when your retro gaming fix comes with a humidifier cameo, you know it’s going to be weirdly wonderful.

This week’s RetroRGB Roundup is a love letter to the dusty corners of gaming history. From Virtual Boy accessories hitting Switch (yes, really) to firmware updates for Saturn ODEs that make your old console act like it’s on caffeine, Bob’s got you covered. If you’ve ever stared at a crumbling CDi power supply and wept, there’s now a fix. Same goes for PSP-3000 screen replacements and OSSC Pro users getting custom Lumacode palettes—because your 16-bit dreams deserve HD clarity.

And hey, Final Fantasy VII fans? A remastered soundtrack just dropped for the Steam port. Breathe deep. Savor it.

But the real MVP? The Story of EGM documentary—because who didn’t grow up reading those glossy, beer-stained issues like sacred texts? Also: Blue Retro’s dev work ends. Bittersweet, but the community’s got the code now.

And yes… there’s a humidifier. In a retro gaming video. You’ll see why it’s hilarious (and oddly appropriate).

Support the channel if you can—Bob doesn’t just fix hardware, he keeps our nostalgia alive. And sometimes, that means turning a humidity problem into a meme. We’re all better for it.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

EU Ban on Russian War Propaganda Misfires: Blocks Social Media Giants & Pirate IPTV

https://torrentfreak.com/eu-ban-on-russian-war-propaganda-misfires-blocks-social-media-giants-pirate-iptv/

Here’s your punchy, newsletter-ready summary:

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EU’s Russian Propaganda Blocklist? More Like a Digital Sweepstakes.

The EU banned Russian state media after the Ukraine invasion—smart move. But when ISPs were left to figure out what exactly to block… things got weird.

Enter NLconnect, a Dutch ISP group that stitched together unofficial blacklists from Germany, Lithuania, and others. Result? A 796-domain mess blocking everything from Sputnik… to ShareChat, Weibo, and pirate IPTV sites. Yes, you read that right—India’s biggest social app is banned because someone on it once posted something Russian. And yes, Streema.com—a U.S.-based radio directory—is down because it listed a few banned stations.

Lithuania’s regulator, LRTK, seems to have thrown everything into the blacklist: social networks, torrent sites, even streaming portals. No explanation. Just “ban it all.” Dutch ISPs like Ziggo are following suit—while privacy-focused Freedom says, “Nope,” and makes its own list.

The problem? No central EU list. Just a patchwork of overzealous interpretations. Millions of users lose access to legitimate services because regulators can’t—or won’t—do precise targeting.

This isn’t sanctions. It’s digital collateral damage—and no one’s asking if it’s even legal.

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Word count: 198

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG477V Pre-Orders Begin on December 20, Starting at $199

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg477v-pre-orders-begin-on-december-20-starting-at-199/

Grab your wallet—another retro beast is dropping before 2025 ends.

Anbernic’s RG477V officially opens pre-orders on Dec 20 at 5 AM EST, starting at a shockingly low $199. Yeah, you read that right: a 4.7-inch, 120Hz, Dimensity 8300-powered handheld with RGB hall sticks and active cooling for less than two Cokes. The 12GB/256GB model? Just $239.99 for the first 72 hours. After that, prices creep up—but still, it’s a steal.

It’s not all sunshine and pixel-perfect emulators though. Early feedback (hello, Stubbs’ First Look) hints at software hiccups. But here’s the twist: Anbernic already dropped an OTA update (v1.35) with a “Performance Mode,” and GammaOS is already running on dev units—meaning the fix might be closer than you think.

Specs? Gorgeous. 5,500mAh battery, Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C display out, dual speakers, and a weight that won’t turn your wrist into a cramp. It’s not just a pocket console—it’s a full-fledged mini PC that thinks it’s 2003.

Review units are coming any day now. If you’ve been waiting for a sleek, powerful retro rig that doesn’t scream “cheap knockoff,” this might be your moment. Pre-order now—or regret it when they sell out before lunch.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game Console R36T MAX Review

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-console-r36t-max-review/

Let’s be real: if you’re buying a handheld that looks like an old TV set threw up plastic and called it “CRT-inspired,” you’re not here for specs—you’re here for vibes. And the R36T MAX? It delivers those in spades.

AISLPC didn’t just slap a 4” screen on the original R36T—they refined it. Wood grain? Check. Tidier ROM menus? Check. Even a help line for confused noobs? Bold move for a clone brand. The battery’s just… resting on the speaker like it doesn’t care? Yeah, that’s a red flag. But hey, at $40, you’re not buying an Apple Watch—you’re buying a nostalgia trip with a side of plastic echo.

The D-Pad? Looks like a doorknob that got into a fight with a joystick. Turns out, it works fine. The screen? Glowy CRT bubble = instant 2001 bedroom energy. Add some scanline filters, crank up the static snow in the menu, and you’re basically playing Super Mario Bros. on your grandpa’s TV… if your grandpa had a 2025 AliExpress budget.

Is it perfect? Nah. The speaker pops, the boot times drag, and yes—you’re paying for a Rockchip RK3326 that’s been in every budget handheld since 2021. But it looks cool. It feels charmingly shabby. And if you want a pocket-sized retro TV that screams “I miss the 90s but also my Wi-Fi signal,” this is your guy.

Just don’t screw it shut without checking the battery first. You’ll thank me later.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

PortMaster Roundup: November 16th – December 15th

https://retrohandhelds.gg/portmaster-roundup-november-16th-december-15th/

Hey there, retro rebels—Jim Gray didn’t check the calendar this month. And honestly? We’re not mad. November 16 to December 15 was a gold mine of handheld gems, and your pocket-sized console just got a serious upgrade.

First up: the ready-to-play crew. Think Super Metroid meets jellyfish in Azimuth, or a rhythm game where you’re Frogger… but for bars. (Bar Hop? Yes, please.) Then there’s Operius DX, the arcade shooter that remembers when “fast” meant “your fingers caught fire,” and The Death of Santa, because nothing says Christmas like platforming a jolly fat guy to his doom.

Want something weird? Voidbeat is a rhythm game where the world pulses like a dying heartbeat. Merp In Merpworld lets you glide on leaves through flower fields like a zen woodland fairy. And Unwin? A Sokoban game with an “un-collect” button. Yes, that’s a thing now.

For the tinkerers: April Dabble Dazzle (fruit-based rituals, naturally) and Bushido Panda (8-bit samurai chaos). And if you’ve got a Steam or GOG library? Driven Out and Astronautilus are gorgeous, load-screen-free masterpieces waiting to haunt your handheld.

Your new favorite games? They’re all in one place. Now go forth—play, ponder, and maybe don’t let Santa fall off the platform. Again.

(P.S. If you fish up something interesting in Pengu Never Left, send pics. We’re watching.)

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Judge: GoDaddy Must Unmask Owners of 100+ “Copyright-Infringing” Domains

https://torrentfreak.com/judge-godaddy-must-unmask-owners-of-100-allegedly-infringing-domains-251216/

Here’s your punchy, newsletter-ready summary:

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Judge says GoDaddy must out 100+ “copyright clone” site owners — and no, anonymity isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card

Let’s be real: if you’re running 104 copies of a gaming platform, complete with stolen logos and code, calling it “free speech” is like calling a bank heist “performance art.”

Tamaris (aka Pragmatic Play) flagged these sites to GoDaddy, got a $52 DMCA subpoena, and asked for the owners’ info. One anonymous operator — let’s call him “John Doe Jr.” — tried to block it, claiming overreach, privacy violations, and First Amendment rights. Cute. But the court wasn’t buying it.

Judge Sullivan laid down the law:

• DMCA subpoenas don’t need individual proof for each domain — mass unmasking is legal.
• “Commercial” speech (like selling pirated games) gets zero First Amendment love.
• Your IP address and payment info? Not sacred. Especially when you’re running knockoff casino software.
• And no, waiting a month to file your motion doesn’t count as “timely”… unless GoDaddy was slow to notify you. (They were.)

Bottom line: If your website looks like a copy-paste job of someone else’s billion-dollar product, don’t hide behind “anonymous speech.” The law doesn’t protect pirates. It just gives them a subpoena.

And yes — GoDaddy’s now got to hand over 104 sets of personal details. The internet just got a little less anonymous.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Over 100 Lost Sega Genesis ROMs Recovered by VGHF

https://retrohandhelds.gg/over-100-lost-sega-genesis-roms-recovered-by-vghf/

You know that feeling when you’re binge-watching a show and suddenly realize all the deleted scenes just dropped? That’s what happened to Sega Genesis fans this week.

The Video Game History Foundation just unearthed 144 lost Sega Channel ROMs—yes, the ’90s service that delivered games over your cable TV. Think Netflix… if it required a special box, cost $20/month in 1995, and occasionally froze mid-game while your mom yelled about the phone bill. When Sega shut it down in ’98, most of the games vanished like a dial-up connection mid-download. Poof.

But thanks to a lucky tape backup from a former employee and an old exec’s dusty filing cabinet, we now have everything: rare exclusives like Garfield: Caught in the Act – The Lost Levels, The Flintstones with extra levels, and even unreleased prototypes like Popeye in High Seas High-Jinks (yes, Popeye on a pirate ship). There’s also proof of Express Games, Sega’s secret plan to turn PCs into game boxes. Imagine that.

The best part? This means we now have digital copies of every U.S. Genesis game ever released. No more “I heard it existed…” rumors. Just pure, crunchy, 16-bit nostalgia. And no—we won’t give you the ROMs. But we will say: if you’ve got a Genesis and a time machine, you’re officially ready.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Delays Odin 3 ‘Ultra’ Pre-Orders, Offers Alternative Solutions

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-delays-odin-3-ultra-pre-orders-offers-alternative-solutions/

Looks like the Odin 3 Ultra’s big debut got a little… memory-locked.

AYN just dropped the news: due to skyrocketing RAM prices and a global chip shortage, your pre-ordered Odin 3 Ultra (24GB + 1TB) won’t ship until mid-January. Oof. No surprise, really—when memory costs spike like a TikTok trend, even the coolest handhelds get stuck in limbo.

But here’s where AYN gets bonus points: they didn’t ghost anyone. Instead, they offered two solid moves:

• Swap to Odin 3 Max and get it shipped before Christmas (they’ll refund the price差).
• Keep your Ultra order and wait patiently. No extra steps—just chill.

Meanwhile, the Base, Pro, and Max models are still available to pre-order. So if you’re itching for a new handheld now, there’s still time to jump in—without the 24GB hype.

It’s not ideal, but it’s transparent. And in a world full of silent cancellations? That’s kind of a win.

Pro tip: If you’re not in a rush for 24GB, the Max is basically the Ultra’s chill cousin—with all the power and none of the wait.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket Air Mini: First Impressions

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-air-mini-first-impressions/

You spent what on a $70 handheld? Yeah, we see you, Ban. And honestly? We’re kind of impressed.

The AYANEO Pocket Air Mini is the retro handheld equivalent of buying a $5 taco that somehow tastes like Michelin-starred carnitas. For under $100, it packs a Mediatek Helio G90T, a crisp 4.3-inch 4:3 screen, and enough juice to run PS1, N64, and even some Dreamcast games—without melting your wallet (or your thumbs). The controls? Light as a feather. Too light sometimes—like trying to press a button with a cotton swab. But hey, if you like your inputs whisper-quiet and low-effort, this is your jam.

Android 11 feels like a step back, sure—but it’s lean, fast, and surprisingly stable. The UI is clunky, but the pop-up performance menu? Chef’s kiss. Storage’s tight (32/64GB), and yes, some modern Android games won’t run. But for classic emulators? It’s a steal.

Compared to rivals like the Mangmi Air X, it wins on raw power—and loses on screen ratio. If you’re Team 4:3 (looking at you, N64 purists), this is your new BFF. If not? Walk away.

Bottom line: AYANEO didn’t just make a cheap handheld. They made one you’ll actually want to play with. And that’s rare.