Category: Tater News

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The Price Creep is real, as 8GB Retroid Pocket Nova is the Latest Victim

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-price-creep-is-real-as-8gb-retroid-pocket-nova-is-the-latest-victim/

Remember when $200 bought you a decent gaming rig? Yeah, those days are officially gone. Retroid just pulled the curtain back on a reality we’ve all been dreading: the price creep is accelerating, and the Retroid Pocket Nova is the latest casualty. Starting August 6, the 8GB model jumps up by $10, landing at $239. It’s a small bump, but it’s a loud one.

The culprit? A toxic cocktail of rising raw material costs and Qualcomm’s aggressive pricing strategy. The chipmaker confirmed that processor prices will rise across the board starting in September, with some increases hitting double-digit percentages. This isn’t just about more RAM; it’s about the fundamental cost of silicon skyrocketing due to AI demand and supply chain hiccups.

Here’s the kicker: this likely kills hopes for the latest Snapdragon chips in affordable handhelds for the foreseeable future. We’re looking at a future where the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 becomes the new baseline, much like the RK3566 did years ago. Unless MediaTek works some driver magic, mid-range emulation performance is about to plateau.

If you’ve been eyeing the Pocket Nova, the clock is ticking. Buy now before the 12GB model gets hit next, or brace yourself for a more expensive hobby.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Record Labels Offer to Abandon $46.8 Million Piracy Case Against Grande

https://torrentfreak.com/record-labels-offer-to-abandon-46-8-million-piracy-case-against-grande/

The music industry’s long war against ISPs over copyright infringement just hit a major roadblock—and the labels are packing up their bags. Warner Bros., Sony, and co. are effectively offering to drop their $46.8 million piracy lawsuit against Grande Communications, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling that fundamentally changed the legal landscape.

It all comes down to Cox v. Sony. Last March, the Supreme Court decided that internet providers aren’t automatically liable for contributory infringement just because they keep serving subscribers known to pirate content. Since that decision, the recording industry has dropped similar cases against Altice and Verizon. Now, facing the same legal reality, the labels argue there’s no point in continuing to litigate against Grande.

Grande, however, isn’t satisfied with a simple dismissal. The ISP wants a formal victory on the merits to clear its name and recover roughly $4 million in bond premiums it paid while appealing the original verdict. The labels are pushing back hard, accusing Grande of inflating costs and pointing out that the ISP owes them nearly $200,000 in earlier sanctions.

It’s now up to the Fifth Circuit to decide: will they let the case vanish quietly with each side paying its own bills, or grant Grande the definitive win it’s demanding? Either way, the era of holding ISPs strictly liable for subscriber piracy seems to be over.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Apple IIgs, Apple Lisa, Console Mode, & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-apple-iigs-apple-lisa-console-mode-more.html

If you thought your MiSTer FPGA setup was already packed tight, think again. This week’s update is essentially a retro-computing and gaming buffet, serving up everything from heavy-hitting PC emulators to some genuinely weird arcade oddities.

Let’s start with the heavy hitters. The Apple IIgs core is finally here, giving you full access to Apple’s most powerful 8-bit machine. Meanwhile, the new z386 core is turning heads by running Doom at a playable 29.7 FPS—outperforming the older ao486 core and even beating a real 486DX-33MHz in benchmarks. It’s also running Windows 3.11, which is a wild flex for a FPGA board.

For the visually inclined, the SuperStation One “Console Mode” tutorial drops a major graphical overhaul, letting you scrape artwork and customize your library like a modern console. And if you’re feeling nostalgic for the Lisa, a new core lets you revisit the first mass-market GUI computer.

But it’s not all serious history. We’ve got a Batsugun core (yes, it’s AI-vibe-coded), a 3DO emulator, and a 32-player capable Lynx core if you really want to test your hardware limits. There’s even a System 32 core for Golden Axe and Spider-Man, developed entirely with AI. It’s a chaotic, wonderful week for the community.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Retroid Pocket Nova Starts Shipping as GammaOS Nano Expands

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-110/

Grab your coffee, retro fans. The handheld world is moving fast this week, and if you’ve been waiting for new gear to actually arrive, your patience is finally paying off.

First up, the Retroid Pocket Nova is officially shipping. If you pre-ordered, the waitlist is clearing out, and you’ll finally get your hands on those colorful devices. It’s a solid step forward for Retroid, proving they can deliver on their promises. Meanwhile, GPD is teasing the Win Max 3 at ChinaJoy, and AYANEO is dropping more details on the KONKR Pocket Advance. If you love shiny new hardware, there’s plenty to get excited about.

On the software front, GammaOS Nano v1.4 is here, bringing major updates to Anbernic and TrimUI devices. It’s a big deal for users of the RG DS and RG Rotate, who have been waiting months for these improvements. Plus, the Socket Launcher is making waves with its unique “cartridge-style” interface, while eOr adds much-needed dual-screen support.

In a wild twist, Microsoft is reportedly reevaluating its PC strategy, which could mean fewer games on Steam. That’s a headline you didn’t see coming. Meanwhile, if you’re looking to upgrade, the “Score Big Sale” is live with some serious discounts on devices like the Miyoo Mini Flip and Anbernic RG Rotate. Check the deals before they vanish.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Vectrex V3 Multicart Simple Fix for 2-Player Glitch

https://retrorgb.com/vectrex-v3-multicart-simple-fix-for-2-player-glitch.html

Love the Vectrex? You might have noticed a quirky glitch when playing two-player classics like Armor Attack or Rip Off on Sean Kelly’s popular V3 multicart. Player 2’s joystick simply stops responding, leaving you stuck with only face buttons. It’s frustrating, but the fix is surprisingly simple: just hit the reset button right after the game loads.

The journey to this solution was anything but short. At first, I assumed my console was broken. I swapped controllers, tested ports, measured voltages, and even recapped the unit, but the issue persisted across different Vectrex systems. This ruled out hardware failure and pointed squarely at the multicart software.

By comparing ROMs, I discovered that Space War worked fine, suggesting the games themselves weren’t the culprit. The problem lay in how the multicart menu initialized memory. After extensive testing of BIOS versions and RAM chips, Sean confirmed that launching through the menu left the system in a weird state. Hitting reset forces a clean reload, bypassing that initialization error.

Now, you can enjoy full two-player action without the headache. It’s a minor quirk with an immediate fix, ensuring the V3 multicart remains a reliable, feature-rich gem for Vectrex fans everywhere.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Everdrive 64 “Pro” Announced

https://retrorgb.com/everdrive-64-pro-announced.html

Ready to ditch the tedious cartridge swaps? Krikzz has just unveiled the Everdrive 64 “Pro,” and if you’ve ever sighed while waiting for a ROM to load on your N64, this might just be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

Think of it as the Everdrive’s big brother, but with significantly more muscle. It offers faster loading times and supports custom menu themes, so your game library looks as good as it plays. The real head-turner, though, is the built-in support for 64DD games. Yes, you can finally play those rare disk-based titles without needing a separate, finicky drive. There’s even a dedicated physical button on the cart for swapping disks, which is a clever bit of hardware engineering.

Here’s the quick rundown:

• Price: $170 (shipping by month’s end).
• Look: Available in classic N64 grey or seven transparent color options.
• Compatibility: Works with original N64 hardware and modern FPGA clones.
• Extra: Supports homebrew and ROM hacks larger than 64MB.

It’s pricier than the standard ED64, but if you’re a collector or just tired of loading screens, the “Pro” version brings some serious polish to the retro experience. Just check the comparison chart if you’re debating between this and the x7 model.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

PortMaster Roundup: July 2026

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

Hold onto your retro handhelds, because July 2026 is shaping up to be a absolute monster month for PortMaster users. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to dust off your Steam Deck, Miyoo, or Anbernic, this roundup is your green light. We’re talking about everything from beloved classics getting native rewrites to some delightfully bizarre indie gems that wouldn’t look out of place in a 1990s arcade.

The headline grabber has to be Dusklight, a native reimplementation of The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. It’s built on the zeldaret decompilation and runs smoothly on OpenGL ES, meaning that beloved GameCube adventure is finally playable natively on ARM handhelds without the emulation headaches. It’s a massive deal for fans who want that authentic feel without the lag.

But the variety doesn’t stop there. You’ve got Yarntown, which charmingly remakes Bloodborne into a cute, 16-bit Zelda-style RPG, and Super Blood Hockey, because sometimes you just need to manage a team of convicts in a dystopic, no-rules ice hockey league. For puzzle lovers, Blupimania offers over 120 riddles, while roguelike fans can dive into the permadeath chaos of BreakHack or the dungeon-crawling fun of Tunics!.

Whether you’re hunting for freebies like BitRiot or willing to pay for polished titles like Caveblazers, there’s something here for every taste. It’s a busy month, but definitely one worth navigating.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

SMS Lumacode Mod Tested

https://retrorgb.com/sms-lumacode-mod-tested.html

Say goodbye to the jagged, noisy mess that usually plagues Sega Master System gaming on modern flat panels. A new mod called “Lumacode” is turning heads because it delivers a razor-sharp, zero-jailbar image that rivals expensive HDMI conversions.

Here’s the deal: Most Master Systems have notoriously poor native video output. While you can buy high-end RGB bypass mods, those are really only worth it if you’re rocking a vintage CRT. If your goal is crisp gaming on a 4K TV via an OSSC or RetroTINK 4K, Lumacode is the smarter, easier bet.

The setup is surprisingly straightforward. You connect the RGB signals and clock to the small Lumacode board, grab power directly from the voltage regulator, and make sure you use fully shielded cables to keep interference at bay. It’s plug-and-play friendly, provided you get the wiring right (avoid the power mistake shown in early tutorial streams!).

Once installed, you just need to tweak your scaler. Whether you’re using an OSSC Pro or a RetroTINK 4K, there are specific profiles and presets available to dial in the perfect timing. The only catch? If you’re in the US, hold off on buying the board from c0pperdragon’s store until new distributors arrive to slash those painful shipping costs. Otherwise, grab one now and upgrade your retro setup for good.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

8 Games to Grow Your Backlog – August 2026

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

Ready to let your backlog grow, or at least stop staring at it judging you? August 2026 brings a fresh batch of recommendations that range from “actually classic” to “why did I buy this?” If you’re rocking a handheld via GameNative, PortMaster, or just good old x86 emulation, here’s your monthly dose of digital distraction.

First up, Untitled Goose Game is finally the perfect candidate for handheld chaos. Stealing hats and honking at villagers has never been easier on the go. If you prefer something quieter, The Artisan of Glimmith lets you restore stained glass in the clouds. It’s beautiful, but honestly? Stick to a mouse and keyboard for the precision; touch controls might leave you feeling a bit lost.

For the music lovers, Wandersong is a charming 2018 gem where singing saves the world. It’s whimsical, low-power, and perfect for a commute. Feeling chaotic? Ballionaire is a pachinko-style roguelike that’s equal parts addictive and absurd. It’s divisive, but at $12.34, it’s a cheap thrill.

Finally, don’t sleep on Abathor for that Golden Axe nostalgia, or Owlboy, which remains a stunning 2D platformer after a decade. And if you need to burn rubber, Victory Heat Rally delivers retro arcade racing with a radical soundtrack. Pick one, play it, and pretend your backlog is shrinking.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game of the Month: Learn to Adapt this August

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-of-the-month-august-2026/

Ready to turn your screen time into points? The Retro Handhelds community is kicking off “Adaptation August” with a trio of short, snappy games based on beloved movies and TV shows. It’s a perfect excuse to revisit some classics without committing to a marathon.

Here’s what you need to beat this month:

• Disney’s Aladdin (Genesis): A two-hour side-scrolling platformer that takes you from Agrabah to Jafar’s lair. Quick, colorful, and nostalgic.
• GoldenEye 007 (N64): Eight hours of 3D shooter action. Manage your weapons and your nerves to stop the satellite threat.

The Simpsons: Hit & Run (PS2/GameCube): A ten-hour open-world adventure that’s basically GTA III* with more yelling and less crime.

If you’re looking for something longer, Pokémon Diamond or Pearl is the Game of the Quarter. It’s a 40+ hour journey through the Sinnoh region, perfect for those who prefer a slow burn over a sprint.

Why bother? Every completed game earns you an “imaginary internet point” redeemable for real merchandise at the RH Store. GotW (Game of the Week) offers half a point for games under two hours, while GotQ offers extra points for 100% completion. So, grab a controller, pick your adaptation, and start earning. Who’s beating Jafar first?