Category: Tater News

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Supposed Anbernic RG DS Rival Might Launch at Gamescom, But We Have Plenty of Questions

https://retrohandhelds.gg/supposed-anbernic-rg-ds-rival-might-launch-at-gamescom-but-we-have-plenty-of-questions/

If you’ve been dreaming of a modern device that mimics the dual-screen magic of the DS era, hold your horses—and maybe your skepticism.

Rumor has it a new player called Yoniq is set to debut the “Duo” at Gamescom this week. On paper, it sounds like a dream: high-definition screens, pixel-perfect scaling, and a physical stylus to satisfy those retro cravings. It’s aiming to compete in a market currently being heated up by heavy hitters like Anbernic and AYANEO.

However, there’s a massive “but” attached to this excitement.

The company’s digital presence is, to put it politely, a bit of a mess. Before disappearing behind an “Opening Soon” landing page, the Yoniq website looked like an AI-generated fever dream filled with broken links and filler text. There’s also a second device, the “Portal,” which looks suspiciously like a generic AliExpress clone.

The Takeaway: We’re keeping our eyes on Gamescom to see if the Duo is a legitimate hardware breakthrough or just another vaporware ghost. Until we see real hands-on footage, treat this one with a healthy dose of salt.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Lenovo’s Legion C700 ‘Cloud Gaming Handheld’ Launches in China This Week

https://retrohandhelds.gg/lenovos-legion-c700-cloud-gaming-handheld-launches-in-china-this-week/

If you thought the handheld gaming wars were over, Lenovo just threw a fresh wrench into the gears. The brand is officially launching its new Legion C700 this week, and while it’s making its debut in China, savvy shoppers know that a mysterious AliExpress listing is usually just around the corner.

The C700 isn’t trying to be a heavy-duty PC in your pocket; instead, it’s leaning hard into the “cloud gaming” lifestyle. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Lenovo’s proprietary streaming software, promising one-click access to your library.

Here is the quick rundown on the specs:

• Display: A beefy 7.82-inch LCD (120Hz, 1080p)
• Battery: 8,000mAh, promising up to 9 hours of play
• Build: Slim at 14.9mm and weighing 556g
• Controls: Hall Effect triggers and TMR sticks for precision

The big question remains: is this a dedicated streaming device like the PlayStation Portal, or will it be a versatile beast capable of high-end emulation like the Logitech G Cloud? Only time (and some international shipping) will tell.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Racing Retrospectives: Forza Horizon 4

https://retrohandhelds.gg/racing-retrospectives-forza-horizon-4/

### The Ultimate Vibe Check: Why Forza Horizon 4 Still Rules

If you’re looking for a racing game that feels less like a stressful competition and more like a high-octane vacation, look no further. While the Forza Horizon franchise has grown into a massive juggernaut, there’s a strong argument to be made that the fourth installment is still the series’ undisputed heavyweight champion of “vibes.”

Set against the lush, shifting landscapes of the UK, Horizon 4 stands out because of its soul. Between the dynamic seasons—which turn frozen lakes into high-speed highways—and a soundtrack that hits just right (shoutout to ODESZA), it’s a game you don’t just play; you inhabit.

Why it still holds up:

• Atmospheric Mastery: The transition from golden autumn fields to snowy British winters keeps the scenery feeling fresh.
• The Soundtrack: Seven radio stations that cater to every mood, from chill electronic to high-energy pop.
• Addictive Loops: Even if the “win more cars, get more money” cycle is repetitive, the sheer joy of driving through Edinburgh makes it hard to put down.

It might be a bit too rewarding for the hardcore simulation crowd, but for anyone looking to lose themselves in a beautiful world with a killer beat, it remains the gold standard.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Anna’s Archive Owes $340 Million, Lost Several Domains, but It’s Still Online

https://torrentfreak.com/annas-archive-owes-340-million-lost-several-domains-but-its-still-online/

If you thought your credit card debt was bad, try being a shadow library with a $340 million tab.

Anna’s Archive, the massive digital repository that’s become a go-to for “unauthorized” reading, is currently weathering a legal hurricane. Between a $322 million judgment from music companies (triggered by a Spotify data scrape) and another $19.5 million hit from major book publishers, the math isn’t looking great for the site’s mysterious operators.

The site has also been playing a high-stakes game of digital whack-a-mole. After losing several flagship domains to U.S. court orders, the archive has migrated to various international domains—like .GL and .PK—that simply don’t answer to American judges.

When the site went dark earlier this month, fans feared the end was near. However, the admins claim it wasn’t a legal shutdown, but rather a “coordinated attack” from an unnamed party. Whether it was a rogue anti-piracy group or a simple DDoS attack, the site is back up and running.

The big takeaway? U.S. courts are finding that their jurisdiction hits a hard wall when it meets international domain registrars. Expect the industry to fight back with even more aggressive site-blocking legislation soon.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – SFII Third Strike, Dragon’s Lair, Killer Instinct & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-sfii-third-strike-dragons-lair-killer-instinct-more.html

### MiSTer FPGA: Fighting Games, Laserdiscs, and a Warning

If you thought your MiSTer library was getting crowded, think again. The latest wave of updates is bringing some heavy hitters to the FPGA scene, ranging from arcade legends to some very ambitious “what if” projects.

The big news? We’re getting some serious combat capability. Jotego has released a beta core for Street Fighter III: Third Strike, and Killer Instinct 1 & 2 are officially playable (though they still need a little polish). If you prefer shooting things, the new Psikyo and Sammy/Seta/Visco cores are absolute goldmines for shoot ’em up fans.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the highlights:

The Heavy Hitters: New cores for Namco System 11 & 12 (hello, Tekken 3!), Sony ZN1, and even a working Dragon’s Lair* implementation.

• The Wildcard: A DVD player core is officially in development. It’s early days, but the goal is to let you pop in a commercial disc and actually watch movies.
• Retro Vibes: The Commodore 64 core now includes floppy drive sounds for that extra hit of nostalgia.

One quick heads-up: If you were eyeing the DE25 Nano, hold your horses. There’s a hardware flaw regarding clock speeds, so avoid buying one until a revision is released.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 4K USB “Profiler” Web App

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-4k-usb-profiler-web-app.html

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys spending three hours perfecting the exact shade of scanline glow on a CRT emulation, I have some very good news.

The developer behind the RetroTINK 4K has just dropped a new web-based “Profiler” app, and it is a total game-changer for power users. Instead of constantly diving in and out of the device’s on-screen menus to see if your tweaks actually look good, you can now control everything directly from your PC via USB.

The magic here is the real-time feedback. You can adjust settings in your browser while your game stays in full-screen, meaning no more menu-induced interruptions. It’s a massive workflow upgrade for anyone building custom profiles or testing high-refresh-rate outputs.

The quick technical bits:

• Compatibility: Works with the RetroTINK 4K CE and 4K Pro (the 6x CE is unfortunately left out of the party due to hardware limitations).
• Requirements: You’ll need at least firmware v1.75.0 and must power the unit via your PC’s USB port.
• Bonus: You can even use the app to push firmware updates, saving you the hassle of swapping SD cards.

If you’re a “set it and forget it” user, you can probably ignore this. But if you live for the fine details, your workflow just got a whole lot smoother.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Take-Two Expands GTA 6 Leak Hunt With DMCA Subpoenas to X and Google

https://torrentfreak.com/take-two-expands-gta-6-leak-hunt-with-dmca-subpoenas-to-x-and-google/

If you thought the most chaotic part of the Grand Theft Auto VI hype was the leaked footage, think again. Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two, is currently playing a high-stakes game of digital detective, and they aren’t just looking for one person—they’re casting a massive net.

Following the “Cyberleek” leaks that went viral recently, Take-Two has filed for several DMCA subpoenas to unmask the culprits. While they are definitely hunting for the source of the footage, the sheer scale of their legal request is turning heads.

Here is the breakdown of the “dragnet”:

The Discord Sweep: Take-Two is seeking identifying info for every* account that communicated in three specific Discord servers. That’s a lot of innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

• The X & Google Hunt: They’ve also targeted X (formerly Twitter) and Google to track specific usernames and YouTube channels linked to the leaks.

It’s important to note that these subpoenas haven’t been officially issued by the clerk yet, and service providers often fight back against requests they deem “overbroad.” For now, Take-Two is sending a clear message: if you leak the game, they will come for your IP address.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Drawers Full of Gold: Are Today’s Handhelds Tomorrow’s Collectibles?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/drawers-full-of-gold-are-todays-handhelds-tomorrows-collectibles/

### The “Perfect Device” Trap: Are Your Handhelds Future Gold?

If you’re part of the emulation crowd, you know the drill: you buy a new handheld, chase that “perfect” retro experience for a month, and then immediately start eyeing the next shiny upgrade. It’s a cycle of consumerism that feels like chasing a dragon. But there’s a twist lurking in your drawer of abandoned devices.

The author of Retro Handhelds suggests we might be inadvertently building a collection of future relics. Look at the Nintendo 3DS: once a cheap used find, it’s now a high-priced collector’s item because production stopped and demand spiked.

The same phenomenon is happening in the emulation world, driven by:

• Rapid SKU turnover: Companies like Retroid or AYANEO pivot quickly, leaving older, specific models (like the Retroid Pocket G2) to become rare “ghosts.”
• Component shortages: When parts like specific displays run out, production dies, and rarity begins.
• Artificial scarcity: Some brands lean into limited runs to trigger FOMO.

Unlike smartphones, which die via software updates, these handhelds often reach “static perfection” through community OSes. They don’t get slower; they just become harder to find. So, while you’re hunting for the next big thing, remember: that “old” device in your desk might just be your future retirement fund.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Batocera 44 Adding Support for New Systems and Way More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/batocera-44-adding-support-for-new-systems-and-way-more/

### The Retro Gaming Swiss Army Knife Just Got Sharper

If you own a handheld retro console, you probably already know Batocera. It’s the “do-it-all” operating system that turns various pieces of hardware into a unified gaming powerhouse. Well, hold onto your D-pads, because Batocera 44 is on the horizon, and it’s bringing a massive hardware wishlist with it.

The upcoming update is a huge win for Anbernic fans. We’re looking at initial support for a long list of devices, including the RG-DS, RG-SP, and the RG Vita Pro, along with several new panel variants for the RG40XX series. If you’ve been eyeing the AYN Odin 3 or the Retroid Pocket Nova, this update is basically your golden ticket to a smoother experience.

But it’s not just about new gadgets; it’s about better performance on the ones you already own. Here’s a quick look at the heavy hitters:

• Emulator Upgrades: Big moves for PlayStation fans with the transition to standard ShadPS4 and the addition of Vita3k for capable devices.
• Hardware Tweaks: Improved driver support for Raspberry Pi 4 and a massive kernel migration for Rockchip RK3588 devices.
• Quality of Life: New settings to toggle fast-forward, control your device’s LED modes, and better scaling for boot logos.

While we’re still waiting for the official drop, one thing is clear: the Batocera team isn’t slowing down. Get those SD cards ready.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Nintendo’s DMCA Blitz, Win Max 3 Goes Wild, & Bazzite 44 Drops

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-113/

It’s a wild week in the handheld scene, ranging from “luxury” pricing that might make your wallet weep to Nintendo officially choosing violence.

First up, let’s talk about the price tags. GPD finally revealed the pricing for the Win Max 3, and it’s… a lot. We’re looking at a starting price of $1,750 for the base config, with the top-tier model hitting a staggering $3,499. Meanwhile, leaks suggest the Xbox 25th Anniversary edition will retail for $899—putting it right in the neighborhood of the PS5 Pro. If you’re looking for something more approachable, Genki Manta is hitting Kickstarter with a “Super Early Bird” tier starting at $189.

On the software front, Nintendo is making waves by filing DMCA notices to take down over 400 Switch emulator repositories in a coordinated strike. It’s a classic “Nintendo waking up” moment for the community. On a brighter note, Bazzite dropped its biggest update yet (Deck 44), and a playable Breath of the Wild demake for the 3DS has surfaced, proving that the homebrew scene never sleeps.

The Quick Hits:

• Bazzite Deck 44: The biggest drop in years for the SteamOS alternative.
• Hardware: New leaks suggest a 24K gold Supreme-branded Analogue Pocket is coming this fall.
• Deals: Keep an eye on the AliExpress “Back to School” sale starting August 17th for some solid discounts on Retroid and AYN gear.