Category: Tater News

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Hyperkin Floats the Idea of a Cart-Slotted N64 Portable

https://retrohandhelds.gg/hyperkin-floats-the-idea-of-a-cart-slotted-n64-portable/

Picture this: You’re on the subway, N64 controller in hand, popping in your dusty Ocarina of Time cart—no ROMs, no flash drives, just pure, unadulterated nostalgia. Hyperkin’s quietly daydreaming about making it real.

They’re not announcing it—not yet—but when a fan asked if a portable N64 was possible, the reply? “Potentially in the future.” Translation: We’re thinking about it… while we fix our Genesis handheld that’s glitching like a corrupted save file.

Here’s the catch: It wouldn’t be some FPGA-powered luxury device like Analogue’s $1,000 marvel. Nope—Hyperkin would go the Retron GX route: dump the cart into memory, then emulate it. That means screen tearing, frame drops, and maybe Link floating through walls… but hey, you’d be playing your actual cartridges. No PC, no downloads—just you, your childhood, and a tiny screen.

The kicker? Hyperkin already makes N64-style controllers. They know the hardware. But if they can’t fix visual artifacts on the Genesis handheld—something far easier to emulate—they’re in for a very rough ride with the N64’s wonky 3D rendering.

Still… if they pull it off? That’d be the most charmingly chaotic handheld of 2027. Just don’t blame them if your Mario Kart race ends with a wobbly banana peel… and no sound.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Storm Chasers Sue Meta for Ignoring Repeat Infringements of Popular Accounts

https://torrentfreak.com/storm-chasers-sue-meta-for-ignoring-repeat-infringements-of-popular-accounts/

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever posted a video of a tornado and watched some mega-account steal it for clout—and Meta shrug—it’s not just annoying. It’s now lawsuit-level infuriating.

Enter Brandon Clement and a crew of storm chasers who’ve spent years watching their heart-pounding, weather-beaten footage get ripped off by viral aggregators on Facebook and Instagram. They sent hundreds of thousands of DMCA takedown notices. Meta? Mostly ignored them—sometimes even blocking the creators for “going too fast” with takedowns. Yes, you read that right: too fast.

The complaint? A smoking gun of alleged corporate hypocrisy. Leaked docs show Meta lets high-revenue accounts rack up 500 strikes before acting, while small advertisers get axed after eight. And now? They’re allegedly calling fair use on a two-minute watermarked storm surge video… and leaving it up. For profit.

The plaintiffs aren’t just mad—they’re suing for direct, contributory, and vicarious copyright infringement. With statutory damages of $150K per work? We’re talking millions. And Meta’s silence so far is louder than a tornado siren.

This isn’t just about weather videos. It’s about whether platforms can pick and choose who gets protected—while cashing in on the chaos. The storm’s coming. And Meta? It’s not ready for it.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Apple IIgs, CD-i FMV Updates, New Arcade Cores, & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-apple-iigs-cd-i-fmv-updates-new-arcade-cores-more.html

MiSTer FPGA Just Got Wildly Cool (Again)

Let’s be real: if you’re still playing Pac-Land on an original arcade cabinet, we need to talk. But if you’re on MiSTer FPGA? You just got Pac-Land, Twin Cobra, Snow Bros, and now—Apple IIgs. Yes. The 1986 Apple with the color GUI is coming to your FPGA box. Your retro shelf is about to get very crowded.

And it’s not just classics. The Sega Channel? A dial-up-era game download service from the ‘90s? Now emulated. CD-i FMV playback got a massive upgrade—so you can finally watch those painfully slow “interactive” videos without wanting to throw your TV out the window. Even IQ151, a Czechoslovakian school computer from 1985? Done. Because why not?

Meanwhile, Jotego’s fixing CPS cores so Street Fighter II doesn’t sprint like it’s late for a bus. The Playstation core now lets you pick “Old GPU” mode—because nothing says nostalgia like 5:5:5 color bleeding. And Biduleman’s “Auto Save” SNES/NES core? Genius. No more forgetting to hit “Save to SD”—your progress won’t vanish if you power off mid-boss.

Oh, and the SuperStation One? A PlayStation-shaped MiSTer box that plays real PS1 discs. Yes, it’s real. And yes, it looks chef’s kiss.

MiSTer isn’t just keeping old tech alive—it’s turning it into a living, breathing museum with a cheat code.

Update your FPGA. Your 80s self will thank you.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Ghostship: A New Super Mario 64 Port!

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ghostship-a-new-super-mario-64-port/

You know what’s better than playing Super Mario 64? Playing it in 4K, at 120fps, with a level select menu that doesn’t require a PhD in N64 hex editing.

Enter Ghostship—the latest, slickest, most “I didn’t know I needed this until now” port of Mario 64 from Harbour Masters, the wizards behind Ship of Harkinian and Spaghettikart. No more fiddling with emulators or hunting down obscure config files. Install it. Drop in your ROM (yes, you still need it—sorry, pirates). Boom. You’re back on Peach’s Castle with buttery-smooth graphics and texture packs that make the Goombas look like they stepped out of a Pixar short.

And it’s not just PC-bound. Linux users, brace yourselves—port incoming. Android? Almost certainly coming soon thanks to developer Waterdish. Meanwhile, the N64 revival wave is crashing hard: GameSir just dropped a controller with an actual C-pad module, and Donut Dodo’s now playable on the N64 (yes, really).

Ghostship isn’t just a port—it’s a love letter to the golden age of 3D platformers, served with modern convenience. Go grab it before your inner 8-year-old starts crying because you waited too long.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Donut Dodo is Being Ported to N64 and Dreamcast

https://retrohandhelds.gg/donut-dodo-is-being-ported-to-n64-and-dreamcast/

You thought Donut Dodo was just a quirky arcade relic? Nah, it’s now a full-blown retro resurrection project.

Sebastian Kostka—single dev, unstoppable force—has already dropped Donut Dodo on every modern platform under the sun. But now? He’s going backwards. The N64 version is done. Dreamcast is next. And yes, he built a custom engine just to make this happen. No Godot. Just pure, unfiltered nostalgia with a side of technical flex.

This isn’t just porting—it’s archaeology with a controller. New features? Endless Delights mode, offline achievements, bonus music from the original composer, and an attract mode so slick it’ll make your old CRT weep. Physical N64 carts? Too pricey to dump without demand—so Kickstarter’s the move. Smart.

And here’s the real tea: this isn’t a one-off. Kostka’s hinting at Mega Drive ports next. This is the start of a retro port empire, one pixel-perfect donut at a time. If you’ve ever dreamed of playing a “lost” ’80s arcade game on your old N64… well, the dream’s about to get crunchy. 🍩

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Odin 3 Review: The New Go-To

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-odin-3-review/

Meet the new king of handhelds: the AYN Odin 3. Two years after the Odin 2 redefined the category, this $329–$519 beast isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a whole new level. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite? Check. Gorgeous 6” 120Hz AMOLED display? Double check. And yes, it actually plays your Switch and PS3 games without turning your hand into a grill.

Ergonomics? Improved. The grippy back and beefier sticks make long sessions feel like a massage, not a workout. Controls are quieter, smoother, and finally feel premium—no more clicking like a faulty keyboard. The fan? A little whiny under heavy load, but the cooling system keeps temps sane (97.9% stability? That’s serious).

Performance-wise, it smashes everything else. RetroArch runs like a dream. Switch emulation? Eden and Citron work wonders. Even x86 games like Enter the Gungeon or Marble it Up! load and play without a hitch. Battery life? Solid. Charging? 60W fast charge means no more “I’ll just finish this one level…” turning into a 3-hour wait.

Is it perfect? Nah. Glass front = fingerprint magnet. Some emulators still need tinkering. But for raw power, polish, and playability? The Odin 3 isn’t just the new go-to—it’s the first handheld that makes you forget you’re even using an emulator.

Bottom line: If you want the best Android handheld on the market today, stop looking. You’ve found it.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Chrono Trigger Vinyl Soundtrack Artbook Pre-Order

https://retrorgb.com/chrono-trigger-vinyl-soundtrack-artbook-pre-order.html

Let’s be real—Chrono Trigger isn’t just a game. It’s a time-traveling, dragon-slaying, emotional rollercoaster wrapped in pixel art and unforgettable music. And now? It’s getting the luxury vinyl treatment.

Square-Enix just dropped a $175 box set featuring the full 64-track OST pressed onto four black LPs, each sleeve dripping with Akira Toriyama’s iconic art. Yes—the guy who designed Dragon Ball and gave us the world’s most charming frog-boy. This isn’t just a record; it’s a museum piece you can spin while sipping tea and whispering “Serge, I miss you.”

Included? A heartfelt note from composer Yasunori Mitsuda (yes, that guy who made “Corridors of Time” sound like a lullaby from another dimension) and an MP3 download code—because your phone still exists, and so do playlists.

Release date? March 25 in Japan. April 2026 for the US and EU. Translation: if you’re outside Japan, start saving now… and maybe learn a little Japanese just in case the liner notes are mostly in kanji.

This isn’t a product—it’s a legacy. And it’s gonna look stupid good on your shelf.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Breathing new life into the GDEMU with the “openMenu Virtual Folder Bundle”

https://retrorgb.com/breathing-new-life-into-the-gdemu-with-the-openmenu-virtual-folder-bundle.html

Let’s be real—GDEMU fans have been putting up with a clunky menu for too long. Sure, it plays every Dreamcast disc ever made, but browsing 300 ISOs in a single scrolling list? That’s not nostalgia—it’s a chore.

Enter Derek Pascarella, the unsung hero who looked at openMenu (the GDEMU’s open-source menu system) and said, “We can do better.” And he did. The new openMenu Virtual Folder Bundle is basically the Dreamcast ODE equivalent of upgrading from a flip phone to an iPhone.

No more endless scrolling. Now you can organize games into folders—real folders—with subfolders, drag-and-drop renaming, and even support for MP3s, VCDs, and PlayStation discs (yes, really). The interface? Sleek. Themable. Includes a Blue Swirl™ theme because of course it does. And fast boot? Finally. No more waiting for the BIOS to yawn awake.

Plus, the Card Manager app now lets you bulk-assign folders and preview art without becoming a code wizard. It’s not just an update—it’s a full UX overhaul.

If you own a GDEMU, this isn’t just an upgrade—it’s the missing piece your Dreamcast didn’t know it needed. Version 1.1 is stable, packed with features, and ready to make your disc library look like a curated museum instead of a dusty garage sale.

Download it. Organize it. Play it. 🎮💙

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Clears the Air About The Odin 3 RAM Speed ‘Controversy’

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-clears-the-air-about-the-odin-3-ram-speed-controversy/

Here’s your punchy, newsletter-ready summary:

—

Odin 3 RAM Drama: Turns Out It’s Just… Slower, Not Broken

Let’s be real—when your $500 handheld claims 5300MHz RAM but delivers 4266MHz, people notice. And yes, early adopters did panic. Reddit threads exploded. YouTube testers pulled out their diagnostic tools like forensic detectives at a RAM crime scene.

Turns out, AYN didn’t lie—they just… under-promised and over-delivered? Sort of. Their official take: All Odin 3s ship with 4266MHz RAM. No “premium” batches. No secret upgrades. Just consistent, slightly slower memory—likely a cost-saving move in today’s volatile chip market.

So what’s the real impact? For most games? Barely a blip. Emulating Switch or running Windows apps? Maybe a slight hitch in heavy titles. But unless you’re benchmarking for fun, you won’t notice.

The kicker? AYN quietly hinted that faster 9600MHz RAM could come later. Translation: “We’re watching the market—and we’re not done upgrading.”

Bottom line: It’s a bummer, but not a scandal. AYN kept it transparent (rare these days). And hey—if your handheld runs The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild smoothly, does it really matter if the RAM is 10% slower?

Still… next time, just say “4266MHz” upfront. The community would’ve appreciated the honesty.

— Your friendly neighborhood tech journalist who still believes in transparent companies.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Odin 3 and Thor Officially Arrive on AliExpress…Kinda

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-odin-3-and-thor-officially-arrive-on-aliexpress-kinda/

You know it’s a good day when your dream handheld finally shows up on AliExpress—kinda.

AYN just dropped the Odin 3 and Thor on their official AliExpress store… as “pre-orders.” Which is tech-speak for: “We have them, but not really.” Still, it’s a win. For weeks, third-party sellers were jacking up prices like it was Black Friday in a comic book store. Now, at least you’re buying direct—no shady resellers, no “limited edition” markup drama.

Here’s the tea:

• Odin 3 Base: $352 + shipping (still cheaper than Amazon’s “I need it yesterday” prices)
• Thor Pro: $387 + shipping (yes, that’s technically a steal)
• Odin 3 Ultra? Nope. RAM shortage means it’s MIA for now.
• Thor Lite? Also missing. Mystery deepens.

Pre-orders are AYN’s way of saying, “We’re not lying this time.” And honestly? Refreshing. After the chaos of last year’s launches, playing it cool is a win.

So yeah—don’t rush. Wait for the real release. But if you’re patient (and budget-conscious)? This is your moment.

Now… when’s AYN dropping on Amazon? We’ll be waiting with bated breath—and a coupon code.