Category: Tater News

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Balloon Kid and Yoshi Are Headed To Switch Online

https://retrohandhelds.gg/balloon-kid-and-yoshi-are-headed-to-switch-online/

If you thought Nintendo’s Switch Online library was just a nostalgia dump, think again—two early‑90s gems have just parachuted in, and they’re perfect for those “just‑one‑more‑level” commutes.

First up is Balloon Kid, the 1990 Game Boy sequel to Balloon Fight. You’ll guide Alice through scrolling skies, juggling balloons that act as both lift and liability. The mechanics feel oddly satisfying: cut a balloon for a precise hop, grab another before you plummet, and hunt hidden bonuses. It’s basically an arcade‑score chase wrapped in a side‑scrolling platformer—exactly the kind of bite‑size challenge that makes a train ride fly by.

Then there’s Yoshi, the dino’s 1991 solo debut, but not the platformer you expect. Picture Mario at the bottom of four columns, shuffling falling Goombas and Bloopers like Tetris pieces. Match enemies, stack Yoshi egg halves, and watch a green hatchling pop up for massive points. The pace starts leisurely, then ramps into frantic puzzle‑panic—ideal for quick high‑score bragging rights.

Both titles are live now for NSO subscribers, serving as tasty teasers ahead of the upcoming Switch 2 Yoshi adventure. Grab your Switch, dive in, and let the retro rivalry begin!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

SUMEE! Wants To Be iiSU For iOS

https://retrohandhelds.gg/sumee-wants-to-be-iisu-for-ios/

Ever felt like iOS gaming is stuck in a tiny sandbox while Android’s emulators run wild? Meet SUMEE!, the new all‑in‑one frontend that’s trying to bust out of the walled garden.

• What it does: SUMEE! bundles classic cores—from NES and SNES up through N64, Game Boy line, DS, PlayStation, Genesis—so you can launch your retro library without hopping between apps.
• Why it shines: The UI leans heavily on iiSU’s 3DS‑style polish, complete with slick animations and cover art that look great when paired with a Razer Kishi or any Bluetooth controller. Early testers say it already feels more usable than iiSU as their go‑to launcher.
• Extra tricks: You can shove App Store titles into SUMEE! and they’ll appear in the same unified library, ready for controller‑first play (still a bit rough, but promising).

The dev is actively polishing things on Discord, already supporting 10 K users in TestFlight and hinting at an eventual App Store release. If you’ve been waiting for iOS to catch up to Android’s emulation UX, SUMEE! might just be the bridge you needed—plug in a controller and pretend the garden walls don’t exist.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Blaze Teases “DOOM x Evercade” Collaboration

https://retrohandhelds.gg/blaze-teases-doom-x-evercade-collaboration/

Evercade’s tiny cartridge‑driven console is about to get a lot louder—think demon‑infested corridors instead of chiptune bleeps. Blaze just dropped a teaser for a “DOOM × Evercade” collab, marking id Software’s 35th anniversary with a promise that the classic shooter will finally live on the handheld’s retro‑friendly hardware.

What’s likely to hit the cart? Expect the full ’90s lineup: Doom, Doom II, Ultimate Doom, Final Doom—and maybe even Doom 64 if you’ve been good. Blaze says they’ll sprinkle in modern comforts like save support and controller remapping, but keep the core feel intact. No word yet on extra packs (Master Levels, anyone?), so we’ll have to wait for a “Sigil” add‑on.

Why it matters: Evercade has already scooped titles from Activision, Atari, and now Bethesda. Adding Doom turns this quirky little system into a pocket‑sized museum of gaming heavyweights—perfect for collectors who want big‑name bangers without the bulk.

Bottom line? If you’ve ever wanted to blast demons on a handheld that fits in your pocket, keep an eye on Blaze’s updates later this year. The hype is real; the next question on everyone’s lips is: Quake, anyone?

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

New Xbox In 2027? AMD Seems To Think So

https://retrohandhelds.gg/new-xbox-in-2027-amd-seems-to-think-so/

If you thought the next Xbox was still a vague whisper in the wind, think again—AMD’s CEO just put a date on it: 2027. Lisa Su told investors that the semi‑custom chip they’re cooking up for “Microsoft’s next‑gen Xbox” is on track to ship in that year. It isn’t a formal launch announcement, but it’s as close as you get when earnings calls turn into crystal balls.

Why does 2027 matter? It lines up with the seven‑year cadence Microsoft has followed since the Series X|S debut in 2020, and it matches the rumoured “Magnus” APU—Zen 6 cores paired with RDNA 5 graphics. The buzz suggests a premium, PC‑adjacent console that leans heavily on backward compatibility and Game Pass, rather than a cheap loss‑leader.

In plain English: Microsoft may be shifting from volume‑driven hardware to a higher‑priced flagship that serves die‑hard fans who still want an official box under the TV. If RAM and SSD costs keep climbing, this could become more of a status symbol than a sales battle with PlayStation—think “luxury sedan” in the console world. Keep your eyes on 2027; the next Xbox might just be worth the wait.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GKD Tease Two New Metal Handhelds

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gkd-tease-two-new-metal-handhelds/

If you thought GKD’s retro‑handhelds were stuck in a time capsule, think again—yesterday’s QQ livestream proved the company is polishing its metal armor for a new generation of pocket power.

First up is the GKD 350H Ultra, a sleek, horizontal slab that keeps the beloved 3.5″ screen but swaps the old 320×240 panel for a jaw‑dropping 1600×1440 display—essentially the same retina‑sharp screen AYANEO uses in its Pocket Vert. The chassis is now a solid metal shell with a chunky left stick, generous D‑pad and stacked shoulder buttons, plus that unmistakable GKD font that fans love. Specs are still under wraps, but we’re hoping for a chip upgrade beyond the ancient RK3326, which could push the price out of “budget” territory.

The second mystery is a Pixel 2.5—a taller, metal‑cased version of the existing Pixel II. It sports extra side buttons (X, B, A) aimed at vertical‑gaming and TATE arcade fans, while retaining the familiar shoulder layout, SD slot and IO. The longer body likely means a bigger battery too.

Bottom line: GKD is ready to roll out a premium metal 350H Ultra and a subtly revamped Pixel handheld—both promising sharper screens and sturdier builds for anyone still nostalgic enough to game on a pocket console.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

‘Ripping’ Clips for YouTube Reaction Videos can Violate the DMCA, Court Rules

https://torrentfreak.com/ripping-clips-for-youtube-reaction-videos-can-violate-the-dmca-court-rules/

YouTube’s “rolling‑cipher” just got a courtroom spotlight, and reaction channels might want to hit pause.

A federal magistrate in California refused to toss out the DMCA‑circumvention claim in Cordova v. Huneault, meaning the lawsuit can now dig into whether the defendant used a third‑party “ripping” tool to snag clips from YouTube. The judge ruled that YouTube’s technical protection—its ever‑changing cipher that blocks downloads—is enough to count as an access control, even if the video is publicly viewable.

Why it matters: reaction and commentary creators have long leaned on fair‑use arguments, assuming the way they grabbed a clip didn’t matter. This decision separates copyright infringement from the act of bypassing YouTube’s protection, opening the door for additional liability if a ripping tool was used.

• If you’re cutting together “reaction” videos, expect discovery requests about your download methods.
• Fair use may still shield the content, but it won’t erase a DMCA violation claim.

The case now moves into the discovery phase, where both sides will scramble for proof (or lack thereof) that a ripping tool was actually employed. Stay tuned—your next upload could be more legally complex than you thought.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Annsm Manual Camera Slider

https://retrorgb.com/annsm-manual-camera-slider.html

If you’ve ever tried to chase motion‑blur ghosts on a monitor and found yourself wobbling like a rookie photographer, meet your new sidekick: the Ann SM manual camera slider.

I gave this budget‑friendly rig a spin (case included, plus a set of Allen wrenches for fine‑tuning). It doesn’t ship with a dedicated mount tool, so you may need to improvise or snag a different ball head—but that’s a tiny hiccup in an otherwise solid package. The real win? A sturdy rail that lets you lock camera height, tilt and distance, turning those jittery “handwave” tests into repeatable, left‑to‑right sweeps.

Why it matters: Consistent motion is the secret sauce for Blur Busters’ pursuit‑camera experiments and any timelapse or depth‑rich video. A motorized slider would cost a small fortune; this manual model delivers the same stability without breaking the bank. Longer rails give you more room to match screen speed, but they also hike the price—so the 30‑cm Ann SM version hits the sweet spot for hobbyists and pros alike.

Bottom line: No complaints, solid build, and perfect for anyone looking to level up display testing or cinematic slides without splurging. Grab yours via the affiliate link and start smoothing out those ghostly frames!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic Drops Unboxing Video For the RG G01

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-drops-unboxing-video-for-the-rg-g01/

Ever seen a gamepad that can tell when you’re about to lose your cool? Anbernan’s new RG G01 does just that—plus it looks like a mini‑console in its own right.

The company dropped the first unboxing video last night, and the box is a treasure chest of goodies: a 2.5D curved IPS screen, premium “Purple Kirin” electro‑inductive joystick, tactile D‑pad, two‑stage trigger locks, and even a phone mount for on‑the‑fly streaming. Inside you’ll also find spare joystick caps (hello, taller sticks) and four rear paddles plus four extra buttons under the D‑pad—so you can map every move without ever opening a PC app.

What really sets the G01 apart are heart‑rate sensors baked into both grips. The firmware lets you set thresholds, flashing a warning when your pulse spikes—perfect for those epic rage‑quit moments. It’s also a jack‑of‑all‑trades: it pairs with PCs, the upcoming Switch 2, and even Anbernic’s own RG40XXV Linux handheld.

Price and launch date are still under wraps, but if you love customizing controls on the fly (and don’t mind a little biofeedback), keep an eye on this one. It might just be the most self‑aware controller of 2026.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

GameCube/Swiss ETH2SP1 Ethernet Adapter

https://retrorgb.com/gamecube-swiss-eth2sp1-ethernet-adapter.html

Ever dreamed of turning your GameCube into a tiny LAN party machine without sacrificing the SD2SP2 or a Game Boy Player? Greg from LaserBear just made that fantasy a reality.

The new ETH2SP1 is an Ethernet adapter that plugs straight into Serial Port 1, sitting flush like an official Nintendo accessory. In practice that means you can stack the ETH2SP1, an SD2SP2 and even a Game Boy Player all at once—no bulky brackets required. It’s built around a Wiznet W5500 chip, so it talks faster than the older ENJ28J60‑based ETH2GC mods, though it still only works with games loaded via Swiss (not original discs) and is limited to online play for now.

Key points at a glance:

• Price & colors: $25, multiple hues to match your console.
• Availability: Pre‑orders open; ships in roughly a month.
• Compatibility: Works alongside SD2SP2 and Game Boy Player; requires Swiss for game loading.
• Performance: Faster W5500 interface, factory‑look finish.

If you’re curious how it performs, check out Tito’s demo video of the ETH2GC—the software experience is virtually identical. Ready to give your Cube a network boost? The pre‑order links are live, and a right‑angle Ethernet cable is recommended for that clean look. Happy gaming!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Roguecraft DX Hits Original Hardware with Game Boy Color, Amiga, and Mega 95 Ports

https://retrohandhelds.gg/roguecraft-dx-hits-original-hardware-with-game-boy-color-amiga-and-mega-95-ports/

Evercade’s modern‑retro darling Roguecraft DX just went full nostalgia‑blast, landing on three classic machines that most of us only dust off once a year: the Game Boy Color, the Amiga, and the “Mega 95” (a retro‑style 16‑bit console).

The game itself hasn’t changed—still you, Zendar, crawling procedurally generated dungeons with one life, mysterious potions, secret rooms, and an inexplicable chicken infestation. Its tight turn‑based combat, isometric pixel art, and moody soundtrack keep the “just one more run” loop humming, whether you’re on a floppy or a tiny cartridge.

Why it matters:

• GBC – runs straight from an EverDrive (or emulator) with no BIOS gymnastics, giving 8‑bit fans a clean, cheap way to play.
• Mega 95 – ships as an SD or floppy image for the niche console crowd.
• Amiga – WHDLoad package works from A500 up through CD32 and even modern emulators like WinUAE.

All three are on itch.io at launch‑sale prices (≈$6–8), with a physical Amiga edition promised for those who still love big‑box shelfware. In short, Roguecraft DX proves you can enjoy cutting‑edge roguelikes without abandoning your retro hardware altar.