📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroFrog LS-2: 9 Pin Retro Joystick

https://retrorgb.com/retrofrog-ls-2-9-pin-retro-joystick.html

Forget clunky old joysticks—RetroFrog’s LS-2 is the adult version of your childhood favorite. Priced at $100, this sleek, 9-pin beast isn’t just a joystick—it’s a retro gaming upgrade with attitude.

Built like a tank (brass inserts! high-grade PLA!), it packs premium Seimitsu LS-56 lever and Sanwa buttons—yes, those arcade-grade parts. Two big 30mm buttons? Both are Button 1, with a nifty rapid-fire toggle. The smaller 24mm button? It’s your Amiga Button 2… or, cleverly, it can switch to “Up as Jump” for games that never learned how to use two buttons. Genius.

And if you’re teaming up for Smash TV or Robotron, grab the $30 Twin Plate. Buy both sticks + plate? You get a $15 discount. Two-player chaos, sorted.

Works with everything from the C64 and Amiga to Atari 2600 and even ZX Spectrum (with a little help). Only hiccup? The Spectrum Next can’t do turbo fire—thanks, 5V shortage.

In short: if you’ve ever wished your retro rig had a joystick that looked this good and played better? This is it. No adapter needed. Just plug, play, and dominate.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: AYANEO, OneXSugar Wallet, PICO-8 on iOS, NHL ’94 Updates and Much More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-80/

Retro Handhelds Weekly: The Foldable, the Fights, and the AI Overlords

Let’s be real—2026 is starting like a retro handheld convention that never ended. AYANEO dropped details on the Pocket Play, a gaming phone that looks like an Xperia Play’s moody cousin. Meanwhile, OneXSugar just unveiled a foldable Android handheld called the Wallet. Yes. A clamshell that opens like a book… and plays Tetris. We’re living in the future, folks.

NHL ’94 finally got its brawls back. After 30 years of silent skating, NHL’94: Fight Edition drops haymakers where they belong—right between the goalposts. And PICO-8? Now natively on iPhone. No more browser glitches. Just pure, pixelated magic in your pocket.

But it’s not all fun and games. ASUS is raising prices “because AI.” Sony patented an AI ghost tutor that basically whispers hints into your brain like a smug roommate. And AYANEO? Still dragging their feet on global orders while pretending it’s not their fault. We see you, AYANEO. We’ve seen this movie before.

On the bright side: touchHLE now supports 300+ early iOS games, Ys V finally has an English PS2 patch, and the AYN Odin 3 is a beast that doesn’t know when to quit. January’s GotX challenge? Play any past Game of the Month. Time to dig through your backlog… and maybe unplug for a minute.

Still waiting for the AI-generated controller that tells you when to stop playing.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Thor Lite up for Preorder

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-thor-lite-up-for-preorder/

You thought the AYN Thor Lite was dead? Nah—it’s just napping.

After months of “out of stock” limbo, AYN has finally revived the Thor Lite for preorder at $249. It’s basically the Thor with a vintage soul: same sleek shell, same gorgeous screen, but now powered by the 2019-era Snapdragon 865 (yes, that one). It’s still a beast for handheld gaming—just not the latest and greatest.

Here’s the twist: For $50 more, you can get the Thor Base with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Meanwhile, rivals like the Retroid Pocket G2 offer stronger chips and smaller OLEDs at similar prices. So is the Lite worth it? Only if you love retro-styled hardware with a side of nostalgia—and don’t mind waiting longer for the pricier model to ship.

Bottom line: It’s not the best deal on paper… but if you’ve got a soft spot for chunky, stylish handhelds that feel like a love letter to the golden age of PSPs? Go for it. Just don’t blame us when your friends ask, “Why not just get the one with the newer chip?”

Preorder here. (And yes, it’s still a bargain—if you’re into vintage power with modern flair.)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Gorf Gets A Lovingly Robust Port For GBA

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gorf-gets-a-lovingly-robust-port-for-gba/

You ever play a game that felt like it was designed by a robot who’d seen one episode of Star Wars and got overly confident? Enter: Gorf.

In 1981, this arcade oddity mashed up Space Invaders, Galaxian, and a robotic stand-up comedian with a speech chip on espresso. It was weird. It was clunky. And somehow, it stuck.

Now, 45 years later (yes, we’re all aging like vintage arcade cabinets), a GBA homebrew wizard named ArugulaZ has resurrected it—with soul. Not just a port. A love letter. Full Votrax voice clips? Check. Arcade-perfect graphics? Double check. And get this: 24 bonus challenge modes, a history gallery, and zero compromises. It’s Gorf as it was meant to be—on a handheld that technically shouldn’t even be able to handle it.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s archaeology with a sense of humor. If you grew up playing watered-down home versions on your Commodore 64, this is the “ohhhhhh THAT’S what it was supposed to feel like!” moment. And if you’ve never played Gorf? Congrats—you’re about to meet the most charmingly broken alien shooter of all time.

Free download on itch.io. No MAME required. Just your thumb, a sense of wonder, and maybe a snack. You’ve earned it.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Announces a Change to Their Order Process With the Mini PC AM03 Release

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-announces-a-change-to-their-order-process-with-the-mini-pc-am03-release/

Hey there, retro tech lovers—AYANEO just dropped a bombshell that’s got the emulation community buzzing (and maybe breathing a sigh of relief).

On January 6, 2026, AYANEO’s sleek little Mini PC AM03—think pastel-colored 90s desktop meets Ryzen AI 9 power—is launching. But here’s the twist: no more IndieGoGo. For the first time, you’ll buy it straight from their website. And if you act fast? Early bird pricing, one-week shipping, and limited stock. No backer delays. No AliExpress middlemen. Just… actual inventory.

Why the change? Because last year, fans got so fed up. People who bought from third-party sellers received their Pocket Air Minis before IndieGoGo backers. Rumors flew, YouTube creators called them out, and AYANEO had to issue a statement. The community’s frustration wasn’t just about waiting—it was about being treated like an afterthought.

Is this a genuine pivot… or PR damage control? We don’t know yet. But if they’re finally listening, the AM03 could be more than a cute mini-PC—it might be AYANEO’s chance to win back trust. One pixel at a time. 🎮💻

(P.S. If you’re not first in line… good luck finding one after launch.)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Finally, Bop-It For Game Boy!

https://retrohandhelds.gg/finally-bop-it-for-game-boy/

Let’s be real: if a toy from 1996 didn’t get a Game Boy game, it wasn’t because nobody wanted one—it was just because no one had the guts to try. Until now.

Enter BopIt! GB, the glorious, glitchy, totally unnecessary miracle that finally lets you yell “BOP IT!” into your palm while riding the bus. Developed by fan wizard Rob51Design, it’s not just a port—it’s a love letter to the era when every toy had a cartridge, and no one questioned why. The D-pad + A-button controls? Clever. The voice clips? Spot-on. Even the rumble works in emulators. (Yes, your Game Boy just vibed you into compliance.)

And it’s fun. Not just “haha, funny idea” fun—actual “I just beat my friend’s high score and now I owe them lunch” fun. Single-cart multiplayer? Check. Unlockable modes? Yup. Browser play? Of course—it’s 2025, not 1997.

This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s proof that when you combine a weird idea, GB Studio, and pure stubborn passion… even the most tactile toys find their way back to the screen. Now if only someone would make a Lite-Brite RPG… I’ll wait.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Commodore 64 Ultimate – MVG Review

https://retrorgb.com/commodore-64-ultimate-mvg-review.html

Hey C64 lovers—your nostalgia just got a serious upgrade.

Modern Vintage Gamer just dropped a review of the new FPGA-based Commodore 64, and spoiler: it’s basically the C64 of your dreams. Beige case? Check. Original feel? Double check. Modern internals that work on both CRTs and 4K TVs? Oh, absolutely.

The “Starlight Edition” got a tiny side-eye for its keyboard, but the standard model? Pure bliss. And here’s the kicker—all three editions (including the fancy $350 one) are functionally identical. The price difference? Just shell and keyboard aesthetics. So if you’re not into gold-plated keys, grab the budget-friendly version and save your cash for a stack of 5.25″ disks.

Yes, $350 isn’t cheap—but think about it: you could spend the same on a MiSTer + DIY case… and still miss out on authentic C64 hardware tweaks. Or you could tinker with an original machine and end up spending more on mods. This? Plug-and-play perfection.

Best part? The team delivered on every promise—even after buying the Commodore name. No fluff, no delays. Just a love letter to 8-bit glory, delivered on time.

Pre-orders ship this spring. Don’t sleep on it.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Kex Is The Abstract Board Game The PC Engine Never Got

https://retrohandhelds.gg/kex-is-the-abstract-board-game-the-pc-engine-never-got/

You ever look at your dusty PC Engine and think, “Man, this thing needs more marbles”? Well, now it does.

Enter Kex—a sleek, free homebrew board game that slinks onto the 8-bit console like it was always meant to be there. Think chess meets Tetris, but with colorful marbles and zero dialogue. You slide your four pieces around a tiny grid, trying to form patterns—corners, blocks, lines—to score tokens. Win five rounds? Match over. Simple. Satisfying. Surprisingly deep.

The best part? It’s perfect for the PC Engine’s aesthetic. Low-res pixels, high-contrast vibes, chiptune soundtrack by VodSound? Check. Even has a “Kexians” mode where marbles turn into tiny little characters—because why not? Local multiplayer, solo play, or just sit back and watch two AIs duke it out like chess-obsessed robots. All in a teensy 256KB ROM.

No shooters. No platformers. Just pure, marble-based strategy. And it’s free. Download it, pop it into your EverDrive or Analogue Pocket, and finally give that neglected console the abstract elegance it deserves.

Your coffee table’s about to get a lot more interesting.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Tecmo Super Bowl: NCAA 2K26 Is The Missing NES College Game

https://retrohandhelds.gg/tecmo-super-bowl-ncaa-2k26-is-the-missing-nes-college-game/

Let’s be real—Tecmo Super Bowl was never just a game. It was a time capsule with tackle pads. And now, somehow, it’s back… as NCAA 2K26.

Forget the “pro teams = college teams” lazy hack. This isn’t just swapping jersey numbers. Hackers have spent years reverse-engineering the NES classic’s brain—tuning AI, fixing chaotic kick returns, and making sure a 10-2 Iowa team doesn’t magically beat Alabama in the national title game because the AI forgot what a tackle is. It’s like giving your grandpa’s ’93 Camaro a turbo and GPS.

The real win? They didn’t just make it accurate—they made it flexible. Want the original, glitchy chaos? Done. Prefer realistic season simulations with actual bowl eligibility rules? Also done. And if you’re the type who likes your college football with a side of “I’m not sure this is fair,” there’s a “hardtype” mode that basically turns every game into a 3-hour war of attrition.

This isn’t nostalgia. It’s evolution. If Tecmo can get a full college football season out of 8-bit sprites, what’s next? NHL ‘94 with fight animations and concussions? MLB ’93 with stat-obsessed AI pitchers? The 8-bit renaissance is just getting warmed up.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game Over: Pioneer LaserActive

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-over-pioneer-laseractive/

If you thought $500 for a PS5 was steep, buckle up—1993 had LaserActive, a machine that looked like a microwave married to a NASA control panel and charged $1,000 just to turn it on. No games. Just… potential.

To play Genesis or TurboGrafx games? Add a $600 “PAC.” Want VR? Good luck—no one remembers what it did, but we assume it gave users motion sickness and existential dread. The whole setup? $2,000 in 1993 dollars. That’s like buying a Lamborghini to drive to the grocery store… while wearing a space helmet.

The library? Mostly clunky FMV “interactive movies”—think Hi-Roller Casino with live-action actors and the emotional depth of a PowerPoint. A few gems like Road Blaster looked gorgeous on LaserDisc, but they were buried under piles of slow, expensive video experiments. Why buy this when a Genesis cost less than your monthly coffee habit?

By 1996, it was dead. DVDs rose. PlayStation crushed it. And LaserDiscs? Forgotten relics in a dusty attic.

Today, the LaserActive is retro collecting’s final boss: rare, ridiculous, and wildly impractical. A monument to ambition… before someone asked, “Wait, why not just buy a console?”

Still, we kinda love it. 🎮💸