📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

spruceOS v4.4.0 Expands to Even More Handhelds and Adds a New DS Emulator

https://retrohandhelds.gg/spruceos-v4-4-0-released/

If you thought the custom firmware scene was moving slowly, think again. Less than a month after its last minor tweak, spruceOS has dropped v4.4.0, and it is a massive leap forward for your favorite retro handhelds.

The headline news? Anbernic H700 devices—including the trendy new RG SP—are now officially marked as “Stable.” This means if you’ve been waiting to jump into the spruceOS ecosystem on those devices, the coast is finally clear. We’re also seeing the first signs of life for the Miniloong Pocket 1 and the PowKiddy RGB30, though you’ll need to do a little extra setup (hello, dArkMoss) to get those running.

But the real star of the show is the arrival of DSperate. Unlike the usual “reskinned” emulators we see every other week, this is a ground-up Nintendo DS emulator that is already making waves in the community.

A few other quick wins in this update:

• Smart Updates: You can now download “incremental” updates, so you’re only downloading the changes rather than a massive new card image.
• Speed Boosts: Miyoo Mini users can expect much smoother GBA gameplay thanks to a revamped frame limiter.
• New Systems: From Atari Jaguar to Dreamcast support, the library just keeps growing.

Whether you’re a Miyoo devotee or an Anbernic enthusiast, this update makes your handheld feel much more like a polished console and much less like a science project.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retroid Pocket Duo and Duo Lite: Specs, Price, and Everything You Need to Know

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retroid-pocket-duo-everything-you-need-to-know/

### Double the Screens, Double the Fun

If you’ve been dreaming of a modern-day DS, Retroid just made those dreams a lot more tangible. The company has officially pulled the curtain back on its first dual-screen handhelds: the Pocket Duo and the budget-friendly Pocket Duo Lite.

The flagship Pocket Duo is clearly aiming for the heavy hitters. It features dual 120Hz displays (a 16:9 top screen and a 4:3 bottom screen) and is powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-7790. For the retro enthusiasts, the “D-pad top” layout is a welcome throwback to classic ergonomics.

Not looking to break the bank? The Duo Lite is the “entry-level” sibling. While it swaps the high-end chip for a more modest Dragonwing QCS6125 and drops the refresh rate to 60Hz, early gameplay demos suggest it can still handle emulation like Mario Kart without breaking a sweat.

The Quick Deets:

• Pocket Duo: $249 (with code DUO) — Shipping mid-October.
• Pocket Duo Lite: Starting at $135 (with code DUOLITE) — Shipping Sept 17.

Pro Tip: If you’re grabbing both, remember to use both* discount codes at checkout!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG DS Plus Preorders Open Soon With a $10 Launch Discount

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-ds-plus-preorders-open-soon-with-a-10-launch-discount/

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to dive back into the world of clamshell handhelds, your window is opening. Anbernic is officially bringing the RG DS Plus to the masses, and if you’re quick, you can snag it for a bit of a steal.

Preorders kick off this Sunday, September 15, at 6 AM EDT. For the first 72 hours, you can grab the device for $84.99—a nice $10 discount off the standard retail price. Pro tip: keep an eye on AliExpress, as it might pop up there early, especially with their upcoming sales.

Now, don’t let the spec sheet spook you. Anbernic did take a bit of a “less is more” approach here, opting for 1GB of RAM and ditching internal storage in favor of microSD slots. However, because this is a Linux-based device, early testers are reporting a surprisingly smooth experience.

Why it’s worth the hype:

• Budget-friendly: It’s positioning itself as a top-tier budget clamshell.
• Customizable: Expect community firmware like GammaOS Nano to arrive soon.
• Solid Design: Improved ergonomics and a dual 4.3-inch screen setup.

It might not have the raw power of some heavy hitters, but for a portable nostalgia trip, it’s looking like a winner.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

ACEMAGIC Matrix M5 Review: A Nice Step Up

https://retrohandhelds.gg/acemagic-matrix-m5-review/

### The Mini PC That’s a Workhorse, Not a Gamer

It feels like ACEMAGIC is on an absolute tear lately, dropping new mini PCs faster than most people can unbox them. Their latest offering, the Matrix M5, is a bit of a curveball. If you were hoping for a budget gaming beast, you might want to keep scrolling.

The M5 is built around the Intel Core 5 220H, and while it punches way above its weight in CPU benchmarks—even giving older i9 models a run for their money—the integrated graphics are a different story. If you want to play Cyberpunk 2077, prepare to settle for “low” settings and a modest 30 FPS. It’s certainly not going to outrun AMD’s gaming-focused chips.

The Quick Take:

• The Good: It’s a productivity powerhouse. With 12 cores and support for three displays, it’s a dream for multitasking or home labbing.
• The Bad: The build is a bit of a headache. To upgrade anything, you have to peel off the feet and hunt for tiny hidden screws. Plus, the RAM is soldered, so you’re stuck with what you buy.
• The Verdict: If you need a reliable, snappy desktop for work, this is a winner. If you live for high-frame-rate gaming, look toward the ACEMAGIC Retro X3 instead.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Report Links Pirate IPTV to Hezbollah TV, Calls for U.S. Site-Blocking

https://torrentfreak.com/report-links-pirate-iptv-to-hezbollah-tv-calls-for-u-s-site-blocking/

### Piracy or Propaganda? The New Battle Over IPTV

If you thought pirate IPTV was just about getting premium sports and movies for the price of a sandwich, the folks in Washington might have some bad news for you.

A new report from the Digital Citizens Alliance is making waves by linking illegal streaming services directly to national security threats. After auditing 25 pirate IPTV services, researchers found that 17 of them were broadcasting channels tied to designated terrorist organizations—including Hezbollah’s Al-Manar station.

The report, titled “Hostile Signals,” argues that these services aren’t just bypassing copyright laws; they’re acting as a “back door” for sanctioned state broadcasters to bypass U.S. bans and spread recruitment messaging.

The big takeaway? This isn’t just about lost movie revenue anymore. Rightsholders are using these findings to push for aggressive new site-blocking legislation currently sitting on Capitol Hill.

Of course, there’s a bit of a “glass half full” perspective: most of these channels are in Arabic and are already accessible via the open web. But for policymakers looking to crack down on digital piracy, this report provides the ultimate political ammunition.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Nintendo’s Hosting a ‘Customer Appreciation Sale’ To Compensate for Tariff Pricing

https://retrohandhelds.gg/nintendos-hosting-a-customer-appreciation-sale-to-compensate-for-tariff-pricing/

If you thought Nintendo was going to apologize for those pesky tariff-inflated prices, think again. Instead, they’re opting for the corporate equivalent of a “we’re sorry” pizza party: a Customer Appreciation Sale.

From September 12th to the 26th, Nintendo is slashing prices by 30% on select eShop titles. While a discount is always a win for your wallet, the optics here are… well, a little awkward. Nintendo has been in a legal tug-of-war with the U.S. government over import duties, and they’ve even argued in court that consumers “got what they paid for” when prices spiked.

Now, they’re essentially using tariff refunds to fund this sale. It’s a bit of a “circular economy” move: they get the refund, and then ask you to spend that money back with them.

What to expect:

• The Discount: A solid 30% off select digital titles.

The Likely Suspects: Expect first-party heavyweights like Mario Kart 8* to be part of the lineup.

• The Vibe: It’s a great way to save, even if the “appreciation” feels a little bit like a strategic pivot.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retroid Pocket Duo Pre-orders Open Tomorrow; Pricing Starts at Just $135

https://retrohandhelds.gg/heres-how-much-the-retroid-pocket-duo-and-pocket-duo-lite-will-cost/

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dust off your nostalgia, Retroid just handed you a golden ticket. Pre-orders for the Retroid Pocket Duo and the more budget-friendly Duo Lite officially kick off tomorrow, September 11, at 9:30 PM ET.

The headline here? The pricing is surprisingly friendly for anyone looking to carry a dual-screen gaming machine in their pocket. The Duo Lite starts at a mere $135 for the base model (4GB/64GB), making it a serious contender for casual retro gaming on the go.

If you’re looking for more muscle, the standard Pocket Duo—which boasts 8GB of RAM—will be available for $249 during the pre-order window before jumping to its full retail price.

Here’s the quick breakdown of what to expect:

• Pocket Duo Lite: $135 to $155 (depending on RAM/storage).
• Pocket Duo: $249 during pre-orders ($269 retail).

It’s shaping up to be a crowded market, especially with Anbernic’s RG DS Plus breathing down their necks, but Retroid’s pricing strategy is definitely hard to ignore. Set your alarms!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Ghostship Drops Their Latest 3.0 Update, and it’s a Big One

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ghostship-drops-their-latest-3-0-update-and-its-a-big-one/

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📰 New article from RetroRGB

Arcooda’s 21.3″, 1600×1200 4:3 LCD Display

https://retrorgb.com/arcoodas-21-3-1600×1200-43-lcd-display.html

If you’ve ever tried to play retro games on a modern widescreen monitor, you know the struggle: everything looks stretched, tiny, or just plain wrong. Enter Arcooda, which is now shipping a new 21.3-inch LCD designed specifically to fix that headache.

This isn’t your average “cheap gaming monitor.” It’s a specialized 4:3 ratio display with a 1600×1200 resolution, built to act as a high-quality drop-in replacement for old-school CRT arcade screens. The best part? It handles everything from 240p up to its native resolution with incredibly sharp scaling and almost zero lag (about 1ms).

Here is why this one is a bit of a standout:

• Built-in Audio: It’s their first model to include integrated speakers, making it a viable standalone option for your setup.
• Versatile Inputs: You get HDMI, VGA, DVI, and DisplayPort.
• Arcade-Ready: For the restorers out there, you can wire this directly to a chassis with a simple harness, avoiding the expensive mess of custom adapters and scalers.

Priced at around $800, it’s an investment, but for anyone chasing that authentic retro feel without the bulk of a heavy CRT, it’s a massive win.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG DS Plus First Impressions

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-ds-plus-first-impressions/

### Bigger, Better, and Budget-Friendly: The Anbernic RG DS Plus

If you missed out on the original Anbernic RG DS because it felt a little “rough around the edges,” you might want to clear some space in your wallet. Anbernic is back with the RG DS Plus, and it looks like they’ve spent their time listening to the community.

The “Plus” in the name isn’t just marketing fluff—the device is physically larger, making it much more comfortable for anyone with “meat paws” (or just anyone tired of cramped controls). While it keeps the same chipset, the design tweaks are where the magic happens.

Here’s the quick rundown on what’s changed:

• Screen Perfection: The dual 4.3-inch LCDs offer a perfect 4x integer scale for DS games. It’s crisp, clean, and exactly what you want for that nostalgic look.
• Smart Storage: They’ve ditched the internal storage for dual microSD slots (one for the OS, one for your ROMs). It’s a clever way to keep the price down without sacrificing flexibility.
• The Stylus is Back: They swapped the right analog stick for a classic stylus with a protective rubber tip—a massive quality-of-life win for screen safety.

At a projected price point of under $100, this isn’t trying to be a high-end 3DS emulator. It’s a dedicated, focused, and highly affordable machine for the DS purist. If you’re looking for the best way to play DS titles without breaking the bank, this might just be the new king of the hill.