📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Video Game Giants Suddenly Have RuTracker in their Crosshairs Again

https://torrentfreak.com/video-game-giants-suddenly-have-rutracker-in-their-crosshairs-251221/

Here’s the newsletter blurb for your audience:

—

RuTracker just got a DMCA grenade tossed at it—and this time, the ESA means business.

For over 20 years, RuTracker has been the Russian-language Pirate Bay of gaming piracy—surviving domain seizures, global blocks, and enough takedown notices to fill a Steam library. But while the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) spent the last few years chasing indie repack sites like FitGirl, they’ve now turned their sights back on the old giant.

Last week, ESA filed a DMCA subpoena against Cloudflare—not to take down links (good luck with that on a Russian site with 287k+ URLs), but to find out who runs RuTracker. The notice? A list of game titles. No URLs. Just… guesswork.

Translation: They’re not trying to clean up the site. They’re trying to unmask it.

Cloudflare can’t delete individual torrents—but they can hand over IP logs, domain registrations, and server traces. And if ESA’s lawyers are sniffing around Cloudflare’s terms of service? That’s not a takedown. It’s an investigation.

After 21 years of dodging copyright cops, RuTracker might finally meet its match—not in a court order, but in a digital paper trail.

The game’s not over. It’s just getting personal.

—

(187 words)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Guide: How to Install GammaOS Next on the Mangmi Air X

https://retrohandhelds.gg/how-to-install-gammaos-next-mangmi-air-x/

You bought a $100 handheld that already plays games like a champ—so why settle for stock Android?

Enter GammaOS Next: the sleek, no-nonsense OS that turns your Mangmi Air X from “a phone with buttons” into a real retro gaming device. No clunky app drawers. No Google bloat. Just boot up, pick a game, and go.

Here’s the catch: you’ve gotta flash it. And no, it’s not as easy as slapping an SD card in. You need Windows, QPST software, and a healthy dose of patience (and maybe a deep breath). The process? Plug in while holding volume buttons, launch QFIL, load XML files, and hit DOWNLOAD. It’s like digital surgery—but if your device survives, it’s glorious.

Two versions: Full (with Play Store) or Light (lean, mean, Aurora-store-only). Back up your stuff first—this wipes everything. And disable that screen lock. Trust us.

Once it’s done? You’re greeted with MiXplorer, pre-loaded emulators, and a clean home screen that actually feels like a handheld. No Android clutter. Just you, your favorite NES ROMs, and the sweet hum of nostalgia.

Still waiting for it to go free? Patience. Or support the devs—it’s worth it.

(Your Air X just got a personality transplant. And it’s way cooler now.)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG477V Pre-orders Now Open, Starts at Just $199

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg477v-pre-orders-now-open-starts-at-just-199/

Hey there, retro gamers—your holiday wishlist just got a serious upgrade.

Anbernic’s brand-new RG477V is finally up for pre-order, and it’s stupidly affordable at just $199 (for the next 72 hours, anyway). Think of it as the sleek, vertical sibling to last year’s RG477M—same gorgeous 4.7-inch 120Hz display, same powerhouse MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip, but now with a glass front, plastic body (no metal, no fuss), and RGB joysticks that scream “I’m here to play, not to be subtle.”

Here’s why it matters:

• 8GB/128GB model for $199? That’s less than a new pair of noise-canceling earbuds.
• 120Hz screen + active cooling? Yes, please—no more overheating during Mega Man 2 marathons.
• Wi-Fi 6E, DisplayPort out, 5,500mAh battery? This thing does everything—even if you just want to stream your emulator sessions to the TV.

It’s Anbernic’s 8th (and final) 2025 release, which is wild—last year they dropped a new handheld every month. This feels like the calm after the storm. And honestly? It’s the one you’ve been waiting for.

Grab it before it hits $219. And yeah, the RGB joysticks? Totally worth it. 🎮💚

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

A DMCA “Bot War”: Google Search Processed 5 Billion Takedown Requests in 2025

https://torrentfreak.com/a-dmca-bot-war-google-search-processed-5-billion-takedown-requests-in-2025/

Let’s be real: Google didn’t just process 5 billion DMCA takedowns in 2025—it survived them.

That’s 14 million URLs flagged per day. Ten thousand every minute. And no, humans didn’t do it. This is a full-on bot war: copyright bots vs. pirate bots, with Google caught in the middle like a tired sysadmin sipping cold coffee at 3 a.m.

The star player? Link-Busters—the shadow library hunter that sent over 3.2 billion takedown requests alone. Their target? Anna’s Archive, the digital library that’s basically the Wikipedia of pirated books. They’re precise, focused, and terrifyingly efficient.

But it’s not all clean hits. Google still gets bombarded with takedown requests for Wikipedia pages, NYT articles, and even dictionary entries. Luckily, its algorithms are pretty good at spotting the nonsense—roughly 3% of requests get ignored for being absurd. Another 8%? Already handled. And a whopping 35%? URLs that hadn’t even been indexed yet—meaning Google’s blacklisting them before they go live. Preemptive copyright takedowns? Welcome to 2025.

Still, over 2.7 billion URLs were successfully removed. The system’s working—but barely. With Link-Busters capped at 10 million/day… for now.

What happens when the bots start fighting each other? We’re about to find out.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

RIP The Steam Deck (LCD), Long Live the Steam Deck (OLED)

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-deck-lcd-discontinued/

RIP Steam Deck LCD — you were the budget-friendly hero we didn’t know we needed.

Valve quietly pulled the plug on the original LCD model, no fanfare, no clearance sale—just a quiet “sold out, never to return” note on their site. No dramatic farewell tour, no last-minute discounts. Just… poof. Gone.

And honestly? Fair. The OLED models are brighter, smoother, and just better—plus, Valve’s clearly prepping for 2026’s big hardware drop (Steam Machine? Steam Frame? We’re ready). This isn’t a sign of the Deck 2 arriving… it’s just smart inventory housekeeping. The LCD was great while it lasted—$399 for a portable PC gaming revolution? Yes, please.

Now, the lineup’s clean: two OLED options—512GB or 1TB. No more “should I get the LCD?” debates. Just pure, glowing performance.

So raise a glass (or a Steam Controller) to the LCD. You made handheld gaming accessible, affordable, and wildly fun. We’ll miss you.

— But seriously… OLED is chef’s kiss.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Here’s a Better Look at the MANGMI Pocket Max and Possible Colorways

https://retrohandhelds.gg/heres-a-better-look-at-the-mangmi-pocket-max-and-possible-colorways/

The MANGMI Pocket Max is finally peeking out from the shadows—and it’s looking suspiciously good.

After a cryptic silhouette tease, MANGMI dropped a video that had handheld fans doing a double-take: this thing looks like AYANEO, Retroid, and AYN had a baby… and it’s wearing a sleek OLED suit. Now they’re letting you pick its outfit—White, Black, or “Retro GB” (a nostalgic nod to the original Game Boy). Let’s be real: Black’s the safe pick for OLED contrast, but Retro GB? That’s pure emotional blackmail. My Pocket Air X is still unboxing itself in my heart, and this might just be its long-lost sibling.

Rumors say it’s packing a Snapdragon 865—same chip as the Retroid Pocket 5 and AYN Thor Lite—and if it hits $200, we’re looking at the best value in handhelds since… well, maybe ever. MANGMI’s staying quiet on specs, but the vibe? Pure “unboxing under the Christmas tree” energy.

Vote in their Discord. Pick your color. Pray it’s not a $300 cash grab. And if you’re lucky? You might just get your hands on it before the holidays.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RGB-Pi 2 Released

https://retrorgb.com/rgb-pi-2-released.html

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever dreamed of making your Raspberry Pi look like it time-traveled from 1992, the RGB-Pi 2 just dropped—and it’s chef’s kiss.

This isn’t your average HDMI-to-SCART dongle. It’s a $70, 3D-printed masterpiece designed to turn your RPi 3/4/5 into a retro gaming console that looks like it was born next to your old CRT TV. With RePlayOS (a custom OS that outputs pixel-perfect 1920×240 signals), it bypasses modern display quirks and delivers pure, crunchy RGB goodness straight to your TV. No blur. No lag. Just that sweet, analog nostalgia.

What sets it apart? AND/XOR sync options—yes, you read that right. If your TV hates the signal, flip a switch and it might just love you back. Plus, 24-bit color? That’s not just “good enough.” That’s art.

It’s built for RePlayOS… but will it work with other systems? We’ll find out. (Spoiler: I’m livestreaming the unboxing.) For retro fans who miss the days when “HDMI” meant “plugging into a TV with a big, chunky cable,” this is the holy grail.

Just don’t blame us if you start hunting down your old Super Nintendo just to feel like a kid again. 🎮✨

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

“Vast” Anti-IPTV Piracy Operation Promised Ahead of AFCON 2025

https://torrentfreak.com/vast-anti-iptv-piracy-operation-promised-ahead-of-afcon-2025-2512219/

Morocco’s about to host AFCON 2025—and with it, a massive wave of illegal football streams. Think of it as the World Cup’s edgier, less-regulated cousin, with millions tuning in via shady IPTV services instead of paying for legit broadcasts.

Here’s the twist: Morocco’s copyright office, long criticized for doing nothing, is suddenly getting serious. In a rare show of muscle, the BMDAV—backed by INTERPOL, the EU, and the Motion Picture Association—is throwing a high-profile anti-piracy summit. They’re calling it a “vast operation,” hinting at raids, takedowns, and legal fireworks just before the tournament kicks off. Translation? If you’re streaming AFCON via a $5/month “premium” IPTV channel, your days are numbered.

Meanwhile, beIN Sports—owner of broadcast rights—isn’t waiting around. They’re suing Morocco’s biggest telecoms to force ISPs to block the notorious pirate site live-kooora.com. And they’re launching their own 4K streaming platform, TOD, right in time for the big game. It won’t be cheap—but it’ll be legal, crystal clear, and (hopefully) ad-free.

The message? Piracy might be rampant… but so is the pushback. If you’re looking to watch AFCON without getting flagged, now’s the time to subscribe—not screenshot.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-deals-of-the-week/

Your Retro Handheld Wishlist Just Got a Whole Lot Cheaper

Let’s be real—you’ve been eyeing that Anbernic RG477V like it’s the last slice of pizza at a party. Good news: it just dropped to $199 (for 72 hours only). And if you’re still lurking in the shadows of AliExpress, congrats—you’ve stumbled into discount heaven.

This week’s AliExpress sale is basically a Black Friday encore. Codes like USLF40 ($40 off $309) and AEBUS1 ($25 off $200) are floating around like digital confetti. Need a PowKiddy V90S? $39.99 with code. A Miyoo Mini Flip? Under $60. Even your grandma’s old Game Boy Color feels fancy next to these deals.

And hey, if you’re not just nostalgic but next-gen curious—x86 handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally are under $500, mini PCs for $195, and SSDs on sale too. Your retro library is about to explode with 8-bit glory… and maybe a little bit of modern power.

Controllers? Check. Storage? Double check. Free games on Steam and Epic? Oh, we didn’t forget. Jotunnslayer is free until midnight tonight—perfect for when your hands get tired from all that button-mashing.

Your wallet’s gonna thank you. Or at least, your inner 10-year-old will. 🕹️💸

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Time Crisis HDTV Light Gun Kit

https://retrorgb.com/time-crisis-hdtv-light-gun-kit.html

Let’s be real—playing Time Crisis with a light gun on a modern TV should feel like stepping into an arcade… not wrestling with your Wi-Fi router.

Enter the G‘AIM’E TV Mini-Console: a cute, plug-and-play box that lets you play classic light gun games—Time Crisis, Point Blank, and more—on your HDTV. Sounds like a dream, right? Well… it’s got charm, but zero chill. The gun’s camera needs a perfect, unobstructed view of your screen, meaning you’ve got to stand like a statue six feet back. Miss the target? Blame the tech—not your aim. (Spoiler: it’s the tech.)

And yeah, it works—sometimes. Jason from RetroRGB tested it side-by-side with a real CRT, and the results? Spotty. One shot hits dead-center. The next one thinks you’re aiming at the ceiling lamp. It’s like playing darts with a blindfold and a GPS glitch.

Still, props to the team for trying. At $100–$200, it’s not cheap—but it is legally licensed, and the foot pedal for Time Crisis? Chef’s kiss. Just don’t expect to win a tournament. As one commenter put it: “I’d play a few levels and move on to the next thing at the party.”

For collectors, tinkerers, or folks with way too much patience—this might be your weird little joy. For everyone else? Stick to the controller.