📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYN Odin 3 vs. KONKR Pocket Fit: Is There a Winner?

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayn-odin-3-vs-konkr-pocket-fit/

### High-End Handheld Showdown: Odin 3 vs. Konkr Pocket Fit

If you’ve been following the Android emulation scene lately, you know things are getting… expensive. We’ve officially entered the era of the $500 handheld, where “premium” means massive RAM and enough power to make your desktop PC sweat. But when you’re dropping half a grand, do you want raw power or a polished experience?

A recent head-to-head comparison between the AYN Odin 3 and the Konkr Pocket Fit highlights this exact dilemma. On paper, the Odin 3 is a beast, sporting the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. However, due to some early-stage driver growing pains, the Konkr’s G3 processor actually feels smoother for heavy hitters like Switch emulation right out of the box.

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• The Screen: It’s a battle of OLED vs. LCD. The Odin 3’s AMOLED is gorgeous (though you might need to tweak the saturation), while the Konkr offers a top-tier, vibrant LCD.
• The Controls: This is where the Odin 3 pulls ahead. While the Konkr has great buttons, its analog sticks are notoriously slippery. The Odin 3 features grippy, tall sticks that make precision gaming much easier.
• The Software: AYN takes the win here with a clean, intuitive Android setup. The Konkr’s “Ayaspace” can feel a bit clunky and buried in menus.

The Verdict? If you love tinkering with drivers to squeeze out every frame, the Odin 3 is your new home. If you want a “set it and forget it” device that works immediately, the Konkr Pocket Fit is the way to go.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Mortal Kombat 2, Rastan Saga III, Sega Saturn & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-mortal-kombat-2-rastan-saga-iii-sega-saturn-more.html

MiSTer FPGA News – Mortal Kombat 2, Rastan Saga III, Sega Saturn & More

If you thought your MiSTer library was getting full, think again. The latest wave of updates is hitting the FPGA scene with enough arcade nostalgia to make your thumbs ache.

The headline grabber? A new core for Mortal Kombat II has arrived via Coin-Op Collection. It’s currently a Patreon exclusive, but it comes packed with an extensive cheat menu pulled straight from a ROM disassembly. If you’re looking for something less violent, the beat-em-up China Gate is also officially playable.

However, it’s not all smooth sailing in the hardware department. The Sega Saturn core development has hit a bit of a “wall”—specifically, the physical limits of the FPGA chip itself. Developers are now facing some tough choices regarding which features to keep and which to overhaul to prevent the project from overflowing its digital container.

Other quick hits worth noting:

New Cores: City Connection, Cobra Command, and a sneak peek at SD Gundam Psycho Salamander*.

• MiSTer Companion: The utility just got a massive facelift with an offline mode, UI overhaul, and RetroAchievement support.
• Steam Controller: A new Reddit project is making it possible to use the Steam Controller as a proper gamepad on MiSTer.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Hollywood Secures Broad “Omnibus” Pirate Site Blocking Order in UK High Court

https://torrentfreak.com/hollywood-secures-broad-omnibus-pirate-site-blocking-order-in-uk-high-court/

### Hollywood’s New “Whack-a-Mole” Strategy

If you thought the battle between Hollywood and pirate sites was already a high-stakes game of whack-a-mole, get ready for the difficulty setting to crank up to “Expert.”

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has reportedly secured a massive new “omnibus” blocking order from the UK High Court. In the past, studios had to play a tedious game of legal catch-up: identify a specific pirate domain, file a court application, and ask ISPs to block it. It was slow, expensive, and—to be honest—a bit ineffective against sites that change names every five minutes.

This new ruling changes the rules of engagement. Instead of targeting specific names or even “pirate brands,” studios can now seek to block any service that meets certain “structural infringement” criteria. Essentially, if a site looks and acts like it’s hosting stolen content, it can be added to the blocklist without the studios needing to file a fresh application for every new domain.

The MPA argues this is necessary to combat “agentic AI” and automated tools that allow pirates to spin up entire networks of mirror sites in seconds. However, there’s a catch: the full text of the order hasn’t been made public yet, leaving much to speculation regarding how much oversight—and transparency—will actually exist when these lists are updated behind closed doors.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Latest RG Vita Pro Update from Anbernic Brings the Google Play Store

https://retrohandhelds.gg/latest-rg-vita-pro-update-from-anbernic-brings-google-play-store/

If you’ve been using your Anbernic RG Vita Pro, you might have noticed something suspiciously missing: the Google Play Store. It sounds like a weird oversight for a modern Android device, but Anbernic is finally fixing that “oops” moment with their latest v1.1.4 update.

For those of us who immediately ditched the stock software for custom firmware like GammaOS, this might not change much. But if you’ve been sticking to the factory build, life just got a whole lot easier. You no longer have to hunt down APKs or rely on third-party stores like Obtainium just to get your favorite apps running.

The best part? You don’t even have to do any heavy lifting. The update is rolling out via an Over-The-Air (OTA) notification. Just head into the FOTA Update app, hit download, and let the device do its thing.

Anbernic seems to be on a software winning streak lately—from fixing oversharpening on the RG Rotate to dropping official Linux builds for the RG DS. In an era where hardware components are getting pricier by the day, seeing a manufacturer focus this much on polishing the user experience is a massive win for retro enthusiasts.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Could Announce New ‘BITWAVE’ Handhelds Tomorrow Morning

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-could-announce-new-bitwave-handhelds-tomorrow-morning/

Get your charging cables ready: AYANEO is about to drop some news.

If you’ve been following the handheld rumors lately, you know things have been getting a little spicy. After whispers of a vertical “Pocket Block” device surfaced last week, AYANEO has officially scheduled a “Product Sharing Session” for tomorrow morning (May 21) at 8 AM EST.

But here’s where it gets interesting: leaked promo images suggest we aren’t just getting one new toy. We might be looking at a duo under a new “BITWAVE” branding—including a classic candybar-style handheld.

While some expected a budget-friendly release, the leaked specs are punching way above their weight class. We’re talking:

• Flagship-level performance (no “lite” versions here!)
• High refresh rate screens for that buttery smooth gameplay
• Extended battery life for those marathon sessions

The big question remains: is AYANEO trying to dominate the $150–$300 market, or are they about to drop a premium powerhouse? Either way, we’ll know the truth in less than 24 hours. Stay tuned.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

New GAMEMT E5 ModX Videos Show the Modular Handheld in Action

https://retrohandhelds.gg/new-gamemt-e5-modx-videos-show-the-modular-handheld-in-action/

The Modular Dream is Getting Real

If you’ve ever looked at your retro handheld and thought, “I wish this thing was actually two different devices,” GAMEMT might be about to grant your wish. New footage of the E5 ModX has surfaced, and it’s looking less like a standard handheld and more like a high-tech transformer.

Forget everything you know about static hardware. The E5 ModX is officially modular, meaning you can actually pop the display right off the controller. Even cooler? Rumors suggest one of the modules will transform into a MagSafe-compatible controller for your smartphone. It’s basically the ultimate “Swiss Army Knife” for gamers on the go.

Recent clips show the device in its testing phase, even demonstrating smooth God of War gameplay via PPSSPP at a stable 60FPS. Under the hood, we’re looking at:

• Processor: MediaTek P60
• Memory/Storage: 3GB RAM and 32GB storage
• Display: A crisp 1024 x 768 resolution

While we’re still waiting on an official release date, the hardware is clearly moving through the engineering gauntlet. If these leaks are any indication, your next EDC (everyday carry) might just be a puzzle box.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG DS: How to Install GammaOS, Anbernic Linux, ROCKNIX, and KNULLI

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-ds-how-to-install-gammaos-anbernic-linux-rocknix-and-knulli/

### Upgrade Your Anbernic RG DS

If you picked up an Anbernic RG DS recently, you probably noticed that the “out of the box” experience is a bit… underwhelming. It’s a great piece of hardware, but the stock software lacks that extra magic needed to make it truly shine.

The good news? The retro gaming community has already done the heavy lifting for you. As is tradition with Anbernic releases, a wave of custom firmware is here to rescue your handheld from mediocrity. Depending on whether you want an optimized Android experience or a sleek Linux setup, you have some fantastic options:

• GammaOS Next: The go-to for an optimized Android build.
• ROCKNIX & KNULLI: Perfect if you prefer a dedicated Linux environment.
• Anbernic Linux: An official (but customizable) lightweight solution.

The best part? You don’t have to choose just one. Through a simple microSD swap, you can effectively dual-boot your device—switching between Android for PortMaster games and Linux for everything else. It’s basically like having two different handhelds in one pocket. Just grab a spare SD card, follow the installation steps, and prepare to actually enjoy your device.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

8 Steam Games to Grow Your Backlog

https://retrohandhelds.gg/8-steam-games-to-grow-your-backlog/

### Is Your Steam Backlog Looking a Little Too… Empty?

We’ve all been there. You open Steam, stare at your library for ten minutes, and realize that while you have hundreds of games, you haven’t actually played most of them. If you’re looking to add some fresh blood to that digital graveyard—especially if you love playing on handhelds like the Odin—it’s time for a shopping spree.

The latest recommendations from Retro Handhelds feature a diverse mix of chaos, speed, and much-needed zen. Whether you want to drift through European parking garages or just sit by a virtual lake, there is something here for every mood:

For the Adrenaline Junkies: Parking Garage Rally Circuit (Euro Tour) is the top pick for anyone addicted to racing leaderboards and Ska music. If you prefer chaos over precision, Super Battle Golf* offers multiplayer mayhem for a tiny price.

For the Platforming Fans: Toree Saturn is a fantastic, fast-paced retro-style trip, while Demon Tides* offers a more expansive 3D open-world experience.

For the “Just One More Round” Crowd: If you’ve been obsessed with Balatro, check out Raccoin*. It’s a coin-pusher roguelike designed to trigger every dopamine receptor in your brain.

For the Decompression Session: When the chaos gets too loud, Cast N Chill* lets you simply sit, fish, and upgrade gear in peace.

The takeaway? Your backlog is officially invited to grow. Grab a few of these—many of which run beautifully via GameNative or PortMaster—and give your handheld some new life.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Anna’s Archive Hit With $19.5m Default Judgment and Global Domain Takedown Order

https://torrentfreak.com/annas-archive-hit-with-19-5m-default-judgment-and-global-domain-takedown-order/

If you enjoy free access to millions of pirated books, you might want to keep your bookmarks handy—but maybe don’t get too comfortable.

A New York federal court just handed a massive win to publishing giants like Penguin Random House and HarperCollins. Because the operators of Anna’s Archive failed to show up in court to defend themselves, a judge issued a default judgment that includes a staggering $19.5 million damages award.

While that price tag sounds eye-watering, it’s likely more “paper victory” than actual cash. Since the site’s owners are anonymous and notoriously difficult to catch, collecting that money will be an uphill battle.

The real sting, however, is the global takedown order. The court didn’t just go after the site; it went after the plumbing. A permanent injunction now orders domain registries and hosting providers—including big names like Cloudflare—to disable access to Anna’s Archive domains.

Will it work? It’s a toss-up. While American companies will likely comply, many of the targeted intermediaries are international entities that often ignore U.S. court orders. Expect a digital game of whack-a-mole to begin.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #514

https://retrorgb.com/week514.html

Weekly Roundup #514

If you feel like your retro gaming setup is missing “that certain something,” don’t worry—it’s probably just a lack of high-end SCART cables or some fresh vinyl. The latest RetroRGB roundup is officially here, and it’s packed with enough tech updates to keep any enthusiast busy all weekend.

The news cycle is moving fast for hardware lovers. We’re seeing some serious quality-of-life upgrades, like the Analogue 3D finally supporting save states (a huge win for those of us who don’t have infinite lives) and a new CRT simulation firmware update for the RetroTINK 5x. If you’re into the “modding” side of things, there is also some fascinating deep-dive content on NES-to-SNES conversions and hardware teardowns.

Here are the quick hits you shouldn’t miss:

Soundtrack Season: New vinyl releases for Blender Bros and Darkstalkers’ Revenge* are ready for your collection.

Firmware Fixes: Check out the new ED GBA Pro firmware and optimization tweaks for Doom* on Saturn.

• Hardware Gear: New SuperStation One SCART cables have hit the shop.

Whether you’re listening on Spotify or watching the full breakdown on YouTube, it’s a jam-packed episode. Grab your coffee (and maybe a new mattress topper) and dive in.