📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Sony Closing PS3 and PS Vita Online Storefronts This Year, U.S. to Follow in 2027

https://retrohandhelds.gg/sony-closing-ps3-and-ps-vita-online-storefronts-this-year-u-s-to-follow-in-2027/

Sony is officially putting the brakes on the PS3 and PS Vita eras, and the timeline is tighter than you might expect. Starting this August, Latin American and Middle Eastern PS3 stores will shut down, with the rest of the world following suit in July 2027. It’s a bittersweet goodbye to two iconic devices, but the reasoning behind it feels less like nostalgia and more like corporate housekeeping.

Sony claims the closures are necessary due to “modern commerce systems” and updated payment standards. Honestly, that sounds like convenient malarkey. It’s the classic tech industry excuse: maintain old infrastructure costs too much, so let’s just pull the plug. The silver lining? Sony promises you can still download previously bought content for the “foreseeable future.”

But let’s not get too comfortable. If recent history is any indicator, that “foreseeable future” might be shorter than we’d like. Remember when Sony pulled over 500 movies and TV shows from the UK store? That included titles users had already purchased. It’s a stark reminder that in the digital age, you’re often just renting access, not owning anything.

As physical discs also vanish by 2028, we’re left wondering: do we actually own our media anymore? The signs point to a resounding “no.”

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Bemani Music Games, IGS PGM & PGM2, Caveman Ninja & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-bemani-music-games-igs-pgm-pgm2-caveman-ninja-more.html

If you’re a MiSTer FPGA enthusiast, you’ve got a lot to celebrate this week. The scene is buzzing with fresh cores, handy companion apps, and some seriously ambitious hardware tweaks. It’s that perfect mix of “finally!” and “wait, what?” that keeps the community on its toes.

First up, the arcade emulation front is heating up. Martin Donlon has dropped test builds for the IGS PGM core, while another dev is tackling PGM2 (and facing some controversy, though the GPL license should sort that out soon). We also got a sneak peek at Cabal, a quirky 1988 shooter with controls that will definitely make your thumbs ache. If vector graphics are your jam, Major Havoc is now playable, and Caveman Ninja got an MRA file to boot.

On the utility side, Anime0t4ku released MiSTer Companion NX for homebrewed Switches, turning your handheld into a remote control for your setup. There’s also updated support for Game Boy cartridges via the MMS2 core.

For the tech-savvy (and brave), user Corn shared an overclocked N64 build that boosts performance but warns: you’ll need a fan and a steady hand. Oh, and developers are using AI to crack open Konami’s System 573 for Dance Dance Revolution—the audio works, but the graphics are currently a digital mess. It’s chaotic, it’s cool, and it’s very MiSTer.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Gamenative V1.1.0 Drops With Plenty of New Features

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamenative-v1-1-0-drops-with-plenty-of-new-features/

Gamenative just got a major glow-up, and if you’ve ever struggled with the steep learning curve of x86 emulation on Android, this is your sign to take another look. It’s been only a month since the last update, but the team has packed version 1.1.0 with enough features to make retro gaming on your handheld feel significantly more polished.

The biggest win here is accessibility. While apps like Winlator are powerful, they can feel like navigating a labyrinth. Gamenative continues to streamline that process, making it easier to get into emulation without needing a degree in Linux configuration. They’ve also rolled out granular device compatibility data, so you actually know which games will run smoothly on your specific hardware before you even hit download.

Performance tweaks are the real star, though. We’re talking massive improvements to Pulse audio for low latency and a new SurfaceFlinger renderer option that boosts FPS. They’ve also fixed persistent bugs with Steam’s DRM handling and GOG cloud saves, meaning your progress won’t vanish into the digital void. Plus, if you’re rocking a Retroid Pocket Classic, there are now dedicated Turnip drivers to reduce visual glitches.

It’s clear the community is driving this progress, with hundreds of fixes ranging from controller navigation to custom cover images. If you’re tired of wrestling with your emulator settings, Gamenative 1.1 is definitely worth the install.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Wobbling Pixels – OSSC Pro Profile Pack Updated

https://retrorgb.com/wobbling-pixels-ossc-pro-profile-pack-updated.html

If you own an OSSC Pro, you know the struggle: the hardware is fantastic, but getting it to look perfect without spending hours tweaking settings is a nightmare. Good news—Wobbling Pixels just dropped a massive update to his profile pack, and it’s basically a cheat code for retro gaming purity.

First things first: you need to update your firmware to v0.82 or higher. Once that’s done, you can grab the new profiles and instantly notice the difference. The big win here? PAL sources for systems like the Dreamcast, GameCube, SNES, and Genesis now scale up to a crisp 6x resolution (2560×1440). That’s a serious upgrade for clarity, though be aware that some PAL games might crop the very top and bottom of the screen slightly.

The update also brings some welcome quality-of-life improvements. You’ll find new CRT profiles for S-Video and Composite inputs (perfect if you’re using the legacy AV add-on), plus brighter basic CRT profiles for those who prefer a punchier image. They’ve also centered up the SNES and Genesis profiles and tweaked scanline brightness across the board.

Pro tip: Use the “p.load” or “10+” buttons on your remote to breeze through these new presets. It’s a lot of work for the community, but it saves us all hours of frustration. Go grab the pack and thank Wobbling Pixels for keeping our retro setups sharp.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Leveling Up My Cabinet: AceMagic W1 Review (Virtual Pinball Edition)

https://retrohandhelds.gg/acemagic-w1-review/

Let’s be honest: pinball is the perfect hobby until you realize a single machine costs more than a used car. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Terminator 2 cabinet but balked at the $7,000 price tag, virtual pinball is your salvation. But running it usually means lugging a loud, dusty desktop tower under your table. Enter the AceMagic W1 mini PC, the tiny hero that finally cleans up the mess.

The reviewer ditched their beefy GTX 1080 rig for this pocket-sized powerhouse featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS. The goal? To drive three displays and realistic physics without the thermal baggage. Spoiler: it works. The integrated Radeon 780m graphics handle complex lighting and reflections with surprising ease, making it a serious contender for tournament training rather than just a novelty.

Here’s why it matters:

• Silent & Compact: Say goodbye to fan noise and dust-clogged towers. The W1 fits neatly inside the cabinet, keeping your space tidy.
• Plug-and-Play (Mostly): By using OTG mode with an AtGames Legends Pinball cabinet, the setup is seamless. Just a heads-up: use a USB-C to HDMI adapter to avoid the signal handshake headaches the author encountered.
• Performance: It’s not a supercomputer, but for pinball, consistency is king. The W1 delivers the steady frame rates needed so you don’t miss that high-score shot.

If you’re looking to upgrade your home arcade setup without breaking the bank or your living room, this tiny box might be the “just right” solution you’ve been waiting for. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go chase some scores.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Sports Rightsholders Want an EU Blacklist for ‘Piracy’ Hosting Providers

https://torrentfreak.com/sports-rightsholders-want-an-eu-blacklist-for-piracy-hosting-providers/

Ever wonder why your favorite stream buffers right when the big goal is scored? You might want to thank the copyright lobby.

Sports broadcasters like beIN Sports are pushing the European Commission to create a hardline “blacklist” of rogue hosting providers. Instead of just blocking specific pirate websites, they want ISPs and data centers to cut off entire networks identified by their Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). Think of it as banning an entire apartment building because one tenant is playing loud music.

This isn’t just a sports gripe. The Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance, representing giants like the Premier League and DAZN, backs the idea. Even Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, filed a similar submission. They all want a central EU authority to designate non-compliant offshore hosts, forcing European internet providers to block traffic at the infrastructure level.

The catch? Internet service providers are warning that this approach could cause massive “overblocking.” If you ban an ASN, you might accidentally knock out legitimate services sharing that network. While the rightsholders argue this is necessary to kill piracy, intermediaries see it as a recipe for collateral damage. It’s a classic standoff: content creators want the kill switch, while tech companies want to avoid breaking the internet in the process.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game of the Month: Stand Alone with Just One July

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-of-the-month-stand-alone-with-just-one-july/

Ready to play a one-hit wonder? That’s the vibe for July at Retro Handhelds, where the community is diving into “GotX” — their version of a gaming book club. This month’s theme is delightfully specific: games with no sequels, remakes, or spin-offs. Just pure, standalone experiences.

The lineup is a wild mix of genres and eras. For pre-1996, we’re looking at Rapid Reload on PlayStation 1, a speedy run-and-gun where you race terrorists for a legendary artifact. If you prefer N64 nostalgia, Blast Corps challenges you to steer runaway nuclear trucks by demolishing cities in real-time. And for the strategy RPG fans, Jeanne d’Arc on PSP offers a fantasy twist on history, complete with magical frog-fusion mechanics that are somehow endearing.

But wait, there’s more. The community also picked Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as the Game of the Quarter. Yes, the main series games count as “standalone” in this context, likely because they launched a distinct generation. It’s a meatier 26-hour ride that introduced the physical/special split and Wi-Fi trading.

If you’re short on time, check out the Game of the Week, which features sub-two-hour titles like S.O.S. or Monsters Probably Stole My Princess. Whether you’re chasing imaginary internet points for merch or just want to chat through the Discord, there’s a perfect little game for your schedule.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

PlayStation is Ending Disc Production For New Games in 2028

https://retrohandhelds.gg/playstation-is-ending-disc-production-for-new-games-in-2028/

Sony just drew a line in the sand, and it’s drawn for January 2028. That’s when the PlayStation officially ends disc production for new first-party games. While die-hard collectors might feel the sting, the math is brutally straightforward: 85% of PS5 games are already sold digitally.

Let’s look at the bottom line. If a blockbuster like GTA VI sells 40 million copies, the cost of manufacturing and distributing physical discs eats into millions of dollars in potential profit. It’s not just about lost revenue, either. Physical discs require shelf space, logistics, and inventory management that digital doesn’t. By going all-digital, Sony isn’t just “adapting to trends”; they’re streamlining their operation to maximize shareholder value. It’s a classic corporate move, but it’s one that’s been inevitable for years.

This shift also sets the stage for the PlayStation 6. With next-gen hardware costs rising and game files ballooning, it’s all but certain the PS6 will launch as a digital-only console, with a disc drive available as an optional add-on.

So, what does this mean for you? If you love the ritual of swapping discs, your PS5 and PS5 Pro are officially on borrowed time. The era of the true physical game is winding down. Maybe it’s time to start curating that digital library, or just enjoy these last few years of holding the future in your hands.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Interview With Dennis aka Pointer Function

https://retrorgb.com/interview-with-dennis-aka-pointer-function.html

Remember the days when a scratched CD ruined your gaming night? Dennis van den Broek, aka Pointer Function, is here to save your disc collection—and your wallet. He recently sat down for a RetroRGB podcast to talk about his latest brainchild: the RGR EZBuff.

This isn’t just another gadget; it’s an open-source disc polisher designed to tackle a very specific, very expensive problem. Dennis breaks down why those cheap, generic polishers are a nightmare to repair and why the big commercial units (like the ELMs) are practically cash traps, charging you over $1,500 upfront plus a fee for every single disc you polish.

The EZBuff offers a refreshing alternative. It’s open source, meaning the community can tinker and improve it, and it promises to fix those scratched gems without breaking the bank. Dennis even hints at a future livestream where he’ll put the device through its paces, so keep an eye out for real-world testing results.

If you’ve ever stared at a scratched disc in despair, this is worth a listen. You can catch the full interview by searching “RetroRGB Dennis” on your favorite podcast app. And if you want to support the man behind the magic, his Ko-fi and Printables pages are linked up for your donation pleasure.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RGR EZBuff: Open Source Disc Buffer/Resurfacer

https://retrorgb.com/rgr-ezbuff-open-source-disc-buffer-resurfacer.html

Tired of watching your favorite retro game titles gather dust because of a scratched disc? The frustration is real, but thanks to Dennis van den Broek (aka Pointer Function), you might just be able to save them without breaking the bank. He’s just dropped the RGR EZBuff, a fully open-source optical disc buffer and resurfacer that you can build yourself at home.

The genius here is simplicity and cost. You don’t need expensive industrial gear; just standard off-the-shelf parts and a basic 3D printer with a single kilogram of filament. It’s designed to be affordable enough to build or buy, solving a massive gap in the market where options were either hand-polishers from the nineties or professional kits costing upwards of $2,000.

Before you start polishing your rarest finds, though, take a breath and read the safety notes. Discs vary wildly in thickness and composition, so always practice on cheap, disposable CDs first. Dennis recommends a “slow and steady” approach: start the motor slowly for just a minute and let things cool down between sessions. You can even swap felt pads for sandpaper if you need heavy resurfacing, though he suggests keeping the two processes separate to avoid cross-contamination.

For retro gamers and small game stores alike, this is a game-changer. It turns disc repair from a costly service into a manageable DIY project. If you’ve got a shelf of unplayable gems, the RGR EZBuff might just be the resurrection kit they’ve been waiting for.