📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – Super Attract Mode, MultiSystem 2 JAMMA, Chase HQ & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-super-attract-mode-multisystem-2-jamma-chase-hq-more.html

Here’s a punchy, newsletter-ready summary of the latest MiSTer FPGA updates — perfect for sharing with retro gaming fans:

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### 🎮 MiSTer FPGA Roundup: Bluetooth Keyboards, Fantasy Consoles & Arcade Magic

🎧 Bluetooth Keyboard Pairing (Yes, Really)

Stuck pairing a keyboard that throws random passkeys? Reddit user u/m0nkey cracked the code: sniff the passkey with a PC, then pair via terminal. Works like a charm — including for the sleek Logitech MX Keys Mini. Video demo here.

🎮 GAMELORD: A Fantasy Console from Scratch

User moon is building the GAMELORD, a fictional retro console for MiSTer — with a 32-bit RISC-V CPU, dual SID chips + FM sound, and Genesis-style graphics. It’s nearly feature-complete (bugs still being ironed out), with open-source plans soon.

🎰 Arcade Cabinet Upgrade Alert!

The MiSTer MultiSystem 2 JAMMA is here — plug-and-play for arcade cabinet owners. Bonus: Atari System 1 core now actually maps steering wheels to mouse input (yes, RoadBlasters finally works right). Feedback is welcome — see the video.

💻 PCjr Core Progress & Chase HQ Rumors

• IBM’s quirky PCjr core is shaping up (think: enhanced graphics, joystick ports) — test release available.
• Chase HQ core? Developer wickerwaka (known for Irem M72/M92 cores) has opened a GitHub repo — fingers crossed! Could unlock Aqua Attack, Battle Shark, and more.

📺 Super Attract Mode Goes Wild

Now loading VCD images — yes, TV commercials can play on your MiSTer during idle time. Creator Mrchrister even built a batch encoder for commercial-to-VCD conversion. Pure nostalgia chaos.

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Want more? Dive into the deep end at MiSTer FPGA Forum.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

SD2SP2 “ACE” – MicroSD GameCube Adapter

https://retrorgb.com/sd2sp2-ace-microsd-gamecube-adapter.html

GameCube Owners, rejoice: the SD2SP2 “ACE” is here—and it’s finally user-friendly.

LaserBear’s Greg has upgraded the beloved SD2SP2 adapter with a slick new v2 ACE edition that solves longtime complaints: messy placement, flaky connections, and the annoyance of flipping your GameCube (or removing the GB Player) just to swap a MicroSD card.

The ACE’s magic lies in its side-access design—insert or eject your SD card right from the console’s side, no disassembly needed. Plus, Greg’s 3D-printed case clips securely into place, keeping the serial port connection solid even if you bump or jostle the system mid-game. No more accidental disconnects during a tense Twilight Princess cutscene.

And let’s talk aesthetics: it looks like something Nintendo would’ve released—clean, compact, and OEM-grade. If you’re tired of sketchy knockoffs or finicky early versions, this is the premium pick: reliable, elegant, and thoughtfully engineered.

👉 [Grab one here](#)

(P.S. Greg makes other cool GC mods too—worth a peek!)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Ratcheteer DX Q&A With Shaun Inman

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ratcheteer-dx-qa-with-shaun-inman/

Ratcheteer DX Is Coming to Switch & Steam—And It’s Better Than Ever

Shaun Inman’s beloved Ratcheteer, originally a Playdate Game of the Year winner, is getting the DX upgrade—and it’s hitting Switch, Steam, itch, and Mac App Store on March 5 in full color. But don’t worry: it’s not just a port. It’s a thoughtful evolution.

The game began as a love letter to black-and-white handhelds like the Game Boy, using stark contrast and clever lighting (via that iconic lantern mechanic) to create tension and depth. Transitioning to color raised concerns about losing its moody atmosphere—but Inman leaned into it, offering palette swaps, optional CRT-style overlays, and a CD-quality soundtrack by Matt Grimm. Bonus: each tool now has its own dedicated button—no more fumbling mid-air.

What started as a Playdate-native experiment grew from constraints: tile sizes tuned for Game Boy proportions, Lua-to-C rewrites (and yes, he built his own C superset), and design choices that prioritized clarity over complexity. Early feedback helped refine tool-switching, difficulty pacing, and even the in-game economy.

And if you’re wondering about influences? Think Link’s Awakening DX, Drill Dozer, FFVI’s narrative gamble, and Metroid’s exploration loop—all filtered through Inman’s minimalist-yet-expressive lens.

Why it matters: Ratcheteer DX proves that great game design thrives not despite constraints, but because of them. It’s a reminder that passion projects, especially ones born from playful limitations, can resonate far beyond their original platform.

👉 [Try the demo on Steam](#) and wishlist before March 5!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

UGREEN NAS DH2300: Budget NAS for PC backup & MiSTer FPGA

https://retrorgb.com/ugreen-nas-dh2300-budget-nas-for-pc-backup-mister-fpga.html

UGREEN NAS DH2300: A Budget Powerhouse for Retro & Backup? Absolutely.

Bob over at RetroRGB tested the UGREEN NAS DH2300—and he’s impressed. Priced for mortals (under $150), this compact 2-bay NAS isn’t just for basic file storage; it’s a legit tool for retro enthusiasts and everyday PC backup needs.

The standout? It works seamlessly with the MiSTer FPGA platform—letting you stream ROMs directly over your network instead of juggling USB drives. Bob even provides a ready-to-use `cifs_mount.zip` to simplify setup (thank you, automation). Bonus: It’s SATA/NVMe-ready and supports RAID 1 for redundancy on a budget.

Why it shines:

• Plug-and-play setup (no PhD required)
• Quiet, low-power, and compact—perfect for a living room or desk
• Dual drive bays (expandable later)
• Works out-of-the-box with Windows/macOS/Linux backups

Bottom line: If you’re building a retro rig or just want reliable, affordable network storage, the DH2300 punches way above its weight. And for a limited time (until Feb 22), you can snag it with discounts using codes DHNAS23US (US) or DHNAS26UK (UK).

Coming soon: Bob’s deep dive on UGREEN’s higher-end models with UnRAID & RetroNAS—stay tuned!

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

DMCA Subpoenas Can’t Be Used for Foreign Piracy Lawsuits, Court Rules

https://torrentfreak.com/dmca-subpoenas-cant-be-used-for-foreign-piracy-lawsuits-court-rules/

DMCA Subpoenas Can’t Be a Global Piracy Hit List, Court Rules

When manga giant Shueisha tried to unmask the shadowy operator behind Mangajikan—once one of the web’s biggest piracy hubs—it turned to a DMCA subpoena targeting Cloudflare. The move worked: the site vanished, and a court granted the subpoena. But now, a federal judge has slammed the brakes on how that intel can be used.

Here’s the catch: The DMCA subpoena is strictly for U.S. copyright enforcement. In a sharp ruling, Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson clarified that Shueisha’s sworn declaration—stating the info would be used “only” for protecting rights under U.S. law—binds them tightly. No foreign lawsuits. Period.

Why it matters:

• Shueisha can’t use the operator’s identity to launch lawsuits in Japan or elsewhere.
• Filing a token U.S. case won’t “unlock” the data for global use—that’s a no-go “bait-and-switch.”
• The operator wins on privacy: while their name can go in U.S. court docs, personal details (emails, phones, financials) stay shielded.

Bottom line: DMCA subpoenas aren’t a backdoor to global enforcement. Rightsholders get smart intel—but only within American legal lines.

Cloudflare now must hand over the identity. Shueisha has until the statute of limitations runs out to file a U.S. suit—or destroy the data. 🚫🌍

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Anbernic Teases RG Vita, MANGMI Pocket Max Launches, and Much More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-85/

If you thought retro handheld news moved slower than a Game Boy boot screen, think again—this week’s roundup is a speed‑run of new devices, software upgrades and bargain hunting.

Anbernic dropped the teaser for its RG Vita and Vita Pro, positioning them as the spiritual successors to the now‑retired Odin 2 Mini. At the same time, MANGMI finally lifted the veil on the Pocket MAX—a 7‑inch OLED beast with swappable control modules, priced at a wallet‑friendly $199 (but only until Feb 12). And for those who love gadgets that count your steps while you beat a boss, Anbernic’s health‑tracking RG G01 controller is back in pre‑order, with an early‑bird discount down to $35.99.

On the software side, GameNative 0.7.1 adds Epic Store support to Android handhelds, turning any portable into a full‑blown PC‑backlog machine. Meanwhile, iOS gets its own retro front‑end: SUMEE! is now in TestFlight, promising an all‑in‑one experience for Apple users.

Bottom line? New hardware is hitting shelves faster than you can say “pixel perfect,” and the software ecosystem is finally catching up—so polish that OLED screen, charge those batteries, and get ready to press start.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Open Source Game Boy Advance Motherboard

https://retrorgb.com/open-source-game-boy-advance-motherboard.html

Ever wish you could resurrect a classic Game Boy Advance without hunting down dusty spare parts? A pair of hobbyist hackers just made that dream a little more doable.

Redherring32 teamed up with Nick from Mousebitelabs to drop OpenTendo‑AGB, a fully open‑source recreation of the original AGB‑CPU‑01 motherboard. The schematics, firmware and layout live on GitHub under a Creative Commons BY‑SA 4.0 license, meaning anyone can print a replacement board, tweak the design, or even spin off a custom handheld.

Why it matters:

• Preservation – Open hardware keeps aging consoles alive long after official support ends.
• Modding potential – Imagine slapping an open‑source GBAHD HDMI add‑on onto the board for lag‑free video output.

The project echoes Redherring’s earlier open NES motherboard and joins a growing cadre of reverse‑engineers like Natalie, all working to keep retro tech functional—and fun. Whether you’re a collector needing a spare part or a tinkerer dreaming up a next‑gen handheld, OpenTendo‑AGB gives the blueprint.

Got a soft spot for these nerdy rescue missions? The creator even invites Patreon support—because good hardware deserves a little love too.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

You Can Pre-order Anbernic’s Weird ‘Health Tracking’ Controller

https://retrohandhelds.gg/you-can-pre-order-anbernics-weird-health-tracking-controller/

If you thought gamepads were just sticks and buttons, think again—Anbernic’s just dropped a controller that can read your pulse.

The RG G01, the company’s second handset after the late‑2024 P01, is now open for pre‑order. At $39.99 (or $35.99 if you lock one in before Feb 10) it feels more “premium” than its sibling, thanks to a 2.5D curved IPS screen and dual heart‑rate sensors that can even trigger an alarm.

Why the hype? Besides the eye‑catching display, the G01 packs a 6‑axis gyroscope, programmable macro keys, rapid‑fire toggles, and a “Purple Kirin” electro‑inductive joystick for buttery precision. Its twin asymmetric pendulum motors promise next‑level haptic feedback—think subtle rumble that actually feels like you’re in the game.

A quick heads‑up: Chinese New Year is looming, so orders from the China warehouse may lag behind schedule (roughly Feb 9–25).

Bottom line: If you want a controller that tracks your heart rate as closely as it tracks your high scores, now’s the time to snag one—just be patient for delivery.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Research: Major Pirate Site Shutdown Boosted Visits to other Pirate Sites (and Netflix)

https://torrentfreak.com/research-major-pirate-site-shutdown-boosted-visits-to-other-pirate-sites-and-netflix/

When Brazil’s cyber‑cops finally pulled the plug on MegaFilmesHD in late 2015, they weren’t just busting a single pirate hub—they sparked a little “digital whack‑a‑mole.”

A new study from Chapman and Carnegie Mellon tracked thousands of Brazilian users before and after the raid. The results? Pirates who once flocked to MegaFilmesHD migrated 20% more often to other bootleg sites, and they actually spent 61% more time there. In other words, shutting down one giant only redirected the traffic, not eliminated it.

But the crackdown did have a silver lining: Netflix saw a modest surge—visits rose 6% and viewing time jumped 11%, with many former MegaFilmesHD users converting to paid subscribers. The boost wasn’t uniform, though. Students and unemployed viewers stayed on the cheap side, while women were more likely to abandon piracy altogether; men tended to double‑down on new illegal sources.

Takeaway: Enforcement can nudge some users toward legal options, but without affordable, appealing services it’s mostly a game of musical chairs for pirates. The real win? Making legit streaming as convenient—and cheap—as the bootleg alternatives.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO’s KONKR Fit is Now Up For Pre-order, But Won’t Ship Until ‘End of April’

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneos-konkr-fit-is-now-up-for-pre-order-but-wont-ship-until-end-of-april/

If you thought AYANEO was already moving at warp speed, buckle up: the KONKR Fit just hit its pre‑order button—no Kickstarter drama, straight from the company’s own store. The catch? It won’t land in anyone’s hands until “the end of April” at the earliest, and history suggests that timeline could stretch.

What you’re getting is a serious Windows handheld: a 7‑inch OLED panel (1920×1080) that can hit 144 Hz, an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 or HX 470 CPU, Radeon 890M graphics, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and a massive 80.85 Wh battery—enough juice for marathon sessions. Storage tops out at 1 TB, and the device packs full‑size ports (USB‑C PD, DisplayPort, microSD, headphone jack) plus hall‑effect triggers with dual‑mode locks.

Pricing starts at $999 for the base HX 370/16 GB/512 GB “Early Bird” model, but only 200 units are available at that rate. After they’re gone you’ll be looking at $1,299 or $1,699 depending on configuration.

Bottom line: a premium handheld with eye‑popping specs, a tempting early‑bird discount, and a delivery window that feels more like a waiting game than a launch party. If you can tolerate the wait, it might just be worth the hype.