📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Now’s Your Last Chance to Get Some of AYANEO’s Best Android Handhelds

https://retrohandhelds.gg/nows-your-last-chance-to-get-some-of-ayaneos-best-android-handhelds/

If you’ve been eyeing a new piece of portable gaming gear lately, you might want to move a little faster than usual.

AYANEO has officially announced that they are pulling the plug on several of their popular Android handhelds. The culprit? Rising costs for RAM and storage. It’s not exactly a shocker in today’s hardware climate, but it does mean some fan favorites are headed for the retirement home.

The discontinuation affects four specific models, including versions of the KONKR Pocket FIT and the Pocket DS. If you were holding out for a deal on a Pocket Air Mini B.Duck Edition, this is your final warning: once the remaining 30–50 units per model are gone, they’re gone for good.

A few quick takeaways if you’re shopping:

• The “Gone Forever” List: KONKR Pocket FIT (G3 Gen 3 and 8 Elite variants), Pocket DS, and Pocket Air Mini B.Duck Edition.
• Price Shifts: Expect some adjustments to other products like the Pocket S Mini and Pocket VERT as well.
• Where to look: If AYANEO’s direct shop is sold out, keep an eye on third-party retailers like AKNES or DroiX.

Bottom line: Don’t procrastinate unless you enjoy missing out.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Unlock “PSX” PlayStation 2 HDD’s with the ATA Express

https://retrorgb.com/unlock-psx-playstation-2-hdds-ata-express.html

If you own an original Japanese PSX (the PlayStation 2/DVR hybrid), you know the heartbreak: when that internal hard drive dies, your expensive piece of tech becomes a very sleek paperweight. Because the HDD is locked to the hardware, finding a replacement is a nightmare—until now.

Enter the ATA Express. This clever IDE emulator allows you to swap out those finicky old drives for a simple MicroSD card. Not only can you clone your original drive to an SD card to preserve your data, but you can also ditch the tiny storage limits of traditional adapters and scale up to a massive 2TB.

While this version is currently focused on first-gen PSX units, the developer is already working on a follow-up design that promises better mounting and wider compatibility.

The real “mic drop” moment? This tech might eventually allow Sega Dreamcast owners to run homebrew via SD card without sacrificing their original disc drive—a holy grail for collectors who want the best of both worlds.

Quick highlights:

• Huge Capacity: Supports up to 2TB MicroSD cards.
• Versatile: Great for retro PCs looking for a modern, solid-state storage solution.
• The Dreamcast Factor: Potential to act as an ODE while keeping the GDROM functional.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Google Uses Cox Ruling to Kill Last Copyright Claim in Textbook Piracy Lawsuit

https://torrentfreak.com/google-uses-cox-ruling-to-kill-last-copyright-claim-in-textbook-piracy-lawsuit/

Google is playing the “Supreme Court card” to dodge textbook piracy claims.

Remember that massive lawsuit from last June? A group of heavy-hitting publishers (think McGraw Hill and Elsevier) sued Google, claiming the search giant’s Shopping ads were basically a billboard for pirate sellers peddling stolen textbooks.

Well, Google is now trying to pull the rug out from under the remaining copyright claim. Their secret weapon? A recent Supreme Court ruling in Cox Communications v. Sony Music.

Before this ruling, publishers could argue that Google was liable simply because it “contributed” to the infringement by hosting the ads. But the Supreme Court just tightened the leash. Now, to be held liable for contributory infringement, you have to prove Google actually intended for the service to be used for piracy—either by actively inducing it or by running a platform designed specifically for stealing.

Google’s argument is pretty blunt: “We aren’t a pirate site, and we aren’t actively recruiting thieves.”

If the judge agrees, the copyright claim dies. However, there’s one more round left in this fight: a trademark infringement claim regarding unauthorized textbook covers that Google hasn’t quite managed to shake just yet. Stay tuned.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Game Boy Color ‘Watch’, GammaOS Saves Anbernic, and Much More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-96/

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📰 New article from RetroRGB

Make Your Own Xbox Prototype

https://retrorgb.com/make-your-own-xbox-prototype.html

Ever looked at your desk and thought, “This really needs more 2001-era Microsoft prototype energy”? Well, now you can make it happen.

Tito from Macho Nacho Productions has officially launched a web store where you can snag the design files to build your very own Xbox prototype. Whether you want the full-sized version that actually fits an optical drive or a smaller, more “authentic” scale model, the blueprints are ready for download.

For $20 (or $30 for both), you get a complete package. And we’re not just talking about 3D files; Tito is providing a full Bill of Materials and assembly instructions. In a world where “open source” often means a confusing pile of random parts, having a curated, verified list of components is a massive time-saver for any DIYer.

The best part? The center jewel is programmable. You could go full retro-nostalgia, or use the shell to house a modern emulation rig or a mini gaming PC. It’s the ultimate “stealth” hardware project—perfect for tech historians and modders alike.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Steam Controller Review Leaks Early, Pricing at $99

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-controller-review-leaks-early-pricing-at-99/

The Steam Controller leak we’ve all been waiting for

If you’ve been holding your breath for Valve’s new Steam Controller, it looks like you can finally exhale. A leaked early review has accidentally spilled the beans on much more than just the hardware—we finally have a price tag.

According to the leak, the controller is set to retail for $99. While that might not sound like pocket change, the reviewer pointed out it’s only about $25 more than a standard PS5 controller, making it a surprisingly accessible upgrade for PC enthusiasts.

Beyond the cost, the leak gives us a tasty preview of what makes this thing special:

• Trackpad Magic: The trackpads are reportedly so intuitive that they feel “totally natural” within minutes, allowing you to mimic a mouse cursor or scroll through menus with ease.
• Extra Buttons & Gyro: It features four back buttons (similar to the Steam Deck) and six-axis gyro support for immersive, motion-based gameplay.

Valve had previously pushed the release window back due to rising component costs, but this leak suggests we might not have to wait until late 2026 to get our hands on one. Grab your snacks; the Steam era might be arriving sooner than expected.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket Air Mini Setup Guide

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-air-mini-setup-guide/

### The Budget Gem: Setting Up Your AYANEO Pocket Air Mini

If you’ve been following the retro handheld scene lately, you know that AYANEO is usually the brand associated with “luxury” price tags. That’s why the Pocket Air Mini has become such a cult favorite—it’s a rare, budget-friendly exception to their usual rule, offering great build quality without the kidney-selling cost.

But getting this little powerhouse running perfectly takes more than just turning it on. If you’re looking to transform yours from a basic Android device into an emulation beast, here is the game plan:

• RAM Matters: If you haven’t bought one yet, aim for the 3GB version. The 2GB model works fine for PlayStation 1 and older, but anything more demanding will feel the struggle.
• The “Obtainium” Trick: Forget hunting down individual emulator APKs. Use Obtainium to pull software directly from developer sources. It makes updates a breeze and keeps your library fresh.
• Choose Your Launcher: While the built-in AYASPACE is okay, many enthusiasts swear by Beacon Game Launcher for its clean, no-fuss aesthetic.

Pro Tip: If you’re trying to push the limits with GameCube or PS2 emulation, check out the community “debloat” guides on GitHub. A little optimization goes a long way when you’re working with mobile hardware!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Lumacode – Cable Length and A/V Switch Testing

https://retrorgb.com/lumacode-cable-length-and-a-v-switch-testing.html

If you’ve ever felt like your retro gaming setup is starting to look more like a bowl of colorful spaghetti than a high-end AV rig, we have some good news.

Recent testing on Lumacode-modded consoles has confirmed that you can actually use an A/V switch to clean up the chaos. Instead of running every single modded console directly into your digitizer or OSSC, you can plug them all into a central switch first. This setup allows multiple Lumacode systems to share one output, provided you route that RCA cable into the correct jack on the switch.

The beauty of this is how seamless it integrates with existing component setups. If you’re using an OSSC or OSSC Pro, you likely won’t even need to mess with much—just a quick profile tweak and you’re golden.

A few things to keep in mind for your DIY setup:

• Cable Length Matters: While the test showed success with longer runs, very long distances might require a powered switch to maintain signal integrity.
• Shielding is Key: The demo used a properly modded NES with shielded cables, which is crucial for avoiding interference.

Essentially, if you’ve been holding off on more Lumacode mods because of “cable clutter anxiety,” consider this your green light.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

NeoPico-HD – 720p Support Added

https://retrorgb.com/neopico-hd-720p-support-added.html

### Retro Gaming Gets a High-Def Glow Up

If you’ve ever tried to hook up a classic Neo Geo MVS motherboard to a modern 4K TV, you know the struggle. You’re usually stuck dealing with blurry upscaling or weird aspect ratio issues that make your beloved arcade classics look like they were filmed through a fog machine.

Enter the latest update for NeoPico-HD. This open-source project uses a Raspberry Pi Pico 2 to tap directly into digital video and audio signals, and version 0.1.4 just added 720p support. This is a huge deal because 720p scales beautifully to modern 4K displays, providing a much cleaner image than the old-school 480p or 240p methods.

Why should you care? Because this isn’t some expensive, proprietary FPGA setup. It’s an affordable, DIY-friendly solution that makes high-quality digital output accessible to more Neo Geo owners.

The quick highlights:

• Versatility: With recent additions of 240p and 480p support, it works on everything from modern flat panels to vintage CRTs.
• Better Audio: New support for PCM1802 ADC means even non-MV1C boards can get in on the action.
• Open Source: The developer has no plans to sell this; it’s free for anyone to tinker with, modify, or build.

It’s a massive win for anyone trying to keep arcade history looking crisp in a modern living room.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Recalbox RGB JAMMA 2

https://retrorgb.com/recalbox-rgb-jamma-2.html

If you’ve ever dreamt of turning your old-school arcade cabinet into a modern powerhouse, Recalbox just made the dream a little more accessible.

The new RGB JAMMA 2 has officially arrived, and it’s specifically designed to house the Raspberry Pi 5. While the original adapter was a hit, this successor steps things up with a sleek, white resin-printed case. This isn’t just for looks, either; the shell helps protect your hardware by isolating electronic components once you tuck it away inside your machine.

Now, let’s talk numbers. At roughly $150, it is more than double the price of its predecessor. However, between the upgraded features and the reality of inflation since the last launch, the price tag feels justified—especially if you value a clean, professional setup.

A few quick things to keep in mind before you hit “buy”:

• Hardware required: You’ll need to supply your own Raspberry Pi 5 and MicroSD card.
• Software: If you stick with RecalBox software, it’s essentially “plug and play” (as much as arcade tinkering ever truly is).
• Customization: While other operating systems can likely run, they aren’t officially supported, so prepare for some troubleshooting.