📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Valve Let’s You Build The E-Ink Screen Yourself

https://retrohandhelds.gg/valve-lets-you-build-the-e-ink-screen-yourself/

Remember the Steam Machine hype train? It stalled out, but one cool concept survived: the e-ink faceplate. Valve originally teased a low-power, black-and-white display to show system stats without draining battery life. It was a niche idea that never made it to mass production, but now, Valve is letting us build it ourselves.

In a move that DIY enthusiasts will love, Valve has open-sourced the firmware and CAD files for the “Inkterface.” You can find everything on their Gitlab, including the steps to compile the AppImage yourself. It’s not plug-and-play yet—Valve hints at a dedicated Steam Store app in the future—but the files are ready now.

The build is surprisingly affordable, costing roughly $90 to $100. You’ll need a few specific parts, like an Adafruit ESP32 Feather and a 5.83-inch monochrome e-ink panel, along with some screws and magnets. It’s a fun project for tinkerers who want that retro-tech aesthetic on their setup.

While it’s a shame the screen isn’t sold separately, having the blueprints is a solid consolation prize. It’s perfect if you already own a Steam Machine or just want a cool, low-power monitor for your PC. Just ask yourself: are you really buying a Steam Machine, or just building a cool e-ink gadget?

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Pirate Site Blocking Is Legally Impossible in Bulgaria, Supreme Court Ruled

https://torrentfreak.com/pirate-site-blocking-is-legally-impossible-in-bulgaria-supreme-court-ruled/

Bulgaria has officially declared that blocking pirate sites is legally impossible under current law. In a final ruling earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Cassation sided with ISPs, overturning a lower court order that had mandated the blocking of major trackers like The Pirate Bay and Zamunda.

The core issue? A legislative gap. While EU law requires member states to provide mechanisms for injunctions against intermediaries, Bulgaria never fully transposed these provisions into its national copyright legislation. The court clarified that ISPs are merely conduits, and without specific national rules balancing freedom of information, judges simply cannot issue permanent blocking orders based on existing statutes.

This is a significant setback for rightsholders, who have been chasing these injunctions for nearly two decades. However, it’s not the end of the road. The Bulgarian Association of Music Producers is urging the EU to ensure members properly implement existing directives. Meanwhile, lawmakers have been drafting amendments since 2022 to fix this loophole, though nothing has passed yet.

Interestingly, Bulgaria did recently shed its U.S. copyright “Watch List” status thanks to direct enforcement actions, like shutting down trackers with U.S. help. So, while the courts are stumped, the country isn’t entirely off the hook. Until the new legislation lands, rightsholders are stuck in legal limbo.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MK-2000 (Japanese SMS) RGB Cables

https://retrorgb.com/mk-2000-japanese-sms-rgb-cables.html

Remember when Sega decided that “one size fits all” was too easy? Meet the Sega Master System MK-2000, the Japanese variant that loves to throw a wrench in the works for retro gamers everywhere.

Kyle from Retro-Access has just restocked those notoriously rare RGB cables for this specific console, and if you own one, you need to know about this immediately. Here’s the catch: you cannot use standard SMS or Genesis RGB cables with the MK-2000. They are not interchangeable, and mixing them up is a recipe for hardware trouble.

Why the fuss? It all comes down to where Sega hid the resistors and capacitors. On standard consoles, these components live in the cable. On the MK-2000, Sega moved them onto the motherboard. This design quirk means using the wrong cable can double the load on your video encoder or send dangerous voltage levels to your TV, potentially damaging your gear.

With previous sellers having dropped the ball, these Fortraflex and Coax options are back in stock. If you’re rocking the MK-2000, grab the correct passthrough cable now. Your console (and your TV) will thank you.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #521

https://retrorgb.com/week521.html

Retro gaming hardware is having a moment, and this week’s RetroRGB roundup proves it’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about survival. If you’ve ever stared at a scratched disc in despair or worried about your aging console, Bob and the team have some serious solutions.

First up, the community is rallying around open-source tools. There’s a new open-source disc polisher called EZBuff that actually resurfaces discs rather than just cleaning them. It’s a game-changer for anyone tired of replacing mint-condition media. Speaking of preservation, the OSSC Pro just got a profile update to fix those annoying wobbling pixels, and Lu’s MiSTer FPGA news brings fresh cores for Bemani and IGS games.

For the hardware hackers, there’s plenty to chew on. You can finally replace your GameCube’s notorious brick power supply with sleek USB-C alternatives, and the PlayStation 1 just got a 16MB RAM mod for smoother performance. There’s even a dedicated switch dock for the GameCube, proving that classic controllers deserve modern convenience.

And yes, there’s a swim goggle shootout. Because apparently, we need to know which goggles offer the best visibility for intense gaming sessions. Check the links for the full deep dive, and please consider supporting the channel if you value these deep dives into retro tech.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

HyperMegaTech Adds Activision to Their Super Pocket Roster

https://retrohandhelds.gg/hypermegatech-adds-activision-to-their-super-pocket-roster/

Attention, retro gaming junkies: HyperMegaTech just dropped another bombshell into the Super Pocket lineup. If you’ve been eyeing their pocket-sized time machines, the new Activision Edition is officially here, and it’s packing a serious punch for just $69.

This isn’t just a cosmetic swap; it’s a curated collection of 34 classic Atari 2600 titles originally developed by Activision. We’re talking absolute legends like Pitfall!, River Raid, Kaboom!, and Demon Attack. It’s the kind of library that makes you wonder why anyone would bother with emulators when you can have this hardware in your pocket.

Under the hood, it’s the same reliable beast you know and love: a 1.2GHz ARM CPU and a crisp 2.8-inch screen. The specs haven’t changed, but the nostalgia factor just skyrocketed. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, and it’s ready to transport you back to the golden age of 8-bit gaming.

Just keep your calendar handy. These units are currently up for pre-order, but they won’t start shipping until September 28, 2026. Yes, that’s a long wait, but hey, good things come to those who wait—especially if those things include Enduro and Spider Fighter. If you can’t wait that long, you might want to snag a different model, but be warned: the shoulder buttons on the standard units have a reputation for being a bit… awkward.

What’s your pick? Are you all-in on the Activision bundle, or saving your cash for something else? Let us know in the comments!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

MagicX Sets Out New Options for the Mini40

https://retrohandhelds.gg/magicx-sets-out-new-options-for-the-mini40/

Remember the Mini Zero 28? Yeah, it’s gone. MagicX recently pulled the plug on that model due to soaring RAM costs, leaving retro handheld fans clutching their pearls. But instead of leaving us in the lurch, they’ve pivoted to a new contender: the Mini40. And after realizing their initial RK3566 plan was a bit too budget-challenged, they’ve come back with two fresh options that actually look promising.

Here’s the deal: you can now choose your fighter based on your wallet. The $59 tier features the Allwinner A333 with 1GB of RAM, while the $79 upgrade bumps you up to the more powerful RK3572 and 2GB of RAM. Both keep the 4-inch 800×480 screen and dual SD slots, which is a nice touch for storage flexibility. It’s a solid step up from the original $49 rumor, offering real performance gains for just a little extra cash.

MagicX is also letting the community pick the color scheme, with options ranging from classic Black to translucent hues like Blue and Magenta. This is still a feasibility poll, not a pre-order, but given the stalled progress of other projects like the Dream One, a reliable sub-$100 device would be a welcome relief. If you’re interested in keeping the retro handheld dream alive, hop on their Discord and cast your vote before the window closes.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Home Arcade System (HAS) & RECO In Stock

https://retrorgb.com/home-arcade-system-has-reco-in-stock.html

Finally, the wait is over. RetroRGB has restocked the highly acclaimed Home Arcade System (HAS) and the updated RECO controller circuit. If you’ve been eyeing these upgrades for your retro setup, this is your moment to strike.

The HAS is widely considered one of the best superguns on the market, offering robust features like rapid fire and programmable buttons. Meanwhile, the RECO is a nifty add-on that sits in-line with your existing JAMMA harness, giving you that same controller functionality without needing a full supergun setup. Stock is currently healthy across the board, so you won’t have to play whack-a-mole to find one.

A few quick tips before you buy: First, the HAS now uses an HD-15 (VGA-style) port for RGB output. If you’re running a PAL CRT, make sure you grab the specific SCART cable from their store that includes power, or use a standard dongle and accept the loss of power support.

Second, pay close attention to power supply selection. You’ll need to buy one separately, and the model numbers (RT-65A, RT-85A, or RT-125A) must match exactly. Don’t accidentally order the “B” version if the link specifies “A.” Finally, read the manual before plugging anything in. It’s always safer to double-check sync and voltage settings than to fry a perfectly good CRT.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic Goes for Ecosystem With Their Latest Update

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-goes-for-ecosystem-with-their-latest-update/

Anbernic used to be the brand you bought for the hardware and ignored for the software. If you’ve owned their Android handhelds, you probably remember the bloatware and the frantic search for third-party firmware to make things usable. Well, hold onto your controllers, because Anbernic is finally growing up.

The company just dropped a massive system update for its entire T820 lineup, covering devices ranging from the RG556 to the RG406H. This isn’t a patch for one model; it’s a unified push across the board, signaling a serious shift toward building a cohesive ecosystem rather than just shipping plastic boxes.

The real star here is the new “RG Ecosystem,” starting with RG Home. This replaces the clunky old launcher with a clean, Android-integrated frontend that actually looks modern. But the game-changer is the RG Control Center. Swipe from the edge, and you get instant access to performance monitoring, settings, and button mapping overlays. Yes, overlays. For years, Android handheld fans have begged for this, and Anbernic is finally delivering it natively.

This update makes the hardware feel significantly more polished and user-friendly. If Anbernic keeps this momentum up, they might just convert a few skeptics along the way.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

‘Tonga’ Suspends Popular Pirate Site Domains Following Indian Court Order

https://torrentfreak.com/tonga-suspends-popular-pirate-site-domains-following-indian-court-order/

Remember when the .to domain was the ultimate pirate safe haven? Well, the “safe” part just got a lot less safe.

Thanks to a broad blocking order from India’s High Court, the Kingdom of Tonga has suddenly stopped playing hardball. Major torrent sites like S.to and BS.to, which had remained online for years despite foreign legal pressure, were abruptly placed on “clientHold.” This ICANN status code effectively suspends the domains, signaling that the new management is actually listening to court orders.

Why the change? It’s all about infrastructure. The old US-based operator, Tonic Domains, lacked the technical “suspension button.” That’s because the backend was recently handed over to Tucows, a Canadian company, with the Tongan government now listed as the official registrar. Suddenly, compliance isn’t just a request—it’s technically possible.

Rightsholders like Disney and Netflix had been begging for this. While site operators argue the Indian court has no jurisdiction over German websites, the reality is stark: if you can’t enforce a hold, you’re just waiting for the next amendment to the court order. The era of .to as a lawless zone is officially over.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

EmuDeck for Android Just Got a New Launcher and a Ton of Upgrades

https://retrohandhelds.gg/emudeck-for-android-just-got-a-new-launcher-and-a-ton-of-upgrades/

Let’s be real: setting up a new Android handheld is less “gaming nirvana” and more “IT department on a Monday morning.” You know the drill—scraping artwork, tweaking configs, and praying your save files don’t vanish into the digital void. Enter EmuDeck, the Swiss Army knife that’s finally making Android emulation actually pleasant.

The latest update is a massive leap forward, bringing the Android experience closer to parity with its x86 PC counterpart. Big news? It now supports Armada, the ambitious project aiming to bring full SteamOS functionality to Android. If you’re rocking that setup, your emulator installer will finally stop throwing up its hands and refuse to work.

But the real headline is Rift Frontend, a shiny new launcher designed to replace your existing mess. It’s got automatic CloudSync syncing, custom themes, RetroAchievements, and even dual-screen support for melonDS. Essentially, it turns your handheld into a cohesive console rather than a folder of disconnected emulators.

They’ve also fixed critical bugs in CloudSync-compatible forks like RetroArch and Dolphin, and added support for some heavy hitters like PS2 via ARMSX2. If you’re deep in the Android handheld scene, this update is practically mandatory. It’s time to stop wrestling with your device and start actually playing games.