📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 5x v3.98 Firmware

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-5x-v3-98-firmware.html

Pixel Perfection Just Got an Upgrade!

Hold onto your high-res screens, because Mike Chi has dropped what looks like the final firmware for the RetroTINK 5x! While this release is mostly a tidy-up of previous experimental builds, it’s packed with features that matter to those of us obsessed with pixel perfection.

The headline feature? An automatic switch to an ultra-sharp, nearest-neighbor vertical scale whenever you select a vertical integer. This means your 1080p and 1440p modes will get an extra edge without you lifting a finger.

Beyond the sharpness, there are solid backend improvements, too. Expect better 480i processing, a smoother motion deinterlacer, and a neat feature that brings true progressive scan to certain 480i games. If you’re a pixel purist, this is a nice little polish. Time to check out the details and see what the v4 firmware brings next!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AliExpress Summer Sale: Big Savings on Anbernic, Retroid, AYN, and More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/aliexpress-summer-sale-big-savings-on-anbernic-retroid-ayn-and-more/

Score Big While Saving Big on Handhelds!

Summer is officially here, and if you’re deep into the world of handheld gaming, the AliExpress Summer Sale is the absolute perfect time to strike. Forget waiting for a slow discount—these deals are flying off the shelves, and you can snag some seriously sweet bargains on everything from Anbernic and Retroid to AYN devices.

We dove into the chaos and found some absolute steals on popular models. Whether you’re hunting for a new Anbernic or eyeing the latest AYN, there are tons of discount codes available to slash those prices.

Pro-tip for maximum savings? Don’t forget about PayPal and Rakuten! Using these services at checkout can unlock extra cash back and deep discounts, turning a good deal into a great deal. Go grab those handhelds before the sale ends!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Game of the Month: June Was Doomed From the Start

https://retrohandhelds.gg/game-of-the-month-doomed-june/

June’s Games: A Trip Down Memory Lane (and a Gentle Reality Check)

Get ready to dust off those old cartridges because this month on Retro Handhelds, we’re diving into games that might have slipped under the radar back in the day. We’re focusing on titles from consoles that didn’t exactly break the bank in their heyday.

It turns out these forgotten gems are actually quite the sleeper hits—some are so good they spawned sequels and remakes on newer platforms! We’ve got a fantastic lineup, including classics like Panzer Dragoon and Sonic Adventure, alongside deep dives into sprawling adventures like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.

If you’re looking for a quick hit, keep an eye out for our weekly “Game of the Week,” which features speedy, under-two-hour challenges. Join the GotX crew on Discord to argue, celebrate, and see which forgotten classics we decide to resurrect this month!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

MiSTer FPGA News – New PC Core, Atari Star Wars, Darius 2 & More

https://retrorgb.com/mister-fpga-news-new-pc-core-atari-star-wars-darius-2-more.html

🕹️ Arcade News: What’s New in the MiSTer World?

Well, looks like the retro gaming community is always churning out new magic! This week’s news is packed with new cores and upgrades that are making those classic arcade machines feel even more authentic.

The big news? A brand new PC core, z386, is here! This unofficial 386 core is an experimental beast, offering a taste of old-school PC power (think 16MB of RAM). Keep in mind, it’s experimental, but the tinkering continues!

We’re also seeing a ton of polish across the board. Zaparoo has rolled out a major frontend upgrade, complete with native 320×240 CRT support—so your monitor looks just like it did back in the day! Plus, we saw new cores for classics like Vapor Trail and Darius 2.

On the hardware front, some developers are making things work better. The NeoGeo Pocket Core is now reportedly reliable for saving games, and there are new cores for titles like Atari Star Wars that map your controller axes perfectly.

So, whether you’re digging into classic shooters or trying to squeeze some retro PC power, there’s something here for everyone. Time to fire up that joystick and see what the FPGA can do! 🚀

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 Turns the Xbox Ally X Into a 20th Anniversary Showpiece

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-rog-xbox-ally-x20-turns-the-xbox-ally-x-into-a-20th-anniversary-showpiece/

Ready to rock out some games with a new toy? The ROG Xbox Ally X20 has landed, and it looks like ASUS is celebrating 20 years by leveling up the game!

Forget the usual hardware refresh; this model is a proper commemorative piece. It sports a new translucent shell with gold buttons, and yes, that Xbox Mode button actually glows green. It’s all about making this thing look as epic as it plays.

The big news? They bolted in an OLED display. We’re talking a massive, HDR 7.4-inch screen, which is a huge leap from its predecessor. Plus, the controls are getting fancy with TMR joysticks and a “Transforming D-pad” that changes layout on the fly.

Now, hang tight because the catch is sweet. Apparently, the Ally X20 is only available bundled with the XREAL R1 Edition 20 AR glasses. So, if you want this showpiece, you’re looking at a hefty price tag—think $2,000 to $3,000. Looks like you’ll need serious cash to capture this beauty!

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

The Pirate Bay Remains Resilient, 20 Years After The Raid

https://torrentfreak.com/the-pirate-bay-remains-resilient-20-years-after-the-raid/

Well, it seems like the internet’s most infamous hub has weathered a storm, and frankly, it deserves an award for sheer tenacity.

TorrentFreak dug into the saga of The Pirate Bay, and it turns out that even when police showed up to shut it down, the site managed to bounce back—and it still does! The massive raid in 2006 was huge, but what happened next? That’s the real story.

The co-founders managed to pull off a miraculous recovery, turning the attempted shutdown into a publicity stunt (and a massive traffic spike!). The site even rebranded itself as “The Police Bay,” suggesting it embraced the chaos.

While the US government was involved in the buildup, the founders successfully navigated the legal mess. Though the founders faced real consequences, the site has become legendary for its resilience. Twenty years later, it’s still online, proving that sometimes, you just can’t kill the internet spirit.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GameNative Finally Reaches 1.0 (Pre-Release)

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamenative-finally-reaches-1-0-pre-release/

You know, the x86 emulation scene is always buzzing, and it sounds like the community is really putting in the work!

Well, the big news is that GameNative hit its pre-release 1.0 mark, and it’s a huge step for making x86 emulation accessible on Android. This effort has been a major push to bring these classic games to mobile devices easily, and the new version brings some serious upgrades.

The big takeaway? Performance is looking seriously boosted. GameNative incorporated the Vulkan Renderer from Winlator Ludashi, which should help cut down on latency and improve game performance significantly. Plus, they’re working toward a modern Android build that can actually make it onto the Play Store—though some of the quirks are still there!

Basically, the community has rolled up its sleeves, and these updates mean better performance and smoother gameplay for those who love retro titles. Keep an eye on this, because the improvements are coming down the line!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: Computex Brought the Handhelds, DK64 Brought the Nostalgia

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-101/

Here are some quick bites from the world of handheld gaming this week! 🕹️

Computex was a blast, and it seems like manufacturers are really leaning into the power-hungry hardware side of things. Acer dropped the Predator Atlas 8, boasting Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme chip and a blazing 120Hz display. MSI is also joining the party with a redesigned Claw 8 EX AI Plus. It seems the handheld market is getting seriously beefier, though we also saw reports that the Anbernic RG34XXSP might have been… downgraded. Sneaky!

But the nostalgia machine is running! Donkey Kong 64 is hitting Nintendo Switch Online on June 4th, 2026, which is perfect timing for the Switch 2 anniversary. Plus, software updates like the new RG Home launcher for the Anbernic series are making those handhelds feel a bit more polished.

In the emulation corner, things are always wild. There are folks pushing for JITless Dreamcast emulation on iOS, and various updates are rolling out to make older hardware feel alive again. Whether it’s big hardware announcements or deep-dive software fixes, the community is buzzing. Looks like the future of retro gaming is getting a serious upgrade!

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Torrent Giant YTS Suffers Extended Downtime

https://torrentfreak.com/torrent-giant-yts-suffers-extended-downtime/

Hold onto your VPNs, folks, because the internet’s favorite pirate hub is taking an unplanned vacation.

YTS, the behemoth torrent site, has suddenly gone dark again, leaving millions of users scratching their heads. The site is currently throwing up frustrating Cloudflare “504 Gateway time-out” errors, meaning the actual server just isn’t responding.

This isn’t the first rodeo for the site, which has navigated a choppy legal and domain history. While they’ve dealt with copyright lawsuits and domain shuffling, the current outage has left the operators completely silent. No official word is forthcoming from YTS, and their usual communication channels are silent on the matter.

In the meantime, you’re left relying on unofficial mirrors and copycats. It seems the drama of the digital world continues, proving that even giant sites can stumble when the servers decide to take a break. We’ll keep you posted if the giants finally emerge from the cloud!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

The Games I’m Actually Playing on My Odin 3: Part II

https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-games-im-actually-playing-on-my-odin-3-part-ii/

Your handheld game is about to get a serious glow-up! Six months in with the AYN Odin 3, and it’s clearly become the undisputed king of your portable gaming setup.

This little device proves that emulation is still a blast, especially when you combine it with modern hardware. You can now run classics like Shadow of the Colossus with stunning fluidity, proving that waiting for HD remasters isn’t the only way to get a visual treat.

The real magic lies in the FEX ecosystem, which lets you treat your handheld like a mini Steam Deck. You’re diving into addictive new titles like Vampire Crawlers and experimental gems like Dead as Disco, all while effortlessly streaming massive games like Forza Horizon 6.

Bottom line? The Odin 3 is proving itself to be everything you need. Don’t sweat the rest of the market; this little powerhouse has earned its place at the top.