📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG 55G1 Could Finally Bring Snapdragon Power and a ‘New Frontier’

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-55g1-could-finally-bring-snapdragon-power-and-a-new-frontier/

Anbernic just flipped the script on its own naming convention, and honestly? It’s about time. The teaser for the new RG 55G1 dropped this morning, promising a “new frontier” for the handheld scene. But the real headline isn’t the design tweaks—it’s the potential hardware shift.

For the first time, Anbernic appears to be ditching its usual MediaTek and Allwinner chips for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. The code name “G1” likely points to the Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 or G1 Gen 2. This is a massive deal because Snapdragon chips offer significantly better driver support. If true, this means smoother emulation for heavier titles like Switch games or even Windows PC titles via GameHub, solving a major pain point for retro gamers tired of volatile performance on other SoCs.

Beyond the brainpower, the RG 55G1 is packing premium features: double-shot buttons, 3D Hall-effect joysticks, Hall-effect triggers, and a full-screen 2.5D glass display. It’s coming in Indigo, Retro Gray, and Black. While the design draws inevitable comparisons to the Switch Lite or the Retroid Pocket 4, the internals could make this a standout contender.

It’s shaping up to be a busy week for Snapdragon handhelds, with the AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 also in the mix. We’ll have to wait for official specs, but if Anbernic nails the driver support, the RG 55G1 might just be the upgrade we’ve been waiting for.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GameMT E3 Vigor Review: It Sure is a Handheld

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamemt-e3-vigor-review/

GameMT is back, and this time, they’re calling it the E3 Vigor. If you’ve been following the retro handheld chaos, you know the brand has a mixed track record—think questionable controls and missing fans. But is the latest budget contender actually any good, or just another plastic brick?

Let’s talk specs. It’s packing a MediaTek processor, 1GB of RAM, and a square 3.95-inch 720p screen. Ergonomically, it’s surprisingly comfortable, with a curved design that doesn’t dig into your palms. However, the controls are a bit of a mystery box. The D-pad is genuinely good, but placing the analog stick above the face buttons feels like a design choice made in a vacuum. Plus, the shoulder buttons are clicky, and the face buttons have zero travel, which might wear out your thumbs faster than you’d like.

The real headache, though, is the software. It runs a custom Android skin called GameMT OS, which is mostly fine until you try to connect to Wi-Fi. The reviewer hit a wall with authentication errors, locking out updates, scraping, and profile syncing. Without that connectivity, it’s a pretty barebones experience.

So, is it worth $60? Honestly, it’s competent, but the market is crowded. For just $10 more, you can grab a Powkiddy RGB30 or an Anbernic RG CubeXX that offer better customization and value. Unless you find this on deep discount, the E3 Vigor feels like a step backward in a genre that’s moving forward fast.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Music Publishers Truncated Musk’s ‘DMCA Plague’ Tweet to Back Piracy Case, X Tells Court

https://torrentfreak.com/music-publishers-truncated-musks-dmca-plague-tweet-to-back-piracy-case-x-tells-court/

Elon Musk’s famous tweet calling the DMCA a “plague on humanity” might sound like a declaration of war on copyright law, but X Corp is arguing it’s actually just political commentary. That’s the core of the tech giant’s latest move to dismiss a massive lawsuit from major music publishers like Universal and Sony.

The labels claim X actively encourages piracy, leaning heavily on that truncated tweet as proof of intent. X pushes back hard, pointing out that Musk was specifically criticizing overzealous enforcement and long copyright terms, not the law itself. In fact, Musk later clarified that legitimate takedown requests are perfectly fine. The company argues the publishers are deliberately misrepresenting his words to manufacture an “inducement” claim.

Why does this matter? It’s a high-stakes battle over how much control platforms must exert over user content. With the Supreme Court raising the bar for contributory infringement in the Cox case, the music industry is struggling to prove X did more than just host content. X contends that general platform features and slow response times don’t equal illegal encouragement.

If Judge Trauger buys X’s argument, this 18-month legal saga could end right here. The publishers have a chance to respond, but the writing might already be on the wall: context matters, even in federal court.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #518

https://retrorgb.com/week518.html

Ready to nerd out? This week’s RetroRGB roundup is packed with enough retro hardware news to fill a basement arcade. We’re diving straight into the latest updates for your favorite vintage gaming setups, so grab a controller and let’s get into it.

First up, the OSSC Pro is finally back in stock. If you’ve been hunting for that pristine 4:4:4 RGB signal for your CRT or modern display, now’s your chance to grab one before they vanish again. Speaking of upgrades, the RetroTink 4K just got a firmware bump to version 1.27, bringing smoother performance and new features for those who refuse to compromise on video quality.

For the emulation enthusiasts, Lu’s MiSTer FPGA saw some exciting updates, including CPS3 beta cores and better GUI media casting. Meanwhile, Mega Everdrive users can breathe a sigh of relief with firmware v26, and Fightbox R10 owners have a quick update on that pro arcade stick.

Oh, and there’s a new JAMPACK’d Magazine dropping for the ePOS Voxel crowd, plus a handy Retroverse controller tester demo if you’re tired of guessing which button does what. It’s a lot to digest, but totally worth it for any retro tech junkie.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Steam Machine Geekbench Scores Hint at Modest But Capable Performance

https://retrohandhelds.gg/steam-machine-geekbench-scores-hint-at-modest-but-capable-performance/

The wait for Valve’s Steam Machine is finally yielding some real numbers, and the results are… surprisingly modest. Thanks to fresh Geekbench 6 scores, we now know exactly what kind of performance to expect from this small, SteamOS-powered PC. Think of it less as a desktop powerhouse and more as a refined, living-room-optimized console.

Here’s the breakdown: The machine sports a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads, running at a very efficient 30-watt TDP. In practice, that translates to a single-core score of 2,282 and a multicore score of 7,392. To put that in perspective, it’s performing roughly on par with a low-TDP Ryzen 5 7640U for single tasks, but its multicore chops align more closely with older Ryzen 5000 series chips like the 5500 or 5600.

So, what does this mean for gamers? It means you aren’t getting a raw PC monster. You’re getting something closer to a high-end handheld or a Steam Deck on steroids. It’s plenty capable of handling most modern titles at decent settings, but don’t expect to max out 4K ray tracing. The real story here isn’t just the silicon; it’s the price. With estimates ranging from under $1,000 to well above it, the final sticker shock will likely determine whether this machine sinks or floats. We’re closing in on a launch, so keep your wallets ready.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GoldenEye 007 Recompilation: From PC With Love

https://retrohandhelds.gg/goldeneye-007-recompilation-from-pc-with-love/

Remember the golden era of couch co-op? If your nostalgia for GoldenEye 007 is as strong as your hatred for missing the bathroom during a split-screen match, you’re in luck. Thanks to a clever bit of fan engineering, the N64 classic is finally getting a proper native PC port.

This isn’t just another emulator wrapper. Developed by SunJaycy, this “Recomp” translates the original code directly into C++, bypassing the hardware simulation overhead that often slows emulation down. The result? A buttery smooth 60 frames-per-second experience with modern controller support, widescreen fixes, and online multiplayer. It’s essentially the game we’ve all been waiting for, running exactly as it should on modern hardware.

However, there’s a catch: you need the game files. Since the official Xbox 360 version was cancelled, the project doesn’t include assets. You’ll have to track down the leaked Xbox 360 data yourself—a bit of digital detective work, but worth it for the payoff. Once you drop those files into the folder and run the executable, you’re ready to cause some diplomatic incidents in London.

This project highlights a growing trend where fans are taking preservation into their own hands. Instead of waiting for a remaster that may never come, enthusiasts are building better ways to play the games they love. It’s a win for preservation, performance, and anyone who just wants to play 4-player deathmatch without lag.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Genesis 1 – 2 Output Converter

https://retrorgb.com/genesis-1-2-output-converter.html

Got a Sega Genesis Model 1 and feeling left out of the high-definition video party? You’re not alone, but there’s a sleek fix that might just save your retro gaming setup. Kyle from Retro-Access has released the “Genesis Bridge,” a tiny adapter that transforms the bulky DIN port on Genesis 1s and Sega Master Systems into the more common MiniDIN found on later models.

The best part? It’s a true passthrough. Every pin connects directly, meaning your existing composite, RGB SCART, HD Retrovision, and even RAD2x cables work exactly as they should. Because it’s a small PCB rather than a long cable, you also avoid the interference headaches that can sometimes plague longer adapter wires. Audio and video stay crisp and clean.

A quick heads-up, though: Japanese Master Systems need a different cable due to unique motherboard components, so this bridge won’t help with those specific units. Also, if you have a Model 1 and never plan on owning the 32x expansion, a dedicated Model 1 cable with a 3.5mm jack is cheaper. But for most collectors who might upgrade later or own multiple revisions, this bridge plus a quality Genesis 2 cable is the ultimate flexible solution. It’s a small piece of hardware that keeps your options wide open.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Music Labels Win Canadian Site Blocking Order Against Y2Mate, YTMP3, and Savefrom

https://torrentfreak.com/music-labels-win-canadian-site-blocking-order-against-y2mate-ytmp3-and-savefrom/

Canadian music fans, say goodbye to easy offline playlists. A federal court in Ottawa has issued the country’s first-ever site-blocking order against stream-ripping services, marking a significant win for major labels like Sony, Universal, and Warner. The ruling targets notorious platforms like Y2Mate, YTMP3, and SaveFrom, ordering nine major ISPs—including Bell and Rogers—to block access to their domains.

The judge’s reasoning was straightforward: these sites exist solely to facilitate unauthorized copyright infringement. By allowing users to rip and download streaming content, they violate the Copyright Act. The order requires ISPs to use DNS blocking or similar technical measures, complete with a notification page explaining why the site is inaccessible.

What’s clever here is the “John Doe” aspect. The court didn’t just block the four specific domains currently listed; it created a framework for future enforcement. If copycat sites pop up to fill the void, labels can add them to the blocklist with minimal legal hassle, provided no ISP objects. While the current targets aren’t traffic giants (many are actually lower-traffic clones of bigger sites), this precedent sets a powerful trap for any new ripper service that tries to take their place. In short, the cat-and-mouse game just got a lot harder for the mice.

📰 New article from Wololo.net

Homebrew Release: Warnel Chawpiovs v1.4.0 (PC, Nintendo Switch, Android), adds Android Support, 7 new heroes, and 5 new scenarios

https://wololo.net/2026/06/16/homebrew-release-warnel-chawpiovs-v1-4-0-pc-nintendo-switch-android-adds-android-support-7-new-heroes-and-5-new-scenarios/

Marvel Champions fans, rejoice: your favorite homebrew companion just got a major upgrade. Warnel Chawpiovs version 1.4.0 is here, and it’s officially bringing the table-top experience to your Android phone. That’s right, you can finally fight cosmic threats on the go, provided you don’t mind squinting at text that’s barely readable on smaller screens.

This update is no small feat. It introduces seven new heroes, including the ever-popular Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. You’ll also face off against five fresh scenarios from the Mutant Genesis expansion, featuring heavy hitters like Magneto and the Sentinel. If you’ve ever struggled with Magneto in solo mode, be warned: he’s still brutally difficult, but at least the rules are now enforced more accurately than ever.

Beyond the new content, the developer has poured effort into performance. Loading times are snappier thanks to new caching layers, and visual glitches have been smoothed out. However, a word of caution for Switch users: the game is still a bit sluggish. You might want to overclock your console if you plan on playing with multiple heroes.

Whether you’re on PC, Switch, or now Android, this update makes the digital adaptation feel closer to the real thing. It’s not perfect—multiplayer is still largely broken, and Mac support is officially “unsupported”—but for solo players looking to automate the rules and dive into new storylines, it’s a massive step forward.

📰 New article from Wololo.net

Unlocking the PSP’s Dual Core setup.

https://wololo.net/2026/06/16/unlocking-the-psps-dual-core-setup/

Think the PSP is just a single-core relic? Think again. Thanks to some serious detective work by developer m-cid, we now know the handheld actually hides a secret dual-core setup. It’s not just a fun fact for old-school geeks; it’s a major unlock for homebrew potential.

For years, Sony kept the Media Engine (ME) locked behind kernel-level access, using it strictly for decoding audio and video. Retail games could only ask the kernel to do the heavy lifting. This was likely a strategic move to allow hardware revisions without breaking compatibility—a strategy Sony later botched with the PS Vita, which lacks the ME entirely.

But m-cid has cracked the code. They’ve identified the ME’s co-processor, the Virtual Mobile Engine (VME), and created easy-to-use libraries that let developers tap into this raw power. This isn’t just about tinkering; it’s about performance. We’re talking about hardware-accelerated 64-bit integer math and potential FPS boosts for emulators.

The results are already showing up in projects like the Perfect Dark port. If you’re into the technical nitty-gritty, the GitHub repos linked in the original post offer a treasure trove of documentation. It’s a reminder that even retired hardware still has plenty of surprises left in its silicon.