📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Deals of the Week

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-deals-of-the-week/

### Level Up Your Wallet: This Week’s Retro Gaming Deals

If your current gaming setup is just a smartphone and a dream, it’s time to upgrade. Whether you’re hunting for a dedicated piece of nostalgia or a powerhouse x86 handheld that can handle modern titles, the latest round of deals has something for every budget (and every level of impulse control).

The big news this week is the AliExpress “Sunshine Savings” sale. If you’ve been eyeing an Anbernic or Miyoo device, now is the time to strike. We’ve pulled the best coupon codes to help you shave up to $90 off your order. From the budget-friendly Anbernic RG28XX to more robust Android handhelds like the Retroid Pocket 5, there are plenty of ways to save.

Here’s the quick breakdown of what’s worth watching:

• The Retro Staples: Deep discounts are available on Anbernic classics (like the RG35XX series) and Miyoo favorites (keep an eye on the Mini Plus).
• Power Players: If you need more muscle, check out deals on x86 devices like the ASUS ROG Ally or even some surprisingly affordable Mini PCs from ACEMAGIC.

Freebies Alert: If you’re a Prime Gaming subscriber, grab your “100% off” loot fast—titles like Mafia II: Definitive Edition and Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands* are currently sitting in the free pile.

Don’t wait too long—those AliExpress coupons have an expiration date, and so does your chance to snag these prices!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Retro Handhelds Weekly: More RG Rotate, $10 Flash Carts, & Big Custom Firmware Drops

https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-handhelds-weekly-edition-99/

### Hardware, Hacks, and $10 Flash Carts

If you thought the retro handheld scene was slowing down, think again. This week has been a whirlwind of leaks, DIY wizardry, and some much-needed software fixes that might actually make your devices behave.

The hardware rumors are flying, specifically regarding a potential budget-friendly Android handheld from AYANEO called the “Pocket Block.” Meanwhile, Valve is reportedly working on new hardware under the “Steam Machine” and “Steam Frame” codenames—hopefully with a smoother rollout than the Steam Controller era. If you’re feeling particularly chaotic, a new DIY adapter called the Motecast now lets you use a Nintendo Wii Remote to play Dreamcast games via Bluetooth. It’s niche, it’s weird, and we love it.

On the software front, there is some great news for Anbernic RG DS owners: a brand-new Linux firmware is arriving to fix those pesky Android quirks. Plus, huge updates are hitting KNULLI (hello, Scarab!) and Batocera 43, bringing better compatibility for devices like the Retroid Pocket 6.

Quick Hits:

• Budget Win: The DSPico flash cart is hovering around $10 on AliExpress.
• Steam Deck Perk: A new Decky Translator update now supports offline translation.
• Savings Alert: The AliExpress Sunshine Savings sale is live—stock up on those coupon codes before they expire!

📰 New article from RetroRGB

R.C. Pro-Am – NES to SNES Conversion

https://retrorgb.com/r-c-pro-am-nes-to-snes-conversion.html

If your childhood was defined by aggressive driving and shooting tiny bullets at toy cars, then grab your controller. The legendary R.C. Pro-Am just got a major glow-up.

Developer Rumbleminze has officially released a new NES to SNES conversion of the classic racer. This isn’t just a simple port; it uses some clever technical wizardry (specifically FastROM/HiROM) to speed up data transfer.

The real magic, however, is in the visuals. By leveraging the SNES’s superior sprite limit, this version aims to kill off that annoying sprite flicker and slowdown that used to plague the original NES hardware. It’s essentially the smooth, high-performance experience we all deserved back in the 90s.

While you won’t find a new soundtrack here—the original game was famously silent during races—the gameplay remains as punchy and competitive as ever. Whether you’re dodging obstacles or taking out opponents, it’s much easier on the eyes now.

If you want to relive the glory days of remote-controlled mayhem without the retro lag, this is a must-play for any fan of the classics.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Lithuania Pitches Pirate Site Blocking as Defense Against “Hybrid Warfare,” Including Russian Disinformation

https://torrentfreak.com/lithuania-pitches-pirate-site-blocking-as-defense-against-hybrid-warfare-including-russian-disinformation/

### Lithuania’s New Playbook: Piracy is Now “Hybrid Warfare”

If you thought copyright enforcement was just about protecting big movie studios, think again. In Lithuania, the fight against piracy has officially entered the realm of national security.

The country’s media watchdog, LRTK, isn’t just looking to stop illegal streams; they’re framing pirate sites as a front for “hybrid warfare.” The logic? Many unlicensed IPTV services retransmit sanctioned Russian state channels, effectively acting as a Trojan horse for disinformation. By blocking these illegal streams, Lithuania claims it is simultaneously cutting off propaganda and protecting its citizens.

But the crackdown isn’t just about politics—it’s about cybersecurity, too. The LRTK points to past leaks from local pirate sites where user data, including plain-text passwords of government officials, ended up on the dark web. To them, a pirate site is essentially a goldmine for hostile state actors looking for credentials to hack state institutions.

Lithuania’s “automated” approach is incredibly fast—blocking domains across all ISPs within 20 minutes—but it’s also a cautionary tale. When the Netherlands tried to adopt similar blocklists, they accidentally nuked legitimate Indian social media and radio aggregators.

The takeaway: While aggressive blocking might secure a border, copying someone else’s “security” list without care can lead to some very accidental internet blackouts.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket Block Leak Points to a Smaller, Cheaper Android Handheld

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-block-leak-points-to-a-smaller-cheaper-android-handheld/

The Mystery of the Pocket Block

If you’ve been following AYANEO lately, you probably thought they had gone quiet. Between shipping updates and price announcements, it felt like the studio was in a bit of a lull—until a leak just blew the doors wide open.

A new device, currently surfacing under the name “AYANEO Pocket Block” (or possibly “BITWAVE,” depending on which render you believe), has been spotted via leaked user manuals and schematics. While we don’t have a confirmed spec sheet yet, one thing is certain: this isn’t another heavy-hitting powerhouse. This is an Android-based handheld designed to take on the budget giants like the Miyoo Mini Plus.

Here’s what we know so far:

• The Vibe: It looks smaller and more portable than their premium “Vert” models, likely sitting closer to the Pocket AIR Mini price point.
• The Controls: Expect a classic layout with ABXY buttons, a D-pad, and some extra programmable buttons on the side for that custom touch.
• The Essentials: We’re seeing a microSD slot, USB-C charging, and a 3.5mm headphone jack—the holy trinity of retro gaming.

It looks like AYANEO is pivoting toward the “pocketable” market, and honestly? We’re here for it. If they can deliver high-end Android performance in a budget-friendly, vertical frame, the competition should be very nervous.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

RetroTINK 5x Firmware v4.0

https://retrorgb.com/retrotink-5x-firmware-v4-0.html

### RetroTINK 5x Gets a Major Glow-Up

If you thought your RetroTINK 5x was already the king of retro scaling, hold onto your CRT monitors. Five years after its debut, creator Mike Chi has just dropped the v4.0 firmware, and it is nothing short of a massive overhaul.

Think of this as the “CRT Simulation Edition.” This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a specialized branch designed to push pixel-perfect aesthetics to the limit. By backporting much of the heavy-duty processing pipeline from the RT4K, the 5x can now utilize a 12bpc RGB 4:4:4 Linear Light pipeline and true HDR10 output. The result? CRT effects that are brighter, more color-accurate, and significantly more immersive.

What’s new under the hood:

• Next-level masks: New RGB shadowmask support and “energy normalizing” scanlines for a more authentic retro feel.
• Quasi-4K modes: High-resolution horizontal outputs (like 3840×960) that let 4K TVs display incredibly detailed CRT masks.
• The Catch: Because this is an experimental branch, some features like MADI and Inverse Telecine are currently sidelined to focus on simulation quality.

A quick heads-up: If you have a very early “Rev A” unit or rely heavily on MADI for 480i sources, you might want to stick with v3.97 for now. But if you’re hunting for that perfect, glowing phosphor look, it’s time to update.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Analogue 3D Now Supports Save States

https://retrorgb.com/analogue-3d-now-supports-save-states.html

If you’ve ever been one pixel away from defeating a boss on the N64 only to have your power flicker, this one is for you. Analogue just dropped a software update for the Analogue 3D that finally brings “Memories”—otherwise known as save states—to the console.

Following the blueprint of the Analogue Pocket, you can now snap up to 20 different snapshots of your gameplay. If you get too ambitious and try to hit 21, the oldest memory simply evaporates to make room for the new one. It’s a massive quality-of-life boost for anyone tired of the “one mistake and it’s game over” era of gaming.

The coolest part? Early testers are reporting that this works with flash carts, too. While we’re still waiting on an official list of compatible hardware, the Everdrive 64 X7 is already showing great results. There’s even talk that you might be able to share saves between original cartridges and ROMs.

A quick word of caution: Don’t go clicking buttons recklessly. Using in-game save functions after loading a Memory can overwrite your precious Controller Pak files. Use the power, but handle with care!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG DS Gets a New Linux Firmware That Finally Embraces Dual Screens

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-ds-gets-a-new-linux-firmware-that-finally-embraces-dual-screens/

If you’ve ever tried to use a dual-screen device running Android, you know the struggle. Trying to make two separate screens play nice together can feel like trying to herd cats in a windstorm. For Anbernic RG DS owners, that frustration has been the norm for about six months now.

But things are finally looking up. Anbernic just announced an all-new Linux firmware designed specifically to embrace that dual-screen magic. Instead of wrestling with clunky Android launchers, you get a UI that actually feels like a Nintendo DS. It even comes with three fresh themes—DS Dark, DS Light, and a “Classic” mode for the purists.

The update brings some much-needed quality-of-life tweaks:

• Independent brightness controls for each screen.
• A dedicated screen-swapping feature.
• Customizable font colors and a new button test interface.

The best part? There’s zero risk of “bricking” your device. You don’t have to flash the internal storage; just pop the Linux build onto a microSD card, plug it in, and you’re good to go. If you miss Android, just swap the SD card back out. It’s a low-stakes, high-reward upgrade for anyone tired of the Android headache.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Universal Wins Delhi Court Order Against IMDb-Themed Pirate Streaming Sites

https://torrentfreak.com/universal-wins-delhi-court-order-against-imdb-themed-pirate-streaming-site/

### The “Play” Button That Got Too Playful

If you’ve ever tried a little “URL magic” to find free movies, you might want to sit down for this one. For years, internet pirates have been using a clever trick: take a legitimate IMDb link, add the word “play” to the URL, and—presto!—you’re redirected to a streaming site full of pirated hits like Fast X.

It’s a slick way to hijack the “goodwill” of a massive brand like IMDb to make shady sites look legitimate. But Universal Pictures has officially entered the chat, and they aren’t happy about it.

A Delhi High Court has stepped in with a massive injunction against several IMDb-themed pirate portals, including PlayIMDb and various VidSrc domains. The court didn’t just call them “infringing”; it called out their “dishonest” attempt to trick users into thinking these streams were official.

Here’s the fallout:

• The Great Blockade: Indian ISPs have been ordered to block 17 specific domains within 72 hours.
• Follow the Money: Registrars are being told to hand over personal details, including credit card info and phone numbers, of the site owners.
• No Escape Clause: The order is “dynamic,” meaning if Universal finds new mirror sites, they can have them blocked without even going back to court.

While these sites might still be accessible outside of India for now, the walls are definitely closing in.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Everdrive GBA Pro Firmware Update

https://retrorgb.com/everdrive-gba-pro-firmware-update.html

If you’ve been treating your Everdrive GBA Pro like a “set it and forget it” piece of hardware, you might want to pause and grab a USB cable. The legend himself, Krikzz, has just dropped a series of firmware updates that are much more than just minor housekeeping.

While the primary focus is on stability, these updates tackle some of the real-world annoyances of playing on modern (or vintage) hardware. Most notably, there’s now a compatibility fix for the GBA-SP AGS-101 model—a huge win for those using the backlit beast.

The update also cleans up some much-needed bugs, including:

• Fixing “Blue Screen” crashes: No more random hardware tantrums during cold starts.
• Sleep Mode repairs: Because your cartridge shouldn’t be acting sleepy when you aren’t.
• New Boot Modes: A new “Start Safe” mode allows you to bypass the in-game menu for a smoother experience.

Essentially, if you want your high-end ROM cart to run as smoothly as the games it plays, now is the time to hit that update button and keep those gyro sensors happy.