📰 New article from RetroRGB

The WORST Console HDMI Cables I’ve Ever Tested

https://retrorgb.com/the-worst-console-hdmi-cables-ive-ever-tested.html

Let’s be real: if you bought XYAB’s “4K” HDMI cables, you didn’t upgrade your retro setup—you just turned your SNES into a slideshow with lag so bad, it’s basically time travel in reverse.

We’re talking 150ms of input lag on the “4K” cables. That’s not “slight delay.” That’s ten full frames of lag—so when you’re mashing A in Super Mario Bros., your jump happens after the enemy has already moved, ate your power-up, and started doing the cha-cha. And yes—they sell these like they’re a feature, not a bug.

The 1080p cables? Also broken. They auto-switch resolution based on aspect ratio (720p in 4:3?!), and the PS2 cables? Can’t even handle 480p games because they’re RGB-only with no proper signal conversion. Meanwhile, the audio hums like a dying refrigerator.

And the cherry on top? No shielding. Video noise. Audio interference. Manuals that say “not for 720p TVs” like it’s a feature, not a confession.

If you own these? Return them. Beg if you have to. If it’s past the window? Start a revolt. This isn’t just bad—it’s artistically bad. Stick with Electron Shephard’s zero-lag adapters. Your thumbs will thank you.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Getting Personal with the Game Bub

https://retrorgb.com/getting-personal-with-the-game-bub.html

Let’s be real—building a handheld gaming console from scratch isn’t just a hobby. It’s a midlife crisis with better visuals.

Enter the Game Bub: an open-source FPGA handheld that’s basically a love letter to retro gamers and electronics nerds alike. When the official Crowd Supply version (a sleek horizontal design) got delayed, one intrepid fan decided: Why wait? I’ll build the old vertical version myself. And by “build,” we mean soldering over 300 microscopic 0402 components—tiny enough to be mistaken for dust. Six hours in the oven later, he emerged… victorious. And slightly charred.

The twist? The GitHub version (Revision 2) is totally different from the polished, horizontal Revision 3 shipping to Crowd Supply backers. Turns out Eli, the creator, was still fine-tuning the final product—so our DIY hero accidentally scored a rare, early prototype. Talk about serendipity.

Now he’s got a working Game Bub to play Tetris on while waiting for his “premium” version. And yes—he filmed the whole chaotic, solder-splattered process in a 26-minute video. No commentary. Just pure, uncut electronics wizardry.

If you’ve ever stared at a circuit board and whispered, “I could do this,” watch it. Then go hug your toaster. You’re not alone.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AISPLC R36T and R36T Max Setup Guide

https://retrohandhelds.gg/aisplc-r36t-and-r36t-max-setup-guide/

Ah, the AISPLC R36T and R36T Max—budget handhelds that look like they were designed by a 2005 gamer who found a time machine and said, “Let’s make this thing with CRT glow and wood grain.” And honestly? We’re here for it.

These little guys pack a punch for their size: Rockchip RK3326, 1GB RAM, and a gorgeous 720×720 IPS screen with a CRT bubble filter—because nothing says “retro” like pretending your N64 is playing through a TV from 1998. The stock OS? Functional, with cute snow-static loading screens… but also prone to Wi-Fi meltdowns. Classic.

Enter ArkOS4Clone—the secret sauce for turning your R36T from “meh” to “I just beat Jet Set Radio on a handheld the size of a deck of cards.” Setup? A bit janky. You gotta download three .001 files, unzip twice, run a Windows-only DTB selector to tell the OS “Hey, I have a R36T MAX, not a toaster,” then flash it to a good SD card (yes, the preloaded one is trash—trust us).

Pro tip: Don’t plug in the card until after running DTB_Selector. We learned this the hard way. (RIP my Tetris save.)

Once it’s live, drop your ROMs in the right folders, pop it back in, and boom—your Game Boy Advance library is now a 4-inch portal to childhood. No Amazon Prime needed. Just pure, unfiltered nostalgia.

Get it while the CRT glow lasts. 🕹️

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Pocket S Mini Now Available, Begins Shipping Next Week

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-pocket-s-mini-now-available-begins-shipping-next-week/

Hey there, retro gamers—your tiny gaming obsession just got a whole lot smaller.

AYANEO just dropped the Pocket S Mini, a pocket-sized beast that’s basically your old Pocket S but shrunk, stylish, and ready to rumble. At just 305g and with a sweet 4:3 4.2-inch screen, it’s built for snacking on PSP classics or emulator gems without needing a second forearm. And no crowdfunding drama—just straight-up pre-orders on their site, starting at $319.

Here’s the kicker: if you order before Feb 10, it’ll ship before Chinese New Year. That’s like getting a gaming gift before the family reunion even starts. Top-tier 16GB/512GB model? Only in “Retro Power” color—because AYANEO still thinks aesthetics are a personality trait.

Android 14, UFS 4.0 storage, and a 6,000mAh battery mean it’s not just cute—it’s capable. But let’s be real: the real story is AYANEO’s new “no-crowdfunding” approach. CEO Arthur Zhang promises equal global shipping, no backlogs, and (fingers crossed) fewer “we’ll ship next year” sighs.

Is this the real deal? Or just a flashy preview before the next big thing? We’re cautiously optimistic. But one thing’s certain—your pocket won’t know what hit it.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Virtua Racing Deluxe On 32X Has Been Fully Decompiled

https://retrohandhelds.gg/virtua-racing-deluxe-on-32x-has-been-fully-decompiled/

You know what’s better than playing Virtua Racing Deluxe on a 32X? Understanding how it works while doing it.

Thanks to developer Matias Zanolli, the once-mysterious guts of Sega’s 1994 polygonal racing gem have been fully decompiled—yes, the whole thing, down to the shiny 3D cars and that satisfying “vroom” sound. Zanolli dumped it all onto GitHub with tools, docs, and a “build this yourself” manual. It’s not just a dump—it’s a reconstruction. You can now compile the exact same ROM from scratch. Mind blown? We’re still picking our jaws off the floor.

Why does this matter? Because Virtua Racing Deluxe wasn’t just a game—it was a tech demo that proved home consoles could handle 3D racing before the Saturn even hit shelves. Now, thanks to this decomp, future devs can study how Sega squeezed polygons out of a 32X like it was a juice box. Want to fix a bug? Add new tracks? Make the AI less aggressive (RIP, “I just lost to a turtle”)? Go nuts.

This is preservation with purpose. No more black-box mystery—just clean, study-friendly code that lets us appreciate the cleverness behind retro magic. And honestly? If someone turns this into a modern VR version… we’re not mad about it.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Piracy Crackdown in Italy Shuts Down IPTV Services Ahead of Winter Olympics

https://torrentfreak.com/piracy-crackdown-in-italy-shuts-down-iptv-services-ahead-of-winter-olympics/

Italy just dropped a massive pirated IPTV hammer — and it’s not even Christmas yet.

In a slick, globe-spanning takedown called “Operation Switch Off,” Italian cops raided 11 cities and 14 countries, shutting down major illegal IPTV services like IPTVItalia and DarkTV. Over 125,000 users in Italy alone got the unplugged treatment — and millions more worldwide. The operation, backed by Europol and Interpol, allegedly crushed a €8–10M/month criminal empire. Think SIM farms in Naples, servers hidden in Eastern Europe, and Telegram bots running like a rogue Netflix.

And the timing? Chef’s kiss. Just days before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Italy didn’t just crack down — they strategically smacked down piracy before the world’s eyes are on their screens. Sport Minister Andrea Abodi didn’t even try to hide it: “This is about protecting the Olympics,” he said. Translation? Don’t even think about streaming the bobsleds for free.

This wasn’t a random raid. Investigators spent over a year tracing crypto payments and digging through seized devices — the digital equivalent of following breadcrumbs to a pirate treasure chest. Even Kosovo got in on the action.

Bottom line? Italy’s not just talking about piracy — they’re turning off the lights. And if you were streaming the Olympics via a shady Telegram link? Yeah… you’re out of luck.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

FlipperMCE: Open Source GameCube Memory Card

https://retrorgb.com/flippermce-open-source-gamecube-memory-card.html

Let’s talk about the GameCube memory card that’s basically a hacker’s dream: Meet FlipperMCE—open source, affordable, and delightfully unpolished.

Tito from Macho Nacho Productions just dropped a video showcasing this DIY-friendly memory card for your GameCube. No retail store yet, but if you’ve got a soldering iron and a taste for tinkering, the GitHub files are live. Or, if you’d rather not become a circuit board wizard, PCBWay will print and ship you 5+ units—perfect for a group of friends who miss saving their Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker saves in 2004.

It’s not as slick as the MemcardPro GC (no fancy LCD screen or pre-loaded firmware), but that’s kinda the point. You get full access to the code, total customization, and a lower price tag. Think of it as the “open source Linux” of memory cards—less polished, more power.

For retro gamers who like knowing exactly what’s running inside their gear? This is your jam.

For everyone else? Maybe wait until someone sells it on eBay… but where’s the fun in that?

Grab the files. Solder some bits. Save your N64-style saves like a true purist.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Classic Puzzler Nebulus Gets A Fresh Spin On GBA

https://retrohandhelds.gg/classic-puzzler-nebulus-gets-a-fresh-spin-on-gba/

You know a game’s iconic when it’s had more aliases than a spy with a caffeine habit. Meet Nebulus—the 1987 puzzler where you climb a spinning tower as a green blob named Pogo, and somehow, it still feels genius 40 years later.

The GBA just got a physical upgrade thanks to The Retro Room, and yes—this is the real deal, licensed by Rebellion (yes, Rebellion). No fan hacks. No emulators. Just a legit cartridge for those who still believe in the sacred ritual of inserting, powering up, and yelling at a screen that won’t stop spinning.

Why does this matter? Because Nebulus wasn’t just another platformer—it was a puzzle wrapped in a hypnotic 3D illusion on 8-bit hardware. And now, with a $48 boxed edition (or a cheeky $23 loose cart), collectors and nostalgia fiends can finally own it without hunting down a 1987 cassette tape.

Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to see what “Castelian” or “Tower Toppler” looked like in full color on a GBA? This is your moment. The retro scene isn’t just reviving games—it’s resurrecting soul.

And honestly? Pogo deserves a sequel. Or at least a merch line.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Okami Vinyl Soundtrack Repress Pre-Oderd

https://retrorgb.com/okami-vinyl-soundtrack-repress-pre-oderd.html

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever fought a demon wolf while surrounded by cherry blossoms and ancient Japanese gods, you know Okami isn’t just a game—it’s a living watercolor dream. And now, that dream is coming to your turntable.

Data Discs just dropped the Okami vinyl soundtrack repress, and it’s basically a collector’s wet dream. Four frosted clear LPs? Check. A gorgeous double-sided art print? Double check. A 40-page artbook? Obviously. And—wait for it—a special 20th-anniversary art card, only if you order directly from them. (Spoiler: stocks won’t last.)

Priced at £94.99 for the full box set, this isn’t just music—it’s a museum piece you can spin. The soundtrack by Ueda, Yamaguchi, Kondoh & Groves? Pure magic. Imagine “Ama-no-Jaku” playing as your record needle drops, while the scent of incense and rain lingers in the air. (Okay, maybe that’s just me.)

Release date? May 2026. Yes, you read that right—two years away. But hey, good things come to those who pre-order… and maybe start practicing your brush techniques in the meantime.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Analogue 3D Firmware v1.2.0

https://retrorgb.com/analogue-3d-firmware-v1-2-0.html

Analogue just dropped a massive firmware update for the N64 — and honestly, it’s the most exciting thing to happen to retro gaming since someone invented a way to play GoldenEye without the controller falling apart.

The star of the show? “Force Progressive Output.” No more muddy 480i deinterlacing. Now your N64 games render in full, crisp 480p — exactly how the original framebuffer intended. Think The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time looking like it was made for your 4K TV, not a CRT from ‘98. Some games might glitch (looking at you, menu screens), but overclocking usually fixes it. And yes — it’s beta. But still? Revolutionary.

Also? Switch Online N64 controller support. Yes, you read that right. Plug in your little Joy-Con-shaped nostalgia trip and it works. Bonus: 8BitDo’s N64 Modkit now lets you toggle between Rumble Pak and Controller Pak with a button press. (ZR = magic.)

Library now tracks playtime per game and when you added it — because yes, we all need to know how many hours we wasted on Paper Mario. OS is snappier, visuals are polished, and Analogue’s actually shipping updates now. DAC support next? Please. 😌

Update note: Let it reboot. Don’t panic. Your N64 is just dreaming of 1998.