📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Project Positron Could Bridge the Gap Between Discs and Helix

https://retrohandhelds.gg/project-positron-could-bridge-the-gap-between-discs-and-helix/

If you’ve been hoarding a massive collection of Xbox discs like they’re precious relics, you might finally be able to stop worrying about the “all-digital” future.

Rumors are swirling around a Microsoft initiative codenamed “Project Positron.” The goal? To bridge the gap between your physical library and the next-gen “Project Helix” console, which is widely expected to ditch the disc drive entirely. According to reports from Windows Central, Microsoft is exploring a way to convert your physical discs into permanent digital licenses.

The “how” is still a bit of a mystery, but there are two main theories on the table:

• The “Streaming” Method: You plug in an external USB Blu-ray drive to “check in” your disc, which then grants you a digital entitlement.
• The One-Time Transfer: A permanent conversion that essentially kills the physical copy to prevent people from selling it after they’ve “digitized” it.

While we haven’t seen a finished product yet, it’s a massive win for anyone terrified of losing their hard-earned library to the cloud. Microsoft has tried similar moves before and faced major backlash, but with digital sales skyrocketing, this might be the compromise we actually need.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

DSpico Setup and Review: A DS Flash Cart Under $10

https://retrohandhelds.gg/dspico-setup-and-review-a-ds-flash-cart-under-10/

### The $10 Nintendo DS Hack You Can’t Ignore

Is it possible to find something useful for less than the price of a fancy oat milk latte? According to the latest review from Retro Handhelds, the answer is a resounding yes. Enter the DSpico: an open-source flash cart that lets you run DS ROMs on your favorite handheld without breaking the bank.

For about $10 on AliExpress, you can grab the DIY version of this Raspberry Pi-powered cartridge. While it requires a little bit of “tech hobbyist” elbow grease—you’ll need to format a microSD card to FAT32 and flash some firmware—the payoff is massive. It’s a lightweight, incredibly cheap way to breathe new life into an old DS, DS Lite, or 3DS.

Why it’s worth the effort:

• Budget-friendly: You can snag the base kit for under $10.
• No “Expiration Dates”: Unlike many commercial flash carts that use shady software timers, this is open-source and built to last.
• Stock Friendly: It’s a great option if you want to play games without installing custom firmware on your actual console.

It might not replace a dedicated high-end emulation handheld, but as a low-cost way to keep your classic Nintendo hardware relevant, the DSpico is a total win.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Flydigi Vader 5S Review: Wired Peak

https://retrohandhelds.gg/flydigi-vader-5s-review/

### The Ultimate Player Two?

Remember being the kid stuck with the “Player 2” controller—the one that was slightly sticky, definitely third-party, and barely functional? Well, if you’re looking for a backup controller today, you might accidentally end up with something better than your main.

Enter the Flydigi Vader 5S. At around $60, this wired contender is aiming to move from the sidelines to center stage. While it lacks wireless freedom, it makes up for it with some seriously high-end engineering that feels much more expensive than its price tag suggests.

The standout feature? Adjustable tension Hall Effect sticks. With a quick twist of a brass ring, you can swap between loose, sweeping movements and stiff, precise control—a total game-changer for racing titles like Forza. The triggers are equally impressive, offering a dual mode that lets you switch between analog precision and clicky digital micro-switches.

The Quick Take:

• Pros: Incredible build quality, customizable stick tension, and highly tweakable software.
• Cons: It’s strictly wired (bring a long cable!), and the extra buttons might require some “claw” grip if you have smaller hands.

If you’re a PC gamer who prioritizes zero latency and hates worrying about dead batteries, this is a stellar pick. Just don’t expect to lounge on the couch too far from your rig.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Publishers: Google’s Ebook Ad “Ban” Blocked Legitimate Sellers, Not Pirates

https://torrentfreak.com/publishers-googles-ebook-ad-ban-blocked-legitimate-sellers-not-pirates/

### The “Anti-Piracy” Ban That Only Hit the Good Guys

It turns out that trying to stop piracy with a blunt instrument can sometimes backfire spectacularly. In a recent legal showdown, major publishers are accusing Google of a massive blunder: implementing an ebook ad policy that effectively ghosted legitimate sellers while leaving the door wide open for pirates.

Back in 2021, Google implemented a ban on ebook ads to curb copyright infringement. However, according to a new court filing from heavyweights like Macmillan and McGraw Hill, the “ban” didn’t actually stop the pirates—it just blocked the legitimate stores from advertising their licensed copies. The result? Users were left staring at ads for pirated textbooks right at the top of their search results.

The publishers aren’t just complaining about bad luck; they’re alleging “inducement.” Their argument is punchy:

• Targeted Advertising: They claim Google isn’t just a passive bulletin board, but a sophisticated agency actively targeting users with links to pirate sites.
• Ignored Warnings: The publishers say they sent hundreds of notices identifying specific infringing ads, only for Google to allegedly flag them as “duplicative.”

Google is trying to get the case tossed, arguing their platform is a neutral tool that also sells plenty of legal goods (like garden hoses). But the publishers aren’t buying it. They argue that just because Google sells legitimate products doesn’t give them a free pass to run ads for stolen books. We’ll have to wait and see if the court agrees.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Weekly Roundup #513

https://retrorgb.com/week513.html

Grab your favorite controller and settle in—the latest RetroRGB roundup is officially here, and it’s packed with enough hardware goodness to make any retro enthusiast weep.

The big headline this week is the release of “Big Instinct,” a new emulator for Killer Instinct that’s looking to bring those classic fighting vibes back to life. If you’re more into the handheld scene, there’s an impressive open-source battery pack project for the Sega Nomad that might just give your favorite portable some much-needed extra juice.

The MiSTer community is also staying busy with major updates:

• Multisystem2 JAMMA: A new arcade-style setup for your MiSTer.
• Saturn Core Optimizations: New tweaks to keep the Saturn experience smooth despite the FPGA’s heavy lifting.

From a deep dive into the documentary of Double Switch to the release of the “Dusk” decompilation port for Twilight Princess, there is plenty to digest. Whether you’re hunting for new SCART cables or checking if those arcade HDMI mods are back in stock, this episode has you covered.

Catch the full breakdown on YouTube or tune in via your favorite podcast app!

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Anbernic RG Rotate Setup Guide

https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg-rotate-setup-guide/

### The Flip Phone of Gaming is Here

If you miss the days when your phone could flip open and shut with a satisfying clack, Anbernic has some news for you. Their new RG Rotate is officially hitting pre-orders, and it’s bringing some serious retro vibes to the handheld scene. Inspired by early mobile phones rather than modern consoles, this vertical little beast is definitely a conversation starter.

But before you get too swept up in the nostalgia, there are a few “modern” hurdles to clear. The 32GB of internal storage is, frankly, tiny—you’ll almost certainly need to budget for a high-capacity microSD card immediately. Also, if you’re a fan of wired earbuds, prepare to embrace “dongle life,” as the device lacks a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Quick Lowdown:

• The Good: A unique vertical form factor and an Android-powered screen that can double as a cool retro music player.
• The Bad: Limited internal storage and no headphone jack.
• Pro Tip: Since it’s D-pad only, don’t expect to play heavy hitters that require dual analog sticks; stick to the classics like PPSSPP or DuckStation for the best experience.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Broadcaster Loses FIFA World Cup Rights After 20 Years, Citing “Rampant Piracy”

https://torrentfreak.com/broadcaster-loses-fifa-world-cup-rights-after-20-years-citing-rampant-piracy/

End of an Era in Malaysia

If you’ve lived in Malaysia for the last two decades, the FIFA World Cup has likely meant one thing: a subscription to Astro. But after 20 years as “The Home of the World Cup,” that reign is officially over. For the 2026 tournament, the rights have shifted to public broadcaster RTM and Unifi TV.

Why the sudden breakup? It turns out, math and mayhem played a role. Astro pointed to a toxic combo of skyrocketing licensing costs and “rampant piracy” during the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Essentially, they found it impossible to justify the massive price tag when so many fans were watching for free via illegal streams.

Here is the twist: the new setup might actually kill the incentive to pirate. Since the government stepped in with RM24 million (~$6.1 million) to fund the rights, much of the coverage will be available via free streams.

It’s a classic case of supply and demand. When you remove the paywall, you remove the primary reason people turn to shady streaming sites. Whether this trend holds steady or if fans head back to the dark corners of the internet remains to be seen.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

KNULLI Scarab Makes One of the Best Handheld Firmwares Even Better

https://retrohandhelds.gg/knulli-scarab-makes-one-of-the-best-handheld-firmwares-even-better/

If you’ve been staring at your retro handheld waiting for some fresh life, it turns out the wait was actually eight months long. But don’t panic—the KNULLI team has finally emerged from hibernation with “Scarab,” and it is a massive, feature-packed beast of an update.

This isn’t just a minor patch; it’s a total overhaul. The update expands support to over 15 new devices, including the TrimUI Smart Pro S and even some heavy hitters like the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2. If you’ve been eyeing a new device for emulation, KNULLI just made your decision a lot easier.

Beyond the hardware expansion, there are some juicy under-the-hood upgrades:

• Better Emulation: A new standalone Yabasanshiro core means smoother Sega Saturn sessions.
• Smart Syncing: Syncthing is now much smarter, offering manual or automatic triggers when you exit a game.
• Battery Intel: The new “BatteryPlus” gives you way more precise power stats.

One quick heads-up: Because the team renamed so many files and changed partition tables, you can’t just click “update.” You’ll need to re-flash your SD card. Back up your saves, grab the new build from GitHub, and get ready to level up.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Right Angle: The Games Best Suited for the RG Rotate’s Unique Design

https://retrohandhelds.gg/right-angle-the-games-best-suited-for-the-rg-rotates-unique-design/

### The “Goldilocks” Zone of Emulation

Anbernic’s new RG Rotate is a bit of a hardware paradox. It features a powerful T618 processor that could technically handle heavy-hitting PS2 titles, yet it lacks the analog sticks required to actually play them. Usually, that sounds like a design flaw, but there’s a secret way to make this device feel like a masterpiece.

The trick is finding the “sweet spot” games: titles from the early 3D era that have high-end visuals but rely on precise D-pad inputs rather than analog movement. We’re talking about games that feel like they were built specifically for this square-screened quirk.

If you’re looking to build a library that makes the most of the Rotate, look no further than these gems:

The Fighting Classics: Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and Guardian Heroes* offer stunning 2D/3D hybrid visuals that thrive on digital inputs.

Precision Platformers: Nights Into Dreams and Viewtiful Joe* provide that “modern-meets-retro” aesthetic without needing an analog stick to navigate.

The Hidden Gems: Odin Sphere* runs beautifully on the T618, offering hand-drawn art that looks incredible on the device’s 1:1 display.

It turns out that when a handheld has a “confused” identity, it might just be the perfect tool for exploring the outliers of your emulation backlog.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

AYANEO Announces a Restock of Pocket Fit Elite, Pocket Air Mini, and More

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ayaneo-announces-a-restock-of-pocket-fit-elite-pocket-air-mini-and-more/

If you’ve been staring at an empty shopping cart and a heavy dose of FOMO, there’s some good news coming your way. AYANEO just announced that several of its most sought-after handhelds are officially back in stock.

The stars of the show are the KONKR Pocket Fit Elite and the AYANEO Pocket Air Mini. If you missed the first wave, now is your chance to grab them—but don’t expect an overnight delivery. In classic AYANEO fashion, the estimated shipping date for these units isn’t until mid-May or later. So, if you’re looking for instant gratification, you might want to keep browsing.

A few other quick takeaways for the collectors out there:

• The Pocket DS is back (for now): A small batch is expected soon, but word is this might be the final production run. If you want one, move fast.
• Other goodies: The Pocket S Mini and Pocket Vert are also listed as available, though availability can vary across different retailers.

Bottom line: The warehouse is replenished, but the waitlist is likely still active. Plan your budget accordingly!