📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Tinkerer’s Treasure: dArkOS Brings Debian Linux to RK3326/3356 Devices

https://retrohandhelds.gg/tinkerers-treasure-darkos-brings-debian-linux-to-rk3326-3356-devices/

You’ve got a handheld that runs ROMs like a champ—now imagine it running Kodi, Git, or even your favorite Linux text editor. Enter dArkOS: Debian Linux, but make it retro.

Born from the legendary ArkOS lineage (the OG CFW for RK3326/3356 devices), dArkOS isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a full-blown Linux desktop in your palm. Over 64,000 packages? Check. One-click updates? Double check. And yes, you can now turn your RG353V into a portable media center or a coding rig. No more SD card re-flashing nightmares.

It’s not just about emulation anymore. This is your device, reimagined. Want to stream Netflix? Done. Tinker with Python scripts between boss fights? Go for it. The EmulationStation frontend keeps your game library tidy, while the optimized kernel makes sure your SNES runs smoother than ever.

Best part? The open-source spirit is alive. Developers are already forking dArkOS to breathe new life into forgotten clones like the R36S. The future of budget handhelds isn’t just in new hardware—it’s in the software you build.

So go ahead. Turn your $80 gadget into a Swiss Army knife of digital delight. The only limit? Your curiosity.

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

GameSir Debuts New Driving Peripherals at CES ’26

https://retrohandhelds.gg/gamesir-debuts-new-driving-peripherals-at-ces-26/

GameSir just dropped a pair of racing peripherals that feel like they were dreamed up in a 1998 arcade after one too many Red Bulls—and we’re here for it.

First up: the Turbo Drive, a sleek, Blade Runner–esque steering wheel with wind simulators. Yes, you read that right. Tiny turbines blast air as your virtual car speeds up. It’s like driving through a hurricane in Forza, but with better ergonomics (and possibly a dust storm in your living room).

Then there’s the Swift Drive—a palm-sized, direct-drive wheel that screams “Jogcon reboot.” No cables. No bulky frame. Just pure, compact force feedback in a device small enough to fit in your backpack. It’s the kind of innovation that makes you forget you used to need a dedicated racing chair just to play Gran Turismo.

Both are wireless, which is chef’s kiss for anyone who’s ever tripped over a USB cable mid-corner. Pricing? TBD. Release? Summer-ish, maybe. But one thing’s certain: if GameSir can make wind feel like a feature—not a fanboy fantasy—this might just be the most immersive (and slightly sweaty) racing experience since the PS1’s steering wheel bundled with WipEout.

We’ll keep you posted. Until then, may your drifts be smooth and your hair un-matted. 🏎️💨

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

Ohsnap Announces Two Sleek Variants of the MCON Controller

https://retrohandhelds.gg/ohsnap-announces-two-sleek-variants-of-the-mcon-controller/

Ohsnap just dropped not one, but two new versions of its MCON controller—and yes, the timing is… bold.

After shipping 16,000 units of the original magnetic gamepad, they’re back with the MCON Slim and MCON Lite: sleeker, thinner, and (hopefully) cheaper. The Slim? A MagSafe-thin marvel that slides out like a phone case with ambitions—touch analog sticks, physical triggers, and camera-friendly cutouts. It’s basically a GameSir Pocket Taco with a PhD in controller design. The Lite? 3DS-style Circle Pads, no touchpads, and a $60 price tag that’ll make retro fans nod in approval.

But here’s the catch: the Slim won’t launch until iPhone 18 drops this fall. And while preorders for the original MCON are still rolling in, some backers are… unimpressed. One commenter put it best: “Announcing two new versions while people are still waiting for their first?” Oof.

Still, Ohsnap’s track record suggests they’re more靠谱 than your average Kickstarter ghost. Just maybe… wait for reviews before you swipe that card. 🎮📱

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

X Sues Music Publishers Over “Weaponized” DMCA Takedown Conspiracy

https://torrentfreak.com/x-sues-music-publishers-over-weaponized-dmca-takedown-conspiracy/

X didn’t just get sued by the music industry—it fought back with a courtroom grenade.

What started as a copyright spat has exploded into an antitrust bomb. X Corp. is now suing the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) and giants like Sony, Universal, and Warner Chappell, accusing them of running a coordinated takedown mafia—not to protect artists, but to strong-arm the platform into paying sky-high licensing fees.

The evidence? Over 200,000 DMCA notices in one year. Takedowns targeting high school award videos with 3 seconds of background music. And more than 50,000 users suspended—all while NMPA execs were happily reposting the same fan remixes they claimed were illegal. One lawyer even shared a Nelly cover… then demanded it be taken down from everyone else.

This isn’t copyright enforcement. It’s extortion dressed in legal jargon.

X says the NMPA colluded to block individual deals, then weaponized DMCA as a blunt instrument to cripple its platform. The goal? Monopolize licensing power by making X choose: pay up or drown in takedowns.

And the kicker? The same labels that cried “piracy!” are now accused of hypocrisy, selective enforcement, and treating fan content like digital litter.

This isn’t just about music—it’s about who controls the internet. If X wins, DMCA could never be used as a corporate weapon again.

If they lose? Welcome to the new era of copyright terrorism.

The case is in Texas. The stakes? Everything.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

Italy Fines Cloudflare €14 Million for Refusing to Filter Pirate Sites on Public 1.1.1.1 DNS

https://torrentfreak.com/italy-fines-cloudflare-e14-million-for-refusing-to-filter-pirate-sites-on-public-1-1-1-1-dns/

Italy just slapped Cloudflare with a €14 million fine—not for leaking data, not for shady ads, but because it refused to block pirate sites on its public DNS service, 1.1.1.1.

Here’s the twist: Cloudflare wasn’t hiding behind “we’re just a tech company.” It argued that filtering millions of daily DNS requests to comply with Italy’s “Piracy Shield” would slow down the internet for everyone—like forcing a highway to stop every car to check if they’re carrying pirated UFC fights. AGCOM didn’t blink. “You have the tech,” they said. “Do your job.”

The kicker? Cloudflare’s infrastructure is used by roughly 70% of the pirate sites Italy’s trying to shut down. So when Cloudflare says “no,” it’s not just a company defying rules—it’s the backbone of the problem.

This isn’t just about Italy. It’s a global wake-up call: if your DNS provider doesn’t play nice with copyright enforcers, they might just get fined into oblivion. Google and OpenDNS are probably checking their compliance checklists right now.

Cloudflare’s already calling it unfair—and they’ll appeal. But this fine? It’s not just a penalty. It’s a message: even the giants aren’t too big to block.

(And yes, your favorite sports stream is still down. Sorry.)

📰 New article from Retro Handhelds

MiniLoong Pocket 1 Is Competing For Best Handheld Of 2023

https://retrohandhelds.gg/miniloong-pocket-1-is-competing-for-best-handheld-of-2023/

Let’s be real—2023 was the year everyone dropped a Rockchip RK3566 handheld. Yet somehow, MiniLoong’s Pocket 1 still manages to stand out… mostly because it looks like a retro sci-fi toy someone carved from a ’90s Game Boy and painted in neon.

With just 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, and one analog stick, it’s not winning any performance contests—N64 and Dreamcast gamers will groan. But hey, it’s got charm: a removable faceplate begging for custom art, a quirky design that screams “I’m not your dad’s Anbernic,” and open-source firmware that might play nice with the 3566 modding scene.

For fans who want their handheld to look like it came from a cyberpunk anime instead of a factory in Shenzhen? This might be your jam. But if you’re here for raw power or dual sticks? Keep scrolling.

It’s not the best handheld of 2023—it’s probably not even top 5. But it might be the most stylish. And in a sea of black plastic rectangles? That counts for something.

MiniLoong’s first move isn’t revolutionary. But it’s got personality. And sometimes, that’s the best upgrade of all.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

Mr Cart Pre-Order Batch #3: Virtual Boy ROM Cart

https://retrorgb.com/mr-cart-pre-order-batch-3-virtual-boy-rom-cart.html

Let’s be real: the Virtual Boy was a glorious disaster. But thanks to folks like Kevin Mellott (aka Mr. Flower), it’s getting the cool, retro-revival treatment it deserves.

Enter: Mr Cart Batch #3. For $235, you can snag a sleek aluminum cartridge—red or black—that turns your VB into a modern game library. No more hunting down crumbling cartridges; just pop in a MicroSD, pick your game from an on-screen menu, and dive into Red Alarm or Teleroboxer like it’s 2024. Load times? 10 seconds to a minute. Instant reloads? Check. FAT32, 16GB max, 100 files per folder—yes, they’ve thought of everything (even if you didn’t know you needed to).

Oh, and it auto-creates save files… even for games that don’t have saves. Because why risk losing your progress in Mario’s Tennis? (We’ve all been there.)

The best part? This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s preservation. A tiny device keeping a weird, 3D-lensed relic alive. And if you’ve ever wanted to see homebrew demos or wild VB mods in action, Kevin’s livestreams are pure magic.

Pre-order now. Your inner 1995 kid is screaming.

📰 New article from TorrentFreak

French Court Orders Google DNS to Block Pirate Sites, Dismisses ‘Cloudflare-First’ Defense

https://torrentfreak.com/french-court-orders-google-dns-to-block-pirate-sites-dismisses-cloudflare-first-defense/

Here’s the newsletter-ready version—snappy, sharp, and just a little sassy:

—

France just told Google: “Don’t blame Cloudflare. Block the pirates.”

Let’s be real—when you’re streaming the Champions League for free, you don’t care if it’s through a dodgy DNS or a shady CDN. But France? They care a lot. In a bold new ruling, Paris courts ordered Google to block 19 pirate sites—no excuses, no hand-waving.

Google tried to dodge the bullet by saying, “Hey, Cloudflare’s got this!” Nope. The court shot that down hard: intermediaries can’t play blame-the-other-guy while piracy streams live. If your DNS helps users bypass ISP blocks? You’re part of the problem. Period.

The list? Wild. Domains like daddylive3.com and vavoo.to are now offline in France. And it’s not just static—any new domains ARCOM flags? Also blocked. The court even shrugged off Google’s “this is too expensive and global” complaints: “Prove it,” they said. (Spoiler: Google couldn’t.)

This isn’t just a win for sports rights holders—it’s a landmark shift. France is now treating DNS resolvers, CDNs, and search engines like gatekeepers with real legal teeth. And if you think this ends here? Think again.

The message is clear: If your tech helps pirates, you’re on the hook.

—

19 domains blocked. No Cloudflare loophole left.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

G-Zero Sega Genesis Tech Demo Updated

https://retrorgb.com/g-zero-sega-genesis-tech-demo-updated.html

If you’ve ever wished the Sega Genesis had a racing game that felt like it was ripped from a 1995 sci-fi arcade, your wish just got granted.

Enter G-Zero—a dazzling tech demo from developer gasega68k that’s now actually playable to completion. No longer just a flashy prototype, this update adds lap counters, real-time rankings, turbo boosts (with a cool energy bar!), and cars that don’t just look like blobs—they have shadows. Yes, shadows. On a 16-bit console. Mind blown? We’re not surprised.

You can race up to five AI opponents, watch your position glow on the map, and—most importantly—cross the finish line without the game glitching out like a VHS tape in a hurricane. The collision physics? Less “I got hit by a ghost car” and more “oh, I guess I just won.” And yes, turbo only unlocks after your first lap. No cheat codes. Just pure, gritty, pixelated determination.

Grab it free on Itch.io—whether you’ve got a real Genesis cart, MiSTer FPGA, or just an emulator. It’s not a full game… but it’s the most fun 10-minute experience you’ll have on a console that’s older than your lunchbox.

P.S. If you like it, toss Bob a Patreon coin. He’s basically building the racing game we all wished Sega had made.

📰 New article from RetroRGB

PCSX2 v2.6.1 – Open Source PlayStation 2 Emulator

https://retrorgb.com/pcsx2-v2-6-1-open-source-playstation-2-emulator.html

You’ve got a PlayStation 2 in your closet. It’s dusty. The discs are scratched. And you know that “just one more game” turns into three hours of fiddling with a finicky console.

Enter PCSX2 v2.6.1 — the open-source emulator that’s basically a time machine with a settings slider bar. No more thermal throttling, no more broken HDMI cables. Just pure, unadulterated PS2 nostalgia — now with 4K upscaling, improved texture filtering, and the ability to make Final Fantasy X look like it was made for your 4K TV (because, honestly, it should’ve been).

The best part? No install needed. Download the emulator, grab your BIOS (yes, you still need it — legality 101), and boom: instant retro upgrade. Want sharper textures? Done. Smoother frame rates? Easy. Feeling nostalgic for 2003 but with a modern UI? You’re covered.

Sure, tweaking settings can become a full-time job — we’ve all been there, staring at “anisotropic filtering” like it’s a riddle from the Oracle of Delphi. But once you nail your perfect look? Pure bliss.

PS2 games were already iconic. Now they’re beautiful. And all it took was a PC, a little patience, and zero cartridge replacements.

Now go play Shadow of the Colossus… in 4K. You’ve earned it.