NPC: Next Portable Console

This week on NPC, Ayn reveals more about the Odin 3, AYANEO delays some handhelds, Retroid gets into Linux, and Microsoft makes a cute little controller.

Then on NPC XL for Patreon subscribers, Federico and John share their videogame handheld needs and wants.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

AYN Odin 3 Portal

• AYN reveals Odin 3 Portal specs, including a 9,000mAh battery and larger grips

AYANEO Shipping Updates

• AYANEO updates Pocket Advance and Pocket Block shipping while delaying Pocket Micro 2

Retroid

• Retroid Announces Linux Support for Pocket 6, Nova, and Duo Handhelds

Dual Screen Handhelds and Frontends

• Socket Frontend Finally Gets Dual Screen Handheld Support
• Cocoon Shell Beta 2.1 Brings Big Upgrades to Dual Screen Handhelds

Ports, Decompilations, and Preservation

• Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Mac port runs at 90 fps, topping Switch 2 and PC rival

Controllers

• Xbox announces a $49.99 Nano Controller launching November 4

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Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta

Music: Will LaPorte

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This week on Next Portable Console, Anbernic reveals more RG DDS details and prices leak, Nintendo commits to physical games, Ayn teases the Portal 3, and Anbernic's history of selling handhelds loaded with bootleg games catches up to it.

Then on NPC XL, Federico's gaming PC suffer's a mishap and John gives Pyrowave a try on his Apple devices.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Anbernic RG DDS

• Anbernic RG DDS pricing leak and gameplay showcase
• Anbernic's new dual-screen RG DDS is up for preorder now

AYN Odin 3 Portal

• AYN Odin 3 Portal Announced, Promises Flagship Power And Precision Control
• Ayn unveils Odin 3 Portal with a familiar design

Nintendo and Physical Media

• Nintendo has no plans to ditch physical games

ESA Complaint Against Anbernic

• US government told to flag retro handhelds loaded with pirated games as a 'notorious market'
• ESA targets Anbernic emulation handhelds as "superfake" piracy enablers
• Anbernic is reportedly removing bundled microSD cards from its listings

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta

Music: Will LaPorte

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This week on Next Portable Console, Anbernic reveals the RG DDS clamshell, more handheld news, and Federico's lo-fi surprise.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Anbernic RG DDS

• Anbernic RG DS Plus
• AYN Thor
• Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform

AMD Upscaling on Handhelds

• FSR 4 special version to boost gaming performance on handhelds coming this year

Miyoo Rumors

• A New Miyoo Mini Plus and Miyoo Flip Might Soon Be On the Horizon

Console Pricing

• GameStop hikes used PS5 Pro price to $1400 as GTA 6 demand looms

Controllers

• Mobapad C2 Lite Controller Review: Budget King

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta

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This week on Next Portable Console, Abxylute takes on OhSnap's MCON, KONKR finds its sweet spot, Lenovo is barking up the wrong tree, and the Recomp and Decomp scene heats up even more.

Then on NPC XL, the rapidly evolving world of SteamOS on Android.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

Abxylute M5 and M6

• Abxylute Reveals Pricing and Launch Date for M5 and M6 Magnetic Mobile Controllers
• Oh Snap, Abxylute Is Going After MCON With Its M5 and M6 Controllers
• Abxylute M5 Magnetic Mobile Controller Makes First Appearance Alongside Specs of the M6

KONKR Pocket Block

• AYANEO's Pocket Block Goes Up for Pre-Order, Pricing Starts at $79
• AYANEO Announces KONKR Pocket Block, Pocket Air Mini IGS, and Teases Pocket Play

Lenovo Legion C700 and Streaming Handhelds

• Lenovo's Legion C700 Cloud Gaming Handheld Launches in China This Week
• Lenovo Launches Legion C700 Cloud Gaming Handheld
• Logitech Says It Has No Plans for a Second G Cloud
• Lenovo Legion Y700 8.8 Inch Android Gaming Tablet Now Available Globally, Sort Of

Decomp, Recomp, and Native Ports

• BlueWake
• Wind Waker Recomp
• Developer Uses AI to Bring a Native Version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to iOS
• HarkinianPad
• Play Super Smash Bros. Melee on Your iPhone
• Madeira
• Developer Shows Off Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA V, Fallout 4 and Other AAA PC Games Running Natively on iPhone 18 Pro
• StikDebug
• New PS5 Jailbreak Exploit Works on Systems Running July 2026 Firmware

Also Mentioned

• Analogue Pocket
• Nintendo's September Directs Set Zelda, Metroid, and RE Release Dates (God Is a Geek)

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta

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This week on Next Portable Console, FunnyPlaying's very exclusive edition handheld, Retroid's forgotten middle child, and Anbernic's RG DS Plus gets 2x scaling.

Then for Patreon members, Federico and John share their hottest takes about Nintendo's future.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Handhelds

• Retroid Pocket Nova
• FPGB Mini
• Anbernic RG DS Plus
• Retroid Pocket Duo
• Retroid Pocket Duo Lite
• Mangmi Air Y Pro

News

• FunnyPlaying’s $69 FPGB MINI preorder sells out after just 20 units
• Anbernic RG DS Plus gains 2X DS upscaling with NNDDSS v1.0.2
• Retroid announces Duo Lite Plus and offers exchanges to existing Duo Lite buyers
• Mangmi Air Y Pro offers strong Snapdragon 865 value starting at $160

Software and Games Mentioned

• Cocoon
• Kirby's Dream Land
• Kirby's Dream Land 2

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta
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This week on Next Portable Console, a new AYN Thor launcher is in the news, Valve beta tests Big Art Mode, spruceOS gets an update, and the guys rank the many Genki Grips for the Switch 2.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• spruceOS 4.4.0 expands hardware support and adds the DSperate Nintendo DS emulator
• Steam’s latest client beta adds Big Art Mode and more handheld-friendly refinements
• FunnyPlaying’s FPGB MINI user manual suggests a launch may be approaching
• Konsoru 0.6.0 adds guides and improves save syncing for the AYN Thor launcher

Other Topics

• A Genki Grips showdown

Subscribe to NPC XL:

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta
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This week on NPC: Next Portable Console, Nintendo has a sale, shows off games, and updates its firmware, Apple may be working on a controller, Retroid surprises with the Pocket Duo, and Valve reveals the Steam Frame.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Nintendo Of America Announces Customer Appreciation Sale (Nintendo Life)
• Nintendo Sound Clock Alarmo
• Nintendo Switch 2 System Update 23.0.0 Adds Docked VRR (Nintendo Life)
• Final Fantasy VII Revelation
• Crisis Core – Final Fantasy VII – Reunion
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (2026 remake)
• 007 First Light On Switch 2 Delayed Until March 2027 (Nintendo Life)

Apple Gaming Rumors

• Apple's Two Rumored Game Controllers Will 'Likely' Come From Beats (MacRumors)

Handhelds

• Retroid Pocket Duo
• Retroid Pocket Duo Lite
• Retroid Pocket Nova
• Retroid Pocket Flip 2
• AYN Thor

Steam Frame

• Steam Frame
• Half-Life: Alyx

Subscribe to NPC XL:

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

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Leave Feedback for John and Federico

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Show Art: Silvia Gatta
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This week on Next Portable Console, not one or two, but three Anbernic handhelds, Federico's early Retroid Pocket Nova impressions, and more.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

Anbernic Handhelds

• Anbernic RG DS Plus
• Anbernic RG 35
• Anbernic RG 55G1
• Anbernic RG34XX

AYANEO KONKR Pocket Advance

• KONKR Pocket Advance First Impressions (Retro Handhelds)

Retroid Pocket Nova

• Retroid Pocket Nova
• Retroid Pocket 6
• Cocoon
• RetroArch
• Guide: Shaders and Overlays on Retro Handhelds — Retro Game Corps
• Zelda: The Wind Waker 4K Texture Pack — Henriko Magnifico

Software and Firmware

• GammaOS

Upcoming Handhelds

• This Tiny Game Boy Clone Plays Physical Cartridges (Time Extension)

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes.

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This week on Next Portable Console, John and Federico are joined by Sam Rosenthal of The Game Band to talk about the studio's history, including Where Cards Fall and Blaseball, and of course, their new game, Dartwords.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes An Interview with The Game Band's Sam Rosenthal The Game Band and Sam Rosenthal

• The Game Band
• Sam Rosenthal

Where Cards Fall

• Where Cards Fall (App Store)
• Where Cards Fall (Steam)
• Where Cards Fall Available for Apple Vision Pro on May 30th (Snowman)

Blaseball and Dead Man's Party

• Blaseball
• Dead Man's Party: A Knives Out Game (Netflix)
• Announcing Dead Man's Party: A Knives Out Game (The Game Band)

Dartwords and AI-Driven Design

• Dartwords
• Wordle meets Clippy in this new word game

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on NPC, the guys cover a new mobile phone controller teased by Abxylute and dig into several stories about SteamOS.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• ABXYLUTE M6/M5 Mobile Gaming Controllers
• Steam Deck gets one of PS Portal's key features
• SteamOS being optimized for Android
• SteamBoy

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on Next Portable Console, folding phones and gaming, updates on upcoming handhelds, and GammaOS on the RG Rotate.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes Folding Phones

• Samsung's Z Fold 8 Ultra is more of the same, but better than ever
• iPhone Fold: Everything We Know

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Retroid Pocket Nova 8GB model gets $10 price increase effective August 6
• AYANEO KONKR Pocket Advance gets full specs, pricing, and live order page
• Mangmi Air Y and Air Y Pro get pre-order dates and pricing
• MagicX reveals four-variant Mini Dream handheld lineup with OLED display
• GammaOS Nano v1.4 launches for Anbernic RG Rotate as a ground-up micro-OS rebuild

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on NPC: Next Portable Console, handheld news and a nerdy look at the recomp and decomp scene that is rapidly expanding to new operating systems.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Retroid Announces Nova Shipping Dates
• Qualcomm reportedly notifies hardware partners of impending chip price hikes

The Recomp and Decomp Scene

• Pokemon Gen 1 Recompilation adds HD-2D to the original games

• A mod team has made a recompilation of Pokemon Red, Blue, and Yellow
• The Dramatic Shape Voxel Mod which turns the game into a full 3D voxel-based experience.

• Ocarina of Time decomp on iOS

• Also Mario Kart 64 iOS decomp.

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on Next Portable Console, the refreshingly complete announcement by Anbernic of the RG SP, Ticci buys a handheld, and people are tired of months-long hardware reveals.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Anbernic Announces the RG SP With Almost Everything We Need to Know
• Retroid Pocket Nova Gets Hands-On Treatment Ahead of Release

• See also Russ' video at Retro Game Corps

• AYANEO Restocks the Pocket Micro 2 Again
• MANGMI AIR Y and AIR Y Pro Full Spec Sheet Finally Revealed
• Handheld Makers Need to Stop Turning Every New Handheld Into a Month-Long Reveal

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on Next Portable Console, AYANEO is chasing the classics again, teasing a Game Boy Advance clone, while Magmi is getting vertical. Plus, a Mechanism desk stand for your handheld, 8BitDo's FlipPad, and the GPD Win Max 3 challenges blurs the lines between laptop and console.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• KONKR Pocket Fit 8 Elite review: excessive power in a comfortable package
• Mangmi announces the Air Y, a new vertical Android handheld for 2026
• GPD WIN Max 3 detailed with Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and a unique detachable 97Wh battery
• 8BitDo Opens Pre-Orders for the FlipPad Phone Controller
• Mechanism's desk stand turns your handheld into a tiny desktop

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

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This week on NPC: Next Portable Console, Brendon and John go it alone with more bizarre news from AYANEO, a new tease and OS update from Anbernic, Valve's E-Ink Steam Machine faceplate, Armada brings SteamOS to Android handhelds, and more.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• AYANEO teases a GBA
• AYANEO CEO livestream teases second-half 2025 lineup but offers little new information
• Valve open-sources Steam Machine "Inkterface" e-ink faceplate for DIY builds
• Anbernic pushes major "RG Ecosystem" software update to entire T820 handheld lineup
• Anbernic RG 55G1 gameplay video hints at Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 with Turnip drivers and possible OLED
• EmuDeck for Android adds Rift Frontend launcher and gains Armada/SteamOS compatibility

• Armada

• TrimUI Brick Hammer Pro U Might Be Dead Before It Even Ships

Subscribe to NPC XL

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This week on Next Portable Console, Steam Machine ordering follow up and Sony's many controversial announcements.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Follow Up

• Steam Machine launches today! - Steam Hardware
• YouTube on Game Boy Color - ThroatyMumbo/GBCYouTube
• Getting YouTube to Work on a Game Boy Color - Throaty Mumbo
• Watch YouTube On A Game Boy Color With A Special Cartridge (Hackaday)
• Delta iOS Gains Physical Cartridge Support Thanks To Epilogue
• GB Operator
• SN Operator
• Anbernic RG 55G1 is a Switch Lite Inspired Handheld Powered by the Snapdragon SoC (Yanko Design)

• Sony's Big Bad Week

• An update on PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita
• Physical disc production ending in January 2028 for new games releasing on PlayStation consoles
• PlayStation Boss Teases New On-the-Go Console Experiences -Also:
• AYANEO Pocket Vert Review: Premium Meets Portable, With a Dash of Disappointment

Subscribe to NPC XL

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This week on Next Portable Console, Federico, Brendon, and John consider the Steam Machine's pricing and early reviews.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Steam Machine

• Steam Machine launches today! (Steam Hardware announcement)
• Valve prices the Steam Machine at $1,049 (The Verge)
• Steam Machine officially priced at $1,049 and $1,349 as Valve describes brutal RAM supply crisis
• The Steam Machine is the most ambitious game console I've ever played (The Verge)
• Even Valve is Disappointed – Steam Machine Review (Linus Tech Tips)
• Steam Machine Review: Valve's New Console/PC Hybrid (IGN)
• Steam Machine Review: Beautiful Hardware, But What About Performance... And Price? (Digital Foundry)
• Valve will finally let you build your own Steam Machine with SteamOS for desktop (The Verge)

Subscribe to NPC XL

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This week on Next Portable Console, nose-bleed prices, foldables get wise to handheld gaming, and new products are teased and released by a long list of companies.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes Follow Up

• SN Operator arriving across Europe and the U.S.
• Super expensive PS5 SSDs released

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• MSI's new Claw gaming handheld starts at $1,699
• Android foldables are getting new gamepad controls
• Belkin's new Joy-Con grips also boost the Switch 2's battery life
• Anbernic teases RG 55G1, its likely first Snapdragon-powered handheld
• Retroid Pocket 6 returns with 12GB RAM in a revised configuration with notable trade-offs
• ONEXPLAYER X2 Mini Pro launches on Indiegogo starting at $2,466 with AMD Strix Halo and detachable controllers
• AYANEO announces Pocket Micro 2, teasing it as a "Gen 2 Powerhouse"
• AYANEO Pocket Play hands-on reveals a large, camera-limited gaming phone that's China-only
• TrimUI reveals Brick Pro and Brick Hammer Pro U with pre-orders open for Brick Pro at $85–$99.99

Subscribe to NPC XL

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Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online On the Web

• https://www.macstories.net/
• https://wavelengths.online/

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• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

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• NPC
• MacStories
• Federico Viticci
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

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This week on Next Portable Console, Brendon and Federico have spent more time with the Anbernic RG Rotate and along with John have more thoughts about it and the handheld news coming out of Computex.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes More RG Rotate Experiments

• Anbernic RG Rotate
• Apps We're Using

• Apple Music
• Musicolet
• Moon+ Reader Pro
• Amazon Kindle
• YouTube
• VLC
• Niagara Launcher
• Cocoon

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• The Ally X Gets OLED and a Bigger Screen

• Asus just announced the OLED Xbox Ally X of my dreams​
• Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle adds OLED display and AR glasses

• New Intel Chips for Handheld Gmaing

• Intel's first handheld gaming chip is the Arc G3, and this Acer is using it
• I held the next-gen handheld

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

• MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is an 8-inch handheld powered by Intel Arc G3 Extreme

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole

Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online On the Web

• https://www.macstories.net/
• https://wavelengths.online/

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Bluesky

• NPC
• MacStories
• Federico Viticci
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Affiliate Linking Policy

This week on NPC, we update listeners on the SN Operator and consider what the Steam Deck price hike means for the handheld gaming industry before sharing our first impressions of Anbernic's RG Rotate.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Epilogue SN Operator

• Wulff Den on YouTube

• Steam Deck OLED Price Increases

• The Golden Age of Handheld Gaming Is Already Over

• Anbernic RG Rotate

• Anbernic RG Rotate

• Emulation Front-Ends

• Cocoon
• EmulationStation DE (ES-DE)
• Knulli

Subscribe to NPC XL

NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.

Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.

You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole

Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online On the Web

• https://www.macstories.net/
• https://wavelengths.online/

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Bluesky

• NPC
• MacStories
• Federico Viticci
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Affiliate Linking Policy