NPC: Next Portable Console

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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta  

Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees everywhere

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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.

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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta  

Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees everywhere

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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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta  

Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees everywhere

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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.

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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta
Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees`everywhere

Affiliate Linking Policy

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

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta
Music: Will LaPorte 

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees`everywhere

Affiliate Linking Policy

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.

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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta
Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees`everywhere

Affiliate Linking Policy

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.

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

Leave Feedback for John and Federico

• NPC Feedback Form

Credits

Show Art: Silvia Gatta
Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net

Follow us on Social Media

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees`everywhere

Affiliate Linking Policy

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.

• The Game Band
• Sam Rosenthal

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

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

• Dartwords
• Wordle meets Clippy in this new word game

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

• NPC Feedback Form

Show Art: Silvia Gatta Music: Will LaPorte

• MacStories.net

• Federico is @viticci everywhere
• John is @johnvoorhees`everywhere

Affiliate Linking Policy

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.

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

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

• NPC Feedback Form

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

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

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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.

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

• 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

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

• NPC Feedback Form

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

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

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