NPC: Next Portable Console

For the latest episode, Brendon explains the cronut, the AYANEO 3 Windows handheld has been announced, we consider Anbernic burnout, Federico shares his PS5 Pro first impressions, we speculate about Microsoft’s handheld future, and on the heels of Brendon’s trip to France, we have thoughts on traveling with handhelds and downsizing our handheld setups.

Links and Show Notes

Is the Cronut from New York?

• Cronut

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Hori’s officially licensed Steam controller is coming to the US
• Imagine if Valve made a Steam Deck controller
• tomtoc Carrying Case for Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Compact
• The story of the Nintendo Switch in 15 slides VentureBeat
• The story of the Nintendo Switch in 15 slides VentureBeat
• AYANEO 3 handheld gaming PC will be available with RDNA 3.5 graphics and OLED display options - Liliputing
• The Anbernic RG406H Looks Like a Stretched RG Cube
• Nvidia’s new app replacement for GeForce Experience is now out of beta - The Verge
• Microsoft’s Gaming Chief Is Still Open to Acquisitions After Activision Deal - Bloomberg
• Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White - Launching Worldwide Next Week
• The Miyoo Flip Has Appeared Again
• Also mentioned:
• Federico got a Sony PS5 Pro
• Hori Splitpad Pro Compact
• Beelink SER8

A Travel Handheld

• AYN Odin2 Mini
• Any Odin handheld could be your only handheld console
• Waterfield CitySlicker for Steam Deck
• GPD Win4 2024
• Retroid Pocket 5 vs AYN Odin 2 Mini: is $129 too much more? from Adin Walls
• Beelink GPU Docking Station

Games Mentioned

• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Cool Bird! (feat. Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Mario & Luigi Brothership
• Dragon Quest III HD–2D Remake
• Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past
• Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Bluesky:

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

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, we have lots of smartphone gaming news, console mods, a first peek at the future of Windows handheld gaming, and more. Plus, John shares his first impressions of the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, while Brendon digs into OG hardware with the Nintendo DSi and Sony PSP.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• iOS Gaming News:
• Pokémon TCG Pocket
• Nintendo Music
• Console Mods:
• PS4 turned into a handheld
• Xbox handheld
• Other Handheld News:
• Anbernic RG ARC XX rumors
• Ayn Odin Portal Indiegogo campaign launched
• Ayaneo EVO and Pocket DMG delayed by a few weeks but the Pocket Micro shipped.
• Next-Gen Windows Handhelds:
• AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chips could bring Strix Point graphics to handhelds in 2025 (Updated)
• OneXFly F1 Pro Unveiled with 144Hz OLED, Ryzen Power, and ‘Zero Drift’ Sticks
• Smartphone gaming
• Asus ROG Phone 9 is coming on November 19 (gaming smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Elite) - Liliputing
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor featuring Oryon CPU cores and next-gen Adreno graphics
• 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller
• Apple rumored to be working on new App Store-like app dedicated to games
• Netflix is laying off gaming staff

New Handhelds

• John covers the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 
• Brendon has a new matte black Nintendo DSi and modded Sony PSP
• DSi Guide to modding the DSi
• Also mentioned:
• Kit & Krysta YouTube channel
• PXPlay app
• Other games mentioned:
• Soma Bringer
• Brave Story: New Traveler
• Call of Duty Black Ops 6

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, Federico and John carry on without Brendon and profess their love of all things OLED. Plus, Federico shares a shopping confession, Anbernic is back to its bi-weekly ways, we explore inventive controllers and answer a listener question about the Ayn Odin 2, before Federico tells the origin story of his Wii, which he modded to offload his game library to his collection of handhelds.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Ayn announces Odin Portal
• MuOS Banana is out
• Brendon’s installation guide
• Federico’s Confession
• Ayn Odin Mini
• Hypatia texture pack for Wind Waker
• Budget Controller
• A less powerful RG Cube
• ANBERNIC’s Upcoming Leaked Handheld Could Feature Two Displays
• Pocket Play: An new iPhone controller coming soon to Kickstarter
• GameSir Taratuala Pro
• GameSir reveal trailer
• Techno Pocket Go
• A keyboard with a PC in it
• Alarmo
• Xbox will let you stream any game from your library
• Open Source Cartridge Reader
• CDRDAO
• How to dump your PSX Games (for Mac)

Credits

• Show Art: Brendon Bigley
• Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, Federico, Brendon, and John cover the latest in Nintendo emulation, a mysterious Nintendo device appears at the FCC, John has a Switch surprise, Microsoft reveals its best-looking controller yet, and Federico mods his Legion Go.

Links and Show Notes

Intro

• Federico’s new white microphone arm:
• TONOR Microphone Boom Arm
• G-STORY 15.6" Inch IPS 4k 60Hz Portable Monitor Gaming Display Integrated with PS5
• G-STORY 15.6 inch Portable Monitor | Xbox Series S

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Wii U on Android with Cemu
• Beta on GitHub
• Retro Game Corp. and Nintendo
• Ryuninx Shut Down
• What’s this new mystery Nintendo device?
• N64 Operator from Epilogue
• GB Operator by Epilogue
• Save the Hero cartridge reader
• EmuDeck Cloud Sync
• M-Con Controller
• M-Con update
• Retro Game Corps first look
• Switch Lite DIY OLED kit
• Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition
• Retro Remake Super 5 OLED Kits
• REDMAGIC gaming tablet
• Ghost Cipher Special Edition Series Xbox Controller
• Balatro Makes a Pile of Cash
• On Apple Arcade
• On App Store
• Leak suggests Legion Go Lite will be out soon

Topics

• Federico’s Legion Go SSD Mod
  • Legion Go

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, our thoughts on Nintendo Switch 2 rumors, Sony’s PS5 nostalgia-fest, and more handheld news. Plus, Federico explains how Astro Bot makes sense of the PS Portal, a look at the Anbernic RG40XXV retro handled, and we reach peak Joy-Con with Mobapad’s M6 HD.

Links and Show Notes

Federico’s Espresso Machine

• DeLonghi EC9355M La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Switch 2 Rumors
• The Switch 2 may have leaked already
• Nintendo Switch 2: Everything we know about the coming release
• Rumor: Chinese Leak Reveals Alleged Nintendo Switch 2 Production Photos and Detailed Specs
• Also mentioned:
• Hori Split-Pad Compact Switch Controller
• Mobapad M6 HD Joycons Nintendo Switch Controller Pro
• Sony 30th Anniversary PS5
• Connected, Episode 519 ‘I Got the RGB Going On’
• Celebrating 30 years of PlayStation with a nostalgic look
• Also mentioned:
• Who is the PS5 Pro Actually For?
• FREKVENS speaker
• Retroid Pocket 5 and Mini Update
• AMD confirms Z2 Extreme chip, aims to boost PC gaming handheld battery life by over 300%
• HTC announces the Vive Focus Vision with color passthrough and an eye on gaming
• Who killed TouchArcade?
• Also mentioned:
• Blink
• PlayStation Portal
• Astro Bot
• Also mentioned:
• PlayStation Remote Play app gets renamed to chiaki-ng (chiaki-next-generation)
• Chiaki-ng
• Nintendo Wii Mini
• PlayStation TV was a baffling idea and I deeply love mine
• Anbernic RG40XXV
• Retro Game Corps. Review
• On Amazon
• Mobapad M6 HD Joycons Nintendo Switch Controller Pro
• Games Mentioned
• Final Fantasy: Rebirth
• Astro Bot
• UFO 50

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, Anbernic comes through with another retro handheld, PC makers announce new Windows handhelds, an iPhone case built for the Delta emulator, and Federico declares his love for a gaming pillow.

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Anbernic 406V
• Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K
• The new Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box 8K amps up the immersive entertainment experience
• Retroid Pocket 5 Handheld Revealed With All New Style & Ergonomics
• Pre-Order Dates & Pricing For Retroid Pocket 5 & Mini Finally Announced
• Editor’s Note: Pricing details were released after NPC was recorded
• MSI Claw 8 AI+ with Intel Lunar Lake to feature 80Wh battery and two Thunderbolt 4 ports
• Acer’s first handheld gaming PC is the Nitro Blaze
• Acer’s Project DualPlay concept laptop has a pop-out controller and speakers
• The Legion Ecosystem Expands with New Monitors and a Host of Lenovo Legion Go Accessories
• Nintendo can’t repair your New 3DS because it ran out of parts
• Bitmo Lab Opens Pre-Orders for a Delta Emulator-Friendly iPhone Case
• More Weird iPhone Controllers, Please
• Let’s turn Nothing’s $200 phone into a 3D-printed marvel
• CMF by Nothing Phone 1/MakerWorld Contest
• Also mentioned
• AmbiOdin
• PortMaster
• PortMaster Starter Guide

Gaming Pillows

• AboveTEK Tablet Pillow Stand
• Mechanism Gaming Pillow
• Also mentioned:
• Viture Pro Mobile Dock
• Acrylic Magic Keyboard and Trackpad Support Stand

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John cover newly announced handhelds, a gaming pillow, and other news before covering how Federico is dual booting Windows and SteamOS on his ASUS ROG Ally X and an update on retro handhelds from Brendon and John.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Zotac Zone
• Also: Hands-on with the ZOTAC ZONE at Gamescom
• Retroid Pocket Mini teaser trailer
• Also: Adin Walls, The Future of Retro Gaming
• ANBERNIC Secretly Reveals New RG40XX V With “Ultra-Narrow Bezel”
• Also: Anbernic RG40XXV In-Depth Review, Retro Game Corps
• Valve confirms it’ll support the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system
• Also: Notepad newsletter by Tom Warren of The Verge
• Compact Mode is now in Game Bar for Xbox Insiders
• Let this tiny bean bag chair for your lap hold your heavy handhelds
• Gaming Pillow
• Also: Viture Pro Mobile Dock
• Playdate Pizza Cover
• Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp to close as Nintendo’s slow retreat from mobile continues
• Also: Miitomo

Dual Booting Windows and SteamOS on the ASUS Ally X

• SteamOS on Handheld PCs! Bazzite Setup Guide
• Bazzite
• SteamOS on Handheld PCs! Bazzite Setup Guide
• Playnite

A Retro Handheld Check-In

• Ayan Odin2 Mini
• Powkiddy V10
• Anbernic RG28XXH
• Miyoo Mini A30

Games Mentioned

• Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
• Emberward
• Animal Crossing Pocket Camp
• Super Mario Run
• Dragalia Lost
• Dragon Quest XI
• Starfield
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
• The Binding of Isaac
• Spelunky
• Nuclear Throne
• Rogue Legacy
• Lufftrausers
• Rogue Legacy 2
• Spelunky 2

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

This week, Federico returns to join John and Brendon to recap the latest portable gaming news before Federico drops a massive GameCube surprise on his co-hosts.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Genki SavePoint
• SteamOS 3.6.9 Beta for Steam Deck curiously mentions the ASUS ROG Ally
• Where is the Xbox mobile store?
• ASUS launches Adol Book 14, world’s first laptop with built-in fragrance
• This $60 chip fixes a longstanding Super Nintendo flaw
• AYANEO is at it again
• Pocket S: Snapdragon G3x Gen2 New Android Handheld
• Pocket DMG: Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Vertical Handheld | Indiegogo
• Pocket MICRO: Tribute to Classic Pocket Handhelds | Indiegogo

Ticci’s Surprises

• Into the Aether VII: The Nintendo GameCube
• Hacking the Wii
• Wii Hacks subreddit
• SCART Connector
• Wii to HDMI Cable
• Elgato Capture Card
• Orion
• CleanRIP
• GingerOfMods
• The Louii
• RV Loader
• Nintendont
• GC2WiiMote - Mariokartwii.com
• The Emulation Angle
• RG Cube
• Ayn Odin 2
• Managing Saves
• Dolphin for Desktop
• DS Emulation
• DraStic DS
• MelonDS
• Ashida Wii
• Best Built
• Twelve South AirFly Pro for Bluetooth headphones
• Games Mentioned
• Super Smash Bros. Melee
• Mario Kart: Double Dash
• Luigi’s Mansion
• The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
• Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
• Chibi-Robo!
• Custom Robo
• Somabringer

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

In the latest episode, Brendon and John go it alone without Federico with Powkiddy V10 follow-up, a report on Brendon’s first week with the Nothing CMF Phone 1 and a first look at the Ayn Odin2 Mini. Along the way, they also consider the less-than-stellar sales of AAA games on the iPhone, Analogue’s spendy aluminum Pocket, and the Xreal Beam Pro, before veering into a philosophical discussion of gaming on phones versus dedicated devices, comparing notes on their Miyoo Mini A30 setup experiences, and mulling over whether to start modding handhelds.

Links and Show Notes

Follow-Up

• Powkiddy V10
• Vaydeer 3-Slot Vertical Laptop Stand
• Resident Evil 7 Is The Latest AAA Port To Flop On iPhone

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• New Limited Edition Aluminium Analogue Pockets Drop With A Premium Price
• Analogue Pocket: Aluminum Editions
• Analogue Pocket
• Funny Playing FPGBC Kit
• ModRetro Chromatic
• Analogue Super NT
• Your Cool Uncle Marissa
• Gatcha SP metal edition
• The Xreal Beam Pro has good ideas about AR — but not enough juice
• Nothing CMF Phone 1 First Impressions
• Nothing’s CMF Phone 1 is proof that gadgets can still be fun
• Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
• Ayn Odin 2
• GameSir Galileo G8
• Into the Aether: The Sega Dreamcast
• Front Ends
• Niagra Launcher for Android
• Daijishō
• Beacon
• Emulation Station for Android
• Also mentioned
• Boox Palma

New Gear

• Ayn Odin2 Mini
• Miyoo Mini A30
• Compared to: Anbernic 28XX

Modding

• Roman Lefebvre’s black and white 2DS
• Kyle Starr’s Game Boy Advance mods for Into the Aether
• Federico’s MacPad Mod

Games Mentioned

• Zenless Zone Zero
• Dragons Quest XI

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

It was a busy news week in the world of portable gaming hardware, plus Federico’s quest for cable perfection continues, a return of the Steam Deck, and a look at mobile phone gaming, controllers, and more.

Links and Show Notes

News

• The GB Operator Is Adding Game Boy Camera Support
• Also Discussed:
• Save the Hero Builders cartridge reader
• Powkiddy V10
• Anbernic Announces the RG40XXH
• Portgate
• Another Anbernic RG35XXSP Overheats
• A Miyoo Mini A30 Preview
• AYANEO Pocket EVO
• Nothing CMF Phone 1
• Thunderbolt 5 Cables
• The first Thunderbolt 5 cables are here, but there’s barely anything to plug in
• Federico’s 10m USB 4 Fiber Cable

Federico Dips Back into the Steam Deck

• Steam Deck OLED with Etched Glass Screen
• Mechanism Accessory Systems
• Deckmate
• Plugable Dock
• XReal Air AR glasses

Mobile Phone Gaming

• Netflix Gaming
• Netflix’s Slow and Steady Infiltration of the Videogame Industry
• Microsoft and Netflix Aim to Challenge Apple in Mobile Gaming
• Local and Cloud Streaming
• NVIDIA GeForce NOW
• PSPlay (Android)
• XBXPlay (Android)
• MirrorPlay
• Controllers
• Backbone One
• Razer Kishi
• Razer Ultra
• GameSir G8
• GameSir X2S
• Scuf Nomad
• Retro Game Corps Review
• Joyclamp
• Sony Dual Sense Edge
• 8BitDo SN30 Pro
• A Homemade Vertical Controller
• MEENEA Game Handle Connector
• Moment Wall Mount Magnet
• Sean Fletcher’s Delta skins
• Game Mode and Game Porting Toolkit 2
• Whiskey
• Matt Horton’s YouTube channel

Games Mentioned

• Final Fantasy VII
• Dragon Quest XI
• Zenless Zone Zero
• Zach Gage games
• SpellTower
• Knotwords
• Good Soduku
• Guncho
• Alto’s Odyssey
• Hades
• Into the Breach
• Poinpy
• Dead Cells
• Kentucky Route Zero
• Immortality
• TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
• Sayonara Wild Hearts
• FANTASIAN
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• Golden Sun
• Golden Sun: The Lost Age
• Soma Bringer

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• MacStories.net
• Wavelengths.online

Follow us on Mastodon

• NPC
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon