This week, Brendon, Federico, and John consider how the Switch 2 will impact the wider handheld market, recap the specs and benchmarks for the Legion Go S and 2, and cover new devices coming from Anbernic and AYANEO. Then, Brendon shares his experience running Bazzite on the ASUS ROG Ally X.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• What handheld PCs should do to fight the Nintendo Switch 2
• Everyone is Underestimating Mouse Mode
• No screen, no controller, and absolutely no sense, just a power button and a USB port. Steam Brick Mod
• Legion Go S and 2
• Legion Go S Benchmarks
• Legion Go 2 - Hands on first impressions CES 2025
• How to Play Steam Games on Android [Pluvia Guide]
• The $900 Ayaneo 3 is the most exciting PC handheld the company’s yet made
• Anbernic seems to have a new SP model called the RG34XXSP

Running Bazzite on the ASUS ROG Ally X

• ASUS ROG Ally X
• Bazzite
• Dbrand Killswitch
• Also mentioned:
• RGB Docking Station
• Genki SavePoint

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
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Affiliate Linking Policy

It’s a packed episode with a post Switch 2 reveal vibe check and more on iPhone game controller innovation, plus John’s early impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal, Brendon’s review of the Miyoo Flip, and Federico’s long 2DS/3DS emulation journey.

Links and Show Notes

iPhone Controller Innovation

• MCON’s Kickstarter Campaign
• 8BitDo’s Micro Controller Clip
• GamSir’s Unnamed Combo Controller and Battery Prototype
• More on Wavelengths and MacStories
• The Bitmo Lab GAMEBABY

Ayn Odin2 Portal

• Website
• Retro Game Corps Review

Miyoo Flip

• On AliExpress
• Brendon’s review on Wavelengths
• Brendon’s video on YouTube

Federico’s 3DS Journey

• Microsoft Surface 2 Duo
• Steam Deck
• EmuDeck
• Emulation Station
• iPad Pro 4
• Lenovo Legion Y700 (2024 model), available only from China
• Note: Brendon mentioned that it const $300, but that’s the 2023 model
• Example of graphics quality
• Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which will be available worldwide soon
• Nintendo 2DS

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
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

On this special edition of NPC, Federico, John, and Brendon react to Nintendo’s video announcement about the Switch 2, dig through every detail of the video for clues, and consider how things are likely to play out in the coming months.

Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement Reactions

• Nintendo Switch 2 – First Look Trailer
• Nintendo Switch 2 Experience
• Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced, releasing 2025
• GameCube Keyboard Controller
• GameCube Accessories

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
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

In the first NPC episode of 2025, Brendon and John recap their CES experience with Federico, highlighting AMD’s new Z2 chips, the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S, and more. Together, they explore the technologies and trends poised to define the next generation of portable consoles.

Sponsored By:

• Pika – Sign up today to start telling your story and use code NPC20 for 20% off your first year of Pika Pro.

Links and Show Notes

Unpacking CES 2025

• More from Brendon and John on the MacStories YouTube channel
• AMD Announces the Z2 Chip
• The new AMD Z2 chips are nice, ok, and weird
• Other Devices
• Asus ROG Flow Z13 (2025) brings AMD Strix Halo to tablets
• Up close with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 FE, an incredibly compact flagship video card
• Thunderbolt 5 and ASUS’s new XG Mobile eGPU
• ASUS just announced the world’s first Thunderbolt 5 eGPU — the 2025 XG Mobile
• SteamOS News
• GeForce NOW CES 2025 Steam Deck and Mixed-Reality Devices
• Lenovo Legion Go S pre-orders are happening now at Best Buy Polygon
• SteamOS expands beyond Steam Deck
• Lenovo Legion Tab
• Lenovo’s new Legion Tab is an 8.8 inch Android gaming tablet for $500 and up
• GameSir X2S Controller
• Nitro Blaze 11
• Hands-on with the Nitro Blaze 11, Acer’s massive new PC gaming handheld

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

Follow Us Online

On the Web

• Federico and John:
• MacStories.net
• Brendon:
• 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

To close out 2024, Federico, John, and Brendon present the first-ever HOTYs: the 2024 Handhelds of the Year awards, celebrating the best handheld gaming devices, custom firmware, and, of course, the Handheld of the Year.

Links and Show Notes

The 2024 Handhelds of the Year Awards

• Best Handheld under 4"
• Winner: Anbernic RG35XXSP
• Runners-Up:
• Anbernic RG Cube
• AYANEO Pocket Micro
• TrimUI Brick
• Also Mentioned:
• Anbernic RG28XXH and RG49XXV
• Best Handheld Between 4 and 7"
• Winner: Any Odin 2
• Runners-Up:
• Ayn Odin Mini
• Retroid Pocket 5
• Best 7" or Larger Handheld
• Winner: Steam Deck OLED
• Runners-Up:
• Legion Go
• Asus ROG Ally X
• Best Custom Firmware
• Winner: MuOS
• Runners-Up:
• Spruce
• MinUI
• Best Overall Handheld for Retro Gaming
• Winner: The Smartphone
• Runners-Up:
• Anbernic RG35XXSP
• TrimUI Brick
• Ayn Odin 2
• Best Overall Handheld for Modern Games
• Winner: Steam Deck
• Runners-Up
• Ayn Odin 2
• Handheld of the Year
• Winner: Ayn Odin 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 Bluesky

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

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

As the year comes to a close, handheld makers haven’t slowed down. We have new devices in hand and on the horizon, plus Legion Go S and Switch 2 rumors, Brendon’s first impressions of the TrimUI Brick, Federico’s latest NDI streaming experiments, new AR glasses and more.

Sponsored By:

• Pika – Sign up today to start telling your story and use code NPC20 for 20% off your first year of Pika Pro.

Links and Show Notes

The MacStories DS Skins for Delta

• Celebrate the MacStories Selects App of the Year with the MacStories DS Skins for Delta
• Available for $3.00 on the new MacStories Store

Follow-Up

• Jason Snell gets a Miyoo Mini+
• Upgrade+ segment
• Based on Brendon’s recommendation
• The Two Best Entry-Level Handhelds Are On Sale
• Anbernic RG35XXSP hardware updates
• Pokémon Emerald Legacy
• Video
• Update: Pokémon Emerald Legacy Out Now

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Android XR
• Sony, Lynx, And Xreal Are Building Android XR Devices Too
• Android XR is Google’s new operating system for headsets and smart glasses
• Android XR and Project Moohan hands-on Gemini is the killer app
• Hands-On With Samsung’s Android XR Headset, Shipping In 2025
• Anbernic Hour: Anbernic RG34XX
• Anbernic is Just Making a Game Boy Advance
• No Tweaks Necessary
• Miyoo Flip Watch
• Demo video
• A trailer
• First Miyoo Flip Reviews (Sort Of) Pop Up On Youtube
• Lenovo Legion Go S leak shows renders of the cheaper handheld gaming PC
• Blurry shots of purportedly leaked Switch 2 Joy-Con

Topics

• TrimUI Brick: Brendon’s First Impressions
• No Tweaks Necessary
• My Simple TrimUI Brick Setup (MinUI Guide)
• Available from AliExpress and Amazon
• Federico Levels Up His NDI Setup
• Old device: Kiloview N40
• New device: Kiloview N60
• Vxio
• A Comprehensive Guide to Gaming on the Apple Vision Pro
• The XREAL One AR glasses
• On Amazon
• Satechi Mobile XR Hub

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
• John Voorhees
• Brendon Bigley

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

Tencent and Intel announce a huge handheld, Sony is taking its time, reviewers share early hands-on testing of the Ayn Odin Portal, the Miyoo Mini Flip is spotted across the Internet, Samsung files an intriguing portable gaming patent, and a new eGPU is on the way. Plus, Brendon revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP, Federico has a mini-surprise, and John and Federico share their first impressions of the Retroid Pocket 5.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• An NPC reader poll
• Which will be first a Steam Deck console or Xbox handheld
• Mastodon: Steam Deck Console first (57% to 43%)
• Threads: An Xbox handheld will be first (73% to 27%)
• Tencent and Intel Announce the Sunday Dragon 3D One
• News about Sony’s upcoming handheld from Bloomberg
• Ayn Odin Portal first impressions are out
• Retro Game Corps - First Impressions
• The Miyoo Flip Returns
• Surfaced images of the carrying case, final hardware, and packaging
• 11 Anbernic Handhelds in 2024
• Samsung Patents Foldable Gaming Handheld Design
• AOOSTAR AG02 EGPU Dock with OCulink/USB4 Port，Built-in Huntkey 500W Power Supply

Topics

• Brendon Revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP
  • Anbernic RG35XXSP
  • Anbernic RG351P
  • Into the Aether - GBA episode
• Federico’s Surprise
  • White Steam Deck
• Retroid Pocket 5 First Impressions
  • Retroid Pocket 5

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
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Threads

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

Follow us on Instagram

• MacStories
• Federico
• John
• Brendon

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