This week, Steam Deck, Switch 2, and Vision Pro accessory follow up, Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs, Android handhelds break into the budget category, and the ROG Xbox Ally X is a bust.

On NPC XL, Apple’s M5 chip promise gaming advances on the iPad, but can it deliver?

NPC is also available on YouTube here.

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Links and Show Notes Follow Up

• Steam Deck Folios are now available for anyone to buy for $40
• Apple Vision Pro PSVR 2 controllers are $250
• Mechanism Switch 2 Basecase

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• GIGABYTE AORUS RTX 5090 AI BOX Thunderbolt 5 eGPU launches at $2999, 27% slower than desktop RTX 5090 in gaming
• OneXfly Apex handheld gaming PC with AMD Strix Halo is on the way
• REDMAGIC 11 Pro could be the first liquid-cooled smartphone you can actually buy
• MagicX One35 Finally Available For Pre-Order
• MANGMI Air X Is Finally Here Snapdragon Power, Sub-$100 Price
• Xbox Ally and Ally X review this is not an Xbox

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• Music: Will LaPorte

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The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Federico weighs in on the Xiaomi Pad Mini
• GameHub
• Lenovo Legion Go 2
  • Retro Game Corps review
• AYN Thor reviews and first impressions
  • Joey’s Retro Handhelds review
  • Retro Game Corps impressions video
• Using the Epilogue GB Operator with the Steam Deck
• Digital Foundry tests iPhone 17 Pro gaming
• Mini PCs leap forward
  • GMKtec EVO-X2
    • Running Bazzite
    • Digital Foundry review
  • Minisforum MS-S1 MAX
  • Beelink GTR9 Pro
• Brendon Bails on Bazzite

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, John and Brendon get excited about the rumors of an Anbernic DS clone, dig into weird and interesting news from Xiaomi, debate the merits of computer coasters, and update listeners on more pricey Windows handhelds and Lego’s Game Boy set.

On NPC XL, John shares his first impressions of GeForce Now’s NVIDIA 5080 performance and he and Brendon wonder what Microsoft is thinking with recent changes to Game Pass.

NPC is also available on YouTube here.

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Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• The Anbernic RG DS is “Almost Ready” for Prime time
• Xiaomi Turns Camera Bump into Retro Handheld
• The Xiaomi Pad Mini is the best Android tablet you can't buy - here are my hands-on thoughts
• Qualcomm's ultrathin Snapdragon X2 mini PC prototypes feature AirJet solid state cooling
• OneXfly Apex handheld gaming PC with AMD Strix Halo is on the way
• ASUS’ ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Are Coming Soon: Here’s What You’ll Pay
• The Most Powerful Handheld in the World
• Lego Nintendo Game Boy review: a brick masterpiece just shy of perfection
• Behold: The Lego Game Boy has already been modded to play games for real

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.

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This week, AYANEO introduces it’s most affordable handheld yet, but it’s not part of its budget line of devices. Plus, Qualcomm’s new chips pack a punch and the GDP Win 5 pack a punch, while Sony expands its Pulse line with desktop speakers.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• AYANEO Pocket Air Mini is an entry-level Android handheld that sells for under $100
• Qualcomm’s New Chips
• Qualcomm Debuts Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, Its Next-Gen Laptop Chips
• Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• Introducing Pulse Elevate – Sony Interactive Entertainment’s first wireless speakers for desktop gaming
• GDP Win 5 Follow-Up
• The Most Powerful Handheld Is Here! GPD Win 5 First Look - YouTube
• The Most Powerful Handheld - GPD Win 5 - Quick Look - YouTube

Topics

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, gamers bring Xbox mode to the MSI Claw and other Windows handhelds, the DualSense controller gets multi-pairing, AYN shows off the Thor in action, and Nintendo gets even weirder with a Virtual Boy comeback, plus John reviews the Steam Deck Folio cover and the crew discusses the gaming updates to Apple’s Vision Pro.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Microsoft’s new Xbox mode on Windows has leaked for any handheld
• The PS5 update that adds DualSense multi-device pairing rolls out soon
• Anbernic RG476H Price Announced, Save $15 For The First 3 Days
• AYN Thor demo videos
• AYN Thor: Game Demo
• AYN Thor：Game and Software Demo
• visionOS 26: The MacStories Review
• Steam Deck Folio
• Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics Announced for Switch 1 and 2 at Nintendo Direct

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, Brendon emerges from a Silksong fog, Genki settles a lawsuit and sends Federico accessories for the Switch, and Federico and John try emulating Windows on Android handhelds.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Nintendo Switch 2 Genki Lawsuit Settlement
• Genki Attack Vector
• Genki Energy Pack
• Emulating Windows on Android
• Game Native
• Gamehub 5.0
• Also, Gamehub 5.0 Launches With Steam Cloud Saves
• Winlator

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

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This week, Brendon and John examine the latest handheld announcements Lenovo and AYN that both come with impressive specs and some age-old frustrations. Plus, a new chip is coming to Anbernic’s lineup, and Brendon shares his first impressions of Dbrand’s Nintendo Switch 2 killswitch case.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Legion Go 2
• Early Leaks Reveal Lenovo Legion Go 2 Improvements
• Legion Go 2 official: Lenovo’s new flagship handheld costs $1,099 — and up
• Lenovo Concept Laptop
• Lenovo’s next concept laptop has a rotating screen that works in portrait or landscape
• Anbernic RG476H
• Anbernic RG476H Looks to Take on the RP Mini V2 and Pocket ACE
• AYN Odin 3
• AYN Odin 3 gaming handheld features Snapdragon 8 Elite and a 120 Hz OLED display for $299 during crowdfunding ($349 and up retail)
• dbrand killswitch for Nintendo Switc 2 - Website - Brendon's review

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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Returning from summer break, the NPC crew discusses Microsoft and ASUS’s Xbox handheld announcement at Gamescom. They also cover the upcoming release of Silk Song, Nintendo Direct rumors, and growing concerns about Switch 2’s strategy, particularly the lack of third-party dev kits and exclusive titles. The episode closes with an exploration of wild new handhelds from Abxylute.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• IS This an Xbox? All Your Questions Answered - ROG XBOX ALLY - YouTube
• Analogue 3D Delayed for a Fourth Time
• Another Switch 2 Nintendo Direct Is Close And It Could Be The Big One
• AYANEO KONKR Pocket FIT Elite is an Android handheld game console with premium specs and a starting price under $400
• 3DS Styled Handheld Announced As Part Of MagicX’s Roadmap
• MANGMI Air X Lands in September Starting at $79
• Abxylute plans to sell a $1699 handheld gaming PC with an 11 inch glasses-free 3D display
• abxylute 3D One Handheld
• Abxylute is working on a magnetic snap-on game controller for smartphones
• 3DS Styled Handheld Announced As Part Of MagicX’s Roadmap

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

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Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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This week, Brendon and John mind the show while Federico is on vacation, covering Nintendo’s pricing changes, the latest on Retroid’s second screen accessory, the TrinketOS Android front end, Manic EMU for iOS, and more.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Wavelengths 2.0 A Podcast and a Patreon
• Switch and Switch 2: Tariff’s and Pricing
• Nintendo’s Switch 2 doubles first-month sales of the original The Verge “Yesterday, the White House announced that a 20 percent tariff on goods from Vietnam — where Nintendo produces its Switch 2 consoles — will begin next week. That’s double the 10 percent baseline tariffintroduced in April that Nintendo used to forecast earnings for the current fiscal year.”
• Nintendo raises the Switch 1 price from $299 to $339 The Verge
• Antank has an updated dock
• Retroid 2nd Screen
• Retroid Reveals Real-World Photos of Upcoming Dual Screen Add-On - Retro Handhelds
• Retroid Adjusts Shipping for Dual Screen Accessory, Offers Coupon - Retro Handhelds
• Android and iOS Emulation
• TrinketOS is an extremely weird and cool new Android frontend
• Manic EMU for iOS

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

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Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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This week, Brendon KONKRs AYANEO’s two-day announcement-fest and is joined by John and Federico for diversions into 3DS repairs, the GPD Win 5, Gamescom, and more.

Also available on YouTube here.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• US Tariff Exemptions are Ending
• All of your international packages are about to get more expensive The Verge
• GPD Win 5
• GPD WIN 5, the world’s first Ryzen AI MAX 395+ Strix Halo handheld, to debut on August 1
• GPD’s monster Strix Halo handheld requires a battery ‘backpack’ or a 180W charger
• Gamescom and Silksong
• Xbox will let you play Silksong at Gamescom in August
• Xbox handheld consoles ROG Ally and Ally X preorders open during Gamescom, report says
• It’s AYANEO All the Way Down
• AYANEO Announces World’s First Android-Based Flip Dualscreen Handheld
• Retroid and ANBERNIC should be scared of this budget sub-brand
• AYANEO Launches Konkr A New Lineup of “Budget” Handhelds
• AYANEO is working on a gaming phone, mini-laptop, and a whole lot more
• AYANEO Announce Three Android Devices (And A Controller)
• Lego Game Boy
• A New Game Boy is Coming and it’s…LEGO!

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

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Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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