NPC: Next Portable Console

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

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• John
• Brendon

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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• NPC
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For episode 3 of NPC, we cover the latest news about the Ayn Odin2 Mini, ONEXPLAYER X1 Mini, Asus ROG Ally X, the Anbernic RG Cube, and more, John finally received his transparent blue Anbernic RG35XXSP, Brendon got a surprise in the mail, and Federico shares his first impressions of the Powkiddy RGB30.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Ayn Odin2 Mini
• Some Thoughts on the Odin 2 Mini
• Odin2 Mini Review: Looks like a PS Vita, performs like a champ
• Also mentioned:
• 🎙️ The Ayn Odin 2 with John Voorhees
• ONEXPLAYER X1 Mini
• The OneXPlayer X1 Mini is the most feature-packed handheld gaming PC yet
• AUS ROG Ally X
• ASUS ROG Ally X Hands-On impressions
• ROG Ally X: 5 Upgrades, 2 Downgrades
• Anbernic RG Cube
• FUN + POWER = RG Cube Review
• Nintendo Switch Lite Hyrule Edition
• Where to Preorder Nintendo Switch Lite: Hyrule Edition

Anbernic RG35XXSP Follow-Up

• The Anbernic RG35XXSP | A Review
• Anbernic RG35XX SP: An Almost Beginner’s Guide
• Another MuOS Install Guide
• Anbernic RG28XX
• A Capacitive Touch OLED Screen Replacement For The Game Boy Color!
• SakuraRetroModding
• An Anbernic RG35XXSP and Gamboy Advance SP meet in a bar in New York

Brendon’s First Impressions of the Lenovo Legion Go

• Lenovo Legion Go
• Lenovo Legion Glasses
• XREAL Air
• Viture Pro XR
• Meta Ray-Bans Smart Glasses
• XREAL Beam Pro

Federico’s Powkiddy RGB30 Purchase

• Powkiddy RGB30
• Powkiddy RGB30 Starter Guide

Games Mentioned

• The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
• The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• F-Zero
• Kingdom Hearts III
• Destiny 2
• Elden Ring
• Dragon’s Quest 11
• Skies of Arcadia: Legends
• Chrono Trigger

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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• NPC
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This week, Federico takes us on his journey to build the world’s best eGPU, and we take a first look at the Anbernic RG35XXSP, a foldable retro handheld that two out of the three of us have received.

Links and Show Notes

Building the World’s Best eGPU

• USB4 Specification
• OCuLink
• Lenovo Legion Go
• ADT-UT3G USB4 board
• The ADT-UT3G only board that uses the new ASM2464PD controller, but it doesn’t support power delivery.
• EGPU Thunderbolt vs USB4 (ADT Link UT3G). Tutorial and Synthetic and Gaming Benchmarks in 8 Games Starfield Baldurs Gate
• FiiO DK3S Cooling fan with Stand
• JSAUX RGB Docking Station
• Also mentioned:
• I Turned the New 13” iPad Pro Into a MacPad and Portable Gaming Display
• A Small Fire at 3 AM
• TechDweeb
• ROG Ally X
• XONEGPU
• GPD G1
• Aya Neo AG01 Graphics Starship

The Anbernic RG35XX SP: First Look

• Anbernic RG35XX SP
• Federico and Brendon have silver
• John ordered transparent blue, and it’s stuck in New Jersey
• Replacement OSes covered:
• MuOs
• GarlicOS Alpha for RG35XXSP
• MinUI
• KNULLI
• Anbernic RG35XX SP: An Almost Beginner’s Guide
• RG35XX SP Button Mod Makes A Huge Difference
• Also:
• Apple Pi Baker for Flashing SD Cards
• Ayn Odin 2
• Miyoo Mini+
• Miyoo Mini Flip
• Deep Dive Comparison: RG351M vs RG351P
• Retroid Pocket Flip Review – The Start Of Clamshell Emulators

Games Mentioned

• Dragons Dogma
• Chrono Trigger
• Pokémon Unbound
• Pokémon FireRed

Odds and Ends

• Clicks Keyboard
• Save the Hero Builders open-source cartridge reader
• GB Operator
• Delta iOS emulator
• PlayStation DualSense Edge

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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This week Federico, John, and Brendon introduce NPC, compare handheld gaming origin stories, and share their current setups before Federico springs a surprise on the others.

Links and Show Notes

About the Hosts

Federico Viticci

• MacStories
• Other Podcasts
• AppStories
• MacStories Unwind
• Connected
• Remaster

John Voorhees

• MacStories
• Other Podcasts
• AppStories
• MacStories Unwind
• Ruminate

Brendon Bigley

• Wavelengths
• Into the Aether

Our Portable Gaming Histories

Brendon

• Game Boy Pocket
• Game Boy Color
• Game Boy Advance
• Game Boy SP
• Nintendo DS
• Nintendo 3DS
• Playstation Vita
• Anbernic RG351P

John

• Game Boy Color - Kiwi Lime
• Game Boy SP
• Sega Game Gear
• Nintendo DSi
• Nintendo 3DS
• Playstation Vita
• Anbernic RG351M

Federico

• Game Boy
• Game Boy Color
• Game Boy Advance
• PSP
• 8 Mile
• Nintendo 3DS
• Playstation Vita
• Anbernic RG351M

Current Setups

John

• Ayn Odin 2 Pro
• OLED Switch
• Legion Go
• ONEXGPU
• Miyoo Mini+
• iPhone and iPad Pro

Brendon

• Ayn Odin 2 Pro
• Retroid Pocket Flip
• Miyoo Mini+
• Steam Deck
• OLED Switch
• iPhone and Backbone One
• iPad Pro
• Playdate

Federico

• 13" iPad Pro
• GameSir G8
• Legion Go
• Playdate
• USB 4 eGPU with an NVIDIA 4090 GPU
• MacStories Unwind: A Small Fire at 3AM

Games Mentioned

• Kirby Dream Land 2
• Kingdom Hearts
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II
• GTA Liberty City Stories
• Hot Line Miami
• Super Crate Box
• Persona 4
• Binding of Isaac
• Rogue Legacy
• Nuclear Throne
• Spelunky
• Dragon’s Dogma

Other Links

• John joins Brendon on Wavelengths to talk about the Ayn Odin 2

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

NPC, or Next Portable Console, is a podcast about the games we take with us. Every other week, Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, and Brendon Bigley will cover portable gaming news and share their experiences with everything from the simplest retro gaming handhelds to cutting-edge portable PCs.