John, Brendon, and Federico are back for another week of handheld news, including a tiny bit of Switch 2 news, an up and down week for Retroid, DS handhelds inch forward, Samsung wonders if thumbholes are the perfect complement to thumbsticks, and AYANEO decides thumbsticks aren’t worth the trouble. Plus, Brendon shares NextUI and the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller.

Links and Show Notes

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Switch 2 info from the FCC
• The Nintendo Switch 2 will have NFC and Wi-Fi 6, FCC filings show The Verge
• Retroid’s mystery background device revealed
• Retroid Pocket Classic Unveiled A Return to Form - Retro Handhelds
• Six button version
• There’s a Six Button Retroid Pocket Classic - Retro Handhelds
• Retroid Mini Screen Issue
• It’s Official Retroid Pocket Mini Shader Issue Cannot Be Fixed - Retro Handhelds
• MagicX Targets DS Emulation with Zero 40 Specs Reveal - Retro Handhelds
• RPCS3 for Android Shares First Alpha Build - Retro Handhelds
• Samsung unveiled a prototype foldable handheld
• AYANEO Deletes Sticks & Reveals New $179 Pocket Micro Classic

Topics

• MinUI Next
• 8BitDo Ultimate 2 First Impressions
• From 8BitDo
• From Amazon

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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This week, Retroid Pocket Flip 2 specs are out, the Legion Go S disappoints, and we try to decipher what AYANEO is doing before reminiscing over a PictoChat clone on the iPhone and discussing the benefits of having a personal videogame shopper in Japan, and Brendon’s experience with the black Miyoo Flip.

Links and Show Notes

Introducing NPC XL - More NPC, Every Week

• NPC: Next Portable Console is now weekly for everyone. Enjoy a new episode packed with handheld gaming news and other topics every Tuesday.
• We’re introducing NPC XL, a brand-new, members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon at $5/month.
• The video version of NPC will be published here going forward and includes all of the show’s back catalog as well as bonus material.
• NPC is joining the (awesome) TWG Discord server with a dedicated channel for community feedback and participation.

Follow-Up

• Quiet Retro Handhelds
• Anbernic RG Cube
• TrimUI Brick
• Miyoo Flip

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• New details about the Retroid Pocket Flip 2
• https://liliputing.com/retroid-pocket-flip2-is-a-faster-handheld-game-console-with-upgraded-controllers/
• Legion Go S reviews
• Lenovo Legion Go S review an overpriced, underachieving handheld
• Lenovo Legion Go S review feels good, plays bad
• Federico’s handheld update
• Sold: - ROG Flow Z13-ACRNM RMT02
• See: MacStories Unwind Godzilla vs. Ticci’s Surprise, Part 2
• AYANEO is teasing a new version of the Pocket Micro
• https://x.com/AYANEO__/status/1892869316410036575
• Speculation is it’s a version with no analog sticks - https://liliputing.com/ayaneo-classic-will-probably-be-a-tiny-gaming-handheld-with-simplified-controllers/
• AYANEO kills its Flip
• AYANEO says the Flip handheld isn’t cancelled after all
• Epilogue Operator news
• The SN Operator from Epilogue is close to taking pre-orders, and the company is working on a 64 Operator. Plus Game Boy Camera support for the original operator is close.
• The Game Boy Camera as a Webcam
• I Used a Game Boy Camera for FaceTime Video Calls in iPadOS 17 and It Was Glorious
• Interesting project to make Windows better on handhelds
• Winhanced Brings SteamOS-Like Experience to Windows Handhelds - Retro Handhelds
• Winhanced - A better Windows Handheld
• Also Mentioned: Playnite

Topics

• PicoChat or PictoChat Can You Tell the Difference - MacStories
• A visit to the  in Kyoto
• Brendon’s thoughts on the black Miyoo Flip

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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On the latest NPC, ASUS gaming phones, Retroid’s big surprise, and more Nintendo emulation drama, plus 8BitDo tries to solve the iPhone vertical controller problem, Federico weighs in on the Any Odin2 Portal, and the whole gang has nothing but love for the TrimUI Brick.

Links and Show Notes

Follow-Up

• Bazzite
• Potential Effect of Tariffs on Retro Handheld Collectors

The Latest Portable Gaming News

• Chris Plante of Polygon reviews the AYANEO 3
• Asus ROG Phone 9 FE launches as a (somewhat) cheaper gaming phone
• Asus ROG Phone 9 FE launches as a (somewhat) cheaper gaming phone
• Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Officially Teased
• Powkiddy taking pre-orders on V20
• The Nintendo DS Drastic emulator is gone from Google Play

8BitDo Micro Clip

• 8BitDo Micro controller
• Amazon
• Direct
• Link to Clip

Federico’s First Impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal

• Ayn Odin2 Portal

TrimUI Brick

• The gang shares their love for the Brick
• Amazon
• Keepretro

Credits

Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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