NPC: Next Portable Console

Retroid's Rocky Road and Microsoft's Portable Plans

Mar 18, 2025

The hosts tackle the Retroid Pocket Mini controversy, debating its scaling issues and community reactions. They share exciting details about the Retroid Pocket Classic and upcoming pricing for the Flip 2. A puzzling teaser from AYANEO about the Pocket Ace stirs curiosity. The conversation then shifts to Microsoft's collaboration with ASUS, discussing the potential for an Xbox-branded handheld in 2025. The episode rounds out with insights on SteamOS updates and the competitive landscape of handheld gaming devices.

54:01

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Quick takeaways

The Retroid Pocket Mini controversy highlights significant hardware issues, community backlash, and the necessity for reasonable consumer expectations in retro handhelds.

SteamOS's upcoming public release is anticipated to enhance gaming versatility on various portable devices, indicating positive developments for non-Steam Deck handhelds.

Microsoft's collaboration with Asus on an Xbox-branded handheld raises questions about performance expectations and integration with existing Xbox game libraries.

Deep dives

Exploration of Portable Gaming Devices

The discussion begins with insights into various gaming devices suitable for portable gaming experiences. A listener question sets the stage, asking about handhelds that can deliver performance comparable to an M4 iPad Pro for playing Hoyoverse games. The panel highlights the advantages of choosing Android over Windows devices, recommending options such as the Odin 2 family and the Lenovo Legion Tab Ultra Gen 3 due to their high performance and gaming capabilities. Furthermore, they suggest that these Android devices could serve as effective handheld solutions while incorporating emulators for versatile gaming.

Intro

2min

Handheld Gaming Recommendations

6min

Exploring the Ideal Travel Gaming Setup

2min

Controversies of the Retroid Pocket Mini

8min

Navigating the Handheld Gaming Landscape

19min

Unveiling Embernic's Mysterious New Handheld

3min

Microsoft's Project Canon: A New Handheld Frontier

14min

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John dive into the ongoing Retroid Pocket Mini controversy, discussing the scaling issues, community reactions, and what it means for consumers in the retro handheld space. After addressing Retroid’s troubles, they explore the Retroid Pocket Classic and pricing information for the Flip 2. To wrap up the week’s news, they cover SteamOS news, AYANEO’s confusing new teaser for the “Pocket Ace,” examine important new reports of Microsoft’s collaboration with ASUS on an Xbox-branded Windows handheld.

Links and Show Notes

Listener Question