A Portal Surprise, ONEXSUGAR Chaos, and A Steam Deck Miracle
Mar 24, 2025
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Discover early impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal and the buzz around Nintendo Switch 2 pricing rumors. Delve into performance issues with Assassin’s Creed on M4 Macs, despite its Steam Deck verification. The chaotic OneXPlayer ONEXSUGAR handheld gets its moment in the spotlight, along with innovative new devices from AYANEO. Plus, hear about the exciting DLSS plugin for Steam Deck, turning blurry gameplay into a high-definition dream for titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth!
Brendan's impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal reveal a contrast between beautiful screen performance and disappointing ergonomics for handheld gaming.
The anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 pricing and potential bundles highlight the importance of consumer perception in competitive gaming markets.
Deep dives
First Impressions of the Odin 2 Portal
The Odin 2 Portal is discussed as Brendan shares his initial impressions after unboxing it. While he acknowledges the beautiful screen and enhanced performance, he expresses disappointment with its size, feeling that it is too large for his preference. He mentions the ergonomics and the feel of the controls but questions the overall enjoyment factor compared to the smaller Odin models. Despite putting it through its paces with various games, Brendan notes that he hasn't been as excited to use the Portal as he has been with the Odin 2 Mini Pro.
Modding Challenges and Button Customization
Brendan reveals the difficulties he faced while attempting to mod the Odin 2 Portal's buttons to reduce noise. His initial solution with electrical tape failed due to the portal's unique button design, leading him to explore other options like copper tape, which also did not work as planned. As he searched for alternatives, he discovered small conductive pads under the buttons and ordered replacements from China in hopes of achieving the quieter buttons he desired. This experience underscores the challenges of hardware modifications, particularly for those without an engineering background.
The Debate on Nintendo Switch 2 Pricing
The potential pricing for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is a key topic, with predictions suggesting a price range of $399 to $499. The discussion highlights the significance of price perception, where a lower initial digit can influence consumer interest, particularly for family-oriented purchases. Analysts speculate on possible bundles and variations of the Switch 2, indicating that multiple models might be in the works. This leads to a broader conversation about how Nintendo could position the new console in comparison to existing market competitors.
Innovative Updates in Gaming Technology
Innovative advancements in gaming technology, particularly surrounding the Steam Deck and the introduction of a plugin called Decky Frame Gen, are explored. This plugin enables the use of NVIDIA DLSS on games that do not natively support AMD's FSR, significantly enhancing visual quality on the Steam Deck. The impressive results with games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demonstrate the potential for improved gaming experiences through clever software solutions. This discussion reflects a growing interest in adaptable technology that boosts performance and usability across various platforms.
This week, Brendon shares his surprising early impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dive into Nintendo Switch 2 pricing rumors, explore the performance issues of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on M4 Macs despite being Steam Deck verified, and break down Qualcomm’s confusing new G-series chips powering upcoming handhelds. Then, the treo reacts to OneXPlayer’s chaotic ONEXSUGAR handheld and AYANEO’s new devices. Plus, Federico has exciting news about a DLSS plugin for Steam Deck that improves performance on games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, turning blurry gameplay into a sharp, high-settings experience.