Retro Handhelds Podcast The RG-DS 72 Hours Later & Making Our Own Steam Machines
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Dec 1, 2025 Monto, from MontoTechs, joins the panel to share insights on the RG DS after 72 hours of use, highlighting desync issues and overall ergonomics. The discussion dives into the latest on AYN Thor’s firmware upgrades, with major improvements for app switching and docking. They also explore the feasibility of building custom Steam Machines using mini PCs and eGPUs, alongside unboxings of the Core Ultra mini PC. Plus, discover the excitement around Black Friday deals and the integration of RetroAchievements into Dolphin!
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Software Can Rescue Flawed Hardware
- The AYN Thor firmware kept improving via regular updates that fixed many small but impactful UX bugs.
- Continuous software refinement can elevate a device despite early hardware concerns.
72-Hour RGDS Hands-On
- Stubbs spent 72 hours with the Ambernic RGDS and found playable DS emulation but lots of rough edges like desync and heat.
- He still enjoyed casual play despite acknowledging the device 'sucks' in places.
Refresh-Rate Mismatch Causes DS Desync
- The RGDS shows top/bottom-screen desync because the top display drops to ~40Hz while the bottom stays at 60Hz.
- That frequency mismatch is fixable in software but causes visible desync in DS games.