

NPC: Next Portable Console
Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, Brendon Bigley
NPC is a podcast about one of the hottest corners of the gaming world: portable hardware. Every other week, Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, and Brendon Bigley cover portable gaming news and share their experiences with everything from the simplest retro gaming handhelds to cutting-edge handheld PCs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 44min
The Multitool of Handhelds
The hosts dive into the intriguing ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1, a dual-screen handheld gaming device with unique features but some fragility concerns. They discuss advances in gaming emulation, particularly for the DS and 3DS, and speculate on future devices like a PlayStation handheld. The conversation also covers the new power-saving updates for Sony controllers and their potential impact. Additionally, they tackle the Magic X Zero 40, highlighting its interface challenges and gameplay limitations, while advocating for enhancements in future handheld designs.

Jul 22, 2025 • 46min
Hello from 1998: Revisiting Past Handhelds
This week, John kicks off NPC with a return to 1998, before the crew digs into 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller, Thunderbolt 5 eGPU enclosures and docks, TrimUI’s ponderous Smart Pro Mini, and Federico and John’s first impressions of the MagicX Zero 40. Then, Brendon, John, and Federico bring a handheld they haven’t used in a while back to the show, and as you might expect, Federico’s choice was a bit of a surprise. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes John’s Game Boy Streaming Setup Game Boy Camera cartridge Epilogue GB Operator OBS Studio using window capture, cropped Zoom set to the OBS virtual camera Follow-Up JSAUX 12-in-One Dock The Latest Portable Gaming News 8BitDo Pro 3 Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad The Pro 3 is 8BitDo’s first controller with swappable buttons Amazon pre-orders Thunderbolt 5 news Razer Introduces Next-Generation Connectivity and Performance with New Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock and Core X V2 - Razer Newsroom Razer Core X V2 - Thunderbolt™ 5 eGPU Razer United States Razer Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock Chroma Razer United States The TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks - [TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks Could This Be the Next Big Thing - Retro Handhelds](https://retrohandhelds.gg/trimui-smart-pro-mini-patent-leaks-could-this-be-the-next-big-thing/) Revisiting Past Handhelds John - New Nintendo 3DS XL 3DS LCD Screens TN vs IPS IPS vs TN, should you hunt one or not (Very long post, possibly very boring too) r3DS Brendon - Anbernic RG28XX Anbernic RG28XX Tip: Currently about $28 if you buy direct whereas Amazon charges close to $55. Federico - Game Boy Macro Game Boy Macro Examples on Etsy Four-button model with light bar Aluminum, two-button model Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon NPC Feedback Form Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy

7 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 45min
Joy-Lock™: Dbrand Trademarks Its Do-Over
The hosts dive into the intriguing world of gaming accessories, revealing how a recent Lexar microSD Express card sold out fast and discussing the complexities of data transfers for the Nintendo Switch. They explore exciting new gear like the dbrand Killswitch and the Retroid second screen accessory. A discussion unfolds around the anticipated launch of the MSI Claw and Thunderbolt 5 tech's prospects. Plus, retro gaming enthusiasts will love the updates on GB Operator and the upcoming Super Nintendo release!

Jul 5, 2025 • 45min
Switch 2 Dock Mysteries
This week, Federico, John, and Brendon cover REDMAGIC’s Android tablet, rumors of an Ayn Odin 3, and other news before digging into the mysteries surrounding Nintendo’s Switch 2 dock. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Here’s a 1TB MicroSD Express card for Switch 2 REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet has a 165 Hz OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and up to 24GB RAM Also, This Tablet is Secretly a Powerful Gaming Console! AYN Odin 2 Goes Out of Stock; Is the Odin 3 Around the Corner? Netflix is letting go of some of its best indie games The Verge A GameCube dock for Switch 2 Nintendo’s Mysterious Switch 2 Dock How Nintendo locked down the Switch 2’s USB-C port and broke third-party docking ANTANK S3 MAX TV Dock Station forNintendo Switch 2, aka the SIWIQU for Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Station Antank teardown on Reddit We confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 TV dock supports VRR — so why doesn’t it work with Switch 2 The Verge Switch 2 Dock Supports HDMI 2.1 Viture Pro XR glasses - Viture Pro Mobile Dock Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon NPC Feedback Form Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy

Jun 30, 2025 • 37min
You’re Holding It Wrong: Dbrand and the Joy-Con Gap
This week on NPC, John and Brendon cover Hori webcam woes, a creative new Game Boy Camera app for iOS, and dbrand’s Killswitch case troubles for the Switch 2. They also dig into the ambitious but flawed MagicX DS-style handheld, Brendon’s ongoing Tokyo Pro Controller hunt, and more. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News The Nintendo Switch 2 webcam compatibility mystery is solved and updates are on the way Using the Game Boy Camera as a Switch 2 webcam The Delta emulator creator made a Game Boy Camera-style app for your iPhone The Verge (Not Boring) Camera BitCam Dbrand admits it had a ‘spectacularly terrible response’ to Killswitch Joy-Con grip detachment complaints MagicX Targets DS Emulation with Zero 40 Specs Reveal The Legion Go S Z1E (SteamOS) is Excellent Brendon’s Mario Kart World review Mario Kart World Review ALMOST the Best Mario Kart - Wavelengths Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

Jun 24, 2025 • 36min
What's That Smell? The RG Slide
This week, we have RG Slide pricing and penguins, along with new AYANEO news, and a cool aluminum TrimUI Brick. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Switch 2 Pro Controller issues? dbrand Killswitch for the Nintendo Switch 2 RG Slide First Impressions, Pricing, and Penguins Anbernic RG Slide First Impressions: Go Bold Anbernic RG Slide First I mpressions: Go Bold MIG Flash Triggers Nintendo Banwave on Switch 2 Switch 2’s non-Nintendo games are flopping for so many reasons Crowdsourced Emulation Compatibility Tracker EmuReady.com Launches pretty sparse site so far but promising AYANEO AG01 Starship Graphics Dock Review TrimUI Brick Hammer ✨ Metal Reimagined The TrimUI Brick Now in a Full-Metal Shell! Mechdiy TrimUI Levels Up the Brick with the All-Metal Brick Hammer AYANEO Releases the Pocket S2 and Announces a Surprise Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon NPC Feedback Form Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

Jun 16, 2025 • 43min
From Italy to Japan: Brendon Goes Hands‑On With the Switch 2
Brendon shares his hands-on impressions of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, highlighting its record-breaking sales in just four days. The hosts plunge into the latest in handheld news, featuring exciting innovations like the dual-screen Ioneo Flip 1S and the sleek Anbernic RG Slide. They discuss anticipated game releases, including 'Pokemon Legends ZA', while also contemplating the future of Nintendo's offerings. Plus, the conversation veers into emerging USB-C display technology that could revolutionize gaming experiences.

17 snips
Jun 5, 2025 • 36min
Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions
The hosts share their thrilling first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2, from unboxing excitement to gameplay highlights. They dive into the console's compact design, improved graphics in Mario Kart, and enhancements for Pokémon Scarlet. Listeners hear personal stories about acquisition challenges and the helpfulness of family during the chaotic launch. They also discuss the new Pro Controller, unique features like dual USB-C ports, and an easier eShop experience, all while reflecting on the streamlined data transfer process.

Jun 3, 2025 • 32min
The Year of Weird Handhelds: RG Slide Edition
This week, with the Switch 2 launch just around the corner, Federico and John round up the latest Switch 2 news, get excited for a bunch of weird and wonderful upcoming handhelds, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Ninetendo Switch 2 N64 Games Are Getting An Upgrade Thanks To The Nintendo Switch 2 Looks like the Switch 2 is in some folks hands already The Nintendo Switch 2 will finally back up screenshots to the cloud Switch 2 Basegrip+ Mechanism Case Nintendo App Updates on iOS and iPadOS Nintendo Switch App Nintendo Music Nintendo Today! Steam Deck Gets NVIDIA GeForce NOW App RTX on Deck: The GeForce NOW Native App for Steam Deck Is Here Tested: Nvidia’s GeForce Now just breathed new life into my Steam Deck Weird and Wonderful Handhelds Anbernic Meet ANBERNIC 2025 Classic Masterpiece-RG Slide Anbernic Announces a PSP Go-Like - Wavelengths Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Is This the Start of the 2GB Refresh The Slide Zero 40 Drops June 17: MagicX’s Most Anticipated Handheld Yet REDMAGIC 10S Pro gaming phone supports PC games (thanks to emulation and an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite processor) More News Microsoft’s Xbox handheld reportedly “sidelined” as it focuses on third-party portable devices Microsoft starts testing Xbox Copilot on iOS and Android Retro Gaming on the Apple TV 4K (Guide) Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the “regular” NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon NPC Feedback Form Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

6 snips
May 26, 2025 • 33min
A Very Ticci Surprise
A gaming surprise awaits as the hosts dive into the exciting news about Samsung producing chips for the upcoming Switch 2. They discuss the evolution of Mario Kart World, reflecting on its exclusive nature for the new console. A light-hearted review of the Anbernic RG34X SP handheld device highlights design quirks and community debates. The journey of the MSI Claw 8 gaming device showcases its transformation and user reactions. Finally, gaming technology innovations like Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs and powerful custom-built PCs are explored, enhancing the gaming experience.