This week, Brendon, John, and Federico analyze the latest Nintendo Direct and what it reveals about the Switch 2’s rumored June launch. Then the trio dissects the many questions that Nintendo’s upcoming Virtual Game Cards system raises, explores the features of the Nintendo Today app, and debate the reported three-phase launch strategy for the next console. In the latest handheld news, they also cover the latest EmuDeck update, AYA NEO’s confounding mini PC, and an intriguing foldable from Huawei that’s perfect for DS emulation. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News EmuDeck 2.4 launches, with support for new emulators, improved BIOS checkers and more Update AYANEO AM01S mini PC has a retro design, a 4 inch flip-up display, and AMD Strix Point inside Huawei Pura X Huawei Pura X launched, a foldable phone with 1610 widescreen Huawei’s new flip phone is weirdly wide Nintendo’s Switch 2 Launch Plans Insider Gaming Nintendo Switch 2 expected June 2025, launch to have 3-phase plan Nintendo’s “3-Phase Launch Plan” for Switch 2 - Wavelengths Also, Best Buy says preorders for Switch 2 open on April 2nd Nintendo’s March 27, 2025 Direct 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. 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

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!

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.

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 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/

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 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/

Dive into the world of handheld gaming as the hosts discuss ASUS gaming phones and the excitement surrounding the upcoming Retroid Pocket Flip 2. They explore the impact of tariffs on retro gaming device prices and debate the pros and cons of various new devices, including the Any Odin2 Portal. Hot topics also include the untimely disappearance of the Drastic Nintendo DS emulator and the impressive TrimUI Brick, which garners unanimous praise for its fantastic screen quality and emulation capabilities.

The hosts dive into the impact of the upcoming Switch 2 on the handheld market and its competition with devices like the Steam Deck. They explore innovative gadgets such as the Legion Go S and the unique 'Steam Brick.' Personal experiences with the Bazite operating system are shared, showcasing its performance and user-friendly setup. There's also a discussion on external storage solutions and the future of handheld gaming, with a focus on price and availability challenges.

The podcast dives into the buzz surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 and Joy-Con innovations, sparking lively comparisons with the DualSense controller. Listeners get a front-row seat to the excitement of new gaming tech with hands-on reviews of devices like the Ayn Odin2 and Miyoo Flip. Nostalgic moments abound as hosts reminisce about 3DS classics and share emulation adventures. They also tackle amusing unconventional cooling methods for tablets, making for a quirky and entertaining discussion.

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 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/

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 Follow Us Online On the Web Federico and John: MacStories.net Brendon: 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/