NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, Federico and John go it alone without Brendon to cover Game Pass on ARM, an avalanche of AYANEO announcements, and why the TrimUI Brick Pro has shot up their most-anticipated handheld list for 2026. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Xbox app is now available on ARM-based Windows 11 PCs AYANEO Pocket S Mini is a smaller handheld Android game console with Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 AYANEO unveils KONKR FIT handheld gaming PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 AYANEO Unveils Details on the Pocket Vert TRIMUI Brick Pro Coming Soon TRIMUI Officially Teases The "Brick Pro" Handheld REDMAGIC 11 Air is a slim gaming phone with active cooling fan and massive 7000mAh battery Asus hits pause on smartphone business with no new Zenfone or ROG Phone models planned for 2026 Chinese modders end console wars with a PS5, Xbox Series S, and Switch 2 combo console 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

This week on NPC, rumors swirl about the Steam Machine's pricing, AYANEO pauses to collect itself, GameSir's Pocket Taco goes live, the lack of foldable phone controllers, and our first videogames. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Steam Machine pricing may have leaked Meta has closed three VR studios as part of its metaverse-focused layoffs GameSir Pocket Taco phone controller Kickstarter is now live AYANEO Pocket PLAY delayed AYN Thor gets major OTA update, Batch 2 shipping January 15, prices rising for Batch 3 Retrocade is coming to Apple Vision Pro A FEX announcement is coming 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

This week, a whirlwind tour of the handheld news from CES 2026, Switch 2 grips, AR glasses, new chips from AMD, the OneXSugar Wallet, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Portable Gaming News from CES NOW LIVE: Nintendo just officially revealed the new purple/light green Switch 2 Joy Genki Grips: Made to be Held by Human Things Pocket8 Makes PICO–8 Playable On Your iPhone touchHLE homepage The Xreal 1S glasses get a spec bump and 3D conversion The OneXSugar Wallet is the first gaming handheld with a folding screen You can charge Belkin's new Switch 2 power case without opening it Qualcomm's next-gen Snapdragon X2 laptops are here — and they brought a new friend AMD heard you like powerful gaming portables — so here are new Strix Halo chips Lenovo Legion Go 2 with SteamOS launches in June, priced at $1199 Lenovo's new concept gaming laptop goes wide. Really wide. GameSir X Hyperkin Reveal A Controller With GC, N64 & SEGA Attachments 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

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John pick their top handheld consoles of 2025. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The 2025 Handhelds of the Year Awards The Contenders: Switch 2 Ayn Thor Miyoo Flip TrimUI Brick 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

Exciting new handhelds are hitting the market just in time for the holidays. AYANEO makes a splash with its innovative Pocket Play phone, while the OneXplayer Super X tablet impresses with its specs and portability. The update for the Anbernic RG DS brings improved performance, making it even more appealing. Plus, the hosts discuss a handy app, Pocket Codex, perfect for retro gaming enthusiasts. John shares his setup adventure with Bazite, highlighting its quieter operation. Tune in for the latest in portable gaming!

This week, AYANEO goes big, very, very big, and we read the tea leaves from Sean Hollister's interview of Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News ANBERNIC Officially Reveals RG477V Retro Handheld Ayaneo Announces a Monster of a New Gaming Handheld iiSU Alpha Sean Hollister of The Verge interviews Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais Retro Game Corps Reviews the Ayn Odin 3 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

This week's discussion dives into the performance issues plaguing the Anbernic DS and the confusion surrounding the Retroid Pocket G2. The hosts explore the rollout of Xbox's full-screen feature for Windows PCs and contemplate the merits of transitioning to SteamOS on a mini PC. They suggest affordable mid-tier mini PCs for gaming enthusiasts and share tips on selecting versatile monitors. Finally, the comfort of the Anbernic Thor Grip is highlighted amidst concerns about its added bulk.

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John catch up on a grab bag of news before diving deeper into the Ayn Odin 3's emulation and streaming potential, the possibility that the rumored TrimUI Smart Pro S could become the default budget recommendation for horizontal handhelds, and the 11" 3D Abxylute 3D One. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Follow Up GameHub and GameHub Lite Anbernic RG DS The Latest Portable Gaming News Red Magic 11 Pro Plus PC GAMING TEST on r/EmulationOnAndroid Odin 3 Impressions: Return of the King TrimUI Smart Pro S Promises Better Performance and Faster Gameplay - Retro Handhelds For pre-sale here Abxylute 3D One handheld PC launches on Kickstarter: Surface Pro-like gaming tablet displays games in true 3D 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 YouTube Timestamps NPC XL Title: A DIY Steam Machine for the Impatient Description: This week, John and Federico are tempted to build their own Steam Machines, while Brendon went ahead and did it already by converting his Windows Mini PC. Links and Show Notes: DIY Steam Machines Couldn't Wait for Valve's 2026 Steam Machine… So I Built One! I Built The Steam Machine SteamOS has improved a lot in a few short months

This week in a special early release of NPC, the guys dig into Valve's announcement of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Stream Controller, a trio of SteamOS devices poised to make a big splash in 2026. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Valve's Announcements Valve's Announcement of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller More on the New Hardware The Steam Machine is the Future | Wavelengths Valve enters the console wars Our first look at the Steam Machine, Valve's ambitious new game console Valve is welcoming Android games into Steam Valve rejoins the VR hardware wars with standalone Steam Frame Steam Deck minus the screen Valve announces new Steam Machine, Controller hardware Cary Colomb on X 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

This week on NPC, Brendon, Federico, and John explore where mobile phone gaming is heading and reflect on what Nintendo's latest earnings report means for the Switch 2, before Brendon shares his first impressions of the Miyoo Mini Flip Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News OneXFly Apex and AYANEO Pocket Vert Follow-Up OneXFly Apex Strix Halo handheld gaming PC to sell for $1399 and up during crowdfunding AYANEO Releases Details on the Pocket VERT Redmagic's Liquid-Cooled Phone Redmagic's liquid-cooled gaming phone starts at $749 Nintendo is Killing It Nintendo is raising its Switch 2 sales expectations Nintendo is getting the Switch ready for retirement In Other News Valve will finally turn off the Steam Deck's screen while it's downloading games Samsung has a new line of microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 Miyoo Mini Flip The Miyoo Mini Flip might be what everyone has been asking for all along Miyoo Mini Flip Review: STILL GOT IT Topics 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