NPC: Next Portable Console

The hosts dive into the rise of budget Android handhelds, highlighting the MagicX One35's quirky design and affordability. They also discuss the Mangmi Air X, a sub-$100 device boasting impressive specs. Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally X faces harsh reviews for its performance and reliability issues. Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs are priced steeply, yet fall short on gaming performance. With talks on the future of handheld tech, the conversation pivots to how low-cost options might redefine gaming experiences.

The hosts dive into the latest portable gaming news, comparing the Xiaomi Pad Mini with the Legion Tab and discussing privacy concerns surrounding Gamehub. They explore the Legion Go 2's value and review the AYN Thor's impressive dual AMOLED screens and emulation capabilities. Excitement brews over combining the Thor with the MCon for enhanced gaming. They also recap the iPhone 17 Pro's gaming advancements, mini PC deals, and Brendon's Wi-Fi woes with Bazite. The debate on balancing tinkering versus having fun with games keeps things lively!

This week, John and Brendon get excited about the rumors of an Anbernic DS clone, dig into weird and interesting news from Xiaomi, debate the merits of computer coasters, and update listeners on more pricey Windows handhelds and Lego's Game Boy set. On NPC XL, John shares his first impressions of GeForce Now's NVIDIA 5080 performance and he and Brendon wonder what Microsoft is thinking with recent changes to Game Pass. NPC is also available on YouTube here. Subscribe to NPC XL on Patreon here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News The Anbernic RG DS is "Almost Ready" for Prime time Xiaomi Turns Camera Bump into Retro Handheld The Xiaomi Pad Mini is the best Android tablet you can't buy - here are my hands-on thoughts Qualcomm's ultrathin Snapdragon X2 mini PC prototypes feature AirJet solid state cooling OneXfly Apex handheld gaming PC with AMD Strix Halo is on the way ASUS' ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Are Coming Soon: Here's What You'll Pay The Most Powerful Handheld in the World Lego Nintendo Game Boy review: a brick masterpiece just shy of perfection Behold: The Lego Game Boy has already been modded to play games for real 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. 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, AYANEO introduces it's most affordable handheld yet, but it's not part of its budget line of devices. Plus, Qualcomm's new chips pack a punch and the GDP Win 5 pack a punch, while Sony expands its Pulse line with desktop speakers. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News AYANEO Pocket Air Mini is an entry-level Android handheld that sells for under $100 Qualcomm's New Chips Qualcomm Debuts Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Elite Extreme, Its Next-Gen Laptop Chips Qualcomm announces Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Introducing Pulse Elevate – Sony Interactive Entertainment's first wireless speakers for desktop gaming GDP Win 5 Follow-Up The Most Powerful Handheld Is Here! GPD Win 5 First Look - YouTube The Most Powerful Handheld - GPD Win 5 - Quick Look - YouTube 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

This week, gamers bring Xbox mode to the MSI Claw and other Windows handhelds, the DualSense controller gets multi-pairing, AYN shows off the Thor in action, and Nintendo gets even weirder with a Virtual Boy comeback, plus John reviews the Steam Deck Folio cover and the crew discusses the gaming updates to Apple's Vision Pro. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Microsoft's new Xbox mode on Windows has leaked for any handheld The PS5 update that adds DualSense multi-device pairing rolls out soon Anbernic RG476H Price Announced, Save $15 For The First 3 Days AYN Thor demo videos AYN Thor: Game Demo AYN Thor：Game and Software Demo visionOS 26: The MacStories Review Steam Deck Folio Virtual Boy Nintendo Classics Announced for Switch 1 and 2 at Nintendo 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: 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 emerges from a Silksong fog, Genki settles a lawsuit and sends Federico accessories for the Switch, and Federico and John try emulating Windows on Android handhelds. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Switch 2 Genki Lawsuit Settlement Genki Attack Vector Genki Energy Pack Emulating Windows on Android Game Native Gamehub 5.0 Also, Gamehub 5.0 Launches With Steam Cloud Saves Winlator 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 and John examine the latest handheld announcements Lenovo and AYN that both come with impressive specs and some age-old frustrations. Plus, a new chip is coming to Anbernic's lineup, and Brendon shares his first impressions of Dbrand's Nintendo Switch 2 killswitch case. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Legion Go 2 Early Leaks Reveal Lenovo Legion Go 2 Improvements Legion Go 2 official: Lenovo's new flagship handheld costs $1,099 — and up Lenovo Concept Laptop Lenovo's next concept laptop has a rotating screen that works in portrait or landscape Anbernic RG476H Anbernic RG476H Looks to Take on the RP Mini V2 and Pocket ACE AYN Odin 3 AYN Odin 3 gaming handheld features Snapdragon 8 Elite and a 120 Hz OLED display for $299 during crowdfunding ($349 and up retail) dbrand killswitch for Nintendo Switc 2 - Website - Brendon's review 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

Returning from summer break, the NPC crew discusses Microsoft and ASUS's Xbox handheld announcement at Gamescom. They also cover the upcoming release of Silk Song, Nintendo Direct rumors, and growing concerns about Switch 2's strategy, particularly the lack of third-party dev kits and exclusive titles. The episode closes with an exploration of wild new handhelds from Abxylute. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News IS This an Xbox? All Your Questions Answered - ROG XBOX ALLY - YouTube Analogue 3D Delayed for a Fourth Time Another Switch 2 Nintendo Direct Is Close And It Could Be The Big One AYANEO KONKR Pocket FIT Elite is an Android handheld game console with premium specs and a starting price under $400 3DS Styled Handheld Announced As Part Of MagicX's Roadmap MANGMI Air X Lands in September Starting at $79 Abxylute plans to sell a $1699 handheld gaming PC with an 11 inch glasses-free 3D display abxylute 3D One Handheld Abxylute is working on a magnetic snap-on game controller for smartphones 3DS Styled Handheld Announced As Part Of MagicX's Roadmap 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

Nintendo faces new tariffs but keeps prices steady for the Switch 2. The hosts discuss the implications of rising costs on gaming strategies and speculate about future products. They also explore the upcoming Retroid second screen accessory and its features. Trinket OS makes a splash as a quirky Android gaming interface, while new emulators like Manic offer fresh options but come with compatibility headaches. A nostalgic look at gaming accessories rounds out this week's tech talk.

Join the hosts as they dive into the nostalgic world of 3DS repairs and the emotional ties we have to our consoles. They tackle the serious implications of ending tariff exemptions, predicting rising costs for gamers. Get excited about the upcoming GPD Win 5 and the innovative AYANEO handhelds, complete with unique features like flip dualscreens. Plus, find out about the funky Lego Game Boy hitting the scene. It's a whirlwind of gaming news that blends past with future!