NPC: Next Portable Console

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/

To close out 2024, Federico, John, and Brendon present the first-ever HOTYs: the 2024 Handhelds of the Year awards, celebrating the best handheld gaming devices, custom firmware, and, of course, the Handheld of the Year. Links and Show Notes The 2024 Handhelds of the Year Awards Best Handheld under 4" Winner: Anbernic RG35XXSP Runners-Up: Anbernic RG Cube AYANEO Pocket Micro TrimUI Brick Also Mentioned: Anbernic RG28XXH and RG49XXV Best Handheld Between 4 and 7" Winner: Any Odin 2 Runners-Up: Ayn Odin Mini Retroid Pocket 5 Best 7" or Larger Handheld Winner: Steam Deck OLED Runners-Up: Legion Go Asus ROG Ally X Best Custom Firmware Winner: MuOS Runners-Up: Spruce MinUI Best Overall Handheld for Retro Gaming Winner: The Smartphone Runners-Up: Anbernic RG35XXSP TrimUI Brick Ayn Odin 2 Best Overall Handheld for Modern Games Winner: Steam Deck Runners-Up Ayn Odin 2 Handheld of the Year Winner: Ayn Odin 2 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 Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico John Brendon Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico John Brendon Affiliate Linking Policy: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/

Dive into the exciting world of handheld gaming as new devices emerge and rumors swirl! Discover Brendon's first impressions of the Trim UI Brick and the buzz around anticipated releases like the Switch 2. Explore the innovative realm of Android XR and its upcoming gadgets, plus laugh at the quirky inventions from CES. Retro gaming enthusiasts will love the updates on classic devices, proving that nostalgia meets modern tech. Tune in for insights on ergonomics and streaming innovations that will shape the future of gaming!

Tencent and Intel announce a huge handheld, Sony is taking its time, reviewers share early hands-on testing of the Ayn Odin Portal, the Miyoo Mini Flip is spotted across the Internet, Samsung files an intriguing portable gaming patent, and a new eGPU is on the way. Plus, Brendon revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP, Federico has a mini-surprise, and John and Federico share their first impressions of the Retroid Pocket 5. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News An NPC reader poll Which will be first a Steam Deck console or Xbox handheld Mastodon: Steam Deck Console first (57% to 43%) Threads: An Xbox handheld will be first (73% to 27%) Tencent and Intel Announce the Sunday Dragon 3D One News about Sony’s upcoming handheld from Bloomberg Ayn Odin Portal first impressions are out Retro Game Corps - First Impressions The Miyoo Flip Returns Surfaced images of the carrying case, final hardware, and packaging 11 Anbernic Handhelds in 2024 Samsung Patents Foldable Gaming Handheld Design AOOSTAR AG02 EGPU Dock with OCulink/USB4 Port，Built-in Huntkey 500W Power Supply Topics Brendon Revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP Anbernic RG35XXSP Anbernic RG351P Into the Aether - GBA episode Federico’s Surprise White Steam Deck Retroid Pocket 5 First Impressions Retroid Pocket 5 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 John Brendon Follow us on Threads MacStories Federico John Brendon Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico John Brendon