NPC: Next Portable Console

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

Get ready for a delightful mashup of pastries and gaming! The hosts dive into the latest handheld devices, spotlighting the AYANEO 3 with its stunning graphics and OLED display. They ponder Microsoft's future in portable gaming and share personal travel experiences with handhelds. There's a playful debate about croissants versus cronuts, and a deep dive into the evolving landscape of handheld consoles, comparing popular models. Expect plenty of humor and insightful reflections on the tech of today!

This week, we have lots of smartphone gaming news, console mods, a first peek at the future of Windows handheld gaming, and more. Plus, John shares his first impressions of the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, while Brendon digs into OG hardware with the Nintendo DSi and Sony PSP. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News iOS Gaming News: Pokémon TCG Pocket Nintendo Music Console Mods: PS4 turned into a handheld Xbox handheld Other Handheld News: Anbernic RG ARC XX rumors Ayn Odin Portal Indiegogo campaign launched Ayaneo EVO and Pocket DMG delayed by a few weeks but the Pocket Micro shipped. Next-Gen Windows Handhelds: AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chips could bring Strix Point graphics to handhelds in 2025 (Updated) OneXFly F1 Pro Unveiled with 144Hz OLED, Ryzen Power, and ‘Zero Drift’ Sticks Smartphone gaming Asus ROG Phone 9 is coming on November 19 (gaming smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Elite) - Liliputing Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor featuring Oryon CPU cores and next-gen Adreno graphics 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Apple rumored to be working on new App Store-like app dedicated to games Netflix is laying off gaming staff New Handhelds John covers the Ayaneo Pocket Micro  Brendon has a new matte black Nintendo DSi and modded Sony PSP DSi Guide to modding the DSi Also mentioned: Kit & Krysta YouTube channel PXPlay app Other games mentioned: Soma Bringer Brave Story: New Traveler Call of Duty Black Ops 6 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 Threads MacStories Federico John Brendon Follow us on Instagram MacStories Federico John Brendon