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NPC: Next Portable Console

NPC: Next Portable Console
Author: Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, Brendon Bigley
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NPC is a podcast about one of the hottest corners of the gaming world: portable hardware. Every other week, Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, and Brendon Bigley cover portable gaming news and share their experiences with everything from the simplest retro gaming handhelds to cutting-edge handheld PCs.
48 Episodes
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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
This week, Brendon and John mind the show while Federico is on vacation, covering Nintendo’s pricing changes, the latest on Retroid’s second screen accessory, the TrinketOS Android front end, Manic EMU for iOS, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Wavelengths 2.0 A Podcast and a Patreon Switch and Switch 2: Tariff’s and Pricing Nintendo’s Switch 2 doubles first-month sales of the original The Verge “Yesterday, the White House announced that a 20 percent tariff on goods from Vietnam — where Nintendo produces its Switch 2 consoles — will begin next week. That’s double the 10 percent baseline tariffintroduced in April that Nintendo used to forecast earnings for the current fiscal year.” Nintendo raises the Switch 1 price from $299 to $339 The Verge Antank has an updated dock Retroid 2nd Screen Retroid Reveals Real-World Photos of Upcoming Dual Screen Add-On - Retro Handhelds Retroid Adjusts Shipping for Dual Screen Accessory, Offers Coupon - Retro Handhelds Android and iOS Emulation TrinketOS is an extremely weird and cool new Android frontend Manic EMU for iOS 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 KONKRs AYANEO’s two-day announcement-fest and is joined by John and Federico for diversions into 3DS repairs, the GPD Win 5, Gamescom, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News US Tariff Exemptions are Ending All of your international packages are about to get more expensive The Verge GPD Win 5 GPD WIN 5, the world’s first Ryzen AI MAX 395+ Strix Halo handheld, to debut on August 1 GPD’s monster Strix Halo handheld requires a battery ‘backpack’ or a 180W charger Gamescom and Silksong Xbox will let you play Silksong at Gamescom in August Xbox handheld consoles ROG Ally and Ally X preorders open during Gamescom, report says It’s AYANEO All the Way Down AYANEO Announces World’s First Android-Based Flip Dualscreen Handheld Retroid and ANBERNIC should be scared of this budget sub-brand AYANEO Launches Konkr A New Lineup of “Budget” Handhelds AYANEO is working on a gaming phone, mini-laptop, and a whole lot more AYANEO Announce Three Android Devices (And A Controller) Lego Game Boy A New Game Boy is Coming and it’s…LEGO! 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 cover the ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 dual-screen handheld, Sony’s power-saving and controller updates, and the latest ES-DE update for Android. Then John reports back on the MagicX Zero 40 homework that Brendon gave him last week. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 goes up for preorder OneXSugar Playing with the first dual-screen transforming handheld ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 handheld game console hits Indiegogo for $599 (Dual-screen Android handheld game console with a convertible design) The Kickstarter for this weird little transforming handheld just went live OneXSugar Officially Launches, and It Sure is Something Crazy New Take on Dual-Screen Gaming Sony’s beta controller update - power settings and multi-pairing controllers Sony’s new PS5 Power Saver mode sounds ideal for a PlayStation handheld The Verge New PS5 system update beta previews DualSense wireless controller pairing across multiple devices – PlayStation.Blog Sony DualSense Edge ES-DE Launches Version 3.3 and Adds New Fucntionality Also mentioned: Forgotten City The MagicX Zero 40 Magic X Zero 40 website 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. This week, Brendon and John revisit a two handhelds from the past year. Brendon explains why he loves the Ayn Odin 2 Mini even more than ever and John rediscovers the AYANEO Pocket Micro in all of its overpowered glory. 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, John kicks off NPC with a return to 1998, before the crew digs into 8BitDo’s new Pro 3 controller, Thunderbolt 5 eGPU enclosures and docks, TrimUI’s ponderous Smart Pro Mini, and Federico and John’s first impressions of the MagicX Zero 40. Then, Brendon, John, and Federico bring a handheld they haven’t used in a while back to the show, and as you might expect, Federico’s choice was a bit of a surprise. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes John’s Game Boy Streaming Setup Game Boy Camera cartridge Epilogue GB Operator OBS Studio using window capture, cropped Zoom set to the OBS virtual camera Follow-Up JSAUX 12-in-One Dock The Latest Portable Gaming News 8BitDo Pro 3 Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad The Pro 3 is 8BitDo’s first controller with swappable buttons Amazon pre-orders Thunderbolt 5 news Razer Introduces Next-Generation Connectivity and Performance with New Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock and Core X V2 - Razer Newsroom Razer Core X V2 - Thunderbolt™ 5 eGPU Razer United States Razer Thunderbolt™ 5 Dock Chroma Razer United States The TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks - [TrimUI Smart Pro Mini Patent Leaks Could This Be the Next Big Thing - Retro Handhelds](https://retrohandhelds.gg/trimui-smart-pro-mini-patent-leaks-could-this-be-the-next-big-thing/) Revisiting Past Handhelds John - New Nintendo 3DS XL 3DS LCD Screens TN vs IPS IPS vs TN, should you hunt one or not (Very long post, possibly very boring too) r3DS Brendon - Anbernic RG28XX Anbernic RG28XX Tip: Currently about $28 if you buy direct whereas Amazon charges close to $55. Federico - Game Boy Macro Game Boy Macro Examples on Etsy Four-button model with light bar Aluminum, two-button model 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, lots of follow up about microSD Express cards, the Switch 2 Dock, XR glasses and the dbrand Killswitch, plus Retroid’s second screen accessory, Windows handhelds, a new eGPU, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Follow Up Follow up on microSD Express cards 1TB microSD Express from Lexar briefly showed up on Amazon for $184 but sold out now - much less than we expected. Meanwhile SanDisk’s 512GB card is showing August shipping dates on Amazon Switch 2 Dock Follow up Nintendo Switch 2 Travel Dock by CAD_is_my_Bane Download free STL model Printables.com I tested every 3rd party Nintendo Switch 2 dock so you don’t have to - Mono Confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 can work with existing docks and webcams after replacing their firmware The Verge XR Glasses and the Switch 2 Hagibis 8K 60Hz USB-C to HDMI 2.1 Cable PeakDo 4K HDMI To USB-C Adapter dbrand Killswitch followup dbrand has fixed their Switch 2 Joy-Con grips Do you have this yet Brendon? Retroid 2nd Screen Accessory Retroid Shows Off 3DS Emulation with Dual Screen Add-On Retroid Dual Screen Add-on Demo - YouTube Handheld News Miyoo Mini Flip Announced MSI Claw A8 with Ryzen Z2 Extreme tested performance rival for Lunar Lake - VideoCardz.com Xbox ASUS ROG Ally / Ally X Prices Leaked - $700 / $1050 Thunderbolt 5 eGPU [ONEXGPU Lite eGPU with Thunderbolt 5 is on the way](https://lilipu ting.com/onexgpu-lite-thunderbolt–5-egpu-is-on-the-way/) An Epilogue Update RetroAchievements and SNES later this year From the epilogue community on Reddit 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, Federico, John, and Brendon cover REDMAGIC’s Android tablet, rumors of an Ayn Odin 3, and other news before digging into the mysteries surrounding Nintendo’s Switch 2 dock. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Here’s a 1TB MicroSD Express card for Switch 2 REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet has a 165 Hz OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite, and up to 24GB RAM Also, This Tablet is Secretly a Powerful Gaming Console! AYN Odin 2 Goes Out of Stock; Is the Odin 3 Around the Corner? Netflix is letting go of some of its best indie games The Verge A GameCube dock for Switch 2 Nintendo’s Mysterious Switch 2 Dock How Nintendo locked down the Switch 2’s USB-C port and broke third-party docking ANTANK S3 MAX TV Dock Station forNintendo Switch 2, aka the SIWIQU for Nintendo Switch 2 Dock Station Antank teardown on Reddit We confirmed Nintendo’s Switch 2 TV dock supports VRR — so why doesn’t it work with Switch 2 The Verge Switch 2 Dock Supports HDMI 2.1 Viture Pro XR glasses - Viture Pro Mobile Dock 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, John and Brendon cover Hori webcam woes, a creative new Game Boy Camera app for iOS, and dbrand’s Killswitch case troubles for the Switch 2. They also dig into the ambitious but flawed MagicX DS-style handheld, Brendon’s ongoing Tokyo Pro Controller hunt, and more. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News The Nintendo Switch 2 webcam compatibility mystery is solved and updates are on the way Using the Game Boy Camera as a Switch 2 webcam The Delta emulator creator made a Game Boy Camera-style app for your iPhone The Verge (Not Boring) Camera BitCam Dbrand admits it had a ‘spectacularly terrible response’ to Killswitch Joy-Con grip detachment complaints MagicX Targets DS Emulation with Zero 40 Specs Reveal The Legion Go S Z1E (SteamOS) is Excellent Brendon’s Mario Kart World review Mario Kart World Review ALMOST the Best Mario Kart - Wavelengths 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 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, we have RG Slide pricing and penguins, along with new AYANEO news, and a cool aluminum TrimUI Brick. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Switch 2 Pro Controller issues? dbrand Killswitch for the Nintendo Switch 2 RG Slide First Impressions, Pricing, and Penguins Anbernic RG Slide First Impressions: Go Bold Anbernic RG Slide First I mpressions: Go Bold MIG Flash Triggers Nintendo Banwave on Switch 2 Switch 2’s non-Nintendo games are flopping for so many reasons Crowdsourced Emulation Compatibility Tracker EmuReady.com Launches pretty sparse site so far but promising AYANEO AG01 Starship Graphics Dock Review TrimUI Brick Hammer ✨ Metal Reimagined The TrimUI Brick Now in a Full-Metal Shell! Mechdiy TrimUI Levels Up the Brick with the All-Metal Brick Hammer AYANEO Releases the Pocket S2 and Announces a Surprise 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week on NPC, Brendon shares his first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 after UPS Japan comes knocking, and all three hosts cover a chaotic week of handheld news—from the RG Slide to a surprise ASUS/Xbox handheld. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Review News Release Jun. 11, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Sells Over 3.5 Million Units Worldwide in First Four Days AYANEO Flip 1S DS is a dual-screen handheld gaming PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Hands On with the New Xbox Ally Handhelds Anbernic RG Slide first impression appear online from reviewers 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, Federico and John walk listeners through their first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2, including the hardware, the setup process, Super Mario Kart World, the Zelda upgrades, the new Pro Controller, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Our Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions Nintendo Switch 2 Beginners Guide Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories John’s Tomtoc Slim Switch 2 Carrying Case 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, with the Switch 2 launch just around the corner, Federico and John round up the latest Switch 2 news, get excited for a bunch of weird and wonderful upcoming handhelds, and more. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Ninetendo Switch 2 N64 Games Are Getting An Upgrade Thanks To The Nintendo Switch 2 Looks like the Switch 2 is in some folks hands already The Nintendo Switch 2 will finally back up screenshots to the cloud Switch 2 Basegrip+ Mechanism Case Nintendo App Updates on iOS and iPadOS Nintendo Switch App Nintendo Music Nintendo Today! Steam Deck Gets NVIDIA GeForce NOW App RTX on Deck: The GeForce NOW Native App for Steam Deck Is Here Tested: Nvidia’s GeForce Now just breathed new life into my Steam Deck Weird and Wonderful Handhelds Anbernic Meet ANBERNIC 2025 Classic Masterpiece-RG Slide Anbernic Announces a PSP Go-Like - Wavelengths Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Is This the Start of the 2GB Refresh The Slide Zero 40 Drops June 17: MagicX’s Most Anticipated Handheld Yet REDMAGIC 10S Pro gaming phone supports PC games (thanks to emulation and an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Elite processor) More News Microsoft’s Xbox handheld reportedly “sidelined” as it focuses on third-party portable devices Microsoft starts testing Xbox Copilot on iOS and Android Retro Gaming on the Apple TV 4K (Guide) 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, Federico drops a big gaming surprise on John after the two of them cover the latest Switch 2, MSI, and Anbernic handheld news. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Samsung making its chips at potentially higher volumes than expected Nintendo Turns to Samsung to Make Chips, Ramp Up Switch 2 Production Mario Kart World originally planned for OG Switch Ask the Developer Vol. 18 Mario Kart World — Part 1 SteamOS Valve’s huge Steam Deck update is now ready for everyone, including rival AMD handhelds How To Install SteamOS On The ROG Ally And ROG Ally X Handhelds Anbernic RG34XXSP First Impressions Big Forehead, Bigger Potential Screen Shenanigans? UPDATE Anbernic Responds Anbernic RG34XXSP’s ‘Five-Head’ Bezel Masks a True 43 Screen MSI Claw A8 MSI Claw A8 handheld gaming PC has a Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip with 16-core graphics - Liliputing MSI Claw A8 with AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme Debuts at Computex 2025 MSI’s new handheld gaming PC ditches Intel for AMD Thunderbolt 5 eGPUs It’s still early but the TB5 eGPUs are coming Lilbits Asus ROG XG Station eGPU dock with Thunderbolt 5, AYANEO Flip 1S handheld gaming PC, and Microsoft’s new command line text editor Sparkle unveils Studio-G Ultra 850, its first Thunderbolt 5 eGPU solution - [Gigabyte presents AORUS AI BOX, GeForce RTX 5090 desktop GPU with Thunderbolt 5](https://videocardz.com/newz/gigabyte-presents-aorus-ai-box-geforce-rtx-5090-desktop-gpu-with-thunderbolt-5) A Very Ticci Surprise Inside Tech Lian Li A3 Razer PC Remote Play Officially Launches 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, Federico and John round up the many new Switch 2 details that have emerged as launch day draws near. Plus, they share two new and interesting handheld rumors from Anbernic and Miyoo and more. Also available on YouTube here. This episode is sponsored by: Inoreader – Boost Productivity and Gain Insights with AI-Powered Intelligence Tools Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo News Nintendo warns it may brick Switch systems whose users “bypass, modify, decrypt, defeat, tamper with” their games and services The Switch 2 has a handy battery preservation mode Most Best Buys will have extra Switch 2 stock on launch day New Switch 2 specs show large performance dip in undocked mode Nintendo Switch Games with Free Nintendo Switch 2 Updates Hori Switch 2 Accessories Include The Console’s First Third-Party Pro Controller Nintendo Apologises For Error With Mention Of Switch 2 VRR TV Support Steam Deck Valve will soon let you know if a game is compatible with your SteamOS device Handheld Rumors Miyoo ‘Mini’ Flip Miyoo Mini Flip Blurry Spy Shots of an Anbernic RG Slide Could Anbernic Really Be Working on a Modern PSP Go Computex 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, Nintendo is back to its litigous ways, Backbone has a new controller, the Anbernic RG34XXSP is real, and not one but two ASUS Rog Ally 2s leak in FCC filings. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes Brendon spots an NPC parking lot. The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Nintendo began working on Switch 2 shortly after the release of Switch 1, new Genki lawsuit papers reveal Covers lawsuit and Genki’s response Nintendo expects the Switch 2 to be just as successful as the original Seems like this is low-balled The Louvre will stop renting out Nintendo 3DS audio guides in September Anbernic RG34XXSP Announced https://retrohandhelds.gg/anbernic-rg34xxsp-announced/ Anbernic RG34XXSP Video iOS Gaming Backbone Pro adds Bluetooth and battery, turning the top iPhone gamepad into a universal controller The new Backbone Pro could be the one controller for all your gaming ASUS ROG Ally 2 Leaks ASUS ROG Ally 2 gaming handhelds leaked up to AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week on NPC, Federico, Brendon, and John chart which handheld makers are still shipping to the U.S. in the wake of steep tariffs, then explore how speedrunners are stress‑testing Breath of the Wild at Nintendo’s Switch 2 hands‑on events. Plus, they update listeners on Nintendo’s release of version 20 of the original Switch’s firmware, how a contempt order against Apple could unlock new business models for developers, the surprising arrival of JIT on the App Store, Nothing’s launch of the CMF Phone 2 Pro, and how Anbernic and Ayaneo are defying economic uncertainty by releasing new handhelds. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Tariffs: Good News and Bad Retroid Updates Shipping Policy for U.S. Customers Powkiddy stopping U.S. shipments 8BitDo suspends US shipments from Chinese warehouse due to tariffs Switch 2 News Speedrunner Beats The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Switch 2 Edition At Preview Event Switch update 20.0.0 adds Virtual Game Cards, GameShare, Switch 2 transfer iOS Gaming StikDebug brings JIT to the iPhone JIT enabler lands on App Store, likely unlocking Wii and Switch emulation on iOS An ‘official’ Flappy Bird game is back, but it has nothing to do with the original creator. Handhelds Anbernic RG34XX SP May Drop Next Month AYANEO Pocket ACE hits Indiegogo (retro handheld with a 4.5 inch display and Snapdragon G3x Gen 2) Other hardware Nothing’s CMF Phone 2 Pro is an affordable phone with a unique modular ecosystem Topics A Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Update 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, looming tariffs cause more handheld makers to pause shipments to the U.S., demand for the Switch 2 outstrips supply, John explains what the U.S. pre-order process was like, and we marvel at the restoration of a vintage Game Boy kiosk. Links and Show Notes Follow Up Playdate, Season 2 Preorders The Latest Portable Gaming News Tariff Update Handhelds Tariff Roundup: What to Expect Odin 2 Maker Ayn To Join Anbernic In Pausing US Shipments Game Boy clone maker Anbernic suspends all shipments to US DHL halts international deliveries to US consumers worth over $800 Switch 2 Switch 2 Demand Outstrips Supply Switch 2 demand will far outstrip supply in Japan, Nintendo warns Nintendo Switch 2 preorders were a total mess — at first Paul Rudd ad Nintendo shares a vintage SNES commercial starring Paul Rudd as he reprises the role for Switch 2 John on what the pre-order process was like in the U.S. Restoring a Vintage Game Boy Kiosk I Restored an Abandoned GameBoy Kiosk via The Verge 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, John and Federico hold down the fort without Brendon, discussing U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders, Super Mario Kart World, upcoming hardware from Epilogue, Playdate’s Season 2, Razer Remote Play, and more. Links and Show Notes Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders in the U.S. Switch 2 Breath of the Wild will add weapon repairs through Zelda Notes Super Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct Federico’s new ASUS ROG Swift 27" 4K OLED PG27UCDM display Discussed on MacStories Unwind Epilogue SN Operator news Playdate Season 2 Announced How to Watch Live TV On Retro Handhelds With IPTV and muOS Razer PC Remote Play Officially Launches 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 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 on NPC, the trio analyzes how tariffs have disrupted Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dissects new details that have emerged about the upcoming console, debate Nintendo’s game pricing, ponder what console exclusivity means in 2025, and share their excitement for the Retroid Pocket Flip 2. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Topics Central Perk Brooklyn Perk Coffee Frame Rates Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Nintendo Switch 2 games Games Switch 2 U.S. pre-order’s postponed due to tariffs. Nintendo boss on Switch 2 and tariffs: ‘we are actively assessing what the impact may be’ Nintendo diverts Switch 2 shipping from China to Vietnam for US buyers Accessories Switch 2 GameCube Controller Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 More Switch 2 Details Our Big Nintendo Switch 2 Interview with Nintendo of America’s Bill Trinen Switch 2’s full reveal analysed how powerful is Nintendo’s new hardware and is DLSS being used More Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 Switch 2 Joy-Con Don’t Have Drift Resistant Hall Effect Sticks Deltarune Will Have Exclusive ‘Mouse Mode’ Content On Switch 2 What is a Console Exclusive Anymore? Hades II will launch first for consoles on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Game Key Cards Switch 2 game-key cards won’t be account- or console-locked 📹 Has Nintendo Earned This Level of Confidence Retroid Flip 2 First Looks Retroid Pocket Flip 2 First Look, Powerful Clamshell AMOLED Handheld! Retroid Pocket Flip 2 FIRST LOOK Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Console-Like 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 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/
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