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The handheld will be available in two different models and four colourways:

• Ice Blue
• Black
• GC (an obvious nod to the Nintendo GameCube)
• 16-Bit US (a reference to the Super Nintendo's US design)

There are two separate models, each featuring a different SoC:

• First model: Snapdragon 865 SoC (from the Retroid Pocket Mini and Pocket 5)
• Second model: MediaTek D1100 SoC (from the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro)

Both models share the following specs:

• A 5.5” 1080p AMOLED screen
• 8GB Low Power DDR4X RAM
• 128 GB Universal Flash Storage
• Android 13 OS

However, differences exist:

• The Snapdragon SoC model offers faster charging speed
• The D1100 SoC model uses a newer version of Bluetooth

GoRetroid has stated that pricing details and pre-order dates will be announced soon.

What do you think of these specs?

The gaming accessory company, 8BitDo, has recently unveiled the Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller.

This new model comes with a range of impressive improvements over its predecessor. Key among these is claimed to be an ultra-low latency (1000hz / 1ms) connection, thanks to what the company dubs "8Speed Wireless Technology". Additionally, it debuts TMR (Tunneling magnetoresistance) technology in its joysticks for higher sensitivity and enhanced durability while reducing power consumption.

For those interested in the technical specs, here's a quick rundown as provided by 8BitDo:

• TMR Joysticks
• Speed - Ultra-low latency 2.4G wireless with 8Speed technology
• 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
• Fire Ring - RGB lighting joysticks
• Extra Bumpers (R4 and L4)
• Pro Back Paddle Buttons
• Trigger Mode Switch
• Tactile Bumpers and D-pad
• 6-axis motion control
• Turbo Function
• Vibration
• Support 8BitDo Ultimate Software V

Priced at $59.99.

How do you think this will compare with the previous version?

Tomoharu Saito, the artist behind the iconic pixel art of Astro Boy: Omega Factor, tragically lost a leg during his work on this game. This came to light when Tetsu 'Tez' Okano, who also on the Dreamcast RPG Segagaga, provided insights on the circumstances.

"Because of this work, he was delayed in going to the hospital, lost one of his legs, and finally died," says Okano.

Tomoharu Saito was known for his contributions to a variety of classic games such as Streets of Rage 2, Gourmet Warriors, and Gunstar Super Heroes. His passion for illustrating games was profound but exacted a high cost on his personal health.

• Cause Of Death: Cancer synovial sarcoma, which led to amputation and, later, lung cancer.
• Work: Saito was a freelancer for multiple companies including Sega, Masaya, and Cave. He later worked as a full-time employee at Square before returning to freelancing.

The sacrifices made by Tomoharu Saito highlight the often-overlooked human side of game development. His dedication to his craft was unquestionable but comes with a heavy toll on personal well-being.

Saito said "legs aren't necessary in the illustration industry". What do you think this says about the game development industry?

One of the more welcome surprises of last year was the revelation that GTA 3 would be unofficially ported to the Sega Dreamcast. Developed by a team led by SKMP and built using KallistiOS software, the initial port of GTA 3 was an incredible example of what Sega's 128-bit console is capable of in the right hands.

Recently, this same developer announced that they've now begun work on bringing GTA: Vice City to Dreamcast. Early development footage shows a game that's still very much in its early stages—graphical issues and no sound are evident—but fans remain optimistic about the prospects of this retro masterpiece making it fully playable on the platform.

The original GTA: Vice City launched on PlayStation 2 (PS2) in 2002, eventually selling a staggering 14.2 million copies across all formats and reaching over 17.5 million total sales.

Have you played the GTA 3 Dreamcast port? What are your hopes for this Vice City port?

Rediscovering Text Adventures with the Ink Console

A new handheld gaming system, Ink Console, aims to bring back the magic of '80s text adventures. Developed by Daniel "Dana" Puchau from Shanghai, this device features a 7.5-inch e-ink screen capable of displaying an 800 x 480 black & white resolution.

Specifications:*

• Microprocessor: ESP32-D0WDQ6 (dual-core 32-bit)
• Flash Memory: 4MB
• PSRAM: 8 MB
• SRAM: 520 KB
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 4
• Built-in SD card reader for additional games

Three initial titles are in development:

1. Toto Umbrella
2. The Visit
3. Breath

With the potential to develop more through its SDK in future. The developer says they intend to release the SDK and open-source the project upon completion of crowd-funding campaign.

Puchau remarks:

The idea for Ink Console came from a desire to bring the magic of text adventures, like the 1980s classic Zork I, to a new audience unfamiliar with these games. We also were very inspired by the beloved Choose Your Own Adventure series of books. Our hope is that this interactive format makes reading feel like an adventure and helps instill a love for books in young readers.

There's a link in the original article to the Crowdsupply campaign.

What are your favourite text adventure memories?

The MSXBOOK: Reviving MSX in a Modern Notebook

Introduction to the MSXBOOK

A Chinese company called 8086YES! has introduced an intriguing device named MSXBOOK, which they are selling for $215 on the Tindle web site. The MSXBOOK is a portable laptop that brings back the spirit of the Japanese home computer standard.

Features and Specifications

• 9.7-inch LCD Screen: With a resolution of 1024x768.
• Backlit Mechanical Keyboard
• Speakers and Headphone Jack: A pair of built-in amplified stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio output jack.
• Battery: Equipped with a 4000mAh lithium battery that promises up to 4 hours of usage.
• Hardware Compatibility: MSX2-compatible and retro computing enthusiasts will appreciate the support for KDL firmware.

Additionally, it features an external cartridge slot, DB9 joystick/gamepad slots, USB ports, and a 4GB SD card storage option.

Turbo Mode Support (Optional)

The "Turbo" speed settings support speeds up to 5.37 MHz or 8.06 MHz.

Given its price point, features, and compatibility options, is the MSXBOOK worth the $215 investment?

Tetris, one of the most iconic and enduring video games, has just unveiled a new collector's package as part of Tetris Forever. This package comes with a sleek new Tetris handheld device that pays homage to the classic Game Boy.

• Handheld Details: The handheld features two pre-installed Tetris games along with a branded stand for display. The design features Tetrimino branding on the bottom and brings back nostalgic vibes.

• Collector's Edition: In addition to the handheld, the package includes various collectibles such as a modular box that can be shaped into one of the classic Tetris pieces, woven patches, poster, the soundtrack from Tetris Time Warp on CD, magnets, and the game itself.

• Availability: This Collector's Edition is available from Limited Run Games (NA) and Clear River Games (EU) starting February 25th.

What do you think of the Gold Collector's Package?

A new PS3 emulator has been discovered for Android devices, named aPS3e. While it's still in its early stages of development and lacks comprehensive compatibility with many titles, it marks significant progress in the realm of PS3 emulation on mobile platforms.

It's important to note that this emulator is currently not recommended for general use due to concerns about safety and limited game support. According to Android Authority, aPS3e simplifies the process of running PS3 games on Android devices by removing the need to use Winlator.

There is some controversy regarding the fact that, on the project's Github README, the developer states they will only release the full source code once donations have reached 2,000 USD. This is despite the fact that the emulator is based on the GPL2 licensed RPCS3, and also appears to use code from Vita3K. See the Github issue titled GPLv2 Licence Violation.

In related news, RPCS3, the most widely used PS3 emulator, now supports Raspberry Pi 5 and other ARM64 devices, although visual performance still needs improvement.

What do you think about the developer's approach to releasing the source code?

A popular Nintendo DS emulator for Android devices, DraStic, has recently been removed from the Google Play Store. Here’s what we know:

• DraStic, developed by Exophase, was available on the Google Play Store for over a decade.
• No public statement was released prior to its removal; however, the developer previously mentioned they were planning on making it open-source and removing the app from the store.
• Previous legal actions by Nintendo include pressuring the developers of Ryujinx to pull their source code from GitHub, and filing a lawsuit against Tropic Haze for creating Yuzu in 2024, resulting in a $2.4 million settlement.

Despite speculation that Nintendo is behind the sudden removal of DraStic, Exophase indicated they were planning to remove the emulator from the Play Store.

Still, it's bizarre that there doesn't seem to have been much of a heads-up before the emulator was actually pulled from the store.

What do you think? Have you come across any more information from Exophase?

Retroid recently revealed their upcoming Spring arrivals in a teaser. The main event is the Flip 2 clamshell emulator, but eyes were immediately drawn to a device in the background of the image.

First impressions suggest it could either be a vertical handheld inspired by the Analogue Pocket and the AYANEO Pocket DMG, or another clamshell emulator like the GBA SP.

This isn't the first cryptic tease from Retroid Pocket, as they sometimes use ambiguous images in their announcements to keep fans guessing.

What do you think this mysterious handheld might be?

In 2006, Hudson Soft developed SimCity 3D as an exclusive feature phone game in Japan. A recent preservation effort by a dedicated game preservationist has made this 'lost' title available once again.

The Game Details

• Development: Hudson Soft, 2006
• Platform: Japanese feature phones (DOCOMO FOMA 901i/902i series)
• Functionality: Enhanced 3D graphics with zoom-in/zoom-out and rotation; helper function; ability to transfer in-game progress from other devices.

Background

SimCity 3D was an expanded version of the Network Edition. It featured 15 missions, including five original scenarios, which were exclusive to the Sony-developed models. The game could be played with a monthly fee of 200 yen for new content and continued experience.

Preserved Version

The preservationist XYZ has archived this variation that came preloaded on certain SO902i devices. More details, including gameplay footage, are available via the Keitai Wiki Discord (link in the original article).

Have you ever played SimCity 3D on one of these feature phones? What was your impression?

A New and Affordable PS1 ODE Option is Here

A popular way to enjoy classic disc-based games without purchasing physical copies is through Optical Disc Emulators (ODEs). One of the most commonly used options for the PlayStation 1 is xStation.

However, a new and cost-effective alternative has emerged. Modder @TZMWXdiyer highlighted that you now only need a Pico 2040 microcontroller and an SD card slot to make your own PS1 ODE. This DIY project is detailed in the PicoStation GitHub repository (link in the original article).

Original Tweet by TZMWXdiyer: 'A few days ago, I discovered that Johnbaumann updated the PICOSTATION project of Paulocode on 2024/12/10. I modified two motherboards... Both machines run great with improved compatibility.'

While this is a cheap solution, it requires some soldering and modding skills

What DIY projects have you embarked on to emulate classic gaming systems?