Welcome to the Retro Handhelds Weekly newsletter! Whether you’re a seasoned modder or just getting started with classic gaming on the go, you’re part of a passionate group that keeps the retro handheld scene vibrant and fun. Dive in for the latest reviews, guides, and community highlights.

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Game of the Month: Join our monthly club to play curated retro titles and compete for RH merch. Get involved by joining our Discord community.

🎮 The guts behind the glory

  • Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita Pro: Anbernic might not have revealed everything about its upcoming handhelds, but we've been able to independently confirm a few key details. For one, both handhelds are set to launch in March, while the RG Vita Pro will be equipped with a new RockChip SoC and a 1080p display.
  • TrimUI ‘Flap X1’: A series of CAD renders popped up on Reddit, showing off what could be TrimUI's first clamshell handheld. Thanks to some sleuthing in the RH Discord, the "Flap X1" could be positioned as an alternative to the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.
  • MagicX Two Dream: MagicX sure does love to slow-drip the details when it comes to new handhelds. The latest of which looks to be the Two Dream, a 4:3 handheld sporting a 4.5-inch 1440 x 1080 display. And now, we have a better idea of what the upcoming device will look like.

More Hardware News

🗓️ Upcoming Releases

🕹️ Your gateway to pixel-perfect worlds

  • ES-DE Directories (Android): Our ole' pal Russ from Retro Game Corps decided to share a new and useful way to get ES-DE setup and ready to go while you wait for a new Android handheld to arrive.
  • Cocoon Shell: CocoonFE has evolved into Cocoon Shell! The team just released the 2.0 Beta, bringing with it a complete overhaul of the entire launcher. Not only is it designed to be great for dual-screen Android handhelds, but it's also been optimized for single-screen handhelds.
  • OoT PSX: This is one we never thought of, but OoT PSX is an in-progress PlayStation 1 port of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Currently, there aren't any "releases" to speak of, but if you head over to the GitHub page, you can follow the instructions there to get it all set up for yourself.

More Software News

👾 Emulation: Relive. Replay. Rewind.

💾 Custom Firmware

👾 Game of the Month: FebZuary Hands the Reins to Zu

Game(s) of the Week

🕹️#204 (2/14 - 2/21) - Two Crude

🕹️ #203 (2/7 - 2/14) - Star Fox 2

🕹️ #202 (1/31 - 2/7) - Metroid Prime Pinball

RPG of the Quarter (1/1 - 3/31)

✍ Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Write, Watch

Hacking The Mainframe #1: First Fight - Retro Handhelds
This collection of ROM hacks includes everything from a Pokémon x FFT hybrid to a modern re-polish of a legendary Super Mario title, and there’s even a bonus.
Retro HandheldsJim Gray
Rewind Roundup #1: Insert Quarter - Retro Handhelds
In this roundup, check out Apple’s new collection of classic arcade games, a new Console Archives series, and some rare Japanese PC RPGs coming to the US.
Retro HandheldsJim Gray
MagicX Zero 40: Seven Months Later - Retro Handhelds
Seven months with the MagicX Zero 40. From Emerald Green aesthetics to MAME performance, here is why this $50 vertical handheld is a solid budget buy in 2026.
Retro HandheldsBan
Blood Strike is a Shameless COD Ripoff: I’m Fine With That - Retro Handhelds
Test driving Blood Strike on the new Odin 3. Can this “COD clone” fill the void left by Warzone Mobile’s shutdown? See how it handles on high-end hardware.
Retro HandheldsNick
Next Level #1: Iron & Grind - Retro Handhelds
Whether it’s side-scrollers, dice rollers, or your next skateboarding obsessions, this Next Level roundup of upcoming games has something for everyone.
Retro HandheldsJim Gray
Anbernic RG Vita: First Impressions - Retro Handhelds
Anbernic’s RG Vita feels like a decent, T618 handheld with okay screen and controls, but unknown pricing makes its value and purpose impossible to judge.
Retro HandheldsJim Gray
Ratcheteer DX Q&A With Shaun Inman - Retro Handhelds
Shaun Inman was kind enough to answer our questions about the upcoming release of Ratcheteer DX, an enhanced, full-color version of the Playdate classic.
Retro HandheldsJim Gray

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