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.

🎮 The guts behind the glory

• The Anbernic RG DDS Might Be the Retroid Pocket Duo Rival We’ve Been Waiting For: If you thought that the Retroid Pocket Duo series was the last time we’d see a dual-screen handheld in 2026, you’d be mistaken. The Anbernic RG DDS has just been announced, aiming to offer yet another take on the DS form factor. But this time, it looks like Anbernic is looking to up the ante with its most powerful dual-screen handheld yet.
• MagicX Mini Dream Gets Final Design Renders, and a $179 Dimensity 7300 Version: This week, MagicX shared a few more details about the Mini Dream, which includes “full-device exterior design renders.” It also revealed that one version will be powered by the Dimensity 7300 and a $179 price tag.
• The ModRetro Chromatic Is About to Get a Transparent Makeover: A week after partnering with OpenAI to announce the "Codex Game Studio," ModRetro introduced a new version of the Chromatic. The Transparent Chromatic is now available to order in four different colors, and has already started shipping.

🕹️ Your gateway to pixel-perfect worlds

• DroidDeck Brings SteamOS to Android in an App: Many of us knew that Valve’s release of SteamOS for ARM would eventually result in the software being ported to at least some Android handhelds. What some might not have expected is being able to run SteamOS on Android just by installing an app. DroidDeck lets you do exactly that, as it “brings the SteamOS experience to Android.”
• Itch.io Shows Off Their Donk in the Latest App Update: Originally showcased on Moonscript’s Twitter page back in early September, Itch Donk is essentially the Itch App, ported and scaled down to run (to a degree) on our favorite ARM Linux handhelds. In particular, the RG35XXH and RG40XXH have been the ones shown off the most.
• GammaOS Drops the V1.4.4 for a Pair of Dual Screen Devices: Dropping another one of his updates, the latest V1.4.4 drop focuses on the two big Anbernic clamshells: the RG DS and its younger RG DS Plus sibling. Both of these have some pretty good updates, so it’s worth checking out.

Emulation Corner, Custom Core, Ports, and More

👾 Game of the Month: Spooktober

Game(s) of the Week

RPG of the Quarter (10/1 - 12/31)

✍ Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Write

• Wonderfitter M17 Gen 2 Review: Light Gun Gaming Gets Serious
• Evercade Nexus Review: This is the One
• 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Review: Not Much Ultimate About it
• Mobapad C2 Lite Controller Review: Budget King
• AYANEO Pocket Micro 2 First Impressions: A Surprising Sequel

📺 On the YouTubes

RH Partners

💸 Achievement Unlocked: Big Savings

• Acer Predator Atlas 8 Pre-order: $1299.99 at Best Buy
• XTEINK X4 Pro: $84.15 (Save 15%) at Amazon
• Retroid Handhelds
  • Pocket Flip 2: $229 (Save $40) at Amazon
  • Pocket 5: $219 (Save $40) at Amazon
  • Pocket Classic: $145 (Save $34) at Amazon
• 'Fall in Love with Video Games' Sale at Woot
• ACEMAGIC X3 (Ryzen 7 H 255/16GB/1TB): $548.55 (Save $90.44) at Amazon
• Govee x PAC-MAN Gaming Pixel Light: $79.99 (Save $60) at Amazon

🗣️ Stay Connected

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