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

• Retroid Pocket 6 12GB Discontinued, 8GB Price Hike Starts March 2: Less than 24 hours after learning that AYN would be raising prices on both the Thor and Odin 3, while basically putting the Odin 3 Ultra on ice, more grim news was revealed. Retroid confirmed that “the RP6 12GB model will have to be discontinued.” Adding insult to injury, it was also announced that the 8GB Retroid Pocket 6 will see a $15 price increase starting on Monday, March 2.
• AYN Confirms Our Worst Fears For the Thor and Odin 3: A few days after sharing a shipping update following the Chinese New Year's holiday, AYN returned with another update. Unfortunately, price increases are on the way for both the Thor and Odin 3 starting on March 8.
• Zelda Game & Watch Hacked Into a Tiny Emulation Powerhouse: Leave it to Macho Nacho Productions to show off one of the coolest mods out there. This time around, they tore apart the Zelda Game & Watch, added more RAM and a microSD card slot, turning it into a proper retro handheld.

🗓️ Upcoming Releases

• Anbernic RG Vita and RG Vita Pro - TBD
• KinHank K59 - February 28

🕹️ Your gateway to pixel-perfect worlds

• GammaOS on AYANEO Pocket Air Mini: When it comes to Android firmware on retro handhelds, very few can keep up with the one and only Gamma. With work on the RG Vita Pro for Anbernic complete, Gamma has now set his sights on the AYANEO Pocket Air Mini and is making quite a bit of progress.
• SpaghettiKart’s Big 1.0 Update Supercharges Mario Kart 64 on PC: With the Version 1.0 update, the developers added a new, harder CPU difficulty that pushes back, complete with Spiny Shells, Triple Shells, and smarter overall item logic. Not just that, but there are also a boatload of minor fixes and improvements to enhance the experience.
• Myrient Shutting Down: It's not often that we really talk about ROM sites, unless they're getting shut down by the government. However, that's not the case this time, as the video game archive will be shut down on March 31. Reasons include "insufficient funding," "paywalled download managers," and "rising RAM, SSD, and HDD prices."
  • Vimms Response

👾 Game of the Month: Mind Over Matter

Game(s) of the Week

🕹️#206 (3/1 - 3/7) - Go Go Ackman

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

✍ Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Write

Savage Raven FissionGrip For Switch 2 Review | Retro Handhelds

Joe has his hands on the newly released Fission Grip for the Switch 2. Is this truly the answer to detachable grips or another poorly engineered dud?

Retro HandheldsJoe White

dArkOS on the AISLPC RG52 Mini: How to Install | Retro Handhelds

Did you just get the RG52 Mini but want a different firmware? Follow our guide to install dArkOS custom firmware on the new AISLPC RG52 Mini.

Retro HandheldsNick

Next Level #3: Steam Next Fest Rules | Retro Handhelds

New Next Level round-up: SSX-style snowboarding, new Castlevania and Slay the Spire, Vanillaware-like brawling, synth roguelites, mad bus mayhem, and more.

Retro HandheldsJim Gray

Retroid Pocket G2 Review: More of the Same (But Better) (Again) | Retro Handhelds

The Retroid Pocket G2 is one of Retroid’s latest handhelds. With an old body and new chip, it’s a mashup of ideas. But is it worth it at the odd asking price?

Retro HandheldsBan

Hacking The Mainframe #3: Games Hidden In Games | Retro Handhelds

Hacking the Mainframe #3 is here, and this one swings from forensic Saturn archaeology to petty interstellar politics and Mega Man at the Olympics. Good week.

Retro HandheldsJim Gray

Homebrew Side Quests #3: Mama Amiga | Retro Handhelds

Homebrew Side Quests is back, and this one’s all over the map: fresh carts, PC recomp magic, lost ports, and the Amiga scene refusing to act its age.

Retro HandheldsJim Gray

Anbernic RG Vita Review: 2023 Called | Retro Handhelds

Anbernic is bringing back a 2023 classic with the RG Vita. Powered by the Unisoc T618, the Vita is a classic-looking device with somewhat modern internals.

Retro HandheldsBan

AISLPC RG52 Mini Review: Budget Brawn | Retro Handhelds

AISLPC’s RG52 Mini aims beyond clone designs with better performance, solid ergonomics, and a straightforward EmuELEC-based interface.

Retro HandheldsNick

Anbernic RG G01 Review: Not Quite There | Retro Handhelds

Anbernic’s second controller brings a lot more to the table. But a lot more can go wrong now. At $40 is the RG G01 worth it? Or are there better options.

Retro HandheldsBan

Game Over: Sega CDX | Retro Handhelds

Sega’s $399 CDX crammed Genesis, Sega CD, and portable CD player into one sleek box, arriving too late to save two formats already circling the drain.

Retro HandheldsJim Gray

📺 On the YouTubes

💸 Achievement Unlocked: Big Savings

• AliExpress Choice Day Sale (Until 3/8 at 3:59 AM EST)
• AYN Portal Event

🗣️ Stay Connected

Want more classic gaming goodness? Join the Discord, or follow us on YouTube for live podcasts and reviews every Monday at 6pm Pacific. Your feedback, mods, and stories make this community what it is, so keep sharing!