NPC: Next Portable Console

4.8 (17)
VIDEO GAMES
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

3D AGO

A Portal Surprise, ONEXSUGAR Chaos, and A Steam Deck Miracle

This week, Brendon shares his surprising early impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dive into Nintendo Switch 2 pricing rumors, explore the performance issues of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on M4 Macs despite being Steam Deck verified, and break down Qualcomm’s confusing new G-series chips powering upcoming handhelds. Then, the treo reacts to OneXPlayer’s chaotic ONEXSUGAR handheld and AYANEO’s new devices. Plus, Federico has exciting news about a DLSS plugin for Steam Deck that improves performance on games like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, turning blurry gameplay into a sharp, high-settings experience. Links and Show Notes Follow Up Federico attempted Portal mod Brendon’s Portal First Impressions Controller typing - signs of life for Windows handhelds The Latest Portable Gaming News Switch 2: analysts predict $400+ price and biggest console launch ever in June Xenoblade Chronicles X hints at Switch 2 performance improvements Assassin’s Creed Shadows is Steam Deck verified Qualcomm launches Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, G2 Gen 2, and G1 Gen 2 chips for gaming handhelds Snapdragon Announcements Next Generation Snapdragon G Series Portfolio Uplevels Handheld Gaming Experiences Retroid Confirms Pocket Classic SoC and Teases a New Handheld OneXSugar The OneXSugar asks what if Nintendo Switch could transform into Nintendo DS The Dual-Screen ONEXSUGAR Debuts at GDC 2025 3DS Emulator Azahar’s First Release Candidate Now Available AYANEO AYANEO Gaming Pad is an 8.3 inch gaming tablet with Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 AYANEO Reveals Pocket S2 and Gaming Pad - Retro Handhelds Topics Decky Framegen - Game compatibility list!

50 min
MAR 18

Retroid's Rocky Road and Microsoft's Portable Plans

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John dive into the ongoing Retroid Pocket Mini controversy, discussing the scaling issues, community reactions, and what it means for consumers in the retro handheld space. After addressing Retroid’s troubles, they explore the Retroid Pocket Classic and pricing information for the Flip 2. To wrap up the week’s news, they cover SteamOS news, AYANEO’s confusing new teaser for the “Pocket Ace,” examine important new reports of Microsoft’s collaboration with ASUS on an Xbox-branded Windows handheld. Links and Show Notes Listener Question Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 Retroid Follow-Up Joey’s Retro Handhelds - the whole story NPC and the Retroid Controversy Retroid reportedly backtracks Pocket Mini return limits Screen teardown here The Latest Portable Gaming News SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview In better Retroid news Retroid Pocket Classic specs What is going on with AYANEO? AYANEO Pocket Ace AYANEO Pocket S2 announced soon Is Anbernic About to Shake Up the Retro Handheld Space - Retro Handhelds Photo An ‘Xbox’ handheld in 2025?: Xbox’s new hardware plans begin with a gaming handheld in 2025 Microsoft isn’t launching its Xbox handheld this year, but Asus might be 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/

54 min
MAR 11

Holey Controller Batman: Samsung's Prototype Handheld

John, Brendon, and Federico are back for another week of handheld news, including a tiny bit of Switch 2 news, an up and down week for Retroid, DS handhelds inch forward, Samsung wonders if thumbholes are the perfect complement to thumbsticks, and AYANEO decides thumbsticks aren’t worth the trouble. Plus, Brendon shares NextUI and the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Switch 2 info from the FCC The Nintendo Switch 2 will have NFC and Wi-Fi 6, FCC filings show The Verge Retroid’s mystery background device revealed Retroid Pocket Classic Unveiled A Return to Form - Retro Handhelds Six button version There’s a Six Button Retroid Pocket Classic - Retro Handhelds Retroid Mini Screen Issue It’s Official Retroid Pocket Mini Shader Issue Cannot Be Fixed - Retro Handhelds MagicX Targets DS Emulation with Zero 40 Specs Reveal - Retro Handhelds RPCS3 for Android Shares First Alpha Build - Retro Handhelds Samsung unveiled a prototype foldable handheld AYANEO Deletes Sticks & Reveals New $179 Pocket Micro Classic Topics MinUI Next 8BitDo Ultimate 2 First Impressions From 8BitDo From Amazon 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/

48 min
MAR 4

AYANEO Cancels Then Resurrects the Flip

This week, Retroid Pocket Flip 2 specs are out, the Legion Go S disappoints, and we try to decipher what AYANEO is doing before reminiscing over a PictoChat clone on the iPhone and discussing the benefits of having a personal videogame shopper in Japan, and Brendon’s experience with the black Miyoo Flip. Links and Show Notes Introducing NPC XL - More NPC, Every Week NPC: Next Portable Console is now weekly for everyone. Enjoy a new episode packed with handheld gaming news and other topics every Tuesday. We’re introducing NPC XL, a brand-new, members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon at $5/month. The video version of NPC will be published here going forward and includes all of the show’s back catalog as well as bonus material. NPC is joining the (awesome) TWG Discord server with a dedicated channel for community feedback and participation. Follow-Up Quiet Retro Handhelds Anbernic RG Cube TrimUI Brick Miyoo Flip The Latest Portable Gaming News New details about the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 https://liliputing.com/retroid-pocket-flip2-is-a-faster-handheld-game-console-with-upgraded-controllers/ Legion Go S reviews Lenovo Legion Go S review an overpriced, underachieving handheld Lenovo Legion Go S review feels good, plays bad Federico’s handheld update Sold: - ROG Flow Z13-ACRNM RMT02 See: MacStories Unwind Godzilla vs. Ticci’s Surprise, Part 2 AYANEO is teasing a new version of the Pocket Micro https://x.com/AYANEO__/status/1892869316410036575 Speculation is it’s a version with no analog sticks - https://liliputing.com/ayaneo-classic-will-probably-be-a-tiny-gaming-handheld-with-simplified-controllers/ AYANEO kills its Flip AYANEO says the Flip handheld isn’t cancelled after all Epilogue Operator news The SN Operator from Epilogue is close to taking pre-orders, and the company is working on a 64 Operator. Plus Game Boy Camera support for the original operator is close. The Game Boy Camera as a Webcam I Used a Game Boy Camera for FaceTime Video Calls in iPadOS 17 and It Was Glorious Interesting project to make Windows better on handhelds Winhanced Brings SteamOS-Like Experience to Windows Handhelds - Retro Handhelds Winhanced - A better Windows Handheld Also Mentioned: Playnite Topics PicoChat or PictoChat Can You Tell the Difference - MacStories A visit to the in Kyoto Brendon’s thoughts on the black Miyoo Flip 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/

46 min
FEB 25

Brick Gang

On the latest NPC, ASUS gaming phones, Retroid’s big surprise, and more Nintendo emulation drama, plus 8BitDo tries to solve the iPhone vertical controller problem, Federico weighs in on the Any Odin2 Portal, and the whole gang has nothing but love for the TrimUI Brick. Links and Show Notes Follow-Up Bazzite Potential Effect of Tariffs on Retro Handheld Collectors The Latest Portable Gaming News Chris Plante of Polygon reviews the AYANEO 3 Asus ROG Phone 9 FE launches as a (somewhat) cheaper gaming phone Asus ROG Phone 9 FE launches as a (somewhat) cheaper gaming phone Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Officially Teased Powkiddy taking pre-orders on V20 The Nintendo DS Drastic emulator is gone from Google Play 8BitDo Micro Clip 8BitDo Micro controller Amazon Direct Link to Clip Federico’s First Impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal Ayn Odin2 Portal TrimUI Brick The gang shares their love for the Brick Amazon Keepretro 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

53 min
FEB 11

SteamOS on Windows with Bazzite

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John consider how the Switch 2 will impact the wider handheld market, recap the specs and benchmarks for the Legion Go S and 2, and cover new devices coming from Anbernic and AYANEO. Then, Brendon shares his experience running Bazzite on the ASUS ROG Ally X. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News What handheld PCs should do to fight the Nintendo Switch 2 Everyone is Underestimating Mouse Mode No screen, no controller, and absolutely no sense, just a power button and a USB port. Steam Brick Mod Legion Go S and 2 Legion Go S Benchmarks Legion Go 2 - Hands on first impressions CES 2025 How to Play Steam Games on Android [Pluvia Guide] The $900 Ayaneo 3 is the most exciting PC handheld the company’s yet made Anbernic seems to have a new SP model called the RG34XXSP Running Bazzite on the ASUS ROG Ally X ASUS ROG Ally X Bazzite Dbrand Killswitch Also mentioned: RGB Docking Station Genki SavePoint 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

45 min
JAN 28

Peas, a Rubber Band, and an iPad

It’s a packed episode with a post Switch 2 reveal vibe check and more on iPhone game controller innovation, plus John’s early impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal, Brendon’s review of the Miyoo Flip, and Federico’s long 2DS/3DS emulation journey. Links and Show Notes iPhone Controller Innovation MCON’s Kickstarter Campaign 8BitDo’s Micro Controller Clip GamSir’s Unnamed Combo Controller and Battery Prototype More on Wavelengths and MacStories The Bitmo Lab GAMEBABY Ayn Odin2 Portal Website Retro Game Corps Review Miyoo Flip On AliExpress Brendon’s review on Wavelengths Brendon’s video on YouTube Federico’s 3DS Journey Microsoft Surface 2 Duo Steam Deck EmuDeck Emulation Station iPad Pro 4 Lenovo Legion Y700 (2024 model), available only from China Note: Brendon mentioned that it const $300, but that’s the 2023 model Example of graphics quality Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3, which will be available worldwide soon Nintendo 2DS 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/

1h 21m
JAN 16

Nintendo Switch 2: Reactions and First Theories

On this special edition of NPC, Federico, John, and Brendon react to Nintendo’s video announcement about the Switch 2, dig through every detail of the video for clues, and consider how things are likely to play out in the coming months. Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement Reactions Nintendo Switch 2 – First Look Trailer Nintendo Switch 2 Experience Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced, releasing 2025 GameCube Keyboard Controller GameCube Accessories 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/

27 min

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TRAILER

Welcome to NPC

NPC, or Next Portable Console, is a podcast about the games we take with us. Every other week, Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, and Brendon Bigley will cover portable gaming news and share their experiences with everything from the simplest retro gaming handhelds to cutting-edge portable PCs.

05/31/2024

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4 min

4.8

out of 5

17 Ratings

Love the podcast.Have request!

08/19/2024

Connor!!!.

This is such a great podcast. I’m so happy you’re doing it. I’ve been a fan of retro handheld for a long time and I’m very interested in the topics you’re talking about. I have a request. Will you do a review or talk about the Odin pro? I’m deciding if I want to buy it and I’m designing between the Retroid Pocket 4 pro or the Odin pro. Thank you!!😄
Combining My Two Loves

06/22/2024

TheLogan117

This show combined my two loves: Into The Aether and MacStories. Great to have the low key of Brendon Bigley mixed with the chaos experimentation of Federico Viticci. OTJ is here to bring balance to the force.