NPC: Next Portable Console

This week on Next Portable Console, OnePlus makes a phone controller with only triggers, Tico 0.7.0 brings GameCube and Wii emulation to the Switch, Ayn raises prices, and Steam comes to Android via ROCKNIX.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
OnePlus reveals Marksman Gaming Controller alongside Ace 6 Ultra smartphone
Tico 0.7.0 brings experimental GameCube and Wii emulation to Nintendo Switch via Dolphin
AYN raises Thor Max price and downgrades storage to UFS 3.1
Valve's Proton 11 beta enables Steam on Arm-based Android handhelds via ROCKNIX
Subscribe to NPC XL
NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.
Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.
You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
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Credits
Show Art: Brendon Bigley
Music: Will LaPorte
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This week on Next Portable Console, TrimUI's slow drip of details on the Brick Pro continues, shipping manifests suggest the Steam Controller may beat the Steam Machine to market, and OnePlus makes a strong bid for weirdest handheld announcement of 2026.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
The TrimUI Brick Pro nears official release with packaging revealed
ONEXPLAYER teases X2 Mini handheld with Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and 8.8-inch OLED
Shipping manifest leak suggests Steam Controller launch is imminent
Lenovo teasing larger Legion Tab gaming tablet
OnePlus reportedly developing an Android gaming handheld targeting FPS games with purple faux leather grips
Subscribe to NPC XL
NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.
Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.
You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon
NPC Feedback Form
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
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This week on Next Portable Console, the SN Operator is delayed, an Ayn Odin non-drama, a new contender for weirdest handheld of 2026, even more on the RG Rotate, and how we find retro game shops.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
GAMEMT E5 ModX is a modular handheld that converts between controller, horizontal, and vertical form factors
AYN Odin 3's "Snapdragon 8 Elite" is actually a Qualcomm Dragonwing Q8 IoT chip
Genki launches Covert Dock 3 and ShadowCast 3 Pro for Switch 2 and modern handhelds
Anbernic RG Rotate new photos More on whether the RG Rotate has a headphone jack

Subscribe to NPC XL
NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.
Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.
You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon
NPC Feedback Form
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

PAX, the Pocket Taco, and a $900 PlayStation
This week on Next Portable Console, Brendon reports back on the hardware he saw at PAX East, John gives the Pocket Taco a try, and with Federico, they cover the latest handheld news.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
More videos of the Anbernic "RG Flic"
AYANEO Pauses More Handhelds
More PlayStation Handheld Rumors
Dolphin Now Supports Game Boy Player
Brendon on PAX East
John Reviews the GameSir Pocket Taco
Subscribe to NPC XL
NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.
Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.
You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon
NPC Feedback Form
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
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This week on Next Portable Console, a PlayStation Portable update, Honda and Sony call off car-based gaming, Epilogue shows of the SN Operator and makes and app, the fate of Windows handhelds, Federico's Legion Go makes a comeback, and more.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
PlayStation Portal has added a higher quality 1080p option
Sony and Honda cancel Afeela EV project after years of development
Epilogue News SN Operator Sneak peek
Epilogue releases Retrace mobile app for game cartridge identification and counterfeit detection
Epilogue Retrace on the App Store

AYANEO Ends Next 2 Pre-oreders AYANEO suspends pre-orders of Next 2
The Verge: AYANEO Windows gaming handheld sustainability

Federico Revitalizes his Legion Go Lenovo Legion Go

Subscribe to NPC XL
NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month.
Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes.
You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole
Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon
NPC Feedback Form
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