Anbernic and Ayaneo Keep Launching and a JIT Twist on iOS
This week on NPC, Federico, Brendon, and John chart which handheld makers are still shipping to the U.S. in the wake of steep tariffs, then explore how speedrunners are stress‑testing Breath of the Wild at Nintendo’s Switch 2 hands‑on events. Plus, they update listeners on Nintendo’s release of version 20 of the original Switch’s firmware, how a contempt order against Apple could unlock new business models for developers, the surprising arrival of JIT on the App Store, Nothing’s launch of the CMF Phone 2 Pro, and how Anbernic and Ayaneo are defying economic uncertainty by releasing new handhelds. Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Tariffs: Good News and Bad Retroid Updates Shipping Policy for U.S. Customers Powkiddy stopping U.S. shipments 8BitDo suspends US shipments from Chinese warehouse due to tariffs Switch 2 News Speedrunner Beats The Legend Of Zelda Breath Of The Wild Switch 2 Edition At Preview Event Switch update 20.0.0 adds Virtual Game Cards, GameShare, Switch 2 transfer iOS Gaming StikDebug brings JIT to the iPhone JIT enabler lands on App Store, likely unlocking Wii and Switch emulation on iOS An ‘official’ Flappy Bird game is back, but it has nothing to do with the original creator. Handhelds Anbernic RG34XX SP May Drop Next Month AYANEO Pocket ACE hits Indiegogo (retro handheld with a 4.5 inch display and Snapdragon G3x Gen 2) Other hardware Nothing’s CMF Phone 2 Pro is an affordable phone with a unique modular ecosystem Topics A Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Update 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
This week, looming tariffs cause more handheld makers to pause shipments to the U.S., demand for the Switch 2 outstrips supply, John explains what the U.S. pre-order process was like, and we marvel at the restoration of a vintage Game Boy kiosk. Links and Show Notes Follow Up Playdate, Season 2 Preorders The Latest Portable Gaming News Tariff Update Handhelds Tariff Roundup: What to Expect Odin 2 Maker Ayn To Join Anbernic In Pausing US Shipments Game Boy clone maker Anbernic suspends all shipments to US DHL halts international deliveries to US consumers worth over $800 Switch 2 Switch 2 Demand Outstrips Supply Switch 2 demand will far outstrip supply in Japan, Nintendo warns Nintendo Switch 2 preorders were a total mess — at first Paul Rudd ad Nintendo shares a vintage SNES commercial starring Paul Rudd as he reprises the role for Switch 2 John on what the pre-order process was like in the U.S. Restoring a Vintage Game Boy Kiosk I Restored an Abandoned GameBoy Kiosk via The Verge 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: https://www.macstories.net/privacy-policy/
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32:10
Handheld Gaming's Bright Summer: Mario Kart World, Playdate Season 2, and More
This week, John and Federico hold down the fort without Brendon, discussing U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders, Super Mario Kart World, upcoming hardware from Epilogue, Playdate’s Season 2, Razer Remote Play, and more. Links and Show Notes Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders in the U.S. Switch 2 Breath of the Wild will add weapon repairs through Zelda Notes Super Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct Federico’s new ASUS ROG Swift 27" 4K OLED PG27UCDM display Discussed on MacStories Unwind Epilogue SN Operator news Playdate Season 2 Announced How to Watch Live TV On Retro Handhelds With IPTV and muOS Razer PC Remote Play Officially Launches 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 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/
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34:05
The Switch 2: New Discoveries and Marketing Stumbles
This week on NPC, the trio analyzes how tariffs have disrupted Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dissects new details that have emerged about the upcoming console, debate Nintendo’s game pricing, ponder what console exclusivity means in 2025, and share their excitement for the Retroid Pocket Flip 2. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Topics Central Perk Brooklyn Perk Coffee Frame Rates Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour Nintendo Switch 2 games Games Switch 2 U.S. pre-order’s postponed due to tariffs. Nintendo boss on Switch 2 and tariffs: ‘we are actively assessing what the impact may be’ Nintendo diverts Switch 2 shipping from China to Vietnam for US buyers Accessories Switch 2 GameCube Controller Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2 More Switch 2 Details Our Big Nintendo Switch 2 Interview with Nintendo of America’s Bill Trinen Switch 2’s full reveal analysed how powerful is Nintendo’s new hardware and is DLSS being used More Thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2 Switch 2 Joy-Con Don’t Have Drift Resistant Hall Effect Sticks Deltarune Will Have Exclusive ‘Mouse Mode’ Content On Switch 2 What is a Console Exclusive Anymore? Hades II will launch first for consoles on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 Game Key Cards Switch 2 game-key cards won’t be account- or console-locked 📹 Has Nintendo Earned This Level of Confidence Retroid Flip 2 First Looks Retroid Pocket Flip 2 First Look, Powerful Clamshell AMOLED Handheld! Retroid Pocket Flip 2 FIRST LOOK Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Console-Like 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 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/
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41:35
Nintendo Switch 2: Unpacking the Direct
This week, Federico, John, and Brendon Bigley dive into Nintendo’s reveal of the Switch 2, analyzing the technical specifications, Mouse Control, the camera accessory, the new Pro Controller, Game Share, Nintendo’s strategy shift, and more. Programming Note: We’re releasing this episode early while the Switch 2 news is still fresh. Therefore, there will be no episode on April 8th. Instead, we’ll be back on April 15th. Rogue Amoeba: Makers of incredibly useful audio tools for your Mac. Use the code MS2504 through the end of April to get 20% off Rogue Amoeba’s apps. Links and Show Notes Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch 2 – Technical Specs Switch 2 is powered by a “custom processor made by Nvidia.” Game Key Cards New Pro controller The Pro Controller grips are based on the GameCube controller Nintendo Switch 2 Launches June 5 at $449.99, Bringing New Forms of Game Communication to Life Nintendo’s Switch 2 preorder process has strict requirements to thwart scalpers The Verge Nintendo Switch 2 camera available at launch, or you can use your own Polygon Nintendo Switch 2 – How to Buy – Official Site 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 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/
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.
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