Emulation
Ongoing coverage on Emulation.
Latest coverage
LCD emulation could preserve a bunch of iconic Nintendo handhelds and their cursed rivals
The BrickEmuPy project aims to preserve classic handheld LCD games through emulation, having already archived over 60 titles including Nintendo's Mini Classics keychain games. This initiative seeks to maintain access to these older, often obscure, gaming devices as physical hardware degrades and the industry moves towards digital distribution.
Retroid finally provides a closer look at its Pocket Nova handheld in action
Retroid has released new gameplay footage of its upcoming Pocket Nova retro handheld, showcasing its ability to run various classic games like F-Zero GX and God of War 2. The portable device features a 4:3 screen and is priced starting at $229, positioning it against competitors like the Anbernic RG Cube and Retroid's own Pocket 5.
As Sony prepares to shut down the PS3 store, RPCS3 devs promise “75% of all PlayStation 3 games are now playable…
As Sony prepares to close the PlayStation 3 and Vita digital stores, the developers behind the RPCS3 emulator have announced that 75% of all PlayStation 3 games are now playable on PC. While many major titles are still in progress, the emulator has reached a significant milestone in preserving the console's library.
PS5 fans fast-track PC emulation in response to Sony ditching physical games
In response to Sony's move towards an all-digital future, PlayStation 5 emulation efforts on PC have accelerated. Recent progress includes booting exclusive titles like Astro Bot and Demon's Souls on PC using experimental emulators such as SharpEmu. These developments are seen as a win for game preservationists, allowing games to remain playable even if official support is withdrawn.
Review: Console Archives L’Empereur (Nintendo Switch 2)
This review covers Hamster's Nintendo Switch re-release of Koei's 1991 historical simulation game, L’Empereur. While the game offers deep strategic gameplay for fans of the genre, its complex menus and lack of modern quality-of-life features make it a challenging experience for new players. The digital manual is praised for its faithfulness to the original, but the overall emulation approach is seen as outdated compared to other retro collections.
The Best Android Gaming Handhelds – Updated!
This guide explores the best Android gaming handhelds available, focusing on specifications, capabilities, and the types of games they can run. Featured devices include the AYN Odin 3, GPD XP Plus, ABERNIC RG353P, Retroid Pocket 6, and Logitech G Cloud, catering to various needs from retro emulation to modern Android gaming.
"This time, we pay tribute to a true icon" - Ayaneo teases the OG Game Boy Advance remake I've been…
Ayaneo has teased a new handheld device called the Konkr Pocket Advance, which appears to be a remake of the original Game Boy Advance. The company aims to pay tribute to the iconic 2001 handheld, focusing on its classic design and portable gaming experience. Details regarding price, availability, and exact specifications are still scarce, but fans are hoping for an affordable device that captures the essence of the original Game Boy Advance with modern enhancements.
Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2 are getting a spec bump, but will cost $10 more after July 14
The Retroid Pocket 5 and Retroid Pocket Flip 2 handheld devices are receiving a specification upgrade, which will result in a $10 price increase for both models after July 14. This update affects even older emulation-focused handhelds, indicating a trend of increased component costs.
PC ports of old console games are the new AI vibe coding battleground
The article discusses the growing trend of using AI for game development, particularly for creating PC ports of older console games. A community project for Donkey Kong 64, named DK64 Recompiled, explicitly rejects AI-generated code, highlighting a divide between experienced developers and those relying on AI tools. This debate centers on the quality, maintainability, and ethical implications of AI-assisted game development versus traditional methods.
Lenovo just nuked its retro handheld that sellers packed with illegal ROMs, but unbranded versions are still haunting…
Lenovo has officially discontinued its controversial G02 retro handheld, which was found to be pre-loaded with potentially illegal ROMs by third-party sellers. While Lenovo claims the device was not intended for sale outside China and denies sanctioning such sales, unbranded versions of the device are still appearing on marketplaces. This situation highlights the often unregulated nature of the retro handheld market.
Morning Mobilization
A new liquid-cooled gaming tablet has been released, featuring native PC emulation capabilities. The device is slated for a global launch soon. The article also briefly mentions Samsung's pricing strategy for its Galaxy S27 phones.
YouTuber builds pocket-sized Game Boy emulator using an ereader, demonstrates an 'actually playable' refresh…
A hardware creator has developed a pocket-sized Game Boy emulator using an ESP32 SoC and an M5Stack PaperS3 e-reader with an e-paper display. This device achieves an 'actually playable' refresh rate, suitable for games like Pokémon Blue and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening, by using more memory and advanced greyscaling and dithering techniques.
Donkey Kong 64: Recompiled for PC coming in next few months
A native PC port of Donkey Kong 64 is in development and expected within the next few months. This recompiled version will support Windows, MacOS, and Linux, offering high framerates, widescreen support, reduced input delay, and modding capabilities.
The Super Pocket Rare edition reeled me in with Banjo-Kazooie goodness, but the retro handheld also boasts one of my…
The Super Pocket Rare Edition offers a compelling retro handheld experience, particularly for fans of Banjo-Kazooie and Solar Jetman. Despite its budget price and compact size, it successfully emulates N64 titles with impressive frame rates and includes a collection of 14 other classic Rare games. While some control customization options are limited, the ability to play Banjo-Kazooie on the go makes it a worthwhile purchase.
Ayaneo is teasing a sequel to its lavish retro handheld, and it feels like a belated GBA 25th anniversary gift
Ayaneo is teasing a successor to its retro handheld, the Pocket Micro 2, which will be 52% larger with improved ergonomics, battery life, and a Qualcomm chipset. While specific details and visuals are scarce, the company hints at a modern remake of a classic handheld, potentially resembling the Game Boy Advance. The device aims to offer enhanced performance for emulation enthusiasts, though its premium pricing may position it above cheaper alternatives.
25 years ago today, the GBA arrived in the US, but you don't need the real thing to play the handheld's hits
The Game Boy Advance celebrates its 25th anniversary in the US, and despite its age, there are numerous ways to play its classic games. Options range from budget emulation handhelds by Anbernic, Miyoo, and Powkiddy, to modernizing original hardware with screen and battery mods, and premium devices like the Analogue Pocket and Ayaneo Pocket Micro.
Running Half Life, a 28-year-old PC game, on a 19-year-old Nokia shouldn't be impressive, but it is
Developer Dante D. Leoncini has successfully ported the 28-year-old PC game Half-Life to run natively on a 19-year-old Nokia N95 smartphone. The game achieves 30 frames per second on the device's limited hardware, with added mouse and keyboard support, though it runs at a low resolution. This achievement highlights the potential for classic PC games to be playable on a wider range of devices, including modern retro handhelds.
A developer got the original Half-Life running on a 2007 Nokia N95 at a respectable 30 fps, plus it even works with a…
Developer Dante D. Leoncini has successfully ported the original Half-Life to run on a 2007 Nokia N95 smartphone, achieving a respectable 30 frames per second. The port also supports Bluetooth mouse and keyboard input, with ongoing work to improve performance and enable network play.
Handheld Gaming 2026: Which Device Fits Your Life | TAG
In 2026, the handheld gaming market offers diverse options like the Switch 2, Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S, each catering to different user needs. The article emphasizes choosing a device based on real-life usage, such as commute comfort, portability, game catalog, and travel suitability, rather than solely on raw performance benchmarks.
Game History and Preservation
Native PC ports are increasingly becoming the preferred method for preserving older video games, gradually supplanting emulation. This shift highlights a growing trend in how the industry approaches game history and accessibility.