Latest articles by Phil Hayton
Will you be turning Nvidia DLSS 5 off?
News Let us know if you're planning to turn off DLSS 5 when the new gen AI feature lands on RTX 50-series graphics cards later this year.
Sorry Microsoft, but I've shoved your handheld onto a Steam Deck dock and started playing 2000s games using an Xbox 360 controller
News I've been using an Xbox 360 controller with an Ally X and a Steam Deck dock, and as cursed as that sounds, it makes for a nice way to play seventh-gen games.
8Bitdo has finally revealed the N64 Retro Receiver I've been asking for, but it's trolling me with its new 2.4GHz OG console gamepad
News 8Bitdo just launched a new 2.4GHz N64 controller and a Retro Receiver that will let you connect Bluetooth gamepads to the original console.
8Bitdo's gray N64 controller pays a perfect tribute to Ninty's colorful '90s gamepad, but I really wish it came with a dongle
News After finally getting my hands on the new gray 8Bitdo N64 controller, I can confirm that it feels like a true successor to the retro console's OG gamepad.
Nvidia has DLSS'd too close to the sun, and I'm not convinced Jensen Huang will listen to anyone's DLSS 5 AI slop concerns
News Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang has downplayed DLSS 5 AI slop concerns by both confirming the use of generative AI and asserting that it "doesn't change the artistic control."
My new favorite retro controller for Game Boy games launches today, but Amazon might show you Mexican taco kits
News The GameSir Pocket Taco officially lands today, but if you look up the retro controller at Amazon, you'll be greeted by meal kits instead of Game Boy gamepads.
Nine years later, the Hyperkin Retron HD is nowhere near as crummy as I remember
News The Hyperkin Retron HD isn't a perfect NES clone, but it's actually a decent alternative to the real retro console with HDMI for under $40.
The Steam Machine promises a 4K 60fps experience, but I'd pair it with a 1440p monitor if you're sensitive to disappointment
News Pairing the upcoming Steam Machine with a 1440p monitor could be an optimal way to play, and I've got three QHD panel picks that'll help the mini PC shine.
Valve has shared new Steam Machine Verified guidance at GDC
News Valve has shared more Steam Machine Verified game requirements at GDC 2026, and the checklist includes the same 1080p 30fps performance as the Steam Deck.
I feel like I can't escape Xbox drama, as even new retro handheld emulators are causing a stir over app charges
News Xbox emulation has arrived on Android handhelds thanks to a new Xemu port, but the developer has caused a stir by charging $8 for the app on the Play Store.
You can now use an OG Virtual Boy controller wirelessly with the Switch, and I'm hoping it inspires Nintendo to create its own new pad
News Modder RetroOnxy has cooked up a Virtual Boy wireless controller mod that will let you use the original pad with your Switch and a bunch of other devices.
I respect the Virtual Boy as a collectable Switch 2 gadget, but it’s not exactly a retro console remake
Review The Virtual Boy for Switch 2 is a great interactive collectible, and while it serves as a way to play Nintendo's infamous retro console, it's not a true remake.
The Mario Game and Watch isn't my favorite version, but it does at least have the real sequel for MAR10 day
News Picking up a Mario Game and Watch handheld makes for a nice way to celebrate MAR10 Day in 2026, and it'll actually provide you with the real 1986 sequel.
If Sony thinks surge pricing won't prompt me to shun new-gen consoles and go back to the PS1, it should think again
News Sony is apparently trialling PS5 surge pricing for games, so I reckon we should all just revert back to using the PS1 where dynamic discounts can't find us.
Best PS5 external hard drives 2026: excellent portable SSD and HDD options
Buying Guide We've been hands-on with all the latest storage upgrades so you can find the best PS5 external hard drive for your system.
After years of torturing myself over NES color accuracy, it turns out there is no consensus for how the retro console should look
News It turns out that there's no consensus on how NES games like Super Mario Bros should look, and it's all thanks to the retro console's original video output.
Valve keeps doubling down on a Steam Machine 2026 release date, and I honestly respect that
News Valve has reconfirmed that the Steam Machine will ship in 2026 alongside the controller and Steam Frame, providing reassurance amidst Ramageddon.
The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
News Backwards compatibility will make or break Project Helix
Best Xbox Series X hard drive, SSD, and memory card solutions in 2026: all the fastest solutions we've tested
Buying Guide We're rounding up the best Xbox Series X hard drives, expansion cards, and portable SSDs so you can get the right storage solution for you.
The Super Pocket is down to a no-brainer price, but I'd hang fire if you prefer N64 platformers like Banjo-Kazooie
Deals You can now grab a Super Pocket Data East Edition at Woot for under $45, and the retro handheld is worth grabbing if you're not waiting on the Rare version.
The "oldest" Nintendo PlayStation add-on now lives at the National Videogame Museum, and it almost looks like one of my weird SNES accessories
News The National Videogame Museum in Texas has acquired an early Nintendo PlayStation attachment that's the "only known unit to exist".
It's no Steam Machine, but if you've got a grand to splash on a tiny rig, I'd check out this NES-inspired mini PC
News The ACEMAGIC Retro X5 Mini PC that packs 32GB RAM and a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 into a NES-themed shell just hit Amazon, and could serve as a lower spec Steam Machine
26 years ago today, the PS2 arrived and changed console gaming as we know it, and I'm giving it modern gifts for its birthday
News The PS2 is celebrating its 26th birthday, and I'm still using my original retro console today alongside gadgets that give it a modern edge.
