Latest articles by Phil Hayton
After 15 years, I still use my Nintendo 3DS regularly, but there are plenty of new ways to enjoy the handheld
News I'll be celebrating the Nintendo 3DS 15th anniversary using an original handheld, but I've also got plenty of excellent handheld homages to reccomend.
I just spotted the Steam Deck in a big horror movie sequel, and it's film debut highlights a specific handheld flaw
News The Steam Deck OLED makes its cinematic debut in Ready or Not 2: Here I come, and its presence actually highlights the horrors of handheld PC battery life.
The 3DFX Voodoo add-in card that revolutionised 3D PC gaming is getting an FPGA remake
News A 3DFX Voodoo FPGA core is in development, but we'll need something more advanced than a MiSTer to run PC games with '90s 3D acceleration.
The gray 8Bitdo N64 controller is a thing of beauty, but if you don't share my dorky passion for retro colors, you'll want to grab the cheaper white version
Deals 8Bitdo's white N64 Bluetooth controller is under $34 right now, and while I prefer the colorful gray version, the original colorway is a chunk cheaper.
"Nobody wants their games to look like Italian brainrot" - Indie publisher New Blood CEO urges devs to push back against DLSS 5
News Indie Publisher New Blood Interactive is urging players and developers to push back against DLSS 5 while comparing the situation to the rise of NFTs and crypto.
I could swap out every retro controller I own with this Sega Saturn-inspired Bluetooth gamepad, and it happens to be under $35 right now
Deals The Gulikit Elves 2 Pro is one of my go-to retro controllers for a chunk of my collection, and it just dropped to under $35 at Amazon.
Blaze is teasing a new Evercade Nexus console, and the retro gaming glutton in me is hoping it'll be a PS2 era powerhouse
News A teaser for the Evercade Nexus suggests Blaze's next cartirdge based retro console is inbound, and I'm holding out for a next-gen system that runs PS2 games.
Speculation over DLSS 5 originally being an RTX 6090 feature is growing, but I wouldn't want it near my future GPU
News Plenty of signs point towards DLSS 5 originally being a planned RTX 6090 feature, and speculation surrounding Nvidia's graphics card roadmap is growing.
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.
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.
