Latest articles by Phil Hayton
The Arcade Classics Atari Centipede machine is a great tribute to trackball gaming, but I wish it had more tricks up its sleeve
Review The Arcade Classics Atari Centipede makes for a nice way to play some of Atari's trackball classics, but it doesn't quite beat its mean arcade machine rivals.
Dell's Alienware Area-51 PC range is back for round two with AMD X3D chipsets, but it doesn't come in price peace
News Dell has released a new collection of Alienware Area-51 PC builds for 2026 with AMD Ryzen X3D processors, but they're as pricey as you'd expect
I stand by the Commodore 64 Ultimate being the better remake, but its mini predecessor is still a cheaper gateway to '80s microcomputing
Features The Commodore 64 Ultimate is undoubtedly the best remake of the microcomputer yet, but the C64 Mini is still worth considering as a starting point.
New year, new TV? I'd highly recommend going for this older LG OLED for gaming in 2026
News I use the LG OLED C4 as my living room gaming TV, and if you can grab it at its lowest, it's well worth considering even over new models in 2026.
I tried to make my own Analogue 3D using a $35 N64 HDMI mod, and it's not as terrible as you'd think
Features Here's how you can make a cheap alternative to the Analogue 3D by HDMI modding your original N64, including how to install the mod and how it compares visually.
I'm going offline and back to my '90s retro gaming roots this Christmas, but I'll still be embracing modern luxuries
Features Here's how I'm revisiting my '90s retro console setup using modern tech this Christmas, including upscaling solutions and modernized handhelds.
The best gaming sound systems 2026: the top speakers for console and PC
Buying Guide Here are the best gaming sound system options for console and PC, including surround sound speakers and sound bars for your desk and living room.
Best curved gaming monitor 2026: displays I'd grab for immersive PC visuals
Buying Guide Here are the best curved gaming monitor options, including high refresh screens and ultrawide displays that'll envelop you with immersive visuals.
The ROG Xbox Ally is cheaper than the Steam deck OLED in a last-minute deal, and I'm laughing at the timing
News If you're quick, you can grab a ROG Xbox Ally handheld for less than a Steam Deck OLED and get it to your door in time for Christmas.
The cheapest Steam Deck is heading into retirement, and I'm already worried about handheld prices in 2026
News Valve just officially discontinued the Steam Deck LCD 256GB, meaning the $400 / £349 handheld will no longer be available once it has sold out.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 will allegedly turn into a big Steam Deck at CES, but I'm hoping it'll also be cheaper
News Rumors of a SteamOS Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld annoucement at CES 2026 are making the rounds, and it could end up being a more price-approachable version.
Amid the RAMocalypse, people are turning old AMD crypto mining "PS5" boards into Max Max Steam Machines
News It turns out you can turn AMD's BC-250 crypto mining board into a DIY Steam Machine, and it's trimmed down PS5 APU is punchier than you'd think.
Ayaneo's monstrous Next 2 is now open to sign-ups, but I'd brace for a heeby jeeby price compared to the ROG Xbox Ally X
News Early bird registrations for the Ayaneo Next 2 are now open, but the premium handheld will undoubtedly cost way more than a ROG Xbox Ally X.
The Commodore 64 Ultimate is the C64 remake enthusiasts deserve, and I’m bracing for a huge microcomputer revival
Review The Commodore 64 Ultimate is an ultra-authentic C64 remake that blends old functionality with modern tricks, and it could spark a massive microcomputing revival
Hey mom and dad, those PS5 and Xbox handhelds your kids want for Christmas aren't what you think
News If you're looking to pick up the PlayStation Portal or Xbox Ally ahead of Christmas, there are a few things you should know about both handhelds before buying.
New Analogue 3D "Funtastic" N64 colors are dropping today with 2000s vibes and matching controllers
News The Analogue 3D is getting a bunch of new colors via a highly limited Funtastic range, allowing fans to grab a 4K N64 with 2000s vibes for $299.
Abxylute just revealed a $70 Android handheld with questionable specs, but the OG Xbox lover in me is delighted
News The Abxylute E1 is a new dual OS retro handheld with Android and Linux capabilities, and while its specs are underwhelming, it is giving big OG Xbox vibes.
Leaks point towards a new OneXPlayer handheld with a next-gen "Pather Lake" Intel chip within
News Benchmarks for a yet-to-be-released OneXPlayer handheld PC with an Intel Pather Lake chipset have leaked, but it'll wear a familiar premium price tag.
Like some sort of handheld necromancer, this modder just transformed the Wii U Gamepad into a Switch Lite, and I both love and hate it
News What do you get when you cross a Switch Lite with a Wii U Gamepad? You get this Ultimate Switch U by modder KOUZEX that's beautifully cursed.
The ROG Xbox Ally just got its first ever discount, and I'd give it a chance for under $500
Deals The ROG Xbox Ally just dropped in price for the first time, and while it's not as punchy as Microsoft's flagship gaming handheld, I'd consider it at under $500.
Looks like the Asus ROG Ally just got discontinued, but it's at least down to a price I'd pay
News Looks like new Asus ROG Ally stock is no longer available at Best Buy, but there is a last chance to grab an open-box handheld for under $500.
"Dare you to turn this into a working console" - Lego's latest Creator 3-in-1 build is begging to join my functioning retro handheld collection
News You can now pre-order Lego's new Creator 3-in-1 Retro Game Console set, and I've just been dared to turn it into a functioning handheld.
One of my favorite '90s N64 games that happens to be a precursor to GTA just arrived on an emulation console I can't afford
News Body Harvest and A Boy and His Blob just arrived on the Polymega emulation console, and you can also run the former classic by the developers of GTA on a PC.
