NPC: Next Portable Console

This week, the confusing state of Switch 2 Joy-Con replacements, more on emulating PC games on Android, and we place our bets on the future of Valve's Steam Machine.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
Switching Back to Windows for Marathon
Marathon
Bazzite
SteamOS
Switch 2 Third-Party Joy-Con Controllers
Mobapad M12 HD / M12S Switch 2 Joy-Con
NYXI Hyperion 3 Switch 2 JoyPad
HORI Split Pad Pro
Android Gaming & PC Emulation on Phones
Red Magic 11 Pro
GameHub
GameNative v0.8 update
Slay the Spire 2 on Steam
AYN Thor
Gaming Tablets
Red Magic Astra tablet
Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 5 / Y700 (2026)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Steam Machine Delay
Valve Steam Machine delay
Valve reaffirms 2026 launch
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
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Credits
Show Art: Brendon Bigley
Music: Will LaPorte
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This week, more bad memory and storage news, followed by a conversation about Bloomberg's report that Sony is withdrawing from the PC gaming market and a wild Lenovo handheld.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
Nintendo Switch 2 Users Face Storage Shortage as Memory Crisis Bites
Sony Pulls Back From PlayStation Games on PC
Anbernic RG Vita Pro
Lenovo Legion Go Fold Concept
Resident Evil Requiem (RE9)
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
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This week, John, Federico, and Brendon cover the news that GameSir is bringing GameHub to the Mac and chat about the ASUS's special edition ROG Flow Z13.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
GameSir to Bring GameHub to the Mac
GameSir's GameHub is bringing Steam (PC) games to Mac
Game Porting Toolkit - Games
Emuready
The ASUS ROG Flow Z13-KJP
ROG Flow Z13-KJP | Kojima 2 in 1 Gaming Laptop
This limited edition Death Stranding-inspired tablet is the coolest computer I've ever touched
See also:
ROG Flow Z13-ACRNM RMT02 | Gaming Laptops | ROG – Republic of Gamers
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

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John tackle the RAM shortage and its effect on the handheld industry before digging into Cocoon 2.0, an excellent Android front-end for your emulators.
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
AYN Odin 3 Ultra Available Again for Pre-Order
AYN Odin 3 Ultra
RAM Shortage & Industry Impact
The out-of-stock Steam Deck is the latest victim of the RAM & storage shortage
Cocoon 2.0 Frontend
Cocoon 2.0
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

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John cover a raft of new budget handhelds a new OLED tablet from Lenovo, TrimUI leaks, and more
Also available on YouTube here.
Links and Show Notes
The Latest Portable Gaming News
News Recap
MagicX Two Dream Teased In New Images
Anbernic RG Vita is an Android handheld game console with a familiar design
Lenovo's next gaming tablet is coming soon (in China)
AYANEO Corner
AYANEO NEXT 2 handheld gaming PC with AMD Strix Halo will cost $1799 to $3499 at launch (up to $4299 retail)
Just look at Ayaneo's absolute unit of a Windows gaming "handheld"
AYANEO launches KONKR FIT handheld gaming PC with Ryzen AI 9 HX 370/470 for $999 and up
Mangmi Pocket MAX now available: Android handheld with modular controllers
Trimui 4.7-inch flip leak
TrimUI SP-Style Handheld Also Leaks
Tomb Raider Reboot Launches on iOS and Android - MacRumors
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