Expedition: Handheld

Latest Episodes:

Episode 37: Best Entry Level Handheld, OLED vs LCD On Handhelds & More Nov 06, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides dig even deeper into Atlas 8 testing and why it's our sleeper hit of the year, how new drivers are breathing life into older hardware, and debate on the metrics of OLED vs LCD screens, and much more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:25 - News: AYASpace 2 announced

00:12:24 - Acer Predator Atlas 8

00:25:46 - Anbernic RG 476H (ARMSX2 updates, Mali drivers)

00:35:41 - Analogue Pocket d-pad mod

00:40:50 - Playdate Season 3 (Hellevator)

00:47:55 - Slot. for Konkr Pocket Advance

00:49:53 - Q&A: Best starter handheld?

00:57:26 - Q&A: OLED vs LCD on handhelds

01:03:31 - Q&A: Should I get a dual-screen handheld?

01:10:33 - Outro

Links:

- AYASpace 2: https://www.ayaneo.com/pocket-museum/en/

- Atlas 8 review: https://youtu.be/0licZS9bVkI?si=3HN1ZN3xSJcFiEtB

- Hellevator: https://play.date/games/hellevator/

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 36: Atlas 8 First Impressions, Transformative RP Duo Drivers & More Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides provide their initial thoughts on the Predator Atlas 8, dive into more RP Duo testing, ponder on how the Superstation Pocket can disrupt the market, and much more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:36 - News: Acer Predator Atlas 8 launch

00:09:02 - News: Azahar distances from Anbernic

00:18:11 - News: Superstation Pocket teased

00:30:10 - PSA: GOFO Chicago

00:34:28 - Atlas 8 first impressions

01:17:45 - New Retroid Pocket Duo drivers

01:29:03 - Acemagic retro game console

01:36:00 - Q: Odin 3 Portal Pro or Max?

01:44:02 - Q: What if Duo or DDS launched before the Thor?

01:47:20 - Q: Is Armada worth it on the Thor?

01:50:56 - Outro

Links:

- Atlas 8: https://www.acer.com/us-en/predator/handheld-gaming/predator-atlas/predator-atlas-8

- Azahar: https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/retro/we-recommend-looking-for-alternatives-the-anbernic-rg-dds-just-lost-official-support-from-the-best-3ds-emulator-and-its-thanks-to-unofficial-piracy-focused-forks/

- Superstation Pocket: https://retrohandhelds.gg/retro-remake-is-back-with-a-portable-fpga/

- GOFO Chicago PSA: https://retrohandhelds.gg/some-retroid-customers-are-getting-packages-just-not-their-handhelds/

- Acemagic console: https://youtu.be/3NsYeoeoqfc?si=msHWCQsFMxYxQJrA

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 35: Russ' Beloved Odin 3 Grows Up, Adam Tries ArmadaOS, & More Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides take you through the lastest Anbernic and Ayn product launches, why FSR 4.1 is a big deal for handhelds, what was inside the package Russ sent to Adam, and much more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:02:45 - News: Anbernic removes bundles

00:06:56 - News: Anbernic RG DDS pricing

00:12:53 - News: Ayn Odin 3 Portal announced

00:27:23 - News: FSR 4.1 coming to handhelds

00:48:47 - Konkr Pocket Advance

00:58:37 - ArmadaOS on Ayaneo Pocket S2 Pro

01:14:18 - Retro Pixel Pocket

01:21:42 - Q: Would you keep using Windows?

01:31:00 - Q: Sell Steam Deck for Odin 3 Portal?

01:36:10 - Q: Has the scene changed?

01:45:21 - Q: iPhone Duo plan?

01:50:08 - Outro

Links:

- Ayn Odin 3 Portal: https://www.ayntec.com/products/odin3-portal

- FSR 4.1 AMD blog: https://www.amdgaming.com/blog-news/amd-fsr-upscaling-41-for-desktop-laptop-handheld-and-console

- FSR Redstone supported games: https://www.amd.com/en/products/graphics/technologies/fidelityfx/supported-games.html

- ArmadaOS setup guide: https://armadaos.dev/getting-started/flashing-to-an-sd-card/

- Retro Pixel Pocket: https://funnyplaying.com/products/retro-pixel-pocket

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 34: RG DDS Drops, Xbox Ally X20 Testing, Pocket Duo & More Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides give their thoughts on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20, how the Retroid Pocket Duo slots into the clamshell landscape, the introduction of the Anbernic RG DDS, and much more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:45 - News: Anbernic RG DDS announced

00:20:53 - News: ESA targets Anbernic

00:34:15 - Retroid Pocket Duo

01:00:58 - Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20

01:31:34 - Q: New AMD chip in the next year?

01:41:16 - Q: Why so many 16:9 devices before 4:3?

01:46:32 - Q: Bad to test drive a device?

01:54:46 - Outro

Links:

- RG DDS news: https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-anbernic-rg-dds-might-be-the-retroid-pocket-duo-rival-weve-been-waiting-for/

- RG DDS thoughts: https://youtu.be/J-RIMA10yU4?si=MyOcE5MilJlgFJAG

- ESA targets Anbernic: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/10/esa-targets-anbernic-emulation-handhelds-as-superfake-piracy-enablers/

- Retroid Pocket Duo impressions: https://youtu.be/ETq7F9KvuQg?si=16lFYKXlKDStgcJe

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 33: Evercade Nexus Testing, Slot Firmware, FSR 4 On Handhelds & More Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides cover FSR 4 "light" coming to handhelds, RG SP Slot firmware, and the Evercade Nexus launch.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:07:21 - News: FSR 4 for handhelds

00:10:34 - News: Steam Deck 2 rumor context

00:35:19 - Random things in Russ' pocket

00:41:26 - RG SP Slot firmware

00:50:33 - Evercade Nexus testing

01:11:02 - Other handhelds Adam tested during move

01:17:26 - Galaxy Z Fold 8

01:23:21 - Q&A

01:37:42 - Outro

Links:

- FSR 4 on handhelds: https://videocardz.com/newz/amd-says-fsr-4-is-coming-to-apus-gaming-laptops-and-handhelds-by-the-end-of-2026

- RDNA 4 priorities: https://www.techpowerup.com/331727/amd-focused-on-delivering-rdna-4-to-desktop-mobile-a-secondary-concern

- RDNA 3.5 longevity rumor: https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/amd/amd-rdna-35-2029-rumors

- RDNA 4m rumors: https://www.techpowerup.com/353307/amd-ryzen-z3-reportedly-packs-6-cpu-cores-and-12-rdna-4m-gpu-cus

- AMD partnership with Samsung: https://overclock3d.net/news/gpu-displays/amd-mobile-partnerships-bear-fruit-with-rdna-3-5-efficiency-boost/

- Slot firmware for RG SP: https://youtu.be/vndbnpH0QoE?si=11ZeuTQjf2YDORD4

- Evercade Nexus: https://evercade.co.uk/evercade-nexus/

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 32: The Phawx Is Here! Konkr Pocket Block Launch, Duo Lite Ships & More Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Russ Crandall and Cary from The Phawx take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming!

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:03:56 - News: RP Duo Lite Plus

00:20:18 - What's in our Pocket

00:56:25 - Q&A

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 31: Duo Lite Impressions, Galaxy Z Fold 8 For Gaming & More Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides cover the Retroid Pocket Duo kerfuffle, why Russ is returning his Steam Frame, and more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:34 - News: RP Duo Lite Plus

00:24:21 - News: Konkr Pocket Advance delays

00:29:17 - Retroid Pocket Duo Lite impressions

00:53:18 - Returning the Steam Frame

01:04:35 - Galaxy Z Fold 8 for gaming

01:15:59 - Q&A

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 30: Control Resonant On Handhelds, RG DS Plus Testing, RP Duo Expectations & More Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast as Adam Patrick Murray and Russ Crandall take you on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry your guides cover what we expect from the Retroid Pocket Duo, how it is to use the RG DS Plus on the bus, and how Control Resonant runs on handhelds.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:55 - News: Retroid Pocket Duo pricing

00:10:58 - News: Retroid sale

00:16:49 - News: Steam Frame reviews

00:25:45 - News PixelAA shader fix

00:29:20 - RG DS Plus testing

01:11:03 - Control Resonant on handhelds

01:35:29 - Q&A

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 29: RP Duo Announced, RG DS+ Testing, Game Boy Pocket Discovery & More Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry Russ and Adam cover announcement of the Retroid Pocket Duo/Duo Lite, dig into Russ' thoughts so far on the Anbernic RG DS+, and talk about a bit of Game Boy history Adam's been diving into.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:06:53 - News: RG DS+ hype

00:10:43 - News: Retroid Pocket Duo

00:27:48 - News: MSI Claw 8 Blue

00:34:31 - News: DSPico IR

00:38:44 - Anbernic RG DS+

01:23:47 - Game Boy Pocket

01:34:32 - CRKD Nitro Deck 2

Links:

- Retroid Pocket Duo: https://retrohandhelds.gg/retroid-pocket-duo-recieves-its-first-announcement/

- MSI Claw 8 Blue: https://videocardz.com/newz/msi-set-to-launch-claw-8-ex-with-arc-g3-in-luminous-blue-color-at-1499

- DSPico IR: https://retrohandhelds.gg/the-dspico-is-back-and-better-than-ever-with-the-dspico-ir/

- Anbernic RG DS+ impressions: https://youtu.be/hi-vycbhlXw?si=RwqB3Y-E2EfZtOCE

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 28: Acer's Convertible Handheld, X2 Mini Pro Testing, RP Nova Setup & More Sep 05, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry Russ is back on the expedition to dive into his testing of the RG55G1 and X2 Mini Pro, break down the two new Acer handhelds announced at IFA, and break Adam's heart about how much he loves the Pocket Advance. At the top of the show Russ tells us all about his close friend and band mate Chris, who was tragically killed last month.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro & remembering Chris

00:22:21 - News: Acer handhelds at IFA 2026

00:33:44 - Opinion: Will emulation handhelds become collectibles?

00:55:06 - Konkr Pocket Advance

01:08:02 - Retroid Pocket Nova

01:32:23 - OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro

02:01:59 - Anbernic RG55G1

02:10:22 - Q: A market for older gamers?

02:15:51 - Q: 400-in-1 handheld challenge?

02:17:50 - Q: Adam cheating on Russ?

02:20:34 - Q: 57 year old arcade playing mom

02:27:08 - Outro

Links:

- Acer DualPlay Mini concept: https://www.pcworld.com/article/3224750/acers-new-gaming-handheld-has-a-tiny-laptop-hiding-inside.html

- Emulation handhelds as collectibles: https://retrohandhelds.gg/drawers-full-of-gold-are-todays-handhelds-tomorrows-collectibles/

- Konkr Pocket Advance impressions: https://youtu.be/SEoiD8NVvVw?si=qG7UNibtRlKlxXNU

- Anbernic RG55G1 review: https://youtu.be/RAhvX0aUEjQ?si=AYxnWyaeNBeqEgPe

- Retroid Pocket Nova starter guide: https://youtu.be/1lD4LYUrVgM?si=eSOE-aEnyg2Lg9x_

Join the handheld related discussions and ask us questions on Discord: https://discord.gg/UWhjwg778a

=============

PCWorld

Website: https://www.pcworld.com/

Newsletter: https://www.pcworld.com/newsletters

=============

Retro Game Corps

Website: https://retrogamecorps.com/

Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/retrogamecorps

============

Music by Our Ghosts: https://ourghosts.bandcamp.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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