Expedition: Handheld

Latest Episodes:

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

Episode 27: X2 Mini Pro Impressions, Xbox Ally X20 Pricing, Bazzite Deck 44 & More Aug 29, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry Adam is joined once again by Sean Hollister, Senior Editor at The Verge, to talk about the Xbox Ally X20 stand alone pricing, a recent BIOS update bricking some Legion Gos, a portable SNES player, and first impressions of the OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro.

Read more of Sean's work on https://www.theverge.com/authors/sean-hollister

Timecodes:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:01:34) - News: Xbox Ally X20 pricing

(00:12:56) - News: Bad Legion Go BIOS update

(00:23:34) - News: Bazzite Deck 44 released

(00:39:20) - News: Nintendo slams more emulators

(00:49:11) - Epilogue SNES/GB Operator shenanigans

(01:00:28) - GameBub final hardware

(01:17:07) - DOOM on a Canon Powershot

(01:20:15) - OneXPlayer X2 Mini Pro impresssions

(01:44:23) - Outro

Links:

- Xbox Ally X20 pricing: https://www.theverge.com/games/984139/the-oled-xbox-ally-x20-officially-starts-at-1300

- Bad Legion Go BIOS: https://www.theverge.com/games/983457/lenovo-bad-legion-go-bios-update-bricked

- Bazzite Deck 44 update: https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/08/bazzite-linux-44-for-handhelds-finally-launches-with-some-massive-upgrades/

- Nintendo emulator crack down: https://torrentfreak.com/nintendo-wipes-out-400-switch-emulator-repos-in-single-day-github-sweep/

- Epilogue Operator: https://www.epilogue.co/product/sn-operator

- Sean's Frankenstein video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dclu_AskWRu/

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 26: Nova D-pad Noise, Pocket Advance Testing, Lot's Of GBA Love & More Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry Adam is once again joined by Mr. Dweeb, aka TechDweeb, to talk about so many things related to the GBA, if the Nova's d-pad is actually an issue, and a surprise D&D campaign.

Check out TechDweeb:

- https://www.youtube.com/c/TechDweeb

- https://techdweeb.straw.page/

Timecodes:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:08:27) - News: Retroid Pocket Nova d-pad noise

(00:21:55) - Brain in a jar

(00:27:54) - Konkr Pocket Advance testing

(00:55:17) - Anbernic RG SP testing

(01:28:22) - GBA love

(02:02:13) - Mini D&D scenario

(02:27:07) - Outro

Links:

- Russ' video in honor of his friend Chris: https://youtu.be/yhiffXx2FmY?si=O5AczZrEoMqOkWy3

- Nova d-pad noise: https://retrohandhelds.gg/is-your-retroid-pocket-nova-d-pad-louder-than-normal-youre-not-alone/

- Brain in a jar: https://youtu.be/sxBNk_ebti4?si=03njkqYW3zi7hZoi

- Konkr Pocket Advance review: https://youtu.be/SJy7QQ6yfeE?si=Pnydpkkljzh-lP-B

- Anbernic RG SP review: https://youtu.be/-1NsWcbE6sQ?si=QJTq5BtiIYTuO_B0

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 25: Modding Deep Dive With Your Cool Uncle Marisa Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Join the Expedition: Handheld podcast on a journey through the world of handheld gaming! In this entry Russ and Adam are joined by special guest Your Cool Uncle Marisa to chat about all things modding.

Check out Your Cool Uncle Marisa on:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@yourcoolunclemarisa

Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/yourcoolunclemarisa

Instagram - @marisamoureau

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/marisamoureau.com

Timecodes:

(00:00:00) - Intro

(00:00:45) - Who is Your Cool Uncle Marisa?

(00:12:42) - Big win for charity!

(00:22:30) - SteamOS Beta update

(00:32:08) - Modding deep dive

(01:08:57) - XTEink X4 love

(01:30:11) - Mangmi Air Y review

(01:40:07) - Retroid Pocket Nova on the bus

(01:55:07) - Anbernic RG SP warmth

(01:59:46) - Anbernic RG Rotate Cannoli

(02:03:39) - Wonderswan Color updates

(02:11:54) - Outro

Links:

- SteamOS Beta 3.8.25: https://retrohandhelds.gg/valve-adds-initial-gamepad-support-for-ayaneo-pocket-s2-in-steamos-beta-3-8-25/

- Mangmi Air Y review: https://youtu.be/wocVYbXuiho?si=4c1RA9VxBW6Yrno7

- PSP Go mod: https://youtu.be/8YHurJPVUYo?si=3sfi42JyFgIbkYXb

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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