I just play Steam Deck and write about gaming + Linux a lot
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Cake day: February 26th, 2025
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5·3 days agoI’m pretty sure the official TPU case does a lot of the work to keep it even when it closes:
https://www.ayntec.com/products/thor-tpu-shell
Back when I reviewed the Pro before release, that was a main point of concern for people (well, not so much the force of it as you write, more how it all hinges on one center point to diffuse the force!)
This case is raised on the edges, so when you close it, the edges of the screen rest on it, rather than having the sides of the top screen not in contact with the base of the handheld
I hope this makes sense with how I am describing it
I am so excited to share my interview with her!!! She’s the best :)
If you don’t have the Pro, then use the drop-down box to filter it to your Thor model :)
Thank you!!!
I know this is a huge read, but I hope there’s some interesting things in there for you :)
Are you running stock, or NextUI? I’ve certainly not had that kind of battery loss!
Here’s my own review of the Rotate, just for some context:
https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-anbernic-rg-rotate/
But yes, the RG Rotate is far more powerful. It’ll run your PSX games upscaled. This one has 3GB RAM, which is a far cry from the RGSP’s 1GB, so you’ll have the benefits of:
- Upscaling the PlayStation (or N64, or DC) games without an issue
- Having enough overhead to run whatever shaders you like. I only tried a few, because shaders are just not my thing. But they’ll absolutely be happier on the Rotate
- Enough power in the to run some fun Android games. I know, you’re looking for specifically retro, but it is nice to have options.
- It is also beautifully unique. I love the rotating screen. I just had another delivered actually. Anbernic sent me the metal one to review back on release, but I just got the plastic version for a follow-up article I’m working on right now! My most recommended apps, programs and some physical accessories.
If GBA is your dream, you just can’t beat the RGSP. If you want DC/N64/PSX without compromises? Then the Rotate is your answer. I do just love them both though, just for different reasons.
I’ve had so many SP’s, but I think while I adore the form factor so much, the modern conveniences of things like save states, fast-forwarding, the display and all the other bits make this the logical choice…for me.
Physical it feels exactly the same in my hands, a perfect little boxy box :)
But seems like the tape mod is supposed to work pretty well?
I wouldn’t even call these the most clicky-clicky. They are a bit, but they’re really fine. Two layers will dampen that totally though, and you’ll have zero issues at all. I really can’t recommend this one enough, if you’re after GBA games as good as they can be!
This one solves that! Close the lid and it will suspend right there until you open it :)
And being Linux means that the battery life will be much better with that closed-lid suspension over what Android would manage!!!
Good point, I should have been a little clearer with my wording. The hypervisor technique itself isn’t a Linux invention, and you’re right that the underlying method originated from Windows research.
The Linux angle is more about how the community has been applying it now: using Proton/Wine compatibility layers to run Windows games on Linux in a way that interacts differently with Denuvo’s checks. That distinction is what made it interesting from a totally Linux gaming perspective, especially given how unusual it is for Linux compatibility layers to become part of the discussion around a major DRM breakthrough.
I’ll update the article wording because “Linux-based breakthrough” makes it sound like Linux created the exploit itself, which isn’t what I intended!
Dodi was lovely. At the time he was literally getting married (the day before, of or after…I forget exactly which!), in Egypt which is his home. FitGirl is far funnier than I expected, we used to check in every now and then, but that has long-since ended. She’s also got an iron-clad no press rule nowdays. Empress was brilliant, I’ll fight tooth and nail on that, in the early days she was brilliant. But…that ‘front’ wasn’t put up, she was and is quite ‘unique’ in her views.
There was a few others too, I found it really interesting to reach out to these names, they were all just quite surprised because few ever did!
Hey there.
No, it is not easily removed within days. I’m more impressed than most by Voices, but he has cracked four games released in 2026 so far.
Is this just an ad?
It is news. Did you know this before my post? If not, we call this ‘learning something from news’
Hi there!
I’m the author. Not only have I chatted to Voices, but I did an AMA with Dodi, organized the same with FitGirl (which didn’t actually happen), and even chatted to Empress. Which…wasn’t very fun. I’ve interviewed KaOs and also the gentleman behind Ghost eShop for jailbroken Switches. This is just to say I know the scene, and I know the people.
Denuvo has been almost universally cracked since the start of this year, author sounds pretty out of date to be talking as if this is a recent development.
Seems there was about 20 games released this year with Denuvo. Voices has changed the scene a lot, but he can only do so much. Now he’s using A.I. to help with his process this is speeding up a ton, but he cannot possibly keep up with ‘demand’ as it were. I found four he’s done, for 2026 releases:
- Resident Evil Requiem (February 2026)
- PRAGMATA (April 2026)
- LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (May 2026)
- 007 First Light (May 2026)
It certainly hasn’t been “universally cracked”. It will get quicker, but it is still an effort. One game every two weeks or so at the moment.
universally cracked
This is not only a stretch, it isn’t true. The fun thing is that he has cracked 2026’s build, and then their updated build, then a day one release. From a technical POV, it is super interesting to see.
I think the trigger sound is so funny. For some it is the literal devil (me), for others they enjoy the sound of it working (you), the nice thing I’ve found is two layers of kapton tape in there make it what I prefer. So there are options!
I’d love the PS2/Original Xbox (even X360) era games on my lap…
PS2 and some original Xbox games are doable! Take the Retroid Pocket 5 or 6 for example. My 6 I reviewed played at the screen’s limit without breaking a sweat (5x upscale), and the Odin 3 Max I reviewed managed upscaling to 4K on the Elite chip. Original Xbox games are a mixed bag though, emulation development for that platform is very far behind PS2 or GCN. Sadly :(
(and thank you, as always for reading along! I appreicate it so much!)
I use my Brick Hammer almost daily! I love that handheld so much, to me it might be the perfect premium feeling device.
https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-trimui-brick-hammer-metal-perfection/
I reviewed that one some months back!
Of the two, if you are happy without sticks and a smaller screen (you need good eyes!), then the Brick Hammer is the better of the two.
That said the Brick Hammer Pro U will be on its way to me to review soon, so I’ll see how they did with the metal body and twin sticks with their very first Android effort soon enough :)
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Go get it out!
I think PSPs are super viable, even today. I use mine more than two of the retro handhelds I have which run 16GB of RAM. Looking forward to how you find it regardless though, after such a long time of not using it
I’ll recommend RetroDECK for emulation on the Steam Deck!
You’re welcome!!!
Have fun!
You can even run GTA 3 (rebuilt in the Liberty City Stories engine) on your PSP-1000 if you’d be so inclined after jailbreaking!
I interviewed the folk behind it (Barcode Studia) a little while ago, and they made sure that not only was the game emulateable but playable on every PSP model, including the PSP-1000 :)
Yes, absolutely no difference! It works just the same :)
Thank you so much!
…mostly for turning a blind eye to what is obviously just a giant and elaborate excuse for me to write about the PSP again!!!
I got lucky buying this white one for roughly $33 USD :)
Don’t lament your silver though! They’re so beautiful, and all those marks it has just shows the history of it in your possession!
:)
If you followed the link above, that is for the Thor Pro, which runs them really quite well.
Plenty of YouTube demonstrations if youre curious. It has a strong chip, so it handles them well. Not quite Odin 3 levels (SD Elite), but, really well. PC emulation is a big thing for these handhelds.