Archivist Rowan
@thememorycore.bsky.social
Hi! I write a newsletter covering the latest in emulation, handhelds, and retro games.
Learn more and sign up: https://thememorycore.com/
Learn more and sign up: https://thememorycore.com/
Check out my interview with the founder of Afterplay. It covers everything from the limits of browser-based emulation to AI in development and the platform's new storefront for modern indie retro games.
"PSP And Dreamcast Are The Most Likely To Land Next" - Afterplay Creator On Pushing The Limits Of Browser-Based Emulation.
"PSP And Dreamcast Are The Most Likely To Land Next" - Afterplay Creator On Pushing The Limits Of Browser-Based Emulation
"The bigger dream, being the default place to play retro games, we’re still working on"
www.timeextension.com
July 14, 2026 at 11:27 AM
Check out my interview with the founder of Afterplay. It covers everything from the limits of browser-based emulation to AI in development and the platform's new storefront for modern indie retro games.
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
Launching a new website about video games today. Meet @respec.net.
A sibling to @rpgsite.net, a spiritual successor to VG247, & a brother from another mother to other 100% independent UK media brands like @videogameschronicle.com and @trueachievements.com.
www.respec.net/feature/87-w...
A sibling to @rpgsite.net, a spiritual successor to VG247, & a brother from another mother to other 100% independent UK media brands like @videogameschronicle.com and @trueachievements.com.
www.respec.net/feature/87-w...
Welcome to Respec: A word from the Editors | Respec
Welcome to our new little corner of the internet. Why a new video game website, and why now? Allow us to explain...
www.respec.net
July 9, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Launching a new website about video games today. Meet @respec.net.
A sibling to @rpgsite.net, a spiritual successor to VG247, & a brother from another mother to other 100% independent UK media brands like @videogameschronicle.com and @trueachievements.com.
www.respec.net/feature/87-w...
A sibling to @rpgsite.net, a spiritual successor to VG247, & a brother from another mother to other 100% independent UK media brands like @videogameschronicle.com and @trueachievements.com.
www.respec.net/feature/87-w...
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
My first review for @timeextension.com is live. Go read it!
Despite the questionable name, the RG Vita Pro is a solid widescreen handheld, and I loved revisiting my favorite PSP games.
I can't say the same about PS Vita games, but who has favorite Vita games anyway? 🙃
Despite the questionable name, the RG Vita Pro is a solid widescreen handheld, and I loved revisiting my favorite PSP games.
I can't say the same about PS Vita games, but who has favorite Vita games anyway? 🙃
Review: Anbernic RG Vita Pro - A Vita In Name Only, And That's Okay.
Review: Anbernic RG Vita Pro - A Vita In Name Only, And That's Okay
It looks like a duck, but doesn’t walk like one
www.timeextension.com
April 24, 2026 at 6:49 PM
My first review for @timeextension.com is live. Go read it!
Despite the questionable name, the RG Vita Pro is a solid widescreen handheld, and I loved revisiting my favorite PSP games.
I can't say the same about PS Vita games, but who has favorite Vita games anyway? 🙃
Despite the questionable name, the RG Vita Pro is a solid widescreen handheld, and I loved revisiting my favorite PSP games.
I can't say the same about PS Vita games, but who has favorite Vita games anyway? 🙃
ANBERNIC went HARD on lifestyle with the RG Rotate, and I'm kinda here for it.
Still strange that it doesn't have a headphone jack, but I'm going to assume there's a USB-C dongle in the box. The speaker layout is also suspect. Single rear-firing?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFh...
Still strange that it doesn't have a headphone jack, but I'm going to assume there's a USB-C dongle in the box. The speaker layout is also suspect. Single rear-firing?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFh...
ANBERNIC RG Rotate Hands-On
YouTube video by ANBERNIC
www.youtube.com
April 21, 2026 at 10:36 AM
ANBERNIC went HARD on lifestyle with the RG Rotate, and I'm kinda here for it.
Still strange that it doesn't have a headphone jack, but I'm going to assume there's a USB-C dongle in the box. The speaker layout is also suspect. Single rear-firing?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFh...
Still strange that it doesn't have a headphone jack, but I'm going to assume there's a USB-C dongle in the box. The speaker layout is also suspect. Single rear-firing?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFh...
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
🚀 Delta 2.0b3 is now available for all Patrons!
This beta packs in a lot of new QoL features and updates that players have been waiting for including:
⭐️ Recents & Favorites
⏸️ Redesigned Pause Menu for Liquid Glass
🕹️ Refined RetroAchievements UI
This beta packs in a lot of new QoL features and updates that players have been waiting for including:
⭐️ Recents & Favorites
⏸️ Redesigned Pause Menu for Liquid Glass
🕹️ Refined RetroAchievements UI
April 2, 2026 at 9:15 PM
🚀 Delta 2.0b3 is now available for all Patrons!
This beta packs in a lot of new QoL features and updates that players have been waiting for including:
⭐️ Recents & Favorites
⏸️ Redesigned Pause Menu for Liquid Glass
🕹️ Refined RetroAchievements UI
This beta packs in a lot of new QoL features and updates that players have been waiting for including:
⭐️ Recents & Favorites
⏸️ Redesigned Pause Menu for Liquid Glass
🕹️ Refined RetroAchievements UI
Higher res leaked images of ANBERNIC's wacky flipping handheld reveal its name to be RG Rotate. The 1:1 handheld will have a 2000mAh battery.
It also looks like a killer DAP, but initial leaks don't appear to show a headphone jack...
It also looks like a killer DAP, but initial leaks don't appear to show a headphone jack...
April 2, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Higher res leaked images of ANBERNIC's wacky flipping handheld reveal its name to be RG Rotate. The 1:1 handheld will have a 2000mAh battery.
It also looks like a killer DAP, but initial leaks don't appear to show a headphone jack...
It also looks like a killer DAP, but initial leaks don't appear to show a headphone jack...
The RAMpocalypse has claimed another victim. Today AYANEO announced that the NEXT 2 Indiegogo campaign, which launched last month, will no longer be taking pre-orders.
"At present, the total cost of the product has far exceeded our selling price, even approaching twice the price we originally set"
"At present, the total cost of the product has far exceeded our selling price, even approaching twice the price we originally set"
March 23, 2026 at 4:24 PM
The RAMpocalypse has claimed another victim. Today AYANEO announced that the NEXT 2 Indiegogo campaign, which launched last month, will no longer be taking pre-orders.
"At present, the total cost of the product has far exceeded our selling price, even approaching twice the price we originally set"
"At present, the total cost of the product has far exceeded our selling price, even approaching twice the price we originally set"
Dig out your Wiimote and Sensor Bar, because Nintendo Wii #RetroAchievements are here!
This is the latest major rollout, and its a big one. A special launch event will run for four months, with the goal of getting as many points as possible. More details below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTv...
This is the latest major rollout, and its a big one. A special launch event will run for four months, with the goal of getting as many points as possible. More details below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTv...
Everything You Need to Know for Wii Retroachievements!
YouTube video by RetroAchievements
www.youtube.com
March 19, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Dig out your Wiimote and Sensor Bar, because Nintendo Wii #RetroAchievements are here!
This is the latest major rollout, and its a big one. A special launch event will run for four months, with the goal of getting as many points as possible. More details below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTv...
This is the latest major rollout, and its a big one. A special launch event will run for four months, with the goal of getting as many points as possible. More details below.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOTv...
After a little mix up, the ANBERNIC RG VITA pricing is here:
RG VITA: $99 (72 hours), $109.99 retail
RG VITA Pro: $139.99 (72 hours), $149.99 retail
That's a tough sell compared to older #retrohandhelds like the RP5. Pre-orders start March 23.
RG VITA: $99 (72 hours), $109.99 retail
RG VITA Pro: $139.99 (72 hours), $149.99 retail
That's a tough sell compared to older #retrohandhelds like the RP5. Pre-orders start March 23.
March 19, 2026 at 10:24 AM
After a little mix up, the ANBERNIC RG VITA pricing is here:
RG VITA: $99 (72 hours), $109.99 retail
RG VITA Pro: $139.99 (72 hours), $149.99 retail
That's a tough sell compared to older #retrohandhelds like the RP5. Pre-orders start March 23.
RG VITA: $99 (72 hours), $109.99 retail
RG VITA Pro: $139.99 (72 hours), $149.99 retail
That's a tough sell compared to older #retrohandhelds like the RP5. Pre-orders start March 23.
More bad news for the #retrogaming handheld scene. Retroid has "temporarily discontinued" the Pocket G2, citing "fluctuations in memory pricing".
The Pocket 5 is still available, but the Pocket Classic will jump to $149 starting Friday.
I fear that this is only the beginning.
The Pocket 5 is still available, but the Pocket Classic will jump to $149 starting Friday.
I fear that this is only the beginning.
March 17, 2026 at 9:48 AM
More bad news for the #retrogaming handheld scene. Retroid has "temporarily discontinued" the Pocket G2, citing "fluctuations in memory pricing".
The Pocket 5 is still available, but the Pocket Classic will jump to $149 starting Friday.
I fear that this is only the beginning.
The Pocket 5 is still available, but the Pocket Classic will jump to $149 starting Friday.
I fear that this is only the beginning.
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
Hi everyone. Things have been happening in the fan-translation scene and I've been overdue in talking about them. For the first time ever I've made a long writeup. Please read it and feel free to reach out to me with comments.
The deadly serious part-time unofficial hobby of videogame fan-translation
The very serious part-time unofficial hobby of videogame fan-translation Hi. A couple of things have happened in the “scene” that prompted me to make this writeup, and I’m probably overdue in …
medium.com
March 16, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Hi everyone. Things have been happening in the fan-translation scene and I've been overdue in talking about them. For the first time ever I've made a long writeup. Please read it and feel free to reach out to me with comments.
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
Release 2603 is live! In this Progress Report, we improved the NAS experience, have an epic tale of a math bug and the community that would not give up, patched more games, doubled the performance of Rogue Squadron III, and more!
dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/03...
dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/03...
Dolphin Progress Report: Release 2603
Dolphin started out as a GameCube emulator in 2003. In 2008, experimental Wii support was added. And now, in 2026, Dolphin enters the realm of arcade emulation with support for the Sega, Namco, and Ni...
dolphin-emu.org
March 12, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Release 2603 is live! In this Progress Report, we improved the NAS experience, have an epic tale of a math bug and the community that would not give up, patched more games, doubled the performance of Rogue Squadron III, and more!
dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/03...
dolphin-emu.org/blog/2026/03...
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
I want to introduce you all to something myself and @jacksonwryan.com have been working on.
A PRINT MAGAZINE about video games and video game culture.
We know things have been bad for games writing recently. We're asking, "do you want to Continue?"
www.kickstarter.com/projects/con...
A PRINT MAGAZINE about video games and video game culture.
We know things have been bad for games writing recently. We're asking, "do you want to Continue?"
www.kickstarter.com/projects/con...
CONTINUE: A Defiant, New Videogames Magazine
Bringing together journalists, devs and artists, CONTINUE celebrates and interrogates videogame culture, creativity and community
www.kickstarter.com
March 10, 2026 at 11:30 PM
I want to introduce you all to something myself and @jacksonwryan.com have been working on.
A PRINT MAGAZINE about video games and video game culture.
We know things have been bad for games writing recently. We're asking, "do you want to Continue?"
www.kickstarter.com/projects/con...
A PRINT MAGAZINE about video games and video game culture.
We know things have been bad for games writing recently. We're asking, "do you want to Continue?"
www.kickstarter.com/projects/con...
It looks like PS3 emulation on handhelds is finally getting an upgrade. But before you get too excited, it's only for x86 devices.
March 10, 2026 at 8:56 PM
It looks like PS3 emulation on handhelds is finally getting an upgrade. But before you get too excited, it's only for x86 devices.
MagicX is gearing up for a full reveal of its next two #emulation handhelds, the Two Dream Light and Two Dream Pro.
Specs:
Light: Helio G99, 3+32GB
Pro: Dimensity 7300, 4+64GB
Both are 3:4, and should be solid devices for retro emulation. Hopefully the low RAM can keep the price manageable.
Specs:
Light: Helio G99, 3+32GB
Pro: Dimensity 7300, 4+64GB
Both are 3:4, and should be solid devices for retro emulation. Hopefully the low RAM can keep the price manageable.
March 10, 2026 at 9:56 AM
MagicX is gearing up for a full reveal of its next two #emulation handhelds, the Two Dream Light and Two Dream Pro.
Specs:
Light: Helio G99, 3+32GB
Pro: Dimensity 7300, 4+64GB
Both are 3:4, and should be solid devices for retro emulation. Hopefully the low RAM can keep the price manageable.
Specs:
Light: Helio G99, 3+32GB
Pro: Dimensity 7300, 4+64GB
Both are 3:4, and should be solid devices for retro emulation. Hopefully the low RAM can keep the price manageable.
It's hard to even take this number seriously.
$1 billion?
My mind immediately goes to Dr. Evil and his pinky. We're just making numbers up here, folks.
www.tomshardware.com/video-games/...
$1 billion?
My mind immediately goes to Dr. Evil and his pinky. We're just making numbers up here, folks.
www.tomshardware.com/video-games/...
Palmer Luckey’s retro gaming venture seeks $1 billion valuation as FPGA-based Nintendo 64 clone launch nears — ModRetro's M64 console plays original N64 cartridges, supports 4K resolution
Retro gaming venture has just one product launch behind it.
www.tomshardware.com
March 9, 2026 at 9:20 PM
It's hard to even take this number seriously.
$1 billion?
My mind immediately goes to Dr. Evil and his pinky. We're just making numbers up here, folks.
www.tomshardware.com/video-games/...
$1 billion?
My mind immediately goes to Dr. Evil and his pinky. We're just making numbers up here, folks.
www.tomshardware.com/video-games/...
This week's #emulation news roundup:
- One of the best game preservation services is dead
- 10 free Pokémon FireRed ROM hacks to play instead of spending $20 on a ROM
- Handheld prices are going up soon
- A Nintendo lawsuit we can all get behind
- And more!
👇 www.thememorycore.com/mar-7-2026/ 👇
- One of the best game preservation services is dead
- 10 free Pokémon FireRed ROM hacks to play instead of spending $20 on a ROM
- Handheld prices are going up soon
- A Nintendo lawsuit we can all get behind
- And more!
👇 www.thememorycore.com/mar-7-2026/ 👇
Myrient says goodbye, 10 Pokémon FireRed ROM hacks that aren't $20, and more
👋 Hello and welcome to another edition of The Memory Core newsletter! This week was a huge one for news, so there's a lot to get through here.
For starters, it's time to say goodbye to one of the mos...
www.thememorycore.com
March 7, 2026 at 3:11 PM
This week's #emulation news roundup:
- One of the best game preservation services is dead
- 10 free Pokémon FireRed ROM hacks to play instead of spending $20 on a ROM
- Handheld prices are going up soon
- A Nintendo lawsuit we can all get behind
- And more!
👇 www.thememorycore.com/mar-7-2026/ 👇
- One of the best game preservation services is dead
- 10 free Pokémon FireRed ROM hacks to play instead of spending $20 on a ROM
- Handheld prices are going up soon
- A Nintendo lawsuit we can all get behind
- And more!
👇 www.thememorycore.com/mar-7-2026/ 👇
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
While you wait for Pokemon Pokopia to release, generate your own custom version of the logo with the Pokopia Font Generator! Featuring a hand-made custom recreation of the logo font.
Pokopia Font Logo Generator
Recreate the colorful sticker-style typography from the Pokémon Pokopia logo. Features a custom font, rotating letter colors, green ditto blob background, and two special characters — the Ditto face (uppercase I) and the Pokéball O — drawn directly from the original title card.
pixelframe.design
March 1, 2026 at 6:55 AM
While you wait for Pokemon Pokopia to release, generate your own custom version of the logo with the Pokopia Font Generator! Featuring a hand-made custom recreation of the logo font.
Oof, AYN will increase the price of the Thor and Odin 3 starting on March 8th. Pre-orders for the next batch start on the 1st, so you still have a few days to lock in the lower prices if you really want one.
Still, not a great sign for the gaming handheld scene going forward.
Still, not a great sign for the gaming handheld scene going forward.
February 28, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Oof, AYN will increase the price of the Thor and Odin 3 starting on March 8th. Pre-orders for the next batch start on the 1st, so you still have a few days to lock in the lower prices if you really want one.
Still, not a great sign for the gaming handheld scene going forward.
Still, not a great sign for the gaming handheld scene going forward.
Reposted by Archivist Rowan
OK, here's my "the (English) Pokemon Pokémon game for the Nintendo Switch system" cursory analysis.
First of all, I dumped the game to immediately discover the most sad romfs ever:
First of all, I dumped the game to immediately discover the most sad romfs ever:
February 27, 2026 at 6:20 PM
OK, here's my "the (English) Pokemon Pokémon game for the Nintendo Switch system" cursory analysis.
First of all, I dumped the game to immediately discover the most sad romfs ever:
First of all, I dumped the game to immediately discover the most sad romfs ever:
This week in the newsletter: Gamma is teaming up with ANBERNIC, early Nintendo 3DS RetroAchievements news, and a "brand-new Mana adventure" for the Game Boy.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-27-2026/ 👇
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-27-2026/ 👇
ANBERNIC's secret weapon, 3DS RetroAchievements news, and more
🤒 Hello and welcome to another edition of The Memory Core newsletter! I had planned on sending a separate newsletter earlier this week, but instead I spent the week sick in bed.
As a result, I've got...
www.thememorycore.com
February 27, 2026 at 1:55 PM
This week in the newsletter: Gamma is teaming up with ANBERNIC, early Nintendo 3DS RetroAchievements news, and a "brand-new Mana adventure" for the Game Boy.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-27-2026/ 👇
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-27-2026/ 👇
GameSir is best known in the #emulation community for GameHub, but its next project takes aim at retro consoles.
GameSir Boy is a new app with built-in cores for seven systems and free open-source games.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-23-2026-... 👇
GameSir Boy is a new app with built-in cores for seven systems and free open-source games.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-23-2026-... 👇
Exclusive: Hands-on with GameSir’s RetroArch alternative with free games
📲 Hello and welcome to another edition of The Memory Core newsletter! This time, I have an exclusive sneak peek at GameSir's big play for emulation on phones, and you can try it out yourself today!
T...
www.thememorycore.com
February 23, 2026 at 3:31 PM
GameSir is best known in the #emulation community for GameHub, but its next project takes aim at retro consoles.
GameSir Boy is a new app with built-in cores for seven systems and free open-source games.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-23-2026-... 👇
GameSir Boy is a new app with built-in cores for seven systems and free open-source games.
👇 www.thememorycore.com/feb-23-2026-... 👇
This week in #emulation news:
Citron pulls a Jesus ahead of Easter, a very suggestive handheld, and new tools for N64 homebrew game development.
👇 Read the roundup 👇
www.thememorycore.com/feb-20-2026/
Citron pulls a Jesus ahead of Easter, a very suggestive handheld, and new tools for N64 homebrew game development.
👇 Read the roundup 👇
www.thememorycore.com/feb-20-2026/
The week that Citron died (... or did it?)
🍊 Hello and welcome to another roundup edition of The Memory Core newsletter!
This was a huge week for emulation news (for handhelds, not so much), but I want to highlight one particular story before...
www.thememorycore.com
February 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
This week in #emulation news:
Citron pulls a Jesus ahead of Easter, a very suggestive handheld, and new tools for N64 homebrew game development.
👇 Read the roundup 👇
www.thememorycore.com/feb-20-2026/
Citron pulls a Jesus ahead of Easter, a very suggestive handheld, and new tools for N64 homebrew game development.
👇 Read the roundup 👇
www.thememorycore.com/feb-20-2026/
Great news: Offline RetroAchievements are here! A test build for melonDS features Offline RA support, and you can download it now.
Surprisingly, it didn't require server-side changes. Here's how it works:
👉 www.thememorycore.com/feb-18-2026-...
Surprisingly, it didn't require server-side changes. Here's how it works:
👉 www.thememorycore.com/feb-18-2026-...
Offline RetroAchievements have now been unlocked: Here's how they work
🏆 Hello and welcome to a special edition of The Memory Core newsletter! This one is all about RetroAchievements, which is on the cusp of unlocking offline achievements for the first time.
And I playe...
www.thememorycore.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Great news: Offline RetroAchievements are here! A test build for melonDS features Offline RA support, and you can download it now.
Surprisingly, it didn't require server-side changes. Here's how it works:
👉 www.thememorycore.com/feb-18-2026-...
Surprisingly, it didn't require server-side changes. Here's how it works:
👉 www.thememorycore.com/feb-18-2026-...