Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, Brendon Bigley

NPC: Next Portable Console

Leisure EN ↓ 88 episodes

NPC is a podcast about one of the hottest corners of the gaming world: portable hardware. Every other week, Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, and Brendon Bigley cover portable gaming news and share their experiences with everything from the simplest retro gaming handhelds to cutting-edge handheld PCs.

Author

Federico Viticci, John Voorhees, Brendon Bigley

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

macstories.net

Latest episode

Jul 7, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

From Italy to Japan: Brendon Goes Hands‑On With the Switch 2 16.06.2025

This week on NPC, Brendon shares his first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 after UPS Japan comes knocking, and all three hosts cover a chaotic week of handheld news—from the RG Slide to a surprise ASUS/Xbox handheld. Also available on YouTube here . Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Review News Release Jun. 11, 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 Sells O...

Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions 05.06.2025

This week, Federico and John walk listeners through their first impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2, including the hardware, the setup process, Super Mario Kart World, the Zelda upgrades, the new Pro Controller, and more. Also available on YouTube here . Links and Show Notes Our Nintendo Switch 2 First Impressions Nintendo Switch 2 Beginners Guide Nintendo Switch 2 Accessories John's Tomtoc Slim...

The Year of Weird Handhelds: RG Slide Edition 03.06.2025

This week, with the Switch 2 launch just around the corner, Federico and John round up the latest Switch 2 news, get excited for a bunch of weird and wonderful upcoming handhelds, and more. Also available on YouTube here . Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Ninetendo Switch 2 N64 Games Are Getting An Upgrade Thanks To The Nintendo Switch 2 Looks like the Switch 2 is in some folks...

A Very Ticci Surprise 26.05.2025

This week, Federico drops a big gaming surprise on John after the two of them cover the latest Switch 2, MSI, and Anbernic handheld news. Also available on YouTube here . Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Samsung making its chips at potentially higher volumes than expected Nintendo Turns to Samsung to Make Chips, Ramp Up Switch 2 Production Mario Kart World originally p...

Flip, Slide, and Brick: Handheld Rumors and Nintendo Surprises 20.05.2025

This week, Federico and John round up the many new Switch 2 details that have emerged as launch day draws near. Plus, they share two new and interesting handheld rumors from Anbernic and Miyoo and more. Also available on YouTube here . This episode is sponsored by: Inoreader – Boost Productivity and Gain Insights with AI-Powered Intelligence Tools Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming Ne...

Nintendo Sues Genki, ROG Ally 2 Leaks, and Backbone Pro Debuts 10.05.2025

This week, Nintendo is back to its litigous ways, Backbone has a new controller, the Anbernic RG34XXSP is real, and not one but two ASUS Rog Ally 2s leak in FCC filings. Also available on YouTube here . Links and Show Notes Brendon spots an NPC parking lot. The Latest Portable Gaming News Nintendo Nintendo began working on Switch 2 shortly after the release of Switch 1, new Genki lawsuit papers re...

Anbernic and Ayaneo Keep Launching and a JIT Twist on iOS 05.05.2025

This week on NPC, Federico, Brendon, and John chart which handheld makers are still shipping to the U.S. in the wake of steep tariffs, then explore how speedrunners are stress‑testing Breath of the Wild at Nintendo's Switch 2 hands‑on events. Plus, they update listeners on Nintendo's release of version 20 of the original Switch's firmware, how a contempt order against Apple could unlock new busine...

Midnight Chaos: Switch 2 Pre-Order Demand Outstrips Supply 29.04.2025

This week, looming tariffs cause more handheld makers to pause shipments to the U.S., demand for the Switch 2 outstrips supply, John explains what the U.S. pre-order process was like, and we marvel at the restoration of a vintage Game Boy kiosk. Links and Show Notes Follow Up Playdate, Season 2 Preorders The Latest Portable Gaming News Tariff Update Handhelds Tariff Roundup: What to Expect Odin 2...

Handheld Gaming's Bright Summer: Mario Kart World, Playdate Season 2, and More 21.04.2025

This week, John and Federico hold down the fort without Brendon, discussing U.S. Switch 2 pre-orders, Super Mario Kart World, upcoming hardware from Epilogue, Playdate's Season 2, Razer Remote Play, and more. Links and Show Notes Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders in the U.S. Switch 2 Breath of the Wild will add weapon repairs through Zelda Notes Super Mario Kart World Nintendo Direct Federico's new ASUS...

The Switch 2: New Discoveries and Marketing Stumbles 15.04.2025

This week on NPC, the trio analyzes how tariffs have disrupted Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the U.S. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dissects new details that have emerged about the upcoming console, debate Nintendo's game pricing, ponder what console exclusivity means in 2025, and share their excitement for the Retroid Pocket Flip 2. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News Topics...

Nintendo Switch 2: Unpacking the Direct 04.04.2025

This week, Federico, John, and Brendon Bigley dive into Nintendo's reveal of the Switch 2, analyzing the technical specifications, Mouse Control, the camera accessory, the new Pro Controller, Game Share, Nintendo's strategy shift, and more. Programming Note : We're releasing this episode early while the Switch 2 news is still fresh. Therefore, there will be no episode on April 8th. Instead, we'll...

Bridging to Switch 2: Rumors, Virtual Game Card Questions, and Nintendo's Today App 01.04.2025

This week, Brendon, John, and Federico analyze the latest Nintendo Direct and what it reveals about the Switch 2's rumored June launch. Then the trio dissects the many questions that Nintendo's upcoming Virtual Game Cards system raises, explores the features of the Nintendo Today app, and debate the reported three-phase launch strategy for the next console. In the latest handheld news, they also c...

A Portal Surprise, ONEXSUGAR Chaos, and A Steam Deck Miracle 24.03.2025

This week, Brendon shares his surprising early impressions of the Ayn Odin Portal. Then Federico, John, and Brendon dive into Nintendo Switch 2 pricing rumors, explore the performance issues of Assassin's Creed Shadows on M4 Macs despite being Steam Deck verified, and break down Qualcomm's confusing new G-series chips powering upcoming handhelds. Then, the treo reacts to OneXPlayer's chaotic ONEXS...

Retroid's Rocky Road and Microsoft's Portable Plans 18.03.2025

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John dive into the ongoing Retroid Pocket Mini controversy, discussing the scaling issues, community reactions, and what it means for consumers in the retro handheld space. After addressing Retroid's troubles, they explore the Retroid Pocket Classic and pricing information for the Flip 2. To wrap up the week's news, they cover SteamOS news, AYANEO's confusing new...

Holey Controller Batman: Samsung's Prototype Handheld 11.03.2025

John, Brendon, and Federico are back for another week of handheld news, including a tiny bit of Switch 2 news, an up and down week for Retroid, DS handhelds inch forward, Samsung wonders if thumbholes are the perfect complement to thumbsticks, and AYANEO decides thumbsticks aren't worth the trouble. Plus, Brendon shares NextUI and the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller. Links and Show Notes The Latest P...

AYANEO Cancels Then Resurrects the Flip 04.03.2025

This week, Retroid Pocket Flip 2 specs are out, the Legion Go S disappoints, and we try to decipher what AYANEO is doing before reminiscing over a PictoChat clone on the iPhone and discussing the benefits of having a personal videogame shopper in Japan, and Brendon's experience with the black Miyoo Flip. Links and Show Notes Introducing NPC XL - More NPC, Every Week NPC: Next Portable Console is n...

Brick Gang 25.02.2025

On the latest NPC, ASUS gaming phones, Retroid's big surprise, and more Nintendo emulation drama, plus 8BitDo tries to solve the iPhone vertical controller problem, Federico weighs in on the Any Odin2 Portal, and the whole gang has nothing but love for the TrimUI Brick. Links and Show Notes Follow-Up Bazzite Potential Effect of Tariffs on Retro Handheld Collectors The Latest Portable Gaming News C...

SteamOS on Windows with Bazzite 11.02.2025

This week, Brendon, Federico, and John consider how the Switch 2 will impact the wider handheld market, recap the specs and benchmarks for the Legion Go S and 2, and cover new devices coming from Anbernic and AYANEO. Then, Brendon shares his experience running Bazzite on the ASUS ROG Ally X. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News What handheld PCs should do to fight the Nintendo Swit...

Peas, a Rubber Band, and an iPad 28.01.2025

It's a packed episode with a post Switch 2 reveal vibe check and more on iPhone game controller innovation, plus John's early impressions of the Ayn Odin2 Portal, Brendon's review of the Miyoo Flip, and Federico's long 2DS/3DS emulation journey. Links and Show Notes iPhone Controller Innovation MCON's Kickstarter Campaign 8BitDo's Micro Controller Clip GamSir's Unnamed Combo Controller and Battery...

Nintendo Switch 2: Reactions and First Theories 16.01.2025

On this special edition of NPC, Federico, John, and Brendon react to Nintendo's video announcement about the Switch 2, dig through every detail of the video for clues, and consider how things are likely to play out in the coming months. Nintendo Switch 2 Announcement Reactions Nintendo Switch 2 – First Look Trailer Nintendo Switch 2 Experience Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been announced, releasin...

Unpacking CES 2025 14.01.2025

In the first NPC episode of 2025, Brendon and John recap their CES experience with Federico, highlighting AMD's new Z2 chips, the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S, and more. Together, they explore the technologies and trends poised to define the next generation of portable consoles. Sponsored By: Pika – Sign up today to start telling your story and use code NPC20 for 20% off your first year of Pika Pro...

The 2024 Handhelds of the Year Awards 31.12.2024

To close out 2024, Federico, John, and Brendon present the first-ever HOTYs: the 2024 Handhelds of the Year awards, celebrating the best handheld gaming devices, custom firmware, and, of course, the Handheld of the Year. Links and Show Notes The 2024 Handhelds of the Year Awards Best Handheld under 4" Winner: Anbernic RG35XXSP Runners-Up: Anbernic RG Cube AYANEO Pocket Micro TrimUI Brick Also Ment...

Worst Cable, Favorite Handheld 17.12.2024

As the year comes to a close, handheld makers haven't slowed down. We have new devices in hand and on the horizon, plus Legion Go S and Switch 2 rumors, Brendon's first impressions of the TrimUI Brick, Federico's latest NDI streaming experiments, new AR glasses and more. Sponsored By: Pika – Sign up today to start telling your story and use code NPC20 for 20% off your first year of Pika Pro. Links...

Putting the 'P' in Portable 03.12.2024

Tencent and Intel announce a huge handheld, Sony is taking its time, reviewers share early hands-on testing of the Ayn Odin Portal, the Miyoo Mini Flip is spotted across the Internet, Samsung files an intriguing portable gaming patent, and a new eGPU is on the way. Plus, Brendon revisits the Anbernic RG35XXSP, Federico has a mini-surprise, and John and Federico share their first impressions of the...

A Handheld in Paris 19.11.2024

For the latest episode, Brendon explains the cronut, the AYANEO 3 Windows handheld has been announced, we consider Anbernic burnout, Federico shares his PS5 Pro first impressions, we speculate about Microsoft's handheld future, and on the heels of Brendon's trip to France, we have thoughts on traveling with handhelds and downsizing our handheld setups. Links and Show Notes Is the Cronut from New Y...

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