original hardware Archives

BetaBeacon

June 26, 2026

11 Essential Apps Every Retro Gamer Needs On Their Phone

RA Tracker is an unofficial companion app for RetroAchievements that allows users to track their progress, browse leaderboards, and look up achievement sets. It connects to your account via the public API and is free to download from the Google Play Store.

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Windows NT on the GameCube is Basically a Homebrew Project That Brings the Classic OS to Nintendo Hardware

GameCube enthusiasts are utilizing homebrew projects to enhance the console's capabilities, including region-free play and disc backups. A new initiative allows a full PowerPC build of Windows NT to run on the GameCube, leveraging its Gekko CPU's compatibility with early PowerPC-based PCs. The entii-for-workcubes project, led by Wack0, provides components for running Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0 on GameCube and Wii systems, featuring an ARC firmware bootloader for loading homebrew software. Users need to prepare an SD card with specific files and a Windows NT ISO to initiate the process. After installation, basic productivity tools are accessible, but limitations include only 24MB of RAM, slower access speeds, lack of sound support, and potential reboot stalls.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

The most hardcore Jak & Daxter heads in the world have finished their native PC ports of the entire trilogy

The OpenGOAL team has released a complete PC port of Jak 3, requiring users to have a legally-obtained copy of the game. This port offers an enhanced gaming experience with fewer bugs, less resource consumption, and extensive configuration options, including modding possibilities like ultrawide support. Jak 2 was completed on OpenGOAL in 2023. Users can create an OpenGOAL-compatible disk image from their PS2 copy of Jak 2 using utilities like MPF or ImgBurn. OpenGOAL's website provides an installer and instructions for setup, including for Steam Deck users.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

The Simpsons Hit And Run Guide: The Best Way To Play In 2026

The gaming landscape once featured numerous titles inspired by The Simpsons, but today, there is a noticeable absence of new games. The Simpsons: Hit and Run is considered the best Simpsons game, and while there is no official modern port or remaster, players can revisit it through Donut Team's custom PC launcher, which enhances the original PC port and adds new features. Obtaining a copy of the game for PC can be challenging, with prices for sealed copies on platforms like eBay being high. The launcher supports modern controller use, improved visuals, and bug fixes, and also offers a library of mods that add new content. Donut Team's launcher is compatible with the Steam Deck, allowing players to run the game on the device with some setup. Emulating the game through PCXS2 or Dolphin is another option, although it lacks the enhancements of the updated PC version. Playing the game on original hardware, such as the PS2, is considered less appealing compared to modern platforms.

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Someone built a Windows 98-powered smart toaster, and you toast bread by running an EXE

A smart toaster powered by Windows 95 has been created using a Raspberry Pi inside a 3D-printed beige shell. The original toaster hardware was incompatible with Windows 95, so a Raspberry Pi Pico was used to intercept inputs, allowing the Raspberry Pi to manage the OS-toaster connection. Users can control the toaster through a custom application called Toast.exe, which allows manual adjustments to heating, cycles, and tray movements.

BetaBeacon

December 10, 2025

How to Get Games on Your Retro Gaming Handheld

Emulation is a popular use for retro gaming handhelds, allowing them to mimic older devices like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation 1 to play games originally released for those platforms. Emulators can recreate all the processes of old consoles using modern hardware. Emulation can lead to minor inaccuracies in sound or graphics, but also allows for games to be upscaled to higher resolutions and supports save states. Emulation is legal as long as copyrighted software is not distributed to run on emulators. Retro gaming handhelds can also play Android games and stream games from the cloud. There are ways to play PC games on retro gaming handhelds using Linux or Android, either through fan-made ports or compatibility layers. Some concerns exist with using certain apps to play Steam games on Android, but the future may hold an official way to play Steam games on these devices.

BetaBeacon

October 20, 2025

Watch this sub-$100 dual-screen Android gaming handheld play DS and 3DS games

The ANBERNIC RG DS is a budget-friendly dual-screen handheld that can emulate Nintendo DS and lightweight 3DS games. It supports stylus input but may have some input latency compared to original hardware. ANBERNIC is set to make a mark in the dual-screen handheld market.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Windows 11 upgrade: Can I keep using my old Windows 10 license?

Users can transfer their Windows 10 license to Windows 11 at no additional cost if their hardware meets the requirements. The upgrade process is facilitated by a digital license generated during the installation of Windows 10, which is stored on Microsoft’s servers. Minor hardware changes do not affect the digital license, but a motherboard change may require the product key. Windows can be used without a valid license for a trial period of 30 days, after which certain features are restricted, and this practice is not legally compliant. If the current hardware does not meet Windows 11 specifications, users can either install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware using third-party software, upgrade their hardware, or purchase a new computer with Windows 11 pre-installed. To use an existing Windows 10 license on a new computer, users must have a retail version of Windows 10. If a digital license or product key for Windows 11 is lacking, users can purchase one from the Microsoft Store, with prices varying. To transfer the Windows 10 license, users need to locate their product key, which can be found in the purchase confirmation email or extracted using tools. Linking the product key to a Microsoft account is recommended for easier identification during installation. After installation, users can check the activation status in the Settings app, which categorizes activation into four scenarios.

BetaBeacon

August 28, 2025

This Android-powered Nintendo DS has fully replaced my OG hardware

The MagicX Zero 40 is a handheld device that runs on Android 10 and is designed for Nintendo DS emulation. It has a unique design that is comfortable to hold but may not be pocketable. The device comes pre-loaded with 1,400 DS games and 500 tate mode games on a 64GB microSD card. Despite some faults, the MagicX Zero 40 is considered the best Nintendo DS emulation device at its price point.

BetaBeacon

August 7, 2025

The AYANEO Pocket S2 is the most powerful Android handheld I’ve ever tested, but is it the best?

The AYANEO Pocket S2 has a sleek and slender design with stacked triggers, high-end TMR electromagnetic sticks, and a headphone jack. It features a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset that outperforms other popular handhelds in terms of CPU and GPU performance. The device also excels in sustained performance and temperature control. It is highly recommended for gaming, including emulation of retro and modern games. The Pro model comes with a larger battery and a swappable D-pad. However, the premium price tag may make it difficult to recommend, especially with the release of other compelling alternatives by AYANEO.