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/posts
Learn more and sign up: https://thememorycore.com/posts
This week in the newsletter, I caught up with @retroachievements.org founder Scott Breen about offline achievements, made fun of ModRetro's militarized Game Boy, and more!
👇Read 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/dec-22...
👇Read 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/dec-22...
Offline RetroAchievements, ModRetro's mall ninja Game Boy, and more
thememorycore.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:01 PM
This week in the newsletter, I caught up with @retroachievements.org founder Scott Breen about offline achievements, made fun of ModRetro's militarized Game Boy, and more!
👇Read 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/dec-22...
👇Read 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/dec-22...
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Breen, the founder of RetroAchievements. He touches on its origins, controversies, and the future of the platform.
👇 Read the full interview below! 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/interv...
👇 Read the full interview below! 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/interv...
An interview with Scott Breen, founder of RetroAchievements
An in-depth interview with RetroAchievements founder Scott Breen on the origins of the platform, controversies, and more.
thememorycore.com
December 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing Scott Breen, the founder of RetroAchievements. He touches on its origins, controversies, and the future of the platform.
👇 Read the full interview below! 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/interv...
👇 Read the full interview below! 👇
thememorycore.com/posts/interv...
I had the pleasure of interviewing Miguel Soto, the creator of NeoStation.
Although it's still in alpha, this new frontend has made a name for itself by offering a streamlined UI and cross-platform cloud saves for retro games. Check out the full interview below!
thememorycore.com/posts/neosta...
Although it's still in alpha, this new frontend has made a name for itself by offering a streamlined UI and cross-platform cloud saves for retro games. Check out the full interview below!
thememorycore.com/posts/neosta...
How one dev brought easy cloud saves to emulation
An interview with NeoStation creator Miguel Soto.
thememorycore.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I had the pleasure of interviewing Miguel Soto, the creator of NeoStation.
Although it's still in alpha, this new frontend has made a name for itself by offering a streamlined UI and cross-platform cloud saves for retro games. Check out the full interview below!
thememorycore.com/posts/neosta...
Although it's still in alpha, this new frontend has made a name for itself by offering a streamlined UI and cross-platform cloud saves for retro games. Check out the full interview below!
thememorycore.com/posts/neosta...
This week on the newsletter, a quick roundup of what you need to know about the Analogue 3D launch, plus a preview of what might be the next big innovation in gaming handhelds.
thememorycore.com/posts/analog...
thememorycore.com/posts/analog...
The Analogue 3D report card, plus a new innovation for handhelds
thememorycore.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
This week on the newsletter, a quick roundup of what you need to know about the Analogue 3D launch, plus a preview of what might be the next big innovation in gaming handhelds.
thememorycore.com/posts/analog...
thememorycore.com/posts/analog...
Valve’s new Arm-powered SteamOS might be the biggest thing to happen to Windows emulation on Android since… well, Valve's Proton.
Here's a deep dive into why 2026 will be a huge year for mobile PC gaming.
Here's a deep dive into why 2026 will be a huge year for mobile PC gaming.
A new era for Windows on Android
thememorycore.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Valve’s new Arm-powered SteamOS might be the biggest thing to happen to Windows emulation on Android since… well, Valve's Proton.
Here's a deep dive into why 2026 will be a huge year for mobile PC gaming.
Here's a deep dive into why 2026 will be a huge year for mobile PC gaming.
In this week's newsletter, I explain the Retroid Pocket 6 launch debacle and explain why I think the Pocket G2 will be the sleeper hit of the year.
Plus, some Halloween-themed ROM hacks to celebrate the season. Boo!
thememorycore.com/posts/retroi...
Plus, some Halloween-themed ROM hacks to celebrate the season. Boo!
thememorycore.com/posts/retroi...
Pocket 6 gets spooked off the shelves, but the Pocket G2 lurks in the shadows
thememorycore.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In this week's newsletter, I explain the Retroid Pocket 6 launch debacle and explain why I think the Pocket G2 will be the sleeper hit of the year.
Plus, some Halloween-themed ROM hacks to celebrate the season. Boo!
thememorycore.com/posts/retroi...
Plus, some Halloween-themed ROM hacks to celebrate the season. Boo!
thememorycore.com/posts/retroi...
In this week's newsletter, I interviewed ARMSX2 co-founders MoonPower and jpolo about their efforts to revive PS2 emulation on Android.
Plus, new details about ModRetro's N64 FPGA console that make it an even more compelling alternative to the Analogue 3D.
Plus, new details about ModRetro's N64 FPGA console that make it an even more compelling alternative to the Analogue 3D.
A new PS2 emulator rises, and ModRetro’s M64 gets real
thememorycore.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:09 PM
In this week's newsletter, I interviewed ARMSX2 co-founders MoonPower and jpolo about their efforts to revive PS2 emulation on Android.
Plus, new details about ModRetro's N64 FPGA console that make it an even more compelling alternative to the Analogue 3D.
Plus, new details about ModRetro's N64 FPGA console that make it an even more compelling alternative to the Analogue 3D.
Lightweight 3DS for under $100 is actually insane. And is that the screen from the Pocket AIR Mini?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dIKg...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dIKg...
ANBERNIC Superior Value Dual-Screen Handheld - RG DS Engineering Prototype Gameplay Demo
YouTube video by ANBERNIC
m.youtube.com
October 18, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Lightweight 3DS for under $100 is actually insane. And is that the screen from the Pocket AIR Mini?
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dIKg...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=dIKg...
This week on the newsletter, Analogue fumbles its most important announcement of the year, and ModRetro picks up the pieces.
Plus, a new type of controller that aims to revolutionize the way we play games on our phones.
Plus, a new type of controller that aims to revolutionize the way we play games on our phones.
Analogue’s no-show and the next big thing in mobile controllers
thememorycore.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This week on the newsletter, Analogue fumbles its most important announcement of the year, and ModRetro picks up the pieces.
Plus, a new type of controller that aims to revolutionize the way we play games on our phones.
Plus, a new type of controller that aims to revolutionize the way we play games on our phones.
After denying the leaks, ANBERNIC just announced the RG DS with the same footage as the leak. At under $100, it could be a great DS Lite replacement.
The thumbnail also shows a stylus, which would be a huge plus.
youtube.com/watch?v=Mvlp...
The thumbnail also shows a stylus, which would be a huge plus.
youtube.com/watch?v=Mvlp...
Under $100 Dual-Screen Gaming: The Anbernic RG DS is Coming！！！
YouTube video by ANBERNIC
youtube.com
October 11, 2025 at 12:57 PM
After denying the leaks, ANBERNIC just announced the RG DS with the same footage as the leak. At under $100, it could be a great DS Lite replacement.
The thumbnail also shows a stylus, which would be a huge plus.
youtube.com/watch?v=Mvlp...
The thumbnail also shows a stylus, which would be a huge plus.
youtube.com/watch?v=Mvlp...
Citron just dropped v0.8.0, claiming FULL COMPATIBILITY with BotW and TotK, among other things.
Interestingly, the patch notes are much more focused on collaborations with other projects than previous updates.
Interestingly, the patch notes are much more focused on collaborations with other projects than previous updates.
October 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Citron just dropped v0.8.0, claiming FULL COMPATIBILITY with BotW and TotK, among other things.
Interestingly, the patch notes are much more focused on collaborations with other projects than previous updates.
Interestingly, the patch notes are much more focused on collaborations with other projects than previous updates.
This week on The Memory Core newsletter: Nintendo scores another DMCA legal win (and what that means for emulation going forward), plus a deep dive into a massive controversy at RetroAchievements that reshaped the platform this week.
thememorycore.com/posts/ninten...
thememorycore.com/posts/ninten...
Nintendo's legal victory, RetroAchievements controversy, and more
thememorycore.com
October 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This week on The Memory Core newsletter: Nintendo scores another DMCA legal win (and what that means for emulation going forward), plus a deep dive into a massive controversy at RetroAchievements that reshaped the platform this week.
thememorycore.com/posts/ninten...
thememorycore.com/posts/ninten...
For the first time since Yuzu was shut down in 2024, Switch emulation has returned to the Google Play Store. I spoke to Camille LaVey, the lead developer of Eden, about the decision to make things official and what would come next if Nintendo knocks on their door.
thememorycore.com/posts/eden-o...
thememorycore.com/posts/eden-o...
Switch emulator Eden launches on Google Play — with Nintendo looking on
thememorycore.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
For the first time since Yuzu was shut down in 2024, Switch emulation has returned to the Google Play Store. I spoke to Camille LaVey, the lead developer of Eden, about the decision to make things official and what would come next if Nintendo knocks on their door.
thememorycore.com/posts/eden-o...
thememorycore.com/posts/eden-o...
Nearly 30 years after the N64 ushered in the age of 3D gaming, the fight to preserve it might shape the future of hardware emulation.
Exclusive new details about the Analogue 3D, M64, and the future of FPGA gaming:
thememorycore.com/posts/exclus...
Exclusive new details about the Analogue 3D, M64, and the future of FPGA gaming:
thememorycore.com/posts/exclus...
Exclusive: Analogue 3D, M64, and the future of FPGA gaming
Exclusive details about the Analogue 3D, ModRetro M64, and what's next in hardware emulation.
thememorycore.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Nearly 30 years after the N64 ushered in the age of 3D gaming, the fight to preserve it might shape the future of hardware emulation.
Exclusive new details about the Analogue 3D, M64, and the future of FPGA gaming:
thememorycore.com/posts/exclus...
Exclusive new details about the Analogue 3D, M64, and the future of FPGA gaming:
thememorycore.com/posts/exclus...
Dual-screen Android handhelds like the AYANEO Pocket DS and AYN Thor run custom software to make the two screens work, but what about the emulators themselves?
That work has fallen to a single developer, SapphireRhodonite. And so far, he's doing an incredible job.
thememorycore.com/posts/meet-t...
That work has fallen to a single developer, SapphireRhodonite. And so far, he's doing an incredible job.
thememorycore.com/posts/meet-t...
Meet the dev shaping dual-screen emulation
thememorycore.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Dual-screen Android handhelds like the AYANEO Pocket DS and AYN Thor run custom software to make the two screens work, but what about the emulators themselves?
That work has fallen to a single developer, SapphireRhodonite. And so far, he's doing an incredible job.
thememorycore.com/posts/meet-t...
That work has fallen to a single developer, SapphireRhodonite. And so far, he's doing an incredible job.
thememorycore.com/posts/meet-t...
I had an early look at the global version of the MANGMI AIR X. This is easily the best sub-$100 Android handheld I've ever seen, and I can see it replacing a lot of cheap Linux handhelds.
Read the full newsletter: thememorycore.kit.com/posts/mangmi...
Read the full newsletter: thememorycore.kit.com/posts/mangmi...
MANGMI AIR X hands-on: An entry-level handheld done right
thememorycore.kit.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I had an early look at the global version of the MANGMI AIR X. This is easily the best sub-$100 Android handheld I've ever seen, and I can see it replacing a lot of cheap Linux handhelds.
Read the full newsletter: thememorycore.kit.com/posts/mangmi...
Read the full newsletter: thememorycore.kit.com/posts/mangmi...
The first edition of The Memory Core is here!
I talked to several prominent emulation devs about the upcoming changes to sideloading on Android. Read what they had to say, plus the week's handheld/emulation news:
thememorycore.kit.com/posts/emulat...
I talked to several prominent emulation devs about the upcoming changes to sideloading on Android. Read what they had to say, plus the week's handheld/emulation news:
thememorycore.kit.com/posts/emulat...
Android sideloading crackdown: Emulator devs weigh in
thememorycore.kit.com
August 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The first edition of The Memory Core is here!
I talked to several prominent emulation devs about the upcoming changes to sideloading on Android. Read what they had to say, plus the week's handheld/emulation news:
thememorycore.kit.com/posts/emulat...
I talked to several prominent emulation devs about the upcoming changes to sideloading on Android. Read what they had to say, plus the week's handheld/emulation news:
thememorycore.kit.com/posts/emulat...
The Memory Core is booting up! I'll be bringing the latest in emulation, handhelds, and retro gaming directly to your inbox every week.
The first edition goes out this Friday, and you can sign up here: thememorycore.kit.com/signup
And yes, it's free.
The first edition goes out this Friday, and you can sign up here: thememorycore.kit.com/signup
And yes, it's free.
The Memory Core newsletter
thememorycore.kit.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
The Memory Core is booting up! I'll be bringing the latest in emulation, handhelds, and retro gaming directly to your inbox every week.
The first edition goes out this Friday, and you can sign up here: thememorycore.kit.com/signup
And yes, it's free.
The first edition goes out this Friday, and you can sign up here: thememorycore.kit.com/signup
And yes, it's free.