A New Wave Of Retro Handheld Firmware Updates
Retro handheld firmware updates are arriving in a tight cluster, giving players more reasons than ever to revisit their favourite classics. Three major platforms—KNULLI, Batocera, and Analogue 3D—have all pushed substantial releases that expand device compatibility and add long‑requested features. Together, they show how fast the retro gaming emulation scene is evolving when multiple projects iterate in parallel. Custom firmware like KNULLI Scarab and Batocera 43 are pushing Android‑based handhelds and dedicated retro devices further, while Analogue 3D is modernising original cartridge play with new conveniences such as save states. The result is a richer, more flexible ecosystem where users can choose the firmware that best matches their hardware and habits, rather than being locked into a single platform. This surge of development underscores how competition and community feedback are driving rapid innovation across the entire retro handheld space.
KNULLI Scarab: Expanded Hardware Support And RGB Upgrades
KNULLI Scarab marks one of the biggest KNULLI releases to date, significantly broadening its footprint in the retro handheld world. The update brings support to more than 15 handhelds, including devices like the TrimUI Smart Pro S, Anbernic RG Vita Pro, RG DS, and revised H700 versions of Anbernic’s RG XX series. Notably, users can now install KNULLI on several Retroid handhelds such as the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Flip 2, making the firmware a compelling option for modern Android‑style devices. Under the hood, KNULLI Scarab updates RetroArch to version 1.22.2 and adds standalone Yabasanshiro for better SEGA Saturn performance. Quality‑of‑life upgrades include improved Syncthing integration for easier save syncing, the new BatteryPlus for more precise battery information, and enhanced RGB handling via Silky RGB. Because so many files and partition structures have changed, Scarab typically requires a full re‑flash, signalling just how extensive this overhaul is.
Batocera 43: Retroid Pocket 6, AYN Odin 2 Mini And More
Batocera 43 support significantly widens the firmware’s reach across both classic and Android‑powered handhelds. The latest release now runs on a broad lineup of Anbernic RG devices, including the RG28XX, RG34XX, RG35XX, RG40XX, and RG CubeXX, while also introducing initial support for the AYN Thor, AYN Odin 2 Mini, PowKiddy X55, and Retroid Pocket 6. Although some of these systems previously had unofficial or partial builds, Batocera 43 consolidates progress into a more polished, unified experience. On the technical side, SM8250 and SM8550 devices now share a single image with device selection handled in the bootloader, though users must update the Android Bootloader before migrating. Beyond hardware, Batocera 43 swaps Azahar Plus for the original Azahar project, removes the closed‑source DraStic emulator, and refines EmulationStation with LED colour control, multi‑screen brightness adjustments, and enhanced keyboard options. Additional improvements, from Cemu support on SM8550 devices to Wi‑Fi and save‑path fixes, reinforce Batocera’s status as a feature‑rich, actively maintained platform.
Analogue 3D: Save States Finally Arrive For N64
Analogue’s latest firmware for the Analogue 3D, version 1.3.0, answers one of the most persistent requests from Nintendo 64 fans: save states. Branded as “Memories,” the system brings the same signature save‑state functionality introduced on Analogue Pocket to the entire 900‑plus N64 cartridge library. Players can now capture and reload gameplay at any moment, without relying on in‑game save points or Controller Paks, while still preserving full hardware accuracy and accessory compatibility, including Transfer Pak support with Pokémon Stadium’s GB Tower. Each game can store up to 20 Memories, managed via the 3D OS Library or in‑game menu, with pinning options to protect favourite states. Analogue has also introduced controller hotkeys for quickly creating and loading Memories, refined progressive output for certain games, and fixed a range of controller‑related issues, particularly with 8BitDo 64 wireless pads. Collectively, these Analogue 3D save states modernise N64 gameplay while maintaining the authenticity of original cartridges and peripherals.
Competition And Choice In The Retro Gaming Emulation Ecosystem
Taken together, these updates show how firmware competition is reshaping retro gaming emulation. KNULLI Scarab’s broadened device list and refined features, Batocera 43 support for new Android‑based handhelds, and Analogue 3D’s Memories system all tackle different parts of the same problem: giving players modern convenience without sacrificing classic charm. As more devices—from budget micro‑consoles to premium FPGA systems—join the party, users gain tangible options for how and where they play. This environment encourages rapid iteration. Projects respond not just to their own communities, but also to each other’s breakthroughs, whether that means adding better RGB pipelines, improving handheld LED and display management, or finally delivering versatile save systems for original cartridges. For players, the practical impact is simple: broader compatibility, richer feature sets, and the freedom to pick the firmware that best aligns with their hardware, expectations, and nostalgia.
