Daryl Baxter

Lincoln

Writer and host @palkeyspodcast. Author of The Making of Tomb Raider AND 50 Years of Boss Fights. Email me at [email protected] for any queries.

Articles

A new affordable gaming handheld with Hall effect sticks? Yes, please

2 days ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Sometimes, when it rains, it pours, and that's true for Android gaming handhelds lately. Hot on the heels of the Zero 40 handheld by MagicX, another low-end device has been announced and released at once, this time by QRD. Called the Vortex F5, this retro handheld is designed with fighting games in mind, thanks in part to its Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, a technology that attempts to prevent joystick drift as much as possible, as well as providing a longer lifespan for these inputs.
Microsoft announces an Xbox-inspired Meta Quest 3S Edition in limited stock

2 days ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

It's been a busy couple of months for Microsoft, announcing its Xbox handheld in collaboration with Asus and its partnership with AMD for its next-generation Xbox devices. But the company clearly isn't planning on stopping. A year on since the partnership between Microsoft and Meta was announced, an Xbox-branded edition of the Meta Quest 3S AR/VR headset is now available in limited stock, complete with some branded extras.
A Nintendo DS-inspired Android handheld gets a surprise release and a low price

3 days ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

June has been one of the busiest months for gaming handhelds in recent times. The Nintendo Switch 2 has broken records in only two weeks since its launch, and Ayaneo has released its Pocket S2 and S2 Pro high-end gaming handhelds. But that's not stopped lesser-known manufacturer MagicX from launching its Zero 40 budget Android handheld this week after a slight delay, with a low price and a nostalgic design that harkens back to the Nintendo DS.
Multiple Steam Deck rivals just got an Xbox app update you don’t want to miss

4 days ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

As Microsoft gears up to launch its ROG Xbox Ally handhelds in collaboration with Asus later this year, it means we get to see some updates for its existing apps that can benefit plenty of gamers now. One example is the updated Xbox app, available on Windows 11 PCs and handhelds for Insider users, which can now show games from your Steam library alongside any Xbox games you own.
The Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 release window may have leaked from an unlikely source

1 week ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Although a prototype model of the Lenovo Legion Go 2 was shown off at the global trade show CES earlier this year, we've not had much in the way of firm details ever since. However, thanks to a representative at Lenovo's Latin America office answering a customer's query, we may now know which month the Legion Go 2 will be available. And if true, it looks like we could be seeing it sooner than later.
Someone has Apple’s iPhone OS running on the Nintendo Switch, and it is not good

1 week ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Yes, the Nintendo Switch 2 is already breaking records like nobody's business, all while Apple's upcoming 'Liquid Glass' redesign for its software is already proving divisive. But what if these two tech giants came together in perfect software harmony? That's exactly what a user has decided to find out, managing to get iOS, the operating system that powers Apple's iPhones, onto Nintendo's original Switch console.
This Nintendo Switch 2 battery life trick could double your console’s charge

1 week ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Although the Nintendo Switch 2 is almost a home run in its design, power, and more, the battery life leaves a little to be desired. Many owners have found that playtime typically lasts around two to three hours, while some have also reported issues with the battery indicator falsely indicating a low charge when the battery still has plenty of power remaining.
Ayaneo reveals a launch date for its new super-powered Android gaming handheld

1 week ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Now that millions of users worldwide are in the honeymoon period with their new Nintendo Switch 2 consoles, other gaming handheld manufacturers aren't slowing down, with Ayaneo finally revealing the launch date of its newest high-end Android gaming handheld, the Ayaneo Pocket S2. After drip-feeding fans since January with its design and hardware improvements, there's now a firm release date of June 18 for the handheld, surprising those who were thinking it was coming later this year.
|Why Apple should draw on its past gaming effort, the Pippin, to create a dedicated gaming controller for iPhone and iPad

2 weeks ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Apple has had a rough time with gaming over the years. You don't need to look far to see the proof, such as underwhelming support for developers, games that come out on iPhone and Mac years after they debut on consoles and PC, and more. However, it's not for lack of trying. I've been a Mac user since 2006 and an iPhone user since 2007, so I've witnessed a bunch of moments when games and storefronts like Steam have arrived on these devices to much fanfare before being left to fester.
Razer launches three new Kishi controllers for Android and Apple devices, including an XL option

2 weeks ago | pockettactics.com | Daryl Baxter

Using a controller on your Android or Apple device is easier than ever in 2025, but choosing one can be more of a challenge. Fortunately, gaming accessory maker Razer wants to make it easier for you, announcing a refresh of its popular Kishi Pro controller. But this time, it's in three different sizes, making it perfect for an Android phone, your gaming tablet, and even Apple's biggest iPad, the 13-inch Pro model.