Retro X5 Packs High-End Hardware Into a Classic NES Shell

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For many people, the original Nintendo Entertainment System is the symbol of how home gaming began. ACEMAGIC is now looking to bring that familiar look into the modern age with the Retro X5, a mini PC that copies the classic gray-and-red NES design while packing high-end hardware built for 2026.

Inside its retro shell, the Retro X5 is anything but old. The system runs on the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which includes 12 cores and 24 threads and can reach speeds of up to 5.1 GHz. Graphics are handled by the integrated AMD Radeon 890M, based on RDNA 3.5 technology, making the system strong enough for retro emulation as well as many modern games at solid settings. A key feature is the AMD XDNA 2 NPU, which offers up to 50 TOPS of AI power. ACEMAGIC plans to use this for local features such as live game translation and smarter game suggestions, all without relying on cloud services.

To make powerful hardware easier to use, ACEMAGIC is also introducing its own RetroPlay Box software. This custom system acts as a simple hub for retro gaming, bringing emulators, game libraries, and controller settings together in one clean interface. The goal is to remove the usual setup headaches that come with emulation and keep everything running locally. By doing so, the Retro X5 keeps the spirit of classic gaming while avoiding the technical struggles that often come with it.

Upgrades and long-term use were clearly part of the design plan. The Retro X5 supports expandable DDR5 memory and includes two M.2 SSD slots for extra storage. The front of the system keeps the feel of classic controller ports but updates them with modern connections, including two USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack.

While pricing and a release date have not yet been shared, ACEMAGIC is expected to reveal more information during CES 2026.