e1000 doesn't do interviews. Doesn't share his creations on a site or blog or GitHub, just occasionally on Discord or (more rarely these days) Reddit.
He only did this because we had friends in common like Gamma (GAMMAOS) and klops (PortMaster), bmdhacks (ex-PS2 dev and PortMaster genius) and so on saying I'm trustworthy to share his story.
Most of what we chatted about in the article weren't known before now. Among his friends, he is known for not going for the spotlight.
After getting to know e1K, and chatting to him for a few weeks I feel pretty confident in my own word choices. I'd prefer it if I wasn't judged for it on the merits of others using that same word, but I guess there's nothing I can do about that. Knowing e1K and becoming friends with him, and being the one who literally interviewed him about his life and work? Yes. I'd say he is quiet about his mods.
Having chatted to all of the big names who manufacture retro handhelds (I review them), the emulation device scene is 100% feeling the pinch on this.
From AYN to Retroid, they're all worried, dropping specs and raising prices. One company told me "...Sony worries about this, so we will of course also worry"
I've had a great time trying these out, and finding the one which will stick with me. You'll have a great time with this, and while it is in the post you can start getting, building and curating your music collection! :P
There are a ton! Check out the Retroid Pocket 5 if you're wanting something which can run upscaled PSP (and far more), or the more recently released Retroid Pocket 6 if you want it to be able to run Switch and PC games also
The word 'junk' on Buyee/Japan's online marketplaces doesn't mean what it does elsewhere. It can mean anything:
Not having a charger on hand, so it can't be tested
Literally just dusty
They don't know how it works
...all the way to actual issues (which typically I've found are things like muck in the power switches which isopropyl alcohol fixes right up!)
Junk absolutely doesn't mean they're broken! Listings tend to go into a little detail on what is wrong with the consoles :)
I've bought a TON of handheld consoles through Buyee. DSi's (I got a great DSi LL in box with all the bits, barely used for $52 AUD), GBA SPs, I even got a launch Switch to jailbreak from Japan!
I actually wrote a article on a 'junk' PSP from Japan, you can read more on it here:
I just realized -__-
Worst reflection of my lack of research there. I did just add a callout in the intro reflecting my own idiocy on that front (there's no excuses)
You're right!