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TRIMUI Brick Hammer, a weirdly named but beautiful handheld (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago by PerfectDark@lemmy.world to c/games@lemmy.world
45 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

So, strangely, TRIMUI got in touch with me and asked if I'd like to review their older handheld, the Brick Hammer. This one released six months or so, but the claim to fame for it is being made (almost) entirely out of machined metal. It sure gives it a premium feel.

I feel like I'm a little lucky with the reviews, not doing this full time or anything means I get to be picky on what I let these companies send me. I'm not obligated to review everything ASAP, since the site I share these on doesn't even have ads. For the most part, I just say yes to the interesting or different handhelds.

tldr:

  • Beautifully made, truly feels premium
  • To me it really feels like a modern take on the Game Boy Pocket
  • Can play up to PSP, DS, N64 and so on, but those are more of a risky and not entirely 100% successful event. It shines most with PlayStation, GBA, SNES and so on. Being 3:2 means its perfect for the older-older systems

I feel like saying one of these 'retro handhelds' is perfect is just...hyperbole. But in this case, that might be the case. It's so slim and sleek, and the metal makes me so damned happy to hold.

ANYWAY.

You can find the following link here to read my review, if you're at all interested. Inside my article, I also reached out to the developer of NextUI to ask him about how it is to create an alternative OS for the TRIMUI Brick Hammer (kinda like a mini interview), and chatted to a creator of 3D printed triggers which were designed to showcase the nice RGB lighting on this one:

https://gardinerbryant.com/hands-on-with-the-trimui-brick-hammer-metal-perfection/

Or, as always, you can just ask me about it here if you'd prefer :)

top 45 comments
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[–] sleepmode@lemmy.world 4 points 15 hours ago (1 children)

I like the uncluttered design. If the buttons feel good I’ll have to check it out as it’s one of my favorite handheld profiles.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 1 points 13 hours ago

No complaints from me at all

The feel and design of it is leagues ahead of others to me.

TRIMUI including three separate and different shoulder button sets in the box helps, too. Since it let's you have some say in how it feels and plays!

[–] KhantoBlackhand@lemmy.today 4 points 16 hours ago (1 children)

 I have been interested in something like this for me and my girlfriend. Do you know if you're able to do the link cable stuff for GBA/GB/GBC games that require it? I appreciate your opinions on it and I hope you have a lovely day. 

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 13 hours ago

These handhelds (similar to this one anyway!) are able to emulate that physical link. Like you see in this video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Qx720WxJ0

Before very recently this one wasn't able to, but I've found someone did manage this 14 days ago and shared their project, you can find it here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/trimui/comments/1qg58mz/lan_multiplayer_netplay_and_gba_link_for_nextui/

(Hope all this helps, and I'm glad you enjoyed my review! Thank you!)

[–] Chill_Dan@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Do you get to keep the stuff they give you to review?

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

I do, yes!

I'm offered a variety of things to review, but since this is a friend's site, I'm not paid to review nor write, and there's no ads on the site...I'm lucky enough to not have to review everything to survive. Or even to keep the content machine going like most YouTubers have to. I just do this for fun!

I just accept the handhelds I find interesting to me, the ones I find most unique.

But I've written for a few years now in various gaming spaces, so I do understand why I get asked :)

And I also feel very lucky to do so! I really love gaming handhelds, its a passion of mine :)

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 25 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

A stonemason's hammer, also known as a brick hammer, has one flat traditional face and a short or long chisel-shaped blade.[1] It can thus be used to chip off edges or small pieces of stone, cut brick or a concrete masonry unit, without using a separate chisel. The chisel blade can also be used to rapidly cut bricks or cinder blocks. This type of hammer is also used by geologists when collecting rock and mineral samples and is one of several types of geologist's hammer.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonemason%27s_hammer

They named it after an Estwing! Badass.

I think the name might have to do with the idea of a "traditional face married to a cutting edge" which is actually pretty clever.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Huh. That's actually news to me, with that kind of detail on it!

I think the name might have to do with the idea of a “traditional face married to a cutting edge” which is actually pretty clever.

If I'd known this, I'd have put it in my review! Thanks for sharing!!!

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 5 points 1 day ago

If I'd known this, I'd have put it in my review! Thanks for sharing!!!

Just to be clear, this is basically a guess but feel free to add it if you want, if I am right I didn't come up with it, it was just lost in translation.

[–] SculptusPoe@lemmy.world 13 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The brick hammer is great for everything up to Snes and GBA. It is my most used device of 7 or 8 that I own. It isn't good for n64 and up, not because it won't play them, but because it has no joystick. Even so, for Snes, nes and GBA I really believe that there is no better platform to play them on.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I think you can pick and choose the N64 games, there's definitely some which are quite playable with the lack of the N64 claw's odd controls. I've found that like you, sticking to those 3:2 systems are where its shined the most! Though right now I'm enjoying FFVII on there :)

And the build? So beautifully made!

[–] KoboldCoterie@pawb.social 12 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This thing looks slick. How does it do with sleeping it mid-game session and resuming later? That's the biggest make-or-break feature for me with any of these handhelds.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

It does really well. The default OS which TRIMUI ships it with performs really well on the sleep front, but the community OS I've installed (NextUI) is known for how well they implement their 'deep sleep'.

The overnight power draw I've seen has been 1% of the battery. NextUI's use of it has by far been the best I've seen for a device's sleeping. I saw someone say it lasts around 2 months in their deep sleep.

[–] phonics@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ive got the brick. Not the brick hammer. And it's really quite fun to have. I'd whip it out on public transport or a plane faster than my steamdeck just because it's less bulky. I mostly play pico-8 games on it.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

That's the nicest part of this kind of handheld. While being relegated to older games (unless you're using something like the Odin 3 for example!), the convenience and portability are unmatched.

I love how slim and unobtrusive the Brick and Brick Hammer are, its been so easy to take on the go!

[–] Barthosw@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

How would you say it compares to an analog pocket?

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

That's not an easy comparison to make between the two.

The Analogue Pocket does one thing extremely well, while the Brick Hammer covers many more systems. Not to mention the difference in cost!

But the Brick Hammer feels premium (that metal shell is perfection), gives you a multitude of community built and supported operating systems, all manner of apps.

They're too difficult to compare. If you want Game Boy? Go Analogue. If you want a very slim, sleek retro handheld that you can play a ton of consoles on (PortMaster!) then go for this one!

[–] bridgeburner@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Where do you get the games for it from?

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If you go to archive dot org and search for romsets, or for 'tiny best set go', you'll see a big collection there!

[–] Tattorack@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Tiny best set go"

"Big collection"

  • suspicious squint *
[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Tiny Best Set Go is a ROM set specifically compiled for the Miyoo Mini family of handhelds. Its basically the best games for each system.

But...those are ROMs which work with any handheld.

Ironically the large size of it is tiny...comparatively anyway!

[–] ToTheGraveMyLove@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago

/r/Roms Megathread

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thanks for this review!
I haven't found any information regarding external controllers or DisplayPort at the USB-C output both at the sepcifications and your review.
I'm aware that it is not the intended use case to make it a kind of stationary console. But to be honest, I'd very much appreciate being able to attach it to an external monitor and use a separate controller when playing at home.
I figure this is the wrong type of device for me then, but wanted to ask you just to be sure about it.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ahhhhhhh no problems!

Yes you're right, this handheld won't do video out. That's both a software and hardware limitation on this one, but so many of these handhelds do that with ease. Its just a case of narrowing down which one is right for you.

I'd recommend reading through this post on Reddit if you're not adverse to visiting the site, its titled Which device is right for me? If you're new to the hobby - start here! and its really handy to compare/contrast

The last two devices I tested for and utilized video out on for reviews were high-end handhelds (the AYN Odin 3 Max and the Anbernic RG477V), but again...a huge variety of that for you!

I do hope this helps a tiny bit :)

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Thank you for your reply, it helps a ton!
I plan to complement my SteamDeck with a tiny portable emulator, but would love to use it at home in the same way as the SteamDeck, which is in part stationary.
I'm aware that the SteamDeck could do the emulator part well, but taking it with you and whipping it out for a short gamining session is not one the SteamDeck's strong suites.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

Totally, 100% doable!

It is an easy one to do, just choosing the right retro handheld for you...that's the difficult part! My aforementioned Odin 3 for example plays anything from the oldest consoles, PS2 upscaled to 4K all the way to literal PC games via GameHub Lite.

And I'd recommend you check RetroDECK (the option to emulate on Steam Deck) out one day, I love it so much, it's by far my fav emulation and retro gaming suite on Steam Deck!

Oh and please do let me know what retro handheld you do get, in the end. Now I'm curious!

[–] zergtoshi@lemmy.world 2 points 23 hours ago (1 children)

I've ordered a TRIMUI Brick Hammer a few hours ago, because I figured that I value durability of a portable device higher than video output; at home I can use my Steam Deck comfortably.
Your review made it look like a good piece of hard-/software for the money. At that price point I'm fairly sure I won't have regrets.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 22 hours ago

Great choice!

You've got plenty of firmware options if you're not loving the stock one (which is honestly fine!), the community around this device is so enthusiastic and do such amazing things. In fact, tenlevels showed off his new one which is coming soon, too. Called Bloom, its the first to manage to bring retroachievements to the device!

Can't wait to hear how you like it, once it arrives. If portability is key to choosing one, then you certainly get that with it. So sleek, so slim and nice to take along for the ride!

[–] Saucepain@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I'm currently waiting for an Anbernic rg-35xx to arrive, but this was definitely on the shortlist during my research! In the end, availability and the joysticks were the deciding factors, but interested to hear how you think those two compare.

[–] Buffy@libretechni.ca 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Looks nice. I am not a huge fan of the form factor though, I prefer the GBA style layout. I have a RetroSnap Play I got as a gift, I wonder how it compares. By biggest issue is it can never tell me the battery percentage, and it drains quickly when I close it with a game running. This combo sucks and makes me constantly nervous about keeping it charged so it won't shut off in the middle of an important game.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If absolute Game Boy Advance is your fav, then don't forget this one:

The RetroSnap Play looks great! Glad you've been enjoying it! This is one of the R36S clones, basically its 'one' handheld that just keeps on selling and selling, and broke out of the niche hobby scene. That's why you'll see it on spaces like YouTube and (apparently, I don't use it!) a ton on TikTok.

If you want to change the firmware so you'll be able to see the battery state, then you can check out this guide on what is available:

https://retrohandheldguides.com/r36s-custom-firmware/

[–] Buffy@libretechni.ca 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh yeah, that is exactly what I want out of a handheld! And thank you so much for the link, I didn't realize the firmware these things ship with is so out of date. If I can get the battery percentage working thanks to this, you're a real life saver.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

You're welcome!

Have a read over it, choose one and then (if it helps) check some YouTube videos so they give you a nice overview on what they bring to your device.

:)

[–] mesamunefire@piefed.social 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Nice. Its a fun one.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

I can't stop picking it up!

[–] alfredon996@feddit.it 1 points 1 day ago (2 children)

According to the specs, it has only 1 GB of RAM. Is it true?

https://trimui.com/pages/trimui-brick-hammer

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago

That is actually plenty for retro games. All those old consoles ran on tiny amounts of ram.

[–] PerfectDark@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yes!

It doesn't need anything more. These emulators are so well optimized now in RA that they just run beautifully. Well, with a couple exceptions I noted in my review.

This is a handheld that isn't trying to do more than it claims, so 1GB is perfect!

[–] MoffKalast@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

If it can do it with just that then it's sensible to have less, since idling memory will use power and the less you have the longer the battery will last.