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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Today I received the device and at first glance and grasp it’s a beauty!
I’m currently reading https://www.trimuistore.com/de/blogs/news/nextui-setup-guide-for-trimui-handheld-consoles to find out how to put NextUI on the Brick Hammer without bricking it ;)
I’ll keep you posted as soon as I have managed to install NextUI and tried gaming with it, or playing music - whatever comes first.
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.
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.
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.
edit: It has arrived. Got the green, and it’s pretty stunning. No defects I can detect. Immediately installed NextUI which should be stock IMO. I like that it has the tactile style buttons similar to the SP. I thought it would be too small, but it has grippy knurling like OG Game Boys on the back so you have something to grab on. Overall, super impressed. Anbernic, etc. on notice now, ha. Thanks for helping me discover this.
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.
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 :)
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
Yeah it depends on how much you’d use it I guess. I remember playing some old titles on a GBA emulator app back during highschool breaks, but it kinda got old quickly. Would be pointless to buy something specifically for it unless you’re really into it, but if so something like this that’s well integrated would be pretty neat to have.
$10 clip + a used xbox controller + your phone and you have a gyro capable (your phone) mobile gaming system with probably the best gamepad ever.
I don’t think this takes the place of a gadget like the Brick Hammer but I do HEAVILY recommend going this route first as you likely already have an adequate phone and xbox controllers are cheap and plentiful on the used market (and their only real achilles heel is they don’t have gyro… which your phone solves).
notethis clip uses the model 1914 xbox controller to be precise, xbox controller names are so stupid… but also this clip is $10, who cares, fold some post-it notes/cardstock up a bunch and jam em in there and you can make a different controller work if it is a similar shape and size
Agreed but battery life is clutch with mobile devices. Dead phone batteries don’t facilitate travel. Or waiting for your car to get fixed and having this in the glove box … I mean your argument is basically against all retro handheld devices.
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!
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 :)
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.
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.
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Nice. Its a fun one.
I can’t stop picking it up!
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.
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/
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.
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.
:)
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.
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 :)
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.
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!
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.
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!
Today I received the device and at first glance and grasp it’s a beauty!
I’m currently reading https://www.trimuistore.com/de/blogs/news/nextui-setup-guide-for-trimui-handheld-consoles to find out how to put NextUI on the Brick Hammer without bricking it ;)
I’ll keep you posted as soon as I have managed to install NextUI and tried gaming with it, or playing music - whatever comes first.
That’s wonderful!!!
They really are an aesthetic dream, right?! Dont worry about mistakes, these are next to impossible to actually brick (hah, pun!) so you’re very safe
You can always ask me for help too, if you need it! I’m so glad you’re happy and didn’t feel like I steered you wrong :P
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonemason's_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.
Huh. That’s actually news to me, with that kind of detail on it!
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.
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.
edit: It has arrived. Got the green, and it’s pretty stunning. No defects I can detect. Immediately installed NextUI which should be stock IMO. I like that it has the tactile style buttons similar to the SP. I thought it would be too small, but it has grippy knurling like OG Game Boys on the back so you have something to grab on. Overall, super impressed. Anbernic, etc. on notice now, ha. Thanks for helping me discover this.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!)
According to the specs, it has only 1 GB of RAM. Is it true?
https://trimui.com/pages/trimui-brick-hammer
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!
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.
That is actually plenty for retro games. All those old consoles ran on tiny amounts of ram.
Where do you get the games for it from?
If you go to archive dot org and search for romsets, or for ‘tiny best set go’, you’ll see a big collection there!
“Tiny best set go”
“Big collection”
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!
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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.
You can buy a controller for your phone and have a more powerful emulation device without spending as much money.
Yeah it depends on how much you’d use it I guess. I remember playing some old titles on a GBA emulator app back during highschool breaks, but it kinda got old quickly. Would be pointless to buy something specifically for it unless you’re really into it, but if so something like this that’s well integrated would be pretty neat to have.
True, I recommend an xbox x/s controller and this cheap but great mount the power a moga clip 2.
https://www.powera.com/p/moga/clips/moga-mobile-gaming-clip-2-0-for-xbox-controllers-1519066-01-1519066-01R/
$10 clip + a used xbox controller + your phone and you have a gyro capable (your phone) mobile gaming system with probably the best gamepad ever.
I don’t think this takes the place of a gadget like the Brick Hammer but I do HEAVILY recommend going this route first as you likely already have an adequate phone and xbox controllers are cheap and plentiful on the used market (and their only real achilles heel is they don’t have gyro… which your phone solves).
note this clip uses the model 1914 xbox controller to be precise, xbox controller names are so stupid… but also this clip is $10, who cares, fold some post-it notes/cardstock up a bunch and jam em in there and you can make a different controller work if it is a similar shape and size
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_Wireless_Controller
I don’t want to use my phone
Agreed but battery life is clutch with mobile devices. Dead phone batteries don’t facilitate travel. Or waiting for your car to get fixed and having this in the glove box … I mean your argument is basically against all retro handheld devices.
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How would you say it compares to an analog pocket?
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!
Do you get to keep the stuff they give you to review?
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 :)
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.
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.