If you’re a fan of retro gaming and looking for a portable gaming device that balances performance, portability, and nostalgia, then you might want to check out the latest arrival from Go Game Geek: the Trimui Brick portable retro gaming console. For those who aren’t familiar, Go Game Geek specializes in retro gaming hardware, offering a range of retro-inspired devices. I’ve previously reviewed a few of their products, so I was excited when a new parcel arrived at my doorstep.
Let’s dive into the review!
First Impressions: The Extra Touch
Before we get into the main event, let’s talk about the unexpected bonus that came with my order. Included in the package was a compact and well-made gaming mouse pad. It’s not as large as the full-desk mats that have become popular lately, but it’s still a nice touch. The material used for this mat is quite unique—neither rubber nor fabric but something more akin to oil cloth. It felt interesting to the touch and featured the Go Game Geek logo. There was a slight chemical smell at first, but it aired out after a couple of days. While the mouse pad is a nice bonus, let’s face it—this unboxing is all about the console!
Meet the Trimui Brick
The device I ordered is the Trimui Brick, a portable retro gaming console that offers a modern take on the classic Game Boy design. For me, I prefer the vertical layout over the horizontal options found on many other retro handhelds, and this design works great during my daily commutes. The Brick features a familiar screen-on-top, controls-below design, which ensures comfortable use on public transport without giving me headaches.
I went for the version with a pre-loaded 128GB SD card, which came packed with emulators and games. While you can save some money by skipping the pre-loaded option and adding your own SD card, I opted for the pre-loaded experience to see what a typical customer would receive. I wanted to gauge the experience from a newbie’s perspective or someone buying it as a gift for a retro gaming fan.
However, there was an issue with the SD card. It seemed like it wasn’t fully copied when extracted from the factory. I ran a file system check (FSCK in Linux or Check Disk in Windows), and after that, everything worked fine.
Design and Build Quality
Out of the box, the Brick feels solid and well-built, not at all like a cheap knock-off. The non-transparent casing adds to its premium feel compared to some of the transparent plastic handhelds on the market. The device is lightweight at around 160 grams and fits comfortably in your hand—about the size of a pack of cigarettes.
One of the standout features is the RGB backlighting, which changes colors depending on which emulator you’re running, adding a fun visual element to your gaming experience. The shoulder buttons are designed not to protrude, making the device highly pocketable. While the USB-C port is located in a bit of an inconvenient spot (beside the shoulder buttons), the main USB-C port for charging and data transfer is located at the bottom.
A notable feature is the inclusion of a reset button, a mono mic, and a headphone jack. I was pleasantly surprised to see stereo speakers that actually deliver decent sound quality considering the size of the device.
Buttons and Controls
All of the buttons on the Brick are clicky, which might not suit everyone, but I didn’t find them noisy. They don’t use micro switches but instead employ dome membrane technology, which is similar to what’s found in desktop keyboards. There’s no analog control here, so you won’t find analog sticks or triggers, but for retro games, that’s not a huge issue.
You’ll also find volume control buttons and a power button with an LED indicator. One thing I should mention is that a few reviewers complained about the power button being hard to press, but in my case, I didn’t experience any issues.
Performance and Features
Under the hood, the Brick is powered by the Allwinner A133 chipset, a powerful enough option for retro gaming. While powerful chipsets often come with heat concerns, the device only gets warm during use, never exceeding 40°C. The rear part of the device is made of metal, which helps with heat dissipation.
The console comes with 1GB of LPDDR3 RAM (not LPDDR4 as some reviewers have mentioned) and 8GB of internal storage for games and emulators. The loading times for some emulators can be a bit slow, but the games themselves run smoothly once loaded.
The Brick also has some neat additional features like a media player, eBook reader, and the ability to connect to Steam via Moonlight, a great addition for those who want to play PC games on the go. It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to connect wireless headphones or pair with other devices for multiplayer action.
The Screen
The Trimui Brick features a 3.2-inch non-touch IPS screen with a resolution of 1024×768, which is sharper than most competing retro handhelds. The screen brightness is impressive at 400 nits, ensuring that it’s visible even in bright environments. The higher resolution makes a huge difference in terms of clarity, especially when scaling retro games. Some purists may prefer the original look of games as they were back in the day, but I think improving FPS and resolution is definitely worth it.
Software and Customization
My version of the Brick runs on Cross Miix OS, a Linux-based interface that feels user-friendly but not as polished as some alternatives. You can also install custom firmware like Onion OS or Garlic OS for more flexibility. There are a few minor software bugs, like the terminal distorting the image and issues with over-the-air firmware updates, but these could be easily fixed with a software update in the future.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
So, is the Trimui Brick worth picking up? If you’re into retro gaming, need a portable option for trips, or just want to relive those nostalgic gaming moments, the Brick is a fantastic choice. It’s well-built, offers great performance, has impressive features like built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and has one of the sharpest screens you’ll find in this category.
The price is also reasonable compared to similar devices, making it an affordable yet high-quality option for retro gaming enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of retro gaming handhelds, the Trimui Brick is a solid choice that delivers both nostalgia and modern features.