I just play Steam Deck and write about gaming + Linux a lot
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2·4 days agoAnbernic made their own version a little while back too!
That retro futurism it evokes was the prod for me to compile all these images for a PSP ‘scrapbook’ a little while ago
https://gardinerbryant.com/my-psp-scrapbook-part-retrospective-part-collage/
It is such a beautifully designed machine!
There were a few nice benefits though, over the (nicer) ergonomics of the 1000
- 64MB RAM over the 32 in the 1000
- Better battery life (apparently, though I never saw much of that)
- The screens certainly got brighter on the 2000
The best part is though that while they’re all such similar models, they all have their own quirks and pros (as well as cons), so there really is a PSP for everybody!
Anyway, good write up
Thank you! I had a ton of fun with this one, because I love the consoles so damn much. It was a fun surprise when it all arrived and I got to see just what the word “junk” meant this time, and (as ever), it was such a pleasant surprise. It might be a little selfish of me to think it, but I really think the old and humble PSP still has a place as a great handheld even in 2026!
I loved reading through this, and its even better knowing a genuine review of something I got to enjoy ended up accurate!
Your findings are those I loved going through, also :)
The only two spaces I’ve seen Riley active in to chat about Songo#5 are Discord and Reddit, if you ever want to reach out to him about anything.
I can say there’s some amazing things coming (software-wise!) to the Brick and Brick Hammer sometime soon. So you’re in a vibrant and very supported community with it now :)
So glad you’re having fun!
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
I had no idea either! I spotted a comment (since last week it was the 40th anniversary of Pixar) and that led me down the rabbit hole of finding all of this out.
…and I thought, well that’d make an interesting article to write!
No, its just the Brick, not the metal Hammer version!
So, almost the same, but your version of is has some improvements (and a nice metal body!). You’re going to love it when it arrives!
No, these are Linux, not Android
Then this is perfect timing!
That’s all Riley right there!
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!
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!)
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!
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 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 :)
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.
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 :)
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!
I’m sorry you felt this wasn’t quite up to standards!
Gamma’s baby was born prematurely, and he had an emergency visit rushing back to the hospital throughout the time we’d set aside for this little interview, so for whatever it counts things were quite chaotic. Also, baby is home and fine now!
(And thanks! Fixed that typo!)