[태그:] 8bit 16bit emulation

Trimui Smart Pro Review – Big Screen Retro Handheld Under $80

By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab

Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.

Let me introduce the Trimui Smart Pro,
a 4.96-inch horizontal retro handheld priced under ₩100,000 (≈ $70–80 USD).

It’s a great alternative for anyone who finds 3.5-inch screens too small —
but keep in mind, that extra size comes with extra weight.

At over 200 grams, this handheld feels noticeably heavier during long sessions —
you’ll start to feel it in your wrists after a while.

According to my digital scale, it weighs 259 grams,
likely due to its large-capacity battery.

Build quality is solid — even a bit premium-looking.
The D-pad placement at the top is perfect for retro titles,
and the button feel is responsive and pleasant.

However, the analog sticks are basic — functional, but nothing special.
There’s no R3/L3 support, but that’s fine since most retro games don’t use them anyway.

The stereo speakers sound surprisingly good for this price range.

It runs on the manufacturer’s own custom OS.

The interface is simple and intuitive —
press the menu button to return to the game list,
browse through system folders, and launch games quickly.

However, you can’t select emulator cores per game,
which is a bit disappointing.

Also, while USB-C earphones technically work,
I wouldn’t recommend them — the experience is inconsistent.

One major flaw:
Even if you lower the BGM or system volume,
the speaker still plays loud audio.

The hardware volume buttons don’t properly control the sound level —
so it’s better to just use 3.5mm earphones.

Thankfully, both 3-pole and 4-pole earphones work fine —
even those with microphones produce clean stereo output.

It runs NDS games beautifully.

Unlike the RG35XX H, which lacks 3D rendering options,
the Trimui Smart Pro displays NDS visuals as intended.

If you enable “3D High Resolution = Yes”,
you’ll get sharper graphics —
though on weaker devices, that can cause lag.

The Trimui Smart Pro (and RK2023) handle this without slowdown,
thanks to slightly stronger CPUs.

By default, High-Resolution 3D is set to Yes,
so you’ll enjoy crisp, detailed visuals right out of the box.

For PSP games, use the PPSSPP emulator —
it’s much smoother and faster than the stock PSP app,
which loads and saves painfully slow.

Ridge Racer on PSP can reach 60 FPS
after tweaking a few options (disabling visual effects).

The only tradeoff: when boosting,
the screen effect that normally gives a “speed of light” feel
becomes less intense — but gameplay stays fluid.

Super Robot Wars A Portable runs great at 2× resolution —
a real treat for tactical RPG fans.

Some Dreamcast games have minor graphical glitches depending on the core used…

…but gameplay remains smooth and enjoyable overall.

Inside the “Fukey Setting” menu:

Enable CPU Performance Mode
for a small speed boost.

After enabling it, slide the FN switch to the right while gaming —
you’ll notice slightly better performance.
Just be warned: the device gets warm after long sessions.

For charging, use a 5V 2A charger.
The manual doesn’t clearly specify this,
but based on testing, it’s the safest option.

⚠️ Do not use 9V, 12V, or hybrid 5V/9V fast chargers —
they can permanently damage the board.

Final Verdict

If you can handle the 259g weight,
the 4.96-inch screen offers a bright, comfortable view
and handles PS1 and NDS titles effortlessly.

PSP games are playable with some settings tweaks,
though the console does get warm during long sessions.

For gamers seeking a large-screen handheld under $80,
the Trimui Smart Pro is a fantastic value —
as long as you don’t mind a bit of heft.

Enjoy your retro gaming life!
🎮 — Super Asurada 77

Original article in Korean: [link]

11월 4, 2025
R36S Retro Handheld Review – The Ultimate Budget Gaming Device
By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab

Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.

Let me introduce the R36S, a budget-friendly handheld console that’s earned a reputation for being one of the best value retro gaming devices out there.

The box and manual don’t show any manufacturer name — not even a logo, except for a small “GAME CONSOLE” mark on the device.
A mystery brand, but that’s part of its charm.

It weighs just 191 grams, about the same as a typical smartphone — light and easy to hold.
For comparison, the XU10 weighs around 200 grams.

Don’t expect premium build quality though — this is a budget device through and through.

The plastic below the screen looks like it still has a protective film stuck under it — not the best finish.

The D-pad and ABXY buttons have high resistance, which can make long sessions tiring.

That said, newer batches of the R36S have improved D-pads,
and Street Fighter II inputs like Hadouken and Shoryuken now come out smoothly.

It has only one mono speaker, and honestly, the sound quality is poor.
But at under ₩40,000 (≈ $30 USD), just having a speaker is a small miracle.

The R1, R2, L1, and L2 buttons make loud clicking noises —
so if you play on public transport, be prepared for a few annoyed glances.

The DC port is actually a USB-C charging port.

A few safety tips:
- Always charge with a 5V 1.5A or 5V 2A charger with proper certification (KC or UL).
- Do NOT use 9V fast chargers or 5V/9V mixed chargers — the board may burn out.
- Avoid 5V 1A chargers — they can overheat or even catch fire.
- Turn off the console before charging, and never charge overnight.
If you ignore these rules, your console might end up smoking and fried.

If you use a 4-pole earphone (with a mic), one side of the audio may not work.
Use a 3-pole non-mic earphone instead — that solves the issue.

The screen is very bright and sharp, almost too bright —
staring at it for too long can cause eye strain,
and the LED backlight can be harsh in dark rooms.

Performance-wise, it handles PS1 and below perfectly fine.
Dreamcast games technically run, but with heavy stuttering.
NDS games show noticeable frame drops.

The device’s short width also makes it less comfortable to grip for long sessions.

The controls and OS layout are typical of Linux-based retro handhelds —
nothing fancy, but familiar.

So why do I still call it the best budget handheld?

Because for under $30–35,
you can comfortably play arcade, 8-bit, 16-bit, and even PS1 games
while lying on your bed or couch.

Pros
- Super cheap price
- Bright and clear display
- Great for short sessions of PS1 and earlier titles
Cons
- Stiff D-pad and buttons cause finger fatigue
- Overly bright display can hurt the eyes
- Narrow horizontal body makes it uncomfortable for long play
- Poor mono speaker quality
- Loud shoulder button clicks
If you’re considering a vertical-style handheld,
I’d suggest adding just ₩10,000 (~$7 USD) more and getting the XU10,
which feels sturdier and more comfortable overall.

Still, for pure affordability, the R36S remains unbeatable.

Enjoy your retro gaming life!
🎮 — Super Asurada 77

Original article in Korean: [link]
11월 4, 2025
G350 Retro Handheld Review
By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab

Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.

The G350 is a 3.5-inch vertical retro handheld console —
essentially a strong contender against the popular R36S.

It costs about 10,000 KRW (≈ $7 USD) more than the R36S,
but it’s absolutely worth it.

The D-pad and ABXY buttons are miles better than those on the R36S —
they’re quiet, firm, and satisfyingly tactile.

You can easily play shooting games on the subway
without making any noticeable button noise.

However, note that the L1, L2, R1, and R2 shoulder buttons
still make a distinct “click” sound.

I tested it with Street Fighter II,
and both the Hadouken and Shoryuken commands came out perfectly.

It’s extremely light — just 189 grams (under 200g).

If you plan to play for long sessions,
I recommend getting a dedicated grip attachment for comfort.

With the grip attached, it weighs about 233 grams.

Even without the grip, short gaming sessions are perfectly fine.

In terms of performance, I recommend limiting gameplay to PS1 and below.

Some Dreamcast titles run decently (like Sonic Adventure, Virtua Striker, Virtua Fighter 3),
but others show noticeable lag.

Berserk (Dreamcast) runs smoothly,
but heavier 3D games like Dead or Alive will struggle.

PSP emulation is hit or miss —
3D titles like Ridge Racer stutter,
but 2D games like Super Robot Wars run fairly well at 2× resolution.

Performance-wise, it’s identical to the R36S,
but the buttons and D-pad feel so much better that
I find myself picking this one up more often.

One downside: the stock OS isn’t great.
You can’t assign emulator cores per game,
which limits customization.

I personally replaced it with ArkOS (for RG351MP)
and used a custom DTB file for G350 compatibility.

However, there’s one critical bug:
if you plug in wired earphones right after booting,
sound plays from both the speaker and the headphones simultaneously.

The built-in speaker is located at the bottom.
Sound quality is average — not great, but acceptable for casual gaming.

Neo Geo games run beautifully.

Super Famicom (SNES) games like Yoshi’s Island
run smoothly without any lag.

MAME arcade games also run fine — Run and Gun 1 plays great,
but Run and Gun 2 simply won’t run — the device just can’t handle it!

Both 3-pole and 4-pole earphones work perfectly.

Use only 5V 1.5A or 5V 2A chargers
with proper KS safety certification (or UL equivalent).

⚠️ Do not use:
- 9V or mixed 5V/9V fast chargers → can fry the board.
- 5V 1A chargers → may overheat or fail.
- Charging while powered on or overnight → unsafe.
Always turn off the device before charging,
and avoid leaving it plugged in while you sleep —
you never know what might happen.

Final Verdict

If you’re a beginner looking for a retro handheld under $50 (≈ ₩60,000)
and mostly plan to play PS1 or older titles,
the G350 is an excellent choice.

If you dislike the button feel on the R36S,
just spend a little more — this model’s controls are worth it.

Lightweight, compact, and built for quiet retro fun.

Enjoy your retro gaming life!
🎮 — Super Asurada 77

Original article in Korean: [link]
11월 4, 2025