Trimui Smart Pro from Mechdiy - A replacement for the PSP?

[@hound903]

Good to see you’re reviewing more of these retro handhelds Mark, been a while indeed 👍

[@RetroCore]

Indeed! I've got another on the way too. Should be here later in the week.

[@CellPhish]

Did you update your software prior to review? Most your issues were addressed in a firmware update

[@RetroCore]

No, I don't do any firmware updates before reviewing as I want people to see what they get out of the box. In some cases people may not be comfortable with firmware updates. Not sure why though.

[@zach49490]

​@@RetroCoreI understand this... But if you're buying a device like this then you would know you'd need to be updating the firmware... 1.0.4 added Vulkan to PPSSPP and it's much better for psp games now

[@pinkandbluebloxplayers3320]

Tomato OS 1.0.4 has Vulkan support for TrimUI Smart Pro.

[@X_Leonhart]

@@RetroCore I just bought a TSP and it came with the latest firmware out of the box.

[@STR82DVD]

I was just thinking of you. My Rogbid Model X finally showed up. The company actually came through and honored my return. I was shocked to see it arrive and it's actually the proper Model X smartwatch with 4Gb/128Gb rather than the 2Gb/16Gb that the company initially shipped me. Bloody brilliant lad. I like the direction Trimui is moving in especially compared to their early models. It's still not a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro but it's not pretending to be so at that price point.

[@RetroCore]

Good to hear the company did the right thing and sent you what you ordered. 👍

[@STR82DVD]

@@RetroCore Right? I was truly amazed. Rogbid even included a really crappy pair of Bluetooth earbuds but hey, I'm just happy it all went well lad.

[@PlasmaSnake369]

The TATE mode is the reason I would buy one of these, but I just realized I could do the same thing with my Odin Lite with some settings changes

[@Streetsupra88]

Whats the futuristic racing game on N64 you tested? I didnt recognize it, and would love it on my Odin 2...

[@RetroCore]

Ah, that is called AeroGauge 👍

[@AllPinballFanatic]

I've ordered this device but without the SDCard... can those vertical shooters be added later ?

[@RetroCore]

Yes. But how you configure the system to run them you'll need to check on a forum if there's no menu option.

[@liampascoe7085]

Remember to toggle your FN button right for higher performance when needed!

[@zach49490]

On 1.0.4 you can set the Fn to more functions. Mine is turn LED off and CPU performance higher

[@diebesgrab]

I’ve resolved at this point to just stick with my hacked PSP and 3DS till I finally get a handheld that can run PCSX2 and Dolphin respectably, on top of everything else. Vita would be nice, too, though I’m really not sure what the current state of Vita emulation is.

[@STR82DVD]

Vita is still very much in the early stages with absolutely glacial development. Patience is all I can recommend.

[@johnny14794]

In the settings there's an option to use the bottom switch to enable performance mode. Which improves the performance of the device. Also latest firmware version 1.0.4 addresses many of bugs and problems on psp games and other emulators.

[@RetroCore]

On the stock firmware it doesn't seem to do anything but I did hear like you mentioned that to updated firmware helps fix many issues.

[@voteDC]

I use the RP3+ as my PSP replacement, even swapped in Playstation symbol buttons. The TrimUI Smart Pro is a nice looking handheld but it's a hard sell at its price.

[@yadspi]

It's the only one with a 5" screen, up to PSP gaming handheld for less than $80...what are you talking about? Mine was $70 with a 64gb sd card and case, the Pocket 3+ was $150 and came down only to $130 before selling out and Retroid has the most expensive shipping of them all.

[@voteDC]

@@yadspi It's simply not worth the $80. Most people would be better off buying a controller and using their phone, which is more than likely going to be able to play the same games as this handheld and more.

[@estylegreesye4384]

Only about 50-60$ on Aliexpress most of the time, so very good deal right now!

[@jbmaru]

Do you have any frameskip option for Saturn? What about 2.5D games with 3D and some sprites in, do they run ok? Pjustic on the Dreamcast should be Project Justice.

[@RetroCore]

If you go in to the Retro Arch settings it is possible but it doesn't do much good. Sega Rally for example still ran like crap. Clockwork Knight ran okay but that still had some issues with speed.

[@Retriku]

While the device looks rather nice, the BIGGEST offender in this case is the lack of a touch screen. If they're selling us a system that is capable of emulating Nintendo DS games, then having a touch screen is a MUST for the system. I don't wanna use the left or right joystick to move to the location of the stylus where I want it to go to, especially when some games require us to do these little squiggles or movements in-game. (For example, the Call of Duty and 007 games require us to turn around with the touch screen, while the face buttons make us move to a direction.) I know I'm not really the target for these emulation systems, but it does bother me that this one doesn't have a touch screen right from the get-go, so that emulating a Nintendo DS can be a breeze for users like me.

[@RetroCore]

I just wouldn't bother with games that require heavy touch controls even on a real DS. But yeah, I certainly see your point with this.

[@bigload6]

Who's playing cod on the ds in 2024 😂😂

[@ninjaalex-yf5io]

could you please test Metal Slug XX and Ultimate Ghoust and ghost on PSP and tell me if they run ok ? Thank you

[@RetroCore]

Metal slug X I've tried. Runs fine. I don't have Ultimate G'nG though.

[@ninjaalex-yf5io]

@@RetroCore thank you

[@pclinuxos_br]

Hi Mark, what OS powers the handheld ? It seemed Android.

[@RetroCore]

It's Linux based OS with retro arch running under some front end. Probably emulation station.

[@dcikaruga]

I always do the Street Fighter test with these things, can you do a fireball and dragon punch consistently and easily then?

[@RetroCore]

Yep, no problem.

[@petrpavlosek4132]

Hello sir ✌️ When you update the firmware, can I ask you for a "how to" video tutorial? I am a "newbie" at this and would like to do everything right. Thank you for your reply - greetings from a fan from the Czech Republic 😉

[@RetroCore]

I'm afraid I won't be updating the firmware on this device as I'm going to sell it on.

[@mmmhhh.]

Hey man what software should I use for emulation of games using a phone (processor is snapdragon 730g) with a game pad and how do people get (download) these old games? Thanks a ton

[@RetroCore]

Depends. You should be good with anything up to Dreamcast. Dreamcast - Recast or Redream PlayStation - Duck Station PSP - PPSSPP Game Cube / Wii - Dolphin Emulator GBA - gba.emu Mega Drive - md. Emu And so on. There's a lot of choice for Android users and most emulators can be dowoaded from the PlayStore.

[@groove66]

5:58 am. Burning the midnight oil Retro Core?

[@RetroCore]

Yep, life is very busy these days.

[@shiya1104]

can play this without internet connections?

[@RetroCore]

Yes, fully playable without any Internet connection.

[@williamwilliam9993]

is it possible to run android on this trimui handheld

[@RetroCore]

I don't think it is.

[@FreakyLeek]

A consolised PSP is what I would buy, if there is a good one available.

[@RetroCore]

That would be very cool but at this point I think emulation is more likely for that dream.

[@FreakyLeek]

@@RetroCore I am currently using an original PSP with discs and Retro Tink5X. I have found it good so far for some games, but yes a good quality consolised version that I could put all my discs into would be cool indeed.

[@BigPoppaR]

NAOMI and Dreamcast use the same emulator core. None the less, I look forward to an updated review once you have updated the firmware 😎

[@RetroCore]

Yes that is true since they're basically the same system.

[@BigPoppaR]

@@RetroCore same processor, double the ram.

[@RetroCore]

Yep. Strange that we haven't seen Naomi arcade games ported to the Dreamcast like we did with Atomis Wave games. I guess most Naomi games really make use of that extra Ram.

[@petrpavlosek4132]

@@RetroCore Hello sir ✌️ If you are going to update the firmware, can I ask you for a "how to" video tutorial? Thank you for your reply - greetings from a fan from the Czech Republic 😉

[@davidbermudez7704]

WOW looks so amazing 😊😊😊

[@RetroCore]

Glad you like it.

[@michaeljohnston4459]

Cheap too 😊

[@JustPeasant]

Even it is supposedly a PSP replacement, the PSP games aren't running 100% correctly. Still playable, though. Maybe a possible firmware update will sort it out? I wouldn't hold my breath, but it JUST might. Thanks to PSP's horrible battery, playing these games through emulation is the only way to do it today! Thank you, Sony... 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

[@diebesgrab]

I can’t vouch for the quality, but you can find third party batteries for PSP on Amazon or ebay, some with higher (reported) capacities than the PSP default. I bought an OEM replacement years ago when my original battery started expanding, and it’s held up reasonably well so far, in spite of how many charge cycles I’ve put the thing through since I finally hacked it back in 2020.

[@JustPeasant]

@@diebesgrab That's good. I have five (5) PSPs in my stockpile. Five bloated batteries ⚰️ They were all purchased new (the person had an OCD for these sort of things). Overall, the stock (OEM) PSP batteries are rubbish🗑️

[@RetroCore]

I've heard that the firmware update does help improve things a little.

[@Charlie-Cat.]

We need another Pow-Kiddy review from Mark. I use to really enjoy them for you bro. 8^) Anthony..

[@RetroCore]

I wonder if Pow. Kiddy are still around?

[@Евгений-м9с8к]

По уровню эмуляции как мой Андроид 6.0 старый 😂 Но зато,не надо искать подходящие эмуляторы и физический джойстик уже есть)👍 Сега Сатурн не идеально эмулируется,по крайней мере на моем аппарате не очень,примерно как на этой приставке. Вот на 9м Андроиде уже хорошо,на более 7м и 8м не проверял. В общем хорошая консолька,симпатичная,удобная и довольно мощная👍 Интересно как бы на ней ПС2 и 3DS игры пошли бы 😏

[@fonarte]

TaaaaaTTEEE MooooooooODDDE!!!!

[@Atletico_Fan]

Could please someone tell me if it plays GTA vice city story's

[@RetroCore]

On PSP? Yes, it plays that.

[@Atletico_Fan]

@@RetroCore Well or just ok

[@RetroCore]

Pretty well. It's fully playable in my opinion.

[@Midekai]

sega saturn emulator is still miserable. that's a shame. I was expecting better. but it handles arcade and naomi emulation quite nicely!

[@MrZakuRetro]

you can test tomato os it make better the psp emulator and some other optimizations.

[@RetroCore]

Nice! Probably something that I will do down the road but for these videos, I like to show the public what they get out of the box. Showing an updated firmware version is a bit sly as there are people out there who just can't deal with firmware upgrades.

[@MrZakuRetro]

@@RetroCore yeah i understand that, but you can do a after using the tomato os i read is not that difficult :)

[@jaynosowsky9708]

This guy left the function button on battery safer...which cuts the performance.

[@ilkeryoldas]

There's no GameCube?

[@raypuiaascii4653]

Judging by the specs of this thing, i doubt it would run GC stuff

[@RetroCore]

That's asking a bit much from this device.

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

Nope,...and its my one gripe about this device. Other than that, its totally awesome!

[@SomeOrangeCat]

For me, none of these devices warrant a purchase. I have a phone and a telescoping gamepad. That's all I need.

[@sloppynyuszi]

I have a backbone and thought I wouldn’t need these, but taking off the case is more annoying then whipping out my little Ambernic or Switch. My phone is just for calls, messages and doomscrolling.

[@STR82DVD]

That's what I thought until I bought my first unit years ago. Personally, I think you're smart for not wandering down that rabbit hole. I did and my collection is now insane.

[@STR82DVD]

@@sloppynyuszi I do the same. In fact I use my watch to answer calls and my smartphone for just KZbin and email. That's about it. Hell, I didn't even bother with a SIM in my smartphone as my smartwatch is 4G out of the box.

[@shinsmoke]

These retro handhelds are a blessing, my smartphone is used solely for calling, messaging apps, watching content, and staying connected on various platforms.

[@RetroCore]

I have to admit that while I'm rocking a very capable smart phone (pixel 7 Pro) I never game on it. Besides net browsing I use it primarily as a camera.