Quinn's Curios

The AAA games industry is still bleak.  The two phrases of the moment seem to be “record breaking profits” and “layoffs.”  There are industry analysts and observers that can provide a more detailed history or more specific data, but for my part I’m just sick of developers getting screwed while the executive class continues to rake in fat checks.  As such, I am continuing my search for a retro (emulation) handheld that will meet my needs.  As a reminder, the criteria that I am using to judge these handhelds can be seen below. 

Each section will be given an individual score, and then each handheld will be given a score out of 100.  The physical user experience is given an especially weighty score because it is the most difficult for the end user to change.  This stands in contrast to software, which can be updated fairly easily by a user with know-how, and the unboxing experience, which has never left much of an impression on me.

The Unboxing Experience ( / 20)

What documentation is included with the device?

Are there any included accessories or pack-ins?

Does the device seem well-packaged?

Is there anything about the unboxing experience that stands out?  

The User Experience: Physical (/ 40)

How is the device’s build quality?

Does it rattle or creak in use?

How does the device feel in the hand?

How is the sound?

If the device has speakers, where are they located?

Does the device have a headphone jack?

Does the device have any outstanding features?

Is the device aesthetically pleasing?

The User Experience: Digital (/ 20)

What ROMs, if any, are included with the device?

How well do the included ROMs run?

Is the included software easy to use? 

The Intangibles ( / 20)

Does the device offer good value?

Does the device stand out in the market?

Is the device a “hot commodity?”

Anbernic RG35XXSP

Unboxing - 12/20  

The unit I purchased included a USB-C to A cable, an unbranded 64 GB microSD card, and a quick start guide.  It also included a screen protector, but it was not pre-applied.  Ultimately, while I wasn’t blown away by the unboxing experience, the device had more to offer than the G350 (discussed in the previous round-up), so I’m giving it a higher score.

User Experience: Physical - 34/40

There’s a lot to like about the RG35XXSP.  Its standout physical feature is definitely its hinged design, both because it offers protection for the screen and because it's a nostalgic call-back to the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.  It also has the most comfortable horizontal trigger bank of any of the devices I’ve tried so far.  The buttons are all clicky (rather than mushy), and this is generally my preference while playing.  The device also features a headphone jack and an upward firing speaker (just like the GBA SP), both of which are nice to see.  It also includes two microSD card slots, Bluetooth, and a micro-HDMI out, allowing for additional storage and “consolizing” the device by connecting it to a TV or monitor with a wireless controller.

If I had any complaints, it’d be that the microSD card is hard to remove without a tool, even with a fingernail slit.  (Granted, this is hardly a gripe unique to this device, unfortunately.)  Also, like any hinged device, it’s unclear how long the mechanism will last.  In other words, the hinge is also a potential point of failure that a “slab” device doesn’t have.  While I like the clicky buttons, I get how it could be an annoyance for the people around you (e.g. a sleeping partner or fellow public transit passengers).  It has yet to actually be a problem for me in either case, but perhaps more testing will reveal otherwise.      

User Experience: Digital - 10/20

Something I’ve come to appreciate about budget Linux-based retro handhelds is that they (generally) “just work.”  The RG35XXSP is no exception in this regard, and it came with a wide variety of games to play from the jump.  The pre-populated systems included: arcade games (CP1-3, FBNeo, MAME), PlayStation games (PS1, PSP), Sega games from Master System to Dreamcast and Game Gear, WonderSwan, and PC Engine.  Unlike many of its compatriots, it also included both SNES and GBA games, which makes sense given the nostalgia that the device is clearly drawing from.  The device even included homebrew games and old PC ports like Wolfenstein.  I certainly wouldn’t call it a complete library by any means, but there are plenty of games to enjoy on the console. 

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, however.  If budget Linux-based handhelds have the benefit of generally “just working,” they also have the drawback of having weird limitations and quirks that the end-user may not appreciate.  For me, this includes the fact that the games available on the device are divided into “Game Rooms” and “RA Games,” for no reason I can discern.  This also includes the fact that, depending on the emulator the manufacturer / reseller chose, you may have very limited options to change the way a game displays on the device.  I was particularly frustrated by the one-two punch of some systems not displaying well on the device’s screen and being unable to adjust the game’s scaling for a better fit (even if it would mean black bars).  I know that this could be solved by switching to a different operating system, but that’s not something I’m willing to do for a device I may yet return.  Also, though I’ve said this before: there’s also no guarantee that a second device will have the same games.  

Intangibles -  18/20

Just like the TrimUI Brick, it’s hard to ignore how much positive coverage this device has received.  The fact that I was able to purchase it for $75, making it the second cheapest device on the list (second only to the G350), is also worth considering!  When you add in the nostalgia for the GBA SP, the hinge / self-protecting screen, and the fact that it includes GBA games on the device, the RG35XXSP represents a value that is hard to ignore.  

Final Score and Conclusion - 74/100

This device has scored the highest of any I’ve reviewed so far, and I doubt that will change any time soon (at least in the budget handheld segment).  There’s a lot to like, from the self-protecting screen to the clicky buttons.  What’s more, the stuff that’s less positive - like the wonky OS - can be solved with a bit of tinkering and patience.  Failing that, my unit came with more than enough games out of the box to keep me entertained.  Ultimately, while I can’t give this device the title of budget king - that moniker still goes to the G350 - I’m more than happy to give it my highest marks yet. 

Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini

Unboxing -  12/20

I wouldn’t call the unboxing experience of this device barebones; after all, it did include a USB-C cable, a QR code linking to the manual and quick start guide, and a pre-installed screen protector.  It certainly didn’t impress me, however, and I can’t give it a score much higher than the other devices I’ve considered.  The device also did not include a microSD card, but I’ll be talking about that more in the “User Experience: Digital” section.

User Experience: Physical - 32/40

Subjectively, the Air Mini feels the most “premium” in my hand of all the devices I’ve tested thus far.  Objectively, it’s also the most expensive, coming in at almost double the price of all the other devices ($170 vs $100 or less)!  As such, if it didn’t feel more premium, I’d have to give the device a rock-bottom score.  Beyond that, while the device generally feels well-assembled with few rattles or creaks (minus the volume rocker), I found the face buttons a bit mushy for my liking.  I was also disappointed by the downward firing speakers, but the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack makes up for it somewhat.  Beyond that, the device does have a microSD card slot covered by a rubber flap; like almost all of the devices I’ve tested so far, I found the flap and insertion mechanism a pain to use.  Luckily, it’s not something you’ll have to deal with often.

User Experience: Digital - 10*/20

As my first Android-based retro emulation device, it immediately became clear to me that Android is a whole different ball game than Linux.  If Linux is the “it just works” OS, Android is the king of customization.  Unfortunately, this also means a lot of work is required of the end-user, as the device comes with no games and almost no software (save for some gaming-specific applications like “Ayaspace,” which is provided by the manufacturer).  Some, I’m sure, will prefer this approach.  They will be free to tinker to their hearts content, from picking their favorite emulators to tweaking settings so every game looks its best on the device.  

For those looking for a “pick up and play” experience, however, this is NOT for you.  Guides do exist, of course; I found the ones from RetroGameCorps and TechDweeb particularly useful.  As with anything, it’ll also get easier the more you do it.  If you just want to play games, however, and you’re not looking to make retro emulation tinkering one of your hobbies (as opposed to retro game playing), again, I would caution against picking an Android device.  To be honest, I still have some niggles even after following the guides, which isn’t great.  In the end, I have to caveat my score for this section.  If you’re a tech enthusiast with a large collection of ROMs and you’re willing to tinker, Android is a 15/20.  If you’re not either of those things, it’s hard to give it above a 5.  As such, I’ll be splitting the difference at 10.

Intangibles - 14/20

I sought this device out because it was listed as a “great value” at around $100.  That’s a perfectly fair assessment!  At that price, the Air Mini would absolutely smoke the competition, especially for those who are more tech savvy and are comfortable tinkering (see: “User Experience: Digital”).  I bought this device from Amazon for a lot more than $100, though, so I can’t help but feel disappointed.  Why should I stick with this device when something like the Anbernic RG476V (the “retro-handheld-ass retro handheld") exists for $30 more?  I know there are better deals to be found on places like AliExpress and the manufacturer’s website, but without the protection of Amazon’s return policy, I was not willing to use either.  

With that being said, I am not going to crater this device’s score in this section for two reasons.  First, the device can be found for better prices around the internet for those willing to look.  If this device really speaks to you, I think it’s worth seeking out.  I certainly won’t complain about the various colorways it has on offer!  Also, Android as an operating system is so powerful and customizable (with the potential to play Steam games via apps like Game Native) that it’s hard to ignore.  This device might only be able to play lightweight games, but the fact that it can play Steam games at all is something to celebrate. 

Final Score and Conclusion - 68/100

At a glance, this looks like the lowest score I’ve given thus far.  The score doesn’t provide the full picture, though.  For folks who enjoy tinkering (and who already have a library of ROMs), this device could be an excellent gateway into the world of Android-based gaming!  In fact, changing its “User Experience: Digital” score to 15 (for the tech-savvy) would make it the second-highest rated handheld I’ve tested, behind only the RG35XXSP.  In the end, it’s a matter of setting expectations.  If you can get this device at the right price and if you go in clear-eyed about what an Android-based retro gaming handheld asks of its user, this could be a great little device.  If you just want something to pick up and play, though, I would point you elsewhere.

Is Comparison the Thief of Joy?  (Yes.)

At this point, I’ve tried a handful of different devices.  I would hardly consider myself an expert, given how many more there are on the market, however.  While I don’t have the breadth of experience of someone like RetroGameCorps, I am reminded of something I’ve learned over years of experience with my other hobbies: there is no perfect pen, keyboard, or, in this case, retro handheld.   Even in a hypothetical situation where we could pick and choose the best parts of every handheld, there’s still manufacturing variance to consider.  Even if we take a hypothetical step further and say that we have a perfect factory that spits out perfect copies of every machine they build, there’s still the fact that different devices meet different needs. 

For example, a large and powerful gaming handheld (like the ones being released by Asus and Lenovo) might be able to play virtually every game under the sun.  They’re also big, meaning that they may not fit into your lifestyle (be it commuting, travelling, or generally being out and about).  They’re also expensive, meaning that they may not fit into your budget and/or you may not want to take your multi-thousand dollar machine out of the house!  A smaller gaming handheld may be cheaper, but it may not be able to play the games you are most interested in playing.  The screen may not be big enough for your eyes or the device might be too small for your hands.  In short, even if a device does “everything right,” for its segment, it may still be a bad fit for your needs.  

With all of that in mind, I’ve come up with a framework to help me (and, hopefully, you) decide which retro gaming device is the best fit for you and your needs.  It’s not really focused on specs, though that will be at least a part of the discussion.  It can also be broken up into a handful of different categories: budget, games, use case, and tech-savvy. 

Budget

What you are willing to spend on a handheld will dictate a lot of the other categories, so I’m going to discuss it first.  Here's the obvious: the more you spend, the more gaming “horsepower” you have access to (generally).  You’re not going to find a handheld gaming PC for under $500 any more (thanks AI) unless you’re really lucky or you’re able and willing to repair a broken unit.  That doesn’t mean you can’t still have a lot of fun, of course; just look at the BatleXP G350!  You will land on a device that’s a better fit for you if you have a clear picture of how much you’re willing to spend from the jump, though.

Games

The next question you need to ask yourself is, “what games do I actually want to play?”  If you’re only interested in “early” retro games (ie PS1 era and before), you really don’t need much processing power at all.  The more systems you want to play, however, the more power you’ll need under the hood.  With that being said, power isn’t the be-all end-all.  Why?  Some systems do not emulate well on certain operating systems.  At time of writing (Q2, 2026), my mind goes immediately to 3DS emulation on Android.  It doesn’t matter how powerful your system is; the emulation experience of 3DS on Android is still too new to provide a polished, seamless experience.  That will likely change in time, but I never recommend buying a system based on promised future features.

Beyond that, if you want to play PC games (either natively or via an app like Game Native), yeah, more power means you can play more games.  Even here, though, there is room for nuance.  If you’re going to be playing AAA titles, sure, go for all the power you can afford.  If you’re mostly going to focus on lightweight or indie titles, you probably don’t need a monster handheld.  For me, while I like having the option to play more graphically intense games, I almost always find myself playing them on my PC because my monitor is bigger than any handheld screen.  In the end, with tech being priced the way it is nowadays, paying hundreds (or thousands) of dollars more for a “nice to have” just doesn’t make sense to me.  As such, I’m generally focusing on less powerful handhelds.

Use Case

I alluded to this in my opening paragraphs of this section, but I think it’s important to consider what you’re going to use the device for.  Could a bulky handheld PC work as a commute companion (assuming you’re not driving, of course)?  Sure!  Would such a device also come with its own issues, though (e.g. weight, conspicuousness, etc)?  Also yes.  It’s not like such a device is going to fit in your pocket, either, unless you have comically large cargo shorts.  By contrast, could such a device be great for use at home?  Undoubtedly.  

On the other hand, a device like the Anbernic RG35XXSP might be great for your commute because of its pocket-friendliness and more affordable price point.  (Miyoo makes an even smaller “SP-style” device, too, called the Mini Flip).  I don’t know that I’d want to use either device extensively at home, though, when I have a PC to play on.  (Granted, it’s not like I can drag my PC to the couch or the bed, so take that observation with a grain of salt.)  In short, it’s worth considering how the device you plan on buying will actually fit in your life.  Being intentional with this decision will help you end up with a device that gets used and enjoyed rather than one that gets returned (or that collects dust on a shelf).

Tech-Savvy

Lastly, I think it’s important to consider how technically savvy you are.  In my experience, virtually every handheld I’ve played with could be improved with some level of tinkering, from tweaking emulation settings to installing a new operating system on a given device.  Not everyone has the time, patience, or expertise to do those things, though, and that’s OK.  Even if you have the technical know-how, I understand how not everyone wants “tinkering” to be their hobby (instead of actually playing games).  I am reminded of my search to find the best pen, paper, and ink combination.  Was it fun?  Sure.  Did it make me a better writer or a more consistent journaller?  Absolutely not. 

In short, if you’re tech-savvy, the world is your oyster.  You can probably make any handheld work for you, and you very likely don’t need my advice on which handheld to pick.  If you’re not tech-savvy, or if you don’t want to invest the time and energy it’ll take to be tech-savvy in the context of the retro doodad, I’d likely recommend against going for an Android-based handheld.  Instead, I’d point you toward a budget Linux-based system or, if you can afford it and it fits within your lifestyle, a handheld PC like the Steam Deck.  Though the Steam Deck is considerably more expensive (especially now), its strong integration with Steam means it's very straightforward to “just play games.”

Which Device Would I Choose?

After trying five devices, I’m now clearer on my preferences with regards to retro emulation handhelds.  I know, for example, that I tend to prefer horizontal handhelds (like the MiniLoong), but that’s not a concrete rule if the device is large enough. I also know that I will be using these devices primarily for older retro gaming (stopping around PS1), so purchasing the highest-end handheld isn’t a necessity for me.  I also know that my use case is going to involve a fair amount of commuting: a couple of hours on the train every day I go into work.  Lastly, while I consider myself reasonably tech-savvy, I value a system that “just works.”  Honestly, while I can’t deny the flexibility and promise of Android as an emulation OS, I’ve generally been happier with the (budget) Linux systems I’ve used because they “just work.” 

My plan on how to do this is simple: I’m going to purchase and test a number of retro handhelds to see which one meets my needs based on a number of criteria I will lay out shortly. Then, I’ll share my findings. My hope is that they will be useful for anyone also looking to get into (or get back into) retro handhelds and emulation. Let it be known, however, that I’m not planning to delve too deeply into the specs of each device unless I think they merit explicit discussion. There are other places to get that kind of information for folks who want it. My goal is to give basic information about my experience with a device and leave it at that.

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My criteria for evaluating each device can be seen below. Each section will be given an individual score, and then each unit will be given a score out of 100. The physical user experience is given an especially weighty score because it is the most difficult for the end user to change. This stands in contrast to software, which can be updated fairly easily by a user with know-how, and the unboxing experience, which has never left much of an impression on me.

The Unboxing Experience ( / 20)

What documentation is included with the device?

Are there any included accessories or pack-ins?

Does the device seem well-packaged?

Is there anything about the unboxing experience that stands out?

The User Experience: Physical (/ 40)

How is the device’s build quality?

Does it rattle or creak in use?

How does the device feel in the hand?

How is the sound?

If the device has speakers, where are they located?

Does the device have a headphone jack?

Does the device have any outstanding features?

Is the device aesthetically pleasing?

The User Experience: Digital (/ 20)

What ROMs, if any, are included with the device?

How well do the included ROMs run?

Is the included software easy to use?

The Intangibles ( / 20)

Does the device offer good value?

Does the device stand out in the market?

Is the device a “hot commodity?”

TrimUI Brick

Unboxing - 14/20

The unit I purchased included a USB-C cable, a quick start guide, warranty information, and replacement shoulder buttons (with an upward slope, as compared to the flat plane of the buttons installed on the device). The unit also came with a pre-installed screen protector and 64 GB microSD card.

User Experience: Physical - 28/40

The buttons are suitably tactile, including the face buttons, shoulder buttons, and side buttons. The device has a lot of RGB, including the two top face buttons, the power button, and the stems of the shoulder buttons. There is also a small RGB strip on the top lip of the back of the device. The device has front firing speakers, separate volume up and down buttons, a single microSD card slot, a headphone jack, and two USB-C ports (one at the bottom of the device and one between the left and right bank of trigger buttons). I had no issues with the clarity of the screen. My biggest issue with the device was its size. My thumbs started cramping after about 30 minutes with the device. My hands aren’t especially large; for reference, I wear a size “L” glove. As such, I’d definitely recommend trying this device before committing to buy to see if it works for your hands.

User Experience: Digital - 9/20

I was irritated to find that my unit included a number of indie games that are still available for sale: Balatro, Celeste, Sonic Mania, and Stardew Valley, among others. While I own copies of virtually all of these games on other platforms, if this was to become my main device, I’d delete these games without hesitation. In my mind, there is a big difference between playing games that are out-of-print or otherwise “unobtainium” (insane prices on the secondary market, not available in any digital format, not having room for an arcade cabinet, etc) and those that are still available on retail platforms like Steam. Each of the games is also in Chinese, giving me another reason to delete them because it’s not a language I speak. Plus, when I tried Celeste out of morbid curiosity, the title screen was riddled with weird graphical glitches. Yikes!

Thankfully, those weren’t the only games featured on the device. Though the device notably lacked any ROMs from Nintendo, it did include a fairly robust library of games. This included ROMs for: Master System, Genesis, Playstation 1, PSP, WonderSwan Color, Pico-8, Atari Lynx / 2600 / 7800, and multiple arcade systems. Ultimately, while I wasn’t blown away by the selection, I’m sure I could entertain myself with a stock TrimUI Brick pretty easily. What’s more, the 64 GB microSD card was easy to look into with a card reader, and I’m confident I could add more ROMs if I so desired. I could say the same for the stock operating system (OS); I wasn’t impressed by it, but it was functional and I was reasonably certain I could put something better on the device if push came to shove.

I do have a caveat for my praise of the digital experience, however. Though the list of games is reasonably diverse, there seems to have been little thought or care put into which specific games made it onto the device. Games from North America, Europe, and Japan all appear on the device, as do some ROM hacks and prototypes. It also doesn’t help that some of the games included don’t match the Brick’s hardware especially well. For example, “Ape Escape: On the Loose” for the PSP appears on the Brick despite the device not having analog sticks. There are other, less egregious examples, too, like many games missing box art or having unintelligible file names. I know companies like LitNXT (not an affiliate) sells microSD cards with these issues sorted out, but it’d be nice if these issues could be handled by the manufacturer without me having to pay extra (especially with the price of removable storage these days).

Intangibles - 18/20

I paid a hair over $86 USD for this device shipped to my door; that seems to be about the going rate for most entry-level retro emulation devices these days. The device also regularly appears in “best of” lists of retro emulation devices, including those from TechDweeb and Wulff Den. As such, while I can’t call the device the “value king,” the fact that so many reviewers recommend this product is hard to ignore. I’d go so far as to say that if this device was physically larger and didn’t include pirated software, it’d be my go-to device as well.

Final Score & Conclusion - 69/100

While the TrimUI brick is far from perfect, I can see why so many influencers point to it as a great “starter” handheld. It’s portable, it has a reasonable selection of games, and it comes in a variety of fun colors. There’s even a premium version with a metal body for those who are interested in such a thing: the TrimUI Brick Hammer. TrimUI has some of the better product names in the pocket emulation space, that’s for sure! With that being said, the device is held back by the inclusion of pirated (and janky) indies, the size (which didn’t agree with my hands), and the wonky ROM sets. Most of these issues are fixable by an end-user who’s willing to do a little tinkering (or put in extra money for a pre-made microSD card with a better OS and more sensible ROM sets), though. In all, I’d say the device is worth a look for most people.

MiniLoong Pocket 1

Unboxing - 12/20

The unit I purchased included a USB-C cable and a quick start guide (or at least a little pamphlet with the specs of the device as well as its button layout). The unit also came preinstalled with a removable plastic face plate and a 64 GB microSD card.

User Experience: Physical - 34 / 40

The face and shoulder buttons lack the tactility of the Brick and are a bit mushy in comparison. Also, the volume buttons are a bit flimsy and rattle when the device is even slightly shaken. With that said, I think the Pocket 1 trounces the Brick in virtually every other category. It has two microSD card slots instead of one. It has a micro-HDMI out if you want to connect the console to a TV or monitor. The shoulder buttons are vertical rather than horizontal, meaning that they are both more like a typical console controller and also more comfortable. While both have a headphone jack, only the Pocket 1 has an analog stick. As such, it can more readily play a wider variety of games. The included face plate is a nice touch, too (even if it is annoying that there’s nowhere to buy replacements). Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it feels far more comfortable in my hand than the Brick. That alone would have me keep the Pocket 1 over the Brick any day of the week.

User Experience: Digital - 10/20

Unfortunately, the digital experience of the Pocket 1 is much more of a mess than the Brick. First, it takes a longer to turn on and off compared to the Brick. It’s not a huge difference, but it was long enough for me to notice and those small moments add up over time. Second, while it doesn’t include pirated software, it does include lots of ROMs it either can’t run or that it runs so poorly said ROMs might as well not run at all. I hit roadblocks with ROMs from a variety of systems, but the Nintendo 64 ROMs were the worst offenders; I couldn’t get a single one to load! The Pocket 1 also had fewer pre-populated systems on offer than the Brick, including: Playstation 1, PSP, Game Gear, Genesis, Nintendo 64, Neo Geo, and some Arcade (via MAME and Capcom Play System 1-3).

As with the Brick, I found the OS inoffensive. It didn’t impress me but it was just about as usable so I won’t complain. Unlike the Brick’s openness with regards to its microSD card, however, the Pocket 1 was much more “locked down.” I consider myself at least somewhat tech-savvy, but I couldn’t find an easy way to add or remove ROMs from the device. Given how nonsensical the ROM list is, that’s a major red flag, especially for users who are new to the retro emulation hobby. It really makes this device hard to recommend unless you are either able and willing to flash it with a different OS and place your own ROM set on it OR you are willing to pay extra for a pre-populated microSD card from a reseller. (At time of writing, LitNXT does NOT offer a pre-populated card for this device; as such, you’ll need to be confident in your ability to mod the device to use it to its full potential.) Oof.

Intangibles - 12/20

I purchased this device for about $108 USD. While this device doesn’t seem to show up as often on “best of” lists as the Brick, I have seen it mentioned with regards to “best budget handhelds.” What’s more, I think its control suite (D-pad and single analog stick) is both unique and useful in the context of retro gaming; it means that the device has the potential to play a wide variety of games. Lastly, I think the Pocket 1 is (subjectively) the best looking of the four consoles in today’s round-up. There’s something “space age” about it that really tickles my fancy. Ultimately, I think there’s something to be said about having a device that you want to pick up and play!

Final Score & Conclusion - 68/100

I really wanted to love this device, and I’d still pick it over the TrimUI Brick because it fits me better ergonomically. With that said, I’m frustrated by the device’s numerous missed opportunities. I wish it were possible to pick up a replacement face plate. I wish it only included games it could actually play. I wish the microSD card wasn’t so locked down so I could add my own ROMs. I wish the USB-C port on the top of the device actually charged it. (I found out the hard way that only the bottom port charges for whatever reason; I was worried for a hot minute that my device was a dud that was unable to charge!) Ultimately, I find this device hard to recommend to those looking for an easy gateway into the retro emulation space. I’m sure it could be good, or even great, with some tinkering, though.

BATLEXP G350

Unboxing - 10/20

The unboxing experience was, in a word, barebones. The unit I purchased included a USB-C cable and instructions as well as a pre-installed 64 GB microSD card. Notably, the device did not include a screen-protector (neither in the box nor pre-installed), no warranty information, and no other extras.

User Experience: Physical - 32/40

In some ways, the G350 is like a scaled-up Brick with two additional analog sticks. It has other advantages, too, like a larger screen, an additional microSD card slot, and more comfortable trigger buttons (even if they are also horizontal like the Brick’s). It’s not all wins for the G350, though. The buttons are more mushy compared to the Brick’s, and the speaker is downward firing (meaning worse / more muffled sound). Also, while the analog sticks are a plus with regards to the games the device can play, their positioning at the bottom of the device means I didn’t find them particularly comfortable to use (especially compared to the MiniLoong). The fact that LitNXT sells a 3D-printed “game console handle” for the device is telling; clearly I’m not the only end-user who’s had trouble with regards to this device’s ergonomics. With that said, I can’t fault the device for its build quality. Even if it feels the most like a “toy” (as compared to a tech gadget) of the three devices I’ve discussed so far, frankly, it is one!

User Experience: Digital - 14/20

The G350 has the most diverse line-up of games of any of the devices I’ve discussed so far. It has: NES, SNES, Game Boy Color and Advance, Nintendo 64 (and the ROMs actually work, go figure), Nintendo DS, Wonderswan Color, Pico-8, Sega from Master System to Dreamcast, PS1, PSP, and a number of arcade options via MAME and FinalBurn Neo. In short, when it comes to games, the G350 trounces all of the other devices I’ve written about thus far. It’s not a complete victory, however; there are a number of places where the G350 falls flat.

Like the previous two devices, the ROM sets seem to be determined more by chance than by what a theoretical player might want to play or what the device is capable of playing (though that is less of an issue with the G350 given its dual analog sticks). The device’s microSD card is also locked up tight; I could not find an easy way to add or remove ROMs. Luckily, there are resellers who offer the system with pre-populated cards, but again: that’s an additional expense. I also had a few small software niggles in my time with the G350, unfortunately. The “menu” button didn’t work on every game, forcing a hard restart (though I suspect that this may be true of most devices in this price category). Also, the faux-graffiti system branding is not to my taste. Lastly, I found it odd that the Nintendo DS was featured twice in the software UI (once as NDS and once as NDS Fresh). Weird.

Intangibles - 16/20

At a price of $65 USD, this is definitely the value king of the devices I’ve played with so far. It’s also received positive coverage in the retro emulation space, which is nice to see. Really, the only reason I can’t give the G350 a higher rating is because it’s being buoyed up a lot by software - software (and ROMs) that could easily change from device to device. With all of that said, the $50 128 pre-populated microSD card from LitNXT for this device is looking awfully tempting right now. The ergonomics of the device that’s holding me back, however. Ultimately, I want a bit more hands-on time before I come to a final decision.

Final Score & Conclusion - 72/100

This is the highest reviewed handheld of the bunch so far! It’s not by a lot, though, so it’s not like I can give it an unqualified recommendation. While it has the most versatile controls of any of the handhelds, it’s not the most comfortable. While it has the most ROMs, there’s no guarantee that a another copy of the device will have the same set. While it is the least expensive, it also has the most barebones unboxing experience (and is the most “toy-like” in its feel). For some folks, I think the price point will be compelling enough to give this device a try. If you can get it from a vendor with a strong return policy, I think it’s definitely worth a go. If you don’t have the protection of a strong return policy or you can’t get the device with a pre-populated microSD card, however, I’d approach this device with at least a modicum of caution.

Which Would I Choose?

That’s a hard decision. Each of these devices has their own pros and cons, frankly, and none of them is the perfect device for me. With that being said, I think I’d have to give it to the MiniLoong Pocket 1, if only because of its form factor. The TrimUI Brick and BatleXP G350 simply don’t feel comfortable in my hands, especially for longer (multi-hour) play sessions. (If nothing else, this experience is teaching me that I tend to prefer horizontal over vertical devices). It doesn’t hurt that I also found a way to view and update the ROMs on Pocket 1, either. (I’ll be talking more about that in the “technical addendum” of this post.)

Also, you may have noticed that I didn’t talk about battery life in any of my write-ups of these devices. The reason why is simple: the battery of each device was sufficient for the play sessions I had. I never played for more than two or three hours at a time, and I was always playing at home (ie near a charger). Perhaps I’d be more concerned about battery life if I was going to take a long trip on a train or plane, but even then, portable battery banks exist. In short, I don’t see myself pushing the limits of any device’s battery any time soon, so I feel no strong inclination to write about battery life, either.

I don’t plan on stopping here, though. I have two more devices that I intend to try before I decide which device will be my personal winner: the Ayaneo Air Mini and the Anbernic RG35XXSP. Both will be interesting in their own ways, from the Air Mini being my first Android emulation device to the RG35XXSP’s clamshell / “self-protecting” design. Look for those reviews in the coming weeks!

Technical Addendum

How Did I Access ROMs on the G350 and Pocket 1?

Quick Answer: I used the “disk management” in Windows

Longer Answer:

Right-Click the Windows icon in the start bar

Select “Disk Management”

Find your microSD card in the list

Find the partition of the card that’s called “games”

Right-click said partition and open it

Ta-da! You’ve got games!

How Do I Format My microSD card if I’ve accidentally partitioned it?

Quick Answer: using the “run” command / command prompt (cmd) in Windows

Longer Answer:

Press “Win+R” to open the “run” window

Input “cmd” and press enter, then input:

Diskpart

List disk

Select disk X (where X is the SD card number)

Clean

Create partition primary

Format fs=ntfs quick

Basic Info

Summon Night: Swordcraft Story

Spin-off of Summon Night, which is a tactical RPG with dating sim elements

Release Date (NA): 2006

Released For: Gameboy Advance (GBA)

Developer: Flight-Plan

Publisher: Banpresto (JP), Atlas (NA)

Genre: Action RPG

Time to Credits: 14 hours (19 to defeat the bonus final boss)

Sequels:

Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 (NA, JP)

Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 3 (JP)

Story

I would describe the story as simple but serviceable. It is a coming–of-age yarn involving the child of a previous “Craftlord,” a title given to the master craftspeople and warriors that lead Wystern, the “City of Swords.” Over the course of the game, the player character makes friends (and rivals), receives mentorship from a number of the current Craftlords, and questions whether they themselves are worthy to take on the mantle once held by their father. I’m sure this isn’t a surprise to anyone, but (spoiler incoming for a 20 year old game): as the player character you rise to the occasion and both earn the title of “Craftlord of Iron,” (the same title that was held by their father) and also save Wystern from a great calamity. Ultimately while the story is far from ground-breaking it dovetails with the gameplay reasonably well, and will likely leave players satisfied (though probably not impressed).

One of the story’s strengths is its cast of characters, even if many play to the types and tropes a genre-savvy player would expect. This includes the loveable but gruff mentor (Bron), a plucky “sidekick” who looks up to the player character (Razzy), male and female rivals / love interests for the player character (Varil, Sanary), and a host of other supporting characters that serve a variety of roles: friends, mentors, obstacles, and villains. To that end, I think most people will pick out the secondary antagonist almost immediately. The primary antagonist that’s pulling the strings is a touch harder to guess, but becomes increasingly obvious as the story marches forward. With that being said, the aforementioned primary antagonist is foreshadowed reasonably well throughout the story, so the big reveal at the end at least feels earned.

The other strength of the story is the setting. I’ve seen the setting described as “steampunk,” and I agree. “Swords and sorcery” clearly make up part of the foundations of the world, with summoned beasts and magic being commonplace. Industry is also common, with the crafting of weapons like swords, axes, and spears being given high priority and prestige. While little screentime is given to the relationships between the countries of the world (save Wystern and their antagonist, Deigleya), a larger world is implied via the player’s interactions with the various locations they visit over the course of the game. The game even includes a character who was summoned from another world, though said character really only appears in one portion of the game. (Based on my cursory research, “heroes summoned from another world” are more common in the Summon Night main series, so the inclusion isn’t a total head-scratcher.) These details all make the world feel weirder and richer as a result.

There are a few places where the story falls flat, however. I wish it was possible to do something about the obvious traitor earlier in the story. The game doesn’t give you the option to report your findings to the various Craftlords, despite you having multiple interactions with them after the traitor’s deceit is revealed. I guess you could argue the Craftlords had “bigger fish to fry,” but I wish the narrative would’ve done more to justify why the secondary antagonist was allowed to move in the shadows for so long. Also, while I like that the player character can be male or female and that they can partner with either a male or female rival, it’s a shame that the female/female relationship lands somewhere between platonic and implied. I guess this makes sense given the age of the main character (young, but never explicitly stated) and the presumed demographic target of the game, but I would’ve been positively blown away by an open lesbian relationship in the game.

The other issue is that the threats faced by Wystern (an invading empire, among other things) never felt pressing because it was neither reflected in Wystern itself nor was the threat difficult to handle when it got screen time. I guess this could be hand-waved away as an issue of scope; re-animating Wystern to reflect an invasion would’ve required additional resources that the developers may not have had. It really cut down on the credibility of the threat faced by Wystern (and, by extension, the main character), however.

Gameplay

The gameplay can be divided broadly into three categories: story segments, where characters talk with one another and the plot is advanced, overworld segments, where the player moves through the world, and dungeon / labyrinth sections, where combat happens via “random encounters.” Given that the story has already been discussed, I’m going to focus primarily on the overworld and dungeon sections in this portion of the review. First, we have the overworld sections.

The overworld is important because it’s where the player character can heal, save their game, craft weapons from materials that they’ve gathered from the dungeon, and generally move the plot forward. The overworld is interesting because it changes (though perhaps not as much as it should) over the course of the story. This includes the addition of vendors, additional NPCs to talk to, and ways to leave Wystern and explore the broader world of Summon Night. The overworld is also where various side-quests can be taken on, though if I’m honest, I missed basically all of them. Given that they involve talking to NPCs whose dialogue doesn’t change a lot from day to day, and given that the reward is just more recipes for weapons, I’m not convinced I missed much. In the end, while I recognize the importance of the overworld, the dungeon is where I spent most of my time.

As far as the dungeons themselves, I would describe them in the same way as the story: serviceable. Overcoming them is more a challenge of your combat prowess (and level / stats) than anything. There aren’t really any puzzles to speak of, either, save the barest of movement puzzles that can be solved with just a little trial and error. The same goes for enemy variety, actually. While there’s a good amount of enemies to encounter, the number of recolors and retreads goes up exponentially in the post-game content (ie the 50 additional levels of dungeon that open up after beating the story’s final boss). There are other small issues, too, like the inability to leave the dungeon unless you use a teleporter (which can only be found sporadically) and the fact that you can’t revisit locations away from Wystern once you leave them, unless the story happens to take you there. Once again, I get that this is probably a scope issue, but it will make the game a pain for completionists, especially if they don’t play with a guide handy.

If the story is just OK and the dungeon design is “meh,” where does the game shine? Simply put, the game shines in its combat. For an eight-button game (including d-pad and two shoulder buttons), the combat has more depth than you might expect. Each of the five weapon types actually plays and feels different, for example, which helps the game feel fresh over the course of its run time.

Swords are “all rounders,” and can do a little bit of everything (reach, damage, etc)

Spears can consistently hit multiple enemies at once with their reach

Knuckles offer the most mobility and “launcher” move (that sends some enemies into the air)

Axes do big damage and also have a launcher option

Drills can hit the same enemy multiple times in a row and offer some movement tech (if you charge up your drill attack it will launch you forward when you release it).

There’s also a lot to be said about spacing: double-tapping down has the player character hop back, and that can do more to get you out of danger than blocking. Plus, some enemies are much easier to defeat if you have the agility to jump over them. When you add the myriad support items and magic spells (from healing to weapon buffs to elemental summons) the combat offers plus the fact that you can change between three weapons on the fly, there’s a depth to be found that is worth celebrating.

To add an additional wrinkle to this loop, each weapon has a durability stat, meaning it can break if it is overused. In my experience with the game, this was never really an issue. Since durability resets after each encounter, I only had two weapons break irreparably during my time with the game. (As a tip for anyone who plays this game after reading this review: your “tec” stat is what determines how quickly your weapon durability drops; said stat can be buffed by using the weapon more without it breaking. As such, it can be useful to buff your favorite weapons’ tec before a boss encounter, especially in the final 50 levels of the game’s dungeon.)

With all of the praise I’ve heaped on the game’s combat, the place where it shines brightest is in your encounters with the various human NPCs you’ll fight over the course of the playthrough. This includes fights that happen for story reasons and fights that happen in the game’s arena (because there’s a tournament going on over the course of the game). These enemies tend to be much more mobile and with a broader moveset than the monsters you’ll encounter in the dungeon, thus making them both more interesting (and potentially more frustrating) to fight. Handily, weapon durability affects these foes, too, meaning you can defeat an enemy by draining their HP or by destroying their weapon. Though the latter is more difficult, it awards you with the recipe for your opponent’s weapon, meaning it is usually worth doing. Again, the game demonstrates more depth than I expected! (The logical conclusion to this is being able to battle your friends via a link cable, but that was not an option for me.)

In short, the game’s combat was able to keep my interest through 80% of the run-time. I only started actively avoiding combat toward the end of the game when new enemy varieties stopped appearing and I didn’t need the experience from fights (I was easily and consistently winning any battles I bothered to engage with). Unfortunately, I also found the game’s final “story” boss and final “bonus” boss underwhelming, even if it was cool that the final story boss had two phases. With that being said, credit where credit is due: I never really had to grind in the game; I found my level tended to rise commensurate with the difficulty of the game. I’ll always prefer a game that respects my time and doesn’t require meaningless busywork to engage with the it.

That brings me to my only two other niggles about the gameplay: I wish there were a way to unlock all of the game’s recipes once you’ve reached the post-game. As it stands, it feels like the only way to reasonably do that is by playing with a guide (which is something I try to avoid whenever possible). Also, it’s weird that you only fight your (male) rival in the post-game as a part of an exhibition match. If the match was already coded, and the character has been talking smack all game, and it’s all-but confirmed that he had to be beaten for the player character to ascend to Craftlord, why not let the player beat him in a 1v1?

Is This Game Worth Your Time Today?

I don’t want to go on too much of a rant about this, but the “AAA” games industry is a mess, and has been for a long time. Between the ever-increasing cost of games, the regular use of abusive practices to draw more money out of players (loot boxes, gacha mechanics, the discontinuing of physical media, etc), and the shady or downright abusive business practices that plague the industry (“play-to-earn” mechanics, investments in crypto, shielding perpetrators of sexual assault, etc etc), I totally understand the desire to find games, developers, and publishers that aren’t a flaming trash heap. One way to do this is to support smaller games and game-makers (ie indies); there’s so much interesting stuff happening in the indie space that it’s no wonder my backlog of games is so long.

That’s not the only way, though. There’s also emulation, and a ridiculous number of games that were made before some of the industry’s worst tendencies took hold. To that end, there was a time when a game was expected to be feature-complete when it shipped, and buggy messes were rightly derided! Oh to be so lucky! What might this look like for you as a player? It could mean returning to the games of your childhood; there’s plenty of good times and nostalgia to be had going down that road. I think there’s something special about discovering great games that you didn’t play as a kid, though, like Summon Night: Swordcraft Story was for me. I never played this game as a kid, and I don’t recall it even being on my radar. I still got almost 20 hours of fun out of it, though, and there’s even a sequel for me to dive into when the time comes!

Emulation devices are also more ubiquitous than ever, too, from devices that play original cartridges (like the GB Operator, Analogue Pocket, etc) or companies that specialize in producing devices to play emulated retro games (Retroid, Anbernic, etc). If the best time to get into retro emulation was before the AI bubble (the thing that’s driving up the cost for basically every tech product), the second best time to get in on the game is probably now. There’s so much fun to be had, and so many great games to play! I could see myself going months or even years without opening Steam if I so wanted. (I don’t think I’ll go down that road, but it’s nice that it’s an option.)

So, do I recommend Summon Knight: Swordcraft Story? Yes! It’s not a perfect game, but it’s given me hours of fun and even a broader series to look into. I’d definitely call that a win! The fact that it keeps money out of the pockets of shitty video game executives is just the icing on the cake.

-x-

Of course, this influence has led to the creation of media beyond music. It seems like almost every driving game with a drift mechanic pays homage to Initial D; if nothing else, these games owe a debt of gratitude to that series for helping to popularize drift racing and to Eurobeat for providing the soundtrack. Ska, by contrast, has tended to make smaller appearances in more eclectic offerings like Incredible Crisis (as written and performed by Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra), Animal Crossing (“KK Ska”), Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (“Superman”), and Sonic Adventure 2 (“Escape from the City”). The two video games we’ll be discussing today each draw from one of the aforementioned lineages, with Parking Garage Rally Circuit leaning on ska for its soundtrack and Drift86 heavily featuring Eurobeat. With the stage set, let’s lay out the basics.

Parking Garage Rally Circuit

Released in September 2024 by Walaber Entertainment, LLC

$10 USD suggested retail price

Available on PC and Nintendo Switch

Drift86

Released in November 2019 by RewindApp

$2 USD suggested retail price

Available on PC

What’s Best: Parking Garage Rally Circuit (PGRC)

There’s a lot to like about Parking Garage Rally Circuit. For a one-sentence sales pitch, it, “plays a lot like Mario Kart without items and looks like a game that could’ve been released on the Sega Saturn.” It also has a reasonable amount of achievements (15) that unlock over the course of play. The game also includes car customization, allowing the player to choose their livery (color scheme) and number. PGRC includes a number of “display options,” too, from “original hardware” to “PC port” with matching resolutions and overall looks. Beyond that, the game has an excellent soundtrack and already has DLC titled “European Tour,” which was released in April 2026. It’s great to see that the developer is continuing to support the game!

What’s Best: Drift86

I was able to download the game for free, a price that’s very hard to argue with. Even at full price, the game is $2 USD. There are also lots of cars and tracks to choose from (as compared to other free / very inexpensive games where what you get is a glorified demo and you need to buy DLC for the full experience). Like Parking Garage Rally Circuit, Drift86 has a strong soundtrack. It even includes Running In the 90s, a Eurobeat track that is sure to bring a smile to the player’s face. Drift86 also includes a more robust customization suite than Parking Garage Rally Circuit for each car’s looks (including a horse livery that got a chuckle out of me). Some of the cars are truly wacky, too, like a shopping cart, a mobility scooter, and a tofu shop. The weirdness doesn’t stop there, but I won’t spoil the surprise of the other vehicles.

What’s Worst: Parking Garage Rally Circuit

Each track only has one song. This isn’t a deal-breaker, especially since the song does not restart every time you restart the track; instead, it continues seamlessly forward. I did find it a bit grating as I tried for ever-faster runs on each speed (difficulty) level. Beyond that, I occasionally found the physics to be a bit wonky, meaning the car did unexpected things. This happened most often during jumps and when the car was airborne. I’m willing to admit that this was, in part, a skill issue, but I regularly felt that the car was too unruly when going off ramps. Like with the soundtrack, this issue is remedied in part by the fact that each track is relatively short to play, taking no more than 2-5 minutes. I also wouldn’t have minded more customization options for my car’s appearance, but I was always able to find a combo that I was happy with for each class (light, heavy, ultra) of car.

What’s Worst: Drift86

The game’s worst transgression, in my opinion, is that it does virtually nothing to onboard the player. Not only is there no tutorial to be found, there’s nowhere in the game that lists the controls. I couldn’t find a way to change the controls, either. This was only compounded by the fact that each car I selected felt unwieldy to drive, almost like it was always drifting. I couldn’t try and learn from the game’s built-in opponents, either, as they regularly crashed. The issues don’t stop there, unfortunately. While the soundtrack is good, it’s limited to only a handful of tracks (i.e. less than 5). I hope you really like Running in the 90s, because you’re going to be hearing it a lot. There are smaller annoyances, too, like the fact that the game aggressively markets to the player. There’s a pop-up for the developer’s next game every time you return to the title screen (which is often). You can unlock new cars by wishlisting said game, but I felt little inclination to do this with so many other cars already included. A given livery needs to be reapplied after every race, too. Oof. Ultimately, while the game may be fun for some, I just found it frustrating. I get that this could be called a “skill issue,” but if the game is unwilling to help me develop my skills, what can I do other than quit?

Conclusion

In a battle between Ska and Eurobeat, who would win? It’s not a question with an easy answer, mostly because the framing has been a farce from the start. Which game is better, though? While that comes down to personal preference, I think it’s clear to see that most will have a better time with Parking Garage Rally Circuit, given its more engaging, arcade-y, and approachable gameplay loop (and clearly defined controls). I would argue that there are other benefits, too, like the throw-back aesthetic, but that’s more a matter of preference.

-x-

I have tried a number of distraction-free writing devices over the last few years.  With that in mind, I'd like to share my thought process for why I selected each device, what I liked about each device, what I didn't like, why I kept or sold the device, and if I am still using it today.  In particular, I am going to discuss four devices: the AlphaSmart Neo, the Freewrite Traveller, the "Bring Your Own Keyboard" (BYOK), and the Pomera 250US.  With that said, I have a disclaimer to add before I dive into the specifics.

DISCLAIMER

I have needed exactly ZERO of these devices to write.  None have led to some magical breakthrough with me writing tens of thousands of words a day.  I will concede that having a device to hand to collect my thoughts or bang out a draft has occasionally been helpful, but it has never been essential.  None of the work I’ve done with these devices required them.  I still have my PC.  I still have a pen and paper.

What's more, I think pinning your hopes / dreams on a device to make you a better writer is folly.  I can say that with confidence, because I've done that very thing (and failed) repeatedly.  As I said in my past post about NaNoWriMo, the only two things that got me through were planning and grit (i.e. getting my ass in the writer's chair "no matter what").  I didn't use any of these devices to win NaNoWriMo!  Instead, it was the "FocusWriter" app on my PC that made the biggest difference.  

So what's the lesson?  Just create using what you have, and only go for a device like the ones described below if 1) it'll legitimately solve a problem you are encountering in your writing and / or 2) you have the means and / or 3) you just want to give them a try.  Don't rush to make a purchase expecting miracles, though; that's between you and your muse.

THE ALPHASMART NEO2

I purchased this on eBay in 2018.  At the time, I paid $26 USD and shipping was included.  It felt like a good deal at the time, and it certainly was compared to what these devices are going for today (around $100 USD).  I found the form-factor relatively pleasing, as its flat shape meant the device was easy to transport.  My unit also took three standard AA batteries.

As you have probably guessed, this is not currently my device of choice.  There are a few reasons why, ranging from minor to major.  One of the minor complaints was that the device requires an unusual cable to connect to a PC to extract any files (USB-B).  I was able to find said cable relatively easily back in 2018, and at time of writing I found several options on the Bezo-zon for around $8 USD.  While I’m glad the cables are still available, it’s still an additional purchase that a prospective user would have to make.  More than the cabling, I also didn't love how the keyboard performed; my best descriptor for it was mushy with a fair number of missed strokes, especially when I was typing quickly.  The biggest issue for me ended up being the ergonomics.  When I used the device, the screen wasn't particularly visible.  Though I am a touch typist, I still regularly found myself craning my neck to see the screen, and that simply wouldn't do.

In the end, I still have this device, though mostly because I never got around to selling it (not because I am still actively using it).  It's also hard to recommend at $100, not because it isn't a perfectly cromulent device, but because they used to be so much cheaper to pick up.  Also, I’d be remiss to not mention the ergonomics and the mushy keyboard once more.  Ultimately, I would recommend this device for people who want the barest bones of experiences, with no internet connectivity, no associated apps, and no additional features.  As far as I know this is the least expensive "distraction free writing device," (that isn’t also a piece of tech that's been repurposed for such a task), so the budget-conscious may benefit from giving this device a look.  

As an aside, the creator of the MicroJournal sells an ergonomic upgrade (desktop typewriter transform kit) kit for the AlphaSmart Neo2.  Could using this kit rekindle my appreciation for the AlphaSmart Neo2?  Perhaps, but since it doesn’t replace the device’s keyboard or add in a back-light, I doubt it.  If nothing else, it’s something to consider for the Neo2 diehards who want to take their device to the next level.  

FREEWRITE TRAVELLER

The Freewrite Traveller came into my life much later (in 2023) and was another eBay purchase.  I was skeptical of the hype (and the price tag!) around the brand, so I opted to purchase a used version instead of buying new.  I paid $290 USD at the time; Freewrite is currently asking $550 USD for the device brand new.  Given my issues with the AlphaSmart Neo2, the Traveller should’ve addressed my two biggest complaints: the lackluster keyboard and the sub-optimal electronics.  Did it, though?

As far as the device's high points are concerned: the unit I purchased included a nice braided cable and felt carrying case.  This meant that the device was usable right out of the box.  The clamshell design was also a plus as it offered both improved ergonomics compared to the AlphaSmart (allowing me considerably more freedom to position the screen) and a "self-protecting" design that made the device easier to travel with.  The device was also relatively easy to set up, or it was for me because I had access to a wireless internet connection / WiFi.  Also, though it’s a small thing, the Freewrite was the only device in this category that I've used in public that has drawn the attention of strangers.  Do with that information what you will.

Where was the Freewrite less successful, then?  Though I would say that the keyboard was better than the AlphaSmart, it still used scissor switches rather than "full-fat" mechanical switches and thus only offered a mild improvement over the AlphaSmart.  I also disliked how buggy the software could be; there were several occasions where I was convinced the device was bricked because it was stuck in a boot loop.  I also didn't love that there was no external storage, meaning that the device felt really dependent on WiFi to draw files off of it.

Though I doubt this will come as a surprise, I no longer own this device and the wonky software was the primary culprit.  Frankly, even if the rest of the device was perfect that would have been a deal-breaker for me.  Sure, the device doesn't need to be updated that often, but I was not willing to risk the loss of my work because of a company / device that couldn't get its shit together.  I ended up selling the device for a loss, mostly because of eBay's selling fees.  (I sold it for $280, but then lost $40 in fees.  Oof.)

POMERA 250US

I pledged for this device on IndieGoGo in February 2025, and received the device the following month.  I purchased the device for a variety of reasons, including the positive reputation of other Pomera devices and the fact that this one was available in an ANSI layout (as opposed to a Japanese-focused one).  My hope was that it would be my “all-in-one” travel device that would save me the hassle of bringing a laptop and allow me more drafting speed than pen and paper.  I paid $409,  the "Super Early Bird" price, and it is now selling for $550 USD on the Pomera website.  As the most expensive item on this list (tied with a new Traveller), is it also the most performant?  In some ways, yes.  There are still areas where this device falls flat, however.  Let’s discuss.

Like the Traveller, the 250US uses a clamshell design, meaning it is "self-protecting" and that much easier to travel with.  Moreover, though it does not have an eInk screen like the Traveller, its battery has never let me down.  I’ve gone weeks without charging it, and I’ve never worried about it dying on me while I was writing.  The Pomera also has a back-light, meaning it can be used in many more places than the Freewrite.  I’d consider this one of its “killer features.”  I also prefer the Pomera's keyboard to the Freewrite, but it’s not leagues better.  I'd describe the 250US's keyboard as similar to a laptop's.  The 250US also features expandable storage by way of an SD card.  This means that transferring files is always an option (and neither the internet nor an app is required).  Lastly, the 250US has a large screen which I’ve really enjoyed using.  I can’t say for certain if it features the largest screen of all of the devices I’m comparing, but it’s definitely larger than the Neo2 and BYOK.

For all its features, however, the 250US is not a perfect device.  For one, it's fucking expensive.  I just can't recommend someone purchase the device when second-hand laptops and netbooks are available for much less (assuming the buyer has even a little technical know-how).  Also, despite its cost, the 250US didn't come with a case!  I had to buy one separately from Japan (for $60 USD, no less).  Checking the Pomera site shows that the case is being sold in the US for $115 (oof), and is sold out to boot (double oof).  I also didn't like that the device's matte finish was really prone to smudges and finger prints (some of which are still on the device to this day).  Lastly, the device has a couple of features that I don't really need, like the calendar and planner features.  I'm sure they're useful for someone, but I have paper planners (and my phone) for that.

What's the final verdict on the Pomera 250US?  I want to recommend it, but it's so expensive.  I still have mine, and I have no plans to sell it.  It's perfect for when I want to get some drafting in but I don't also want to bring a keyboard.  Though that may seem like a small window of a use-case, it comes up for me often enough to justify keeping the device.  Paying full-price for one now, though?  That's a much, much harder sell.  In the end, I can only really recommend this device if money is no object for you or if you absolutely, positively must have a device that has both a keyboard and a large screen with a backlight.

The "Bring Your Own Keyboard" (BYOK)

I backed the BYOK in April of 2025, and received the device in January 2026.  I paid $160 at time of purchase, and my order included a carry case, a USB-C to A adapter, and a "magnetic tall stand."  The BYOK itself was $129, for reference.  At time of writing, the BYOK is available for pre-order for $200 USD, with an estimated July shipping date.  When I purchased the device, it was available in both black and white (I opted for black); at the moment, it looks like only black is available.  I'm guessing that the white version will return at some point, but that's speculation on my part.  I picked this device for the price point, for its flexibility (both in how it can be mounted and the sheer number of keyboards it can interface with), and for the fun of trying another device.

What’s great about the device?  I like how portable it is.  It is easily the smallest of all the devices I've mentioned so far.  I like how it has a back-light, and that you can adjust the brightness of said backlight (with one of the numerous physical buttons on the device).  I like the fact that you can see your word count with the press of a button, the fact that the text size and font is relatively easily changeable, and that the BYOK developers seem to be pretty actively pushing out software updates.  The fact that the back of the device is magnetic, allowing the device to be "mounted" almost anywhere, is an ergonomic boon.  The battery life has also not been an issue for me (though I do not have hard numbers on how long the battery has lasted for any given session).  I also like that the device has external storage (a microSD card), and can be connected to a PC to collect its files without the need to connect to the internet.

While it sounds like the BYOK is the best so far, it has a few limitations and short-comings compared to the other devices I've discussed so far.  Its portability is also a bit of a hindrance, in that it is not a "stand-alone" device.  A wireless keyboard could solve this issue relatively easily, but that's another device to keep packed and charged.  Also, while I've generally found the bluetooth connection to be reliable, it can throw a fit if left alone for too long (i.e. spitting out random characters when typing and requiring a restart of the keyboard).  I've had no such problems with a wired keyboard, but that requires another cable to keep in mind and bring along.  The matte finish of the device is also prone to smudges, though not as badly as the Pomera in my experience.  Ultimately, none of these are deal-breakers for me.  I’ve found that it's not that hard to keep a small wireless keyboard in my backpack (like a Logitech K380, for example).  I also like that I can use my favorite type of keyboard, a mechanical keyboard, with the BYOK.

For me, the real red flag is, "BYOK Studio."  This is the website where the device deposits anything you've written.  It’s not the interface, as the site itself is relatively user-friendly, especially once you parse out the difference between a "file" and a "project" (where you type, and a folder where you keep your work respectively).  I also like that you can automatically send your work to a Google Drive for back-up, even if it was a pain to get that feature set up initially.  No, what worries me about the site is that there is a "Premium" version of the Studio that BYOK is charging $40 a year for with a first-time buyer discount, $80 a year for folks without the discount, or $300 for lifetime access.  Oof.  In short, I'm worried about the day that the "premium" plan becomes the ONLY option.  Frankly, the only reason I'm keeping the BYOK around is because there are work-arounds to the website. In the end, I hope the company would never be foolish enough to require the purchase of a plan to use a device.  I've seen companies do worse, though; look no further than the "AAA" gaming space.

Do I still have this device?  Yes.  In fact, it's what I'm using to type up this article.  Is it my favorite of all the devices that I've tried?  That's harder to commit to.  I think it edges out the Pomera simply by being less than half the price.  I can't deny how the Pomera is a more "complete" package, though, given that it has a (pretty good) built-in keyboard.  I also can’t give full marks to BYOK because of the ever-looming presence of “BYOK Studio Premium.”  In the end, none of the devices is perfect.  Which one is right for you will depend on which features you value, how much jank / old tech you are willing to tolerate, and how much you are willing to spend (and if you can tolerate a waitlist).

TL/DR: Who Is Each Device For?

ALPHASMART NEO2:

Buy it if you want the least expensive option. 

Skip it if you want great ergonomics or if can't deal with older tech

FREEWRITE TRAVELLER:

Buy if you need an eInk screen and money is no object

Skip if you don't want to deal with buggy software

POMERA 250US:

Buy if you want the best all-in-one and a backlight (and money is no object)

Skip if you want something affordable

BRING YOUR OWN KEYBOARD (BYOK):

Buy if you want the smallest device, and/or you already have a favorite keyboard

Skip if you need an attached keyboard (or you're worried about the billing structure changing)

OTHER OPTIONS

These are far from the only options for “distraction-free writing.”  These aren’t even the only “distraction-free” devices I’ve tried myself.  As such, what follows is a brief look into a variety of other devices I’ve tried.  I’ll also be leaving my two cents on devices I’d like to try (and I will make it clear when I haven’t tried a device). 

A Gen-1 iPad

I tried to use an old iPad for a bit, but quickly abandoned it when it became clear that it was too old to run any of the writing apps I was most interested in.  It was also too old to update to a newer OS, so that wasn't an option either.  Basically, I would recommend this path only if 1) you already have an iPad laying around and have nothing to lose by trying it as a distraction-free device or 2) you have the time and tech know-how to convert one into a device that'll work for you rather than against you.  (Presumably, I could've finagled some kind of software onto the thing, but with so many other options available I didn't bother.) Ultimately, an iPad could be a good device for this purpose, but 1) it's going to have a lot of potential distractions on it, and 2) it's critical to pick a model that'll actually run the apps / software you want to use.

An Old Laptop

What about converting an old laptop into a distraction-free device?  This is probably the best approach for folks with even a little bit of tech know-how.  Not only do you get an "all-in-one" device (i.e. one that has a keyboard, screen, etc), you also have a wide variety of operating systems to choose from, including the relatively full-featured (like a Linux distro) and the barebones.  I actually had such a laptop myself; a friend flashed Mint Linux onto it and for a hot minute it worked quite well.  Then, it unexpectedly decided to stop working and never booted into the OS again.  Yikes.  Could I re-flash the laptop and start using it again?  Sure.  Do I have the time and energy to do that, especially with all the other devices I have laying around?  As you might've guessed, it's hard to muster the energy.

Typewriters

I've tried a few, including both manual and electric varieties.  I think both can be a lot of fun, and their tactility is off the charts compared to virtually every mechanical keyboard I've owned.  The problem, though, is that they require maintenance and upkeep to work well (e.g. ink ribbons, keeping them clean, etc).  In short, if you are looking for a turn-key solution, most typewriters probably aren't it.  Not only that, but even after you've typed something up there's still the matter of digitizing it.  Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a potential solution, but I'm not well-versed enough in the technology to point to a program I'd recommend.  Also, if you think clicky mechanical keyboards are loud, typewriters are on ANOTHER level.

ZeroWriter & ZeroWriter Fold

I haven't actually tried either device yet, but I want to.  The reviews I’ve seen of the ZeroWriter suggest that it has a certain DIY feel (and potentially, DIY charm) to it.  Given that it seems like it would have many of the same issues as the AlphaSmart with regards to ergonomics, I'm not in a rush to buy one.  By comparison, the ZeroWriter Fold seems like a much better option with regards to its ergonomics.  I also really like that it features hot-swappable mechanical switches, meaning I’m not stuck with whatever switches were soldered in at the factory.  Being able to choose my own switch might mean that the Fold could potentially dethrone the Pomera 250US by trouncing it in the area it struggles most (its mediocre keyboard).  Of course, the Fold would also have to deliver with regards to its software and user interface, which would be no easy feat.  In the end, I'll probably get a ZeroWriter Fold once they are readily available for purchase if only to see if it can dethrone the 250US.

The MicroJournal

Basic Info:

Name: Mina the Hollower

Developer: Yacht Club Games

Publisher: Yacht Club Games

Release Date: 5/28/2026

Genre (Per Steam): Action, Adventure

Cost: $20 USD (at time of purchase, this was the full retail price)

Platforms I Played On: PC, Steam Deck (digital distribution)

Released On: Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PS5, XBox Series S/X

Gameplay

I started playing “Mina The Hollower” (henceforth, Mina) more-or-less on release day because Yacht Club Games published one of my favorite games of all time: Shovel Knight. Given that the latter was released over a decade ago (June 2014), my anticipation for the game was through the roof. Would Yacht Club produce another all-timer? In my mind, the answer was not preordained. The developer has continued making games over the last decade, producing both gems beloved by all (the “DLC” to Shovel Knight that now exists under the banner of: Treasure Trove) and rocks destined to be loved by far fewer (Shovel Knight: Dig).

My initial impression of the game was less about its quality and more about its difficulty. For the first six hours or so, I suffered because of the game’s difficulty. This is where I experienced the majority of my deaths, and where I considered extreme action: either using the game’s “modifiers” to make it easier or taking a break from the game (tantamount to dropping it, as I rarely return to games for re-play). In the end, I didn’t take either path. What did I do instead? I started grinding! After grinding for a few levels (and more than a few trinkets and upgrades), the game felt much more manageable and fun.

Grinding helped me get over the game’s difficulty by improving my stats. I did more damage, could survive more hits, and had more options around play style because I had more weapons and trinkets unlocked. Grinding ALSO helped me get to grips with the game’s mechanics. I was able to approach the game in a more relaxed way because a single hit didn’t mulch 1/3+ of my health bar. In the end, did the game get easier, or did I just get better at it? I think it’s a bit of both. As a quick aside: my thanks to the author of the guide I used who pointed out that the best place to grind in the early portions of the game is northeast of Ossex on the way to Queensbury Crypt, by the knights and spear-throwing enemies.

There was another reason I didn’t end up using modifiers. While the cynical might argue that they, “don’t want to design the game for the developers,” I didn’t feel that way. Instead, while modifiers can make the game easier (or harder, or weirder), most remove the ability to unlock feats (achievements) while playing on a given file. Though Yacht Club provides a list of modifiers that would remove the ability to unlock feats, virtually all of them made the game harder or weirder. I was hopeful that an “easier” modifier could balance out a “harder” modifier and still allow for achievement unlocks, but, alas, that does not seem to be the case. Ultimately, while I can appreciate the sheer variety of modifiers, I didn’t end up using any of them.

Thankfully, modifiers are not the only way that a player can modify their experience with the game. Aside from grinding, Mina lets you skip some of its most difficult challenges through a shop that allows for the purchase of the rewards of those challenges (Panino’s shop, to be specific). You can also “pawn off” trinkets and power-ups you’re not using at Pawnty’s to get some quick cash (or to make the game more difficult). Just as the modifiers allow players to customize their experience before even starting the game, these features allow further customization over the course of playing the game.

I’ve mentioned the game’s difficulty and some of the ways players can modify their experience with it. What’s it actually like to play, though? Shovel Knight took inspiration from Ducktales for its core mechanic (in this case, bouncing on enemies to defeat them). By contrast, I’m not sure if I could point to a single game to encapsulate Mina. I think its closest comparison for moment-to-moment gameplay would be the Game Boy Color Legend of Zelda title: Link’s Awakening, as both are action-focused and use a ¾ isometric perspective. I’d point to Zelda 2: Link’s Adventure (NES) for a parallel leveling mechanic, and A Link Between Worlds (3DS) for the player’s ability to explore the “dungeons” in any order (save the final dungeon, which is always last).

The “mini games” (ring dive, racing, and, “wrecker,” where you destroy a car) all feel like they could have been pulled from a Legend of Zelda title, too. The same goes for the fishing mini-game, though the act of fishing is more about the game’s combat than its own bespoke set of mechanics (a la the “Stardew Valley” fishing game). Basically, you pull a fish up, fight it as needed, collect a trophy of its defeat, and repeat until you have “caught” all of the fish. To the rod’s credit, however, it’s surprisingly versatile outside of the minigame. It can pull Mina to enemies, for example, and produce rafts she can stand on (though it can only do the latter after it has been upgraded). With all of that said, I think it’s obvious that Mina shares a lot of DNA with the Legend of Zelda series! It’s not the only inspiration for gameplay / mechanics Mina draws from, however.

The game’s health mechanics most strongly remind me of Bloodborne in both aesthetic and execution. Both use vials, both can be very punishing and require timing and game knowledge to use well (ie your heal can be interrupted if you are damaged while healing), and both reward aggressive play (ie you can heal more if you hit enemies first). There are other similarities, too. Though “Mina” is nowhere near as gruesome, it can get pretty dark for its graphical fidelity; look no further than the “Bone Beach” and the Dreadworm dungeon for that. Both games also give the player flexibility in their play style: each has multiple weapons that the player can choose from (the whip, hammer, knives, etc). Also, while Bloodborne doesn’t have trinkets, it does have “trick” weapons that can add even more versatility to a given play style. Both games also have optional bosses, too. Lastly, both use a “bonfire” / safe location for the player to regroup and heal, the use of which respawns enemies.

Castlevania, and Super Castlevania IV in particular also come to mind, at least with regards to Mina’s whip, “Nightstar.” The whips in both games are remarkably similar, especially once Mina’s is fully upgraded. The “Battery Buster,” which can switch between a projectile launcher and a mace strongly reminded me of Megaman. The Hollower’s Shield, with its focus on parrying and movement, reminded me of the parry mechanics in the Soulsborne games. The ability to bounce on the shield reminded me of Super Mario Odyssey’s movement mechanics, too. I’m sure the other weapons (the dual-wielded knives and massive hammer) have similar inspirations, though none come immediately to mind for this review. Ultimately, they’re all fun in their own way, providing both unique ways to play and unique challenges.

I also appreciated the game’s looping level design. The game really reminded me of the Soulsborne series in that way; I often found myself looping back to previous locations or discovering / unlocking ways to “fast travel” around the game world via the pipes, trains, and mirrors. I also have to applaud Yacht Club Games for their ability to hide secrets. While I was able to find most on my own, a few still slipped past me. Then, when I used a guide to grab the last 5-10%, I never felt cheated. Every secret felt like something I could have found with a bit more time and attention. The Bonestone Gems in the Bone Beach dungeon were particularly tricky! Pressure to perform (whether it be due to time constraints, to avoid taking damage, or otherwise) can do wonders to keep players from finding the most diabolical secrets.

I mentioned how I struggled with the game’s difficulty at the start. How did I get along with the game after I got over the “hump” (by purchasing all the readily available upgrades, pumping up Mina’s levels, and unlocking more trinkets), though? I found it had a “U” shaped difficulty curve. It was hard in the beginning, then became easier after a fair amount of grinding. The other end of the U came from two sources. The final area of the game, the “Radiant Manor,” was easily the most challenging area of the game. It never became “rage bait,” hard, of course, but clearly it was the final area of the game for a reason. The “tower climb” before the final boss (which, in this case, I /was/ expecting, given how one also appeared in Shovel Knight) was particularly difficult. I must have died on the final screen before completing it at least five or ten times. Oof.

The other source of difficulty was the optional bosses. Some were more difficult than others, though. Many, I defeated on my first try. The one that really stood out to me was, “Evra the Undying.” That boss must have taken me about as many tries as the final tower climb (in this case, closer to 10 than to 5). I found the boss to be difficult for both its ability to chew through health like a competitive eater and just how many attacks / “adds” it could add to the battlefield at once. I won out in the end, mostly through pattern recognition, trinket selection, and having a maxed out character (ie a “10” in all stats). As a point of interest, it took more attempts to defeat Evra than it did to defeat the “final” boss or the final-final boss, which took three and one attempt(s) respectively. In other words, the difficulty curve worked about how I expected a “hard” game would. I even said, “welp, it’s time to fight god,” when fighting the “final-final boss.” If that’s not an excellent send off to a game, I don’t know what is.

Lastly, let’s talk about feats (achievements). After beating the game (including gathering all of the collectibles), I only unlocked 15 of the 50 achievements. While this number feels a bit low for the amount of time I put into the game (about 40 hours), I like that this means that I have ample reason to return to the game and try to unlock the rest. Granted, some I have no interest in. This includes a speedrunning achievement where the game must be beaten in under 4 hours and the “Below Zero” achievement where the game must be beaten with “-1% collection or less.” Even if they’re not for me, however, I’m glad that these achievements exist. I know there are plenty of gamers who love a good challenge / challenge run!

If the gameplay is an engaging mix of myriad inspirations, how does Mina’s narrative hold up? Found out in the next section, but beware heavy spoilers!

Narrative

The game follows the titular Mina, who is returning to Tenebrous Isle because her invention, the Spark Generators, have gone out. She received word of this via a letter from Lionel, the current leader of the isle. Mina is initially opposed by Thorne, a character branded as revolutionary for his desire to disengage the Spark Generators. Over the course of her adventure, Mina is forced to confront the damage the Spark Generators are doing to the land. In time, she sees both the truth and the necessity of Thorne’s position. During the final confrontation (no points for guessing with who), Thorne aids Mina in defeating the big bad. (It’s Lionel. Of course it’s Lionel.) There is a price to be paid for this victory, however, and while it’s not mechanical, deactivating the Spark Generators definitely leads to a downer ending.

While the captain of the ship Mina came in on comments that she gave the island, “it’s best chance at survival,” Mina is still driven out of the Tenebrous Isle, the Hollowers’ Guild is still dismantled, and the captain of the ship she came in on is still killed. In some ways, this response to Mina’s actions makes sense. Society was just up-ended, its leader was killed, the main power source turned off, and key landmarks were destroyed (e.g. Queensbury Crypt). Of course people are responding in the extreme (rioting, fleeing, scapegoating, etc). Was this result satisfying as a player, though?

After putting about 40 hours into the game, collecting everything, defeating all the optional bosses, and really getting to know the world and inhabiting the main character, it’s hard not to feel a little disappointed that Mina didn’t get a happier ending. Also, parts of the ending felt cruel. In particular, I’m thinking of the captain’s (Cappy) demise, given how he and Mina are portrayed as close friends. Maybe the writers felt that they had to kill Cappy as a means to convey the message of the work, and/or because Mina has little in the way of an internal monologue? Maybe they felt Cappy was a target for the rage of the people of Ossex because he brought Mina to the Isle in the first place? Couldn’t Thorne have said the same thing when Mina reunites with him, though? The ending also felt cruel because the rage pointed at Mina is clearly expressed, while the benefit of turning off the Spark Generators is more ambiguous / implied.

Then again, while parts of the ending feel cruel, Mina did play a part in designing and implementing the Spark Generators, the very thing that was poisoning the land and its people. Not only that, as mentioned above, the people of Ossex (the main metropolitan hub of the game) have no reason to see Mina as a hero given that she just dramatically changed both the course of their lives and, presumably, their quality of life. Ultimately, given that she was presented with shades of gray from the beginning, it makes sense that the ending wasn’t neatly wrapped up in a bow.

What about the theme of the work? Environmentalism comes immediately to mind. It’s easy to draw parallels between the Spark Generators and fossil fuels, for example. It’s virtually impossible to ignore how Spark and the Spark Generators have changed the landscape and its people. This includes how both either directly or indirectly brought about the boss encounters of the game. This also includes how Spark Generators are clearly polluting. Examples include the flavor text about Nox’s waters “running clean,” the giant frog that goes from a humanoid standing on two legs and wearing clothes to a “regular” frog standing on four, and the Tomato Farmer (nightmare fuel).

These same shades of gray also apply to the game’s true antagonist, Lionel, even if he’s less nuanced by comparison. The subtlety comes from the fact that he is never really challenged or called out as evil by a vast majority of the cast (except, you know, by Mina and Thorne). His first interaction with Mina is when he’s opening an orphanage, even. It becomes increasingly clear he’s doing evil stuff over the course of the game, though, and anyone who’s read a story or played a game before will likely peg him as the true final villain. Still, he plays into the politics of “respectability” without really being challenged by the narrative at large. In other words, the game more or less leaves it to the player to come to the (narrative) conclusion that he’s evil. (Mechanically, he’s still the final boss.)

In the end, it’s straightforward to see how the game’s outcomes mirror, or at least mimic, some of the positions taken in the real world about fossil fuel and climate change. There are those who would seek to ban its usage, or at least greatly reduce it. There are those who would fight to see its continued use, arguing that access to it is their “right.” There are also those who are benefiting monetarily and structurally from fossil fuel’s continued use (Lionel). It’s something to chew on, and hopefully, something the player will consider even after they finish with the game.

Conclusion

I think it is safe to say that Yacht Club Games knocked it out of the park with Mina. The game brings together myriad influences to produce an experience that is both fun and engaging. The inclusion of “modifiers” and “feats” means that players of many skill levels can engage with the game. Do you want a breezy romp through an isometric 2D world? You can have that. (Granted, I’m not sure the game is narratively interesting enough to sustain a “story mode” play-through.) Do you want a hard as nails game that will beat the piss out of you at every opportunity? You can have that too! If you like retro-inspired games that are meticulously crafted and that tell a story with high-minded themes (e.g. environmentalism and the cost of change / progress), this is definitely one to look into.