Replaying My Childhood: A Retro Gaming Journey 🎮

13 Mar, 2025

For the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking of getting (back) into retro gaming. It started with seeing a few articles pop up online, sparking some nostalgia. I still have a soft spot for gaming, but I wondered: was this another impulse-driven idea, or was there something more to it?

After spending time watching YouTube videos, I decided to take the plunge and bought a TrimUi Brick, a compact retro handheld, getting good reviews from the retro gaming community. The idea was not to spend too much on it, being able to play some classics while not being too bulky.

At first, I feared it might be a short-lived gimmick, but after spending time with it, it feels like the right decision. It has not only brought back memories from my childhood but also changed how I game. It provides a different experience from playing on my phone, reducing my screen time while still allowing me to enjoy quality games without the endless dopamine-chasing mechanics of modern mobile gaming. Plus, having physical buttons makes a world of difference! Maybe that's just me, but touchscreen controls never felt right.

My journey with gaming started early, thanks to my dad’s interest in technology. He was always on the lookout for the latest personal computers, upgrading hardware and getting accessories like joysticks to improve our gaming experience. One of my first memories is playing on our Commodore 64, a machine that felt magical at the time. I spent hours playing Who Dares Wins (which, as a child, I mispronounced as Who Da Res Wins since I didn’t know English yet), Pitstop, and Boulder Dash.

As I grew older, my gaming habits evolved. The biggest shift came when I got my first Game Boy in the early ‘90s. I still remember playing Tetris and various Super Mario games for hours. And, that it didn't have back-light display. I solved that problem with a magnifying glass and clip-on light attachment, allowing me to keep playing even in the dark. Its portability meant I could take it everywhere, making it a key part of my childhood.

From there, I moved on to console and PC gaming. As games became more advanced, I spent more time playing with friends (and online), immersing myself in richer, more realistic experiences. But even as technology advanced, those early gaming memories never faded.

So why go back to retro gaming now, after 35 years?
In a way, it's about recapturing the feeling of my childhood. These handheld devices bring back the excitement of my old Game Boy—compact, simple, and built for pure gaming. When I pick up the TrimUi Brick, I know I’m there to play, without distractions or notifications pulling me away. The tactile feel of real buttons makes all the difference, something that touchscreens have never quite matched.

There’s also the convenience factor. While I do have a PlayStation and a PC, they require the right setup, either access to the TV, which isn’t always available, or sitting at my desk with the laptop. A retro handheld, on the other hand, is always within reach. Whether it’s five minutes of gaming while sitting next to my family having their screentime or a quick session before bed, I can jump in and out of a game effortlessly.

And beyond all that, it’s a way to relive some of the greatest games I played growing up. Re-exploring these classics isn’t just nostalgia. It’s reconnecting with the kind of gaming that first made me fall in love with it.

Setting Up My TrimUi Brick

When I ordered the TrimUi Brick, I chose to buy it within Europe rather than from China to reduce delivery time. The downside? It arrived without anything installed on it. But the retro-gaming community is huge, and with plenty of resources available, I quickly found a solution. Following a YouTube tutorial, I installed MinUI, a clean and customizable operating system for the device. With that setup, I was able to load some games and truly made it my own.

Now that my retro handheld is up and running, the hardest part is deciding which game to play. The sheer number available is overwhelming- so many classics, so many hidden gems. But it’s a good problem to have and one I’m excited to work through.

Looking back, I’m glad I took the leap into retro-gaming. It’s not just about reliving childhood memories but also about enjoying games in their purest form, free from distractions. And as an unexpected bonus, it’s helping me cut down on phone usage while still getting my gaming fix.

For anyone considering a retro gaming device, I’d say go for it. Whether you want to revisit old favorites or discover classics for the first time, there’s something special about these games that still holds up today.

Do you have any favorite retro games or memories? I’d love to hear about it!

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