I bought the R36S because I was craving that old-school “just plug and play” feel… a handheld that could drop me straight into classic console vibes without the mess of wires or a huge price tag. After having it in hand for a few weeks, I can say it does hit some of that retro magic, but not without a few sharp edges that bugged me more than I expected.
What Is Retro R36S Handheld Gaming Console?
The R36S is a budget retro handheld running arkOS (a Linux-based system) that supports dozens of classic emulators. According to its official and reseller sites, it comes with a 3.5-inch IPS screen (640×480), a quad-core RK3326 chip, and a battery that claims several hours of play. It’s built to let you play old-school games, NES, SNES, Game Boy, PS1, and more, right out of the box.
Why I Tried It
I wanted a cheap, portable retro gaming console that didn’t feel like a toy. I didn’t need top-tier EmulationStation performance or streaming capabilities, just something that could give me real nostalgia on the go, without bleeding my wallet dry.
My Experience Using It
Getting started with the R36S was simple enough: I popped in the TF card, turned it on, and the menus loaded quickly. The 3.5″ screen is compact, but the IPS panel looks surprisingly decent, colors are crisp, and it’s bright enough for casual play.
When I played 16-bit games (like SNES or Genesis), performance was mostly smooth; the handheld handled them really well. On PS1 games, things were mostly playable, though more demanding titles had occasional slowdowns. Honestly, for the price, I didn’t expect perfect PS1 performance, and I wasn’t disappointed for that level of gaming.
Battery life was… okay. On moderate usage, I got a few hours in, but definitely not “all-day” marathon length. The build feels plasticky but solid… It’s light, but I was careful not to drop it.
However, some things rubbed me the wrong way: the buttons are clicky and a little stiff, especially the shoulder buttons. After long sessions, my fingers got sore. The analog sticks (if your unit has them) are usable, but not super precise. Also, the version I got came with a TF card that wasn’t the highest quality, and later I read that many people recommend replacing that preloaded card to avoid stability issues.
There’s also a risk: clone units are being sold by drop-shippers, and you might not get the real arkOS version. That’s a real concern if you don’t buy from a trusted seller.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very budget-friendly for retro gaming
- Compact and portable
- Runs many classic emulators smoothly (especially 8-bit and 16-bit)
- Bright, decent-quality screen for the price
- ArkOS gives a nice interface and flexibility
Cons
- Build quality is basic/plasticky
- Buttons can be stiff and tiring to use for long sessions
- PS1 performance is limited/not perfect
- Battery life is modest
- Risk of buying a clone or knock-off
- Pre-loaded storage (TF card) may be unreliable
Product Claims vs. Reality
- Claim: “15,000+ games / huge library” – Reality: The library is big, but a lot depends on the quality of the games…. not all preloaded ROMs are high quality.
- Claim: “Runs many classic consoles” – Reality: True, but 3D or very demanding systems (like some PS1 games) are hit-or-miss.
- Claim: “Long battery life” – Reality: It lasts a few hours, but don’t expect marathon sessions without recharging.
Is It a Scam?
It’s not fully a scam, but there are definite red flags:
- Because it’s cheap and popular, clones are common.
- Some sellers markup heavily, even though you can find essentially the same hardware elsewhere for far less.
- The “pre-loaded games” promise is sticky… sometimes, the quality of those ROMs is questionable, and the TF card can be low quality.
If you know what you’re getting into (budget handheld, retro library, possibility of clone), it can be a solid little machine. But if you’re expecting a polished, premium device, this may disappoint.
How to Use It
- Charge via USB-C or whatever cable came with your unit.
- Format your TF card (or replace it) for stability, if you want better performance.
- Load your own legally owned ROMs through the ArkOS menu.
- Use save states to save your progress, as the classic “battery saves” might be limited.
- For performance-heavy games, tweak emulator settings (resolution, frameskip, etc.) to match what the hardware can handle.
Alternatives to Consider
- Anbernic RG35XX
- PowKiddy V90/V100
- Steam Deck
- Retroid Pocket 3/4
Conclusion — Would I Recommend It?
Yes, but with serious caveats. I’d recommend the R36S if:
- You want a cheap, no-frills retro handheld
- You’re okay replacing the TF card for better performance
- You don’t need perfect emulation for all systems
I wouldn’t recommend it if:
- You’re worried about clones or shady sellers
- You want top-tier build quality
- You need flawless PS1 or 3D emulation
For me, this little console scratched the nostalgia itch well enough to make it worth the gamble, but I’d be cautious when ordering again.
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