Should You Buy the R36S in 2026?

An honest assessment of the R36S retro handheld - who it's perfect for, who should avoid it, and how it compares to alternatives.

R36S: The Honest Truth

✅ Pros

  • Ultra-low price (€25-35): One of the cheapest capable retro handhelds available
  • 20+ emulated systems: NES, SNES, GB, GBA, PS1, N64, Dreamcast, and more
  • Open-source firmware: ArkOS and Rocknix with active development and community support
  • Dual SD card design: Separate OS and game storage for easier management
  • Good battery life: 4-6 hours of gameplay depending on the system
  • Active community: Reddit, Discord, and GitHub resources for support
  • 4:3 aspect ratio: Perfect for classic games without black bars
  • Compact size: Portable and pocket-friendly form factor

❌ Cons

  • No HDMI output: Cannot connect to TV or external displays
  • Average screen quality: 640×480 IPS is functional but not premium
  • Stock SD card unreliable: Included SD card often fails - replacement recommended
  • Requires technical setup: Custom firmware installation and configuration needed
  • No official support: Community-driven only, no manufacturer warranty
  • Build quality varies: Inconsistent quality control across batches
  • Limited power: Struggles with N64, Dreamcast, and PSP games
  • Small buttons: May be uncomfortable for users with larger hands

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Buy the R36S?

👍 Perfect for:

  • Retro gaming enthusiasts who primarily play 8-bit and 16-bit classics
  • Budget-conscious buyers wanting maximum value under €40
  • Users comfortable with technical setup and custom firmware
  • PS1, GBA, and SNES fans - these systems run excellently
  • Open-source advocates who appreciate community-driven projects
  • Tinkerers and hobbyists who enjoy customization and optimization
  • First-time retro handheld buyers testing the waters on a budget

👎 Not suitable for:

  • Users wanting plug-and-play experience - requires setup and tweaking
  • Those needing premium build quality - this is a budget device
  • Players wanting modern games - PS2/GameCube are not playable
  • Completely non-technical users - basic Linux knowledge helps
  • Those needing customer support - community-only assistance
  • Users with large hands - small form factor may be cramped
  • Anyone expecting HDMI/TV output - not available on this model

R36S vs Trimui Smart Pro vs Anbernic RG35XX

The three most popular budget retro handhelds compared side-by-side. Which one is right for you?

Feature R36S Trimui Smart Pro Anbernic RG35XX
Price €25-35 €55-70 €55-70
Screen 3.5" IPS (640×480) 4.96" IPS (1280×720) 3.5" IPS (640×480)
CPU RK3326 (Quad-core 1.5 GHz) Allwinner A133 Plus (Quad-core 1.8 GHz) RK3326 (Same as R36S!)
RAM 1 GB DDR3L 1 GB LPDDR4 1 GB DDR3L
PS1 Performance Good Excellent Good (same as R36S)
N64 Performance Poor Good Poor (same as R36S)
Dreamcast Performance Poor Good Poor (same as R36S)
PSP Performance Not viable Fair (some 2D games) Not viable
Build Quality Average (plastic, budget feel) Better (solid feel) Better (premium feel)
Button Quality Basic (some units mushy) Better Better (consistent, clicky)
Portability Very small (fits in pocket) Larger (less pocket-friendly) Small
Battery Life 4-6 hours 4-6 hours 4-6 hours
Wi-Fi No (USB dongle required) No Some models have built-in
Stock Firmware Basic (replace immediately) Basic Better (functional)
Custom Firmware ArkOS, Rocknix CrossMix OS ArkOS, GarlicOS, Rocknix
Stock SD Card Unreliable (replace ASAP) Average Better (still upgrade)
Quality Control Inconsistent Good Better (more consistent)
Community Support Active (growing) Active Very active (established)
Value Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

💡 Three-Way Comparison Summary

🏆 Choose R36S if:

  • Budget is under €40 and value matters most
  • Primarily play 8/16-bit games and PS1
  • Want the smallest, most portable option
  • Don't mind budget build quality

Best value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

🚀 Choose Trimui Smart Pro if:

  • Want better N64, Dreamcast, PSP performance
  • Prefer larger, higher-resolution screen (720p)
  • Don't mind paying double for better specs
  • Play more demanding 3D systems

Best performance in this price range

🎯 Choose Anbernic RG35XX if:

  • Same performance as R36S but better build
  • Want more reliable hardware and buttons
  • Prefer established brand with better QC
  • Value premium feel and consistency

Worth €30 extra for quality upgrade

🔑 Key Insights:

  • R36S = RG35XX performance: They use the same CPU, so gaming performance is identical. RG35XX costs double for better build quality, not better emulation.
  • Trimui Smart Pro = performance king: Only option if you need N64, Dreamcast, or PSP. Significantly more powerful CPU.
  • R36S = value king: Unbeatable at €25-35. Perfect for 8/16-bit and PS1 enthusiasts on a budget.

What Can the R36S Play?

Performance overview for major systems. For detailed compatibility lists, see our Performance Guide.

Excellent Performance ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance: Flawless emulation
  • Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Master System: Perfect compatibility
  • Neo Geo, Neo Geo Pocket: Runs smoothly
  • Arcade (MAME/FinalBurn): Most 2D classics work great

Good Performance ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • PlayStation 1: Most games run well with minor slowdowns in demanding titles
  • PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16: Solid emulation
  • WonderSwan: Works well

Mixed Performance ⭐⭐⭐

  • Dreamcast: Some games playable but expect audio crackling and slowdowns
  • Saturn: Limited compatibility, many games too slow

Poor Performance ⭐⭐

  • Nintendo 64: Most games unplayable or severely compromised
  • PSP: Not viable for most games

Not Playable ❌

  • PS2, GameCube, Wii, 3DS: Hardware not powerful enough

Bottom Line: The R36S excels at 8-bit and 16-bit systems (NES through PS1). If these are your primary interest, the R36S offers unbeatable value. If you need N64, Dreamcast, or PSP, consider more powerful alternatives like the Trimui Smart Pro or Anbernic RG35XX Plus.

Final Recommendation

🎯 The R36S is the best choice if:

  • Your budget is under €40 and value matters most
  • You primarily play 8/16-bit classics and PS1 games
  • You're willing to spend 1-2 hours setting up custom firmware
  • You're comfortable troubleshooting minor issues via community resources
  • You want to try retro handheld gaming without major financial commitment

⚠️ Consider alternatives if:

  • You want N64, Dreamcast, or PSP to run smoothly (get Trimui Smart Pro)
  • You need premium build quality and better buttons (get RG35XX)
  • You want plug-and-play with no setup required (retro handhelds may not be for you)
  • You're unwilling to replace the stock SD card (critical step for R36S)
  • You need HDMI output for TV gaming (not available on any of these models)

Ready to Buy?

If you've decided the R36S is right for you, check our Where to Buy Guide for trusted sellers, price comparisons, and tips to avoid clones.

Already purchased? Head to our Getting Started Guide for setup instructions and critical first steps (especially SD card replacement!).

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