The R36S handheld console is a popular device for people looking into reliving the favourite games from their childhood. With a 1.5GHz cpu, 1GB of RAM, a bright IPS display, a relatively strong battery and versatile software, it is a robust choice for emulating older games. However, the R36S is not without limitations. Below are the pros and cons of this device.
R36S Pros:
- Affordable: The R36S is a budget-friendly choice, with prices ranging from $30-40 on sites such as AliExpress.
- Compatibility: For its price, the R36S offers high compatibility with 8-bit and 16-bit systems, and even with many N64, Dreamcast, PSP and NDS titles.
- Flexibility: The storage can be extended through MicroSD-cards, and the ArkOS operating system combined with Retroarch / Emulation Station offers many opportunities for fine tuning. The device is also easy to repair, and you can upgrade it with a WIFI chip and add accessories via USB.
- Battery life: The R36S offers up to 6h of gaming thanks to the 3200 mAh rechargeable battery.
R36S Cons:
- Know-how: Even if the device can theoretically be used straight out of the box, it is recommended to replace the enclosed microSD-card since these cards are prone to fail sooner or later. This requires knowledge on how to flash ArkOS and transfer games to a new memory card.
- Performance: For its price range, the R36S offers good compatibility with many systems. However, don’t expect it to play anything later than the Dreamcast era for stationary consoles: you will not be able to play PS2, Xbox and Wii games on this device.
- Controls: While I personally like the device’s control scheme, some users complain about the d-pad and analog sticks, noise shoulder buttons, and that the unit is uncomfortable.
In conclusion, the R36S is a solid choice for retro gaming on a budget, offering good performance up to a certain point at a low price. However, potential buyers should be aware of the limitations: the device might need some extra configuration, and it cannot emulate more advanced systems.