expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025 6:48 PM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025 6:48 PM
R36S Retro Game Emulation Handheld (Black) w/ 64GB MicroSD Card
+ Free Shipping$20
$40
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A couple of things to keep in mind:
This is an entry level device and will handle stuff like NES/SNES/Genesis/GB/PS1 pretty much flawlessly. You can get some lightweight N64 and Dreamcast working but don't count on anything. You won't be emulating Switch or PS2/3 on a $20 handheld.
The stock OS is serviceable but if you have the tech know-how or can follow guides, you will have a much nicer experience with custom firmware. The options are listed in the guide I'm linking.
The device may come with some included games but you can add your own as well. Having said that, the included SD card is garbage and known to fail. I would recommend finding an inexpensive quality card for either custom firmware or at minimum copying the data from the included card.
This does not have built in ethernet or WiFi so you will need to either use one of the known working type C wifi dongles or manually connect the SD card to your pc via adapter. This isn't a big deal for copying games over but scraping box art can take a while either way.
This guide will get you started with custom firmware options if you're so inclined. I'm not affiliated with this site but there is a ton of information here.
https://retrohandhelds.
For those with a 3d printer, there is a case for it on makerworld which fits well.
Anything in the Anbernic XX line of handhelds will be a good step up. They all use the same base chipset and the difference is only in form factor/battery capacity. They include a GBA style, an SP style, vertical, horizontal and a few other styles. All perform the same and can give you access to more of the N64 and Dreamcast library plus some of the PSP library as well. (One caveat, the RG35XX is not the same as the RG35XX Plus. The non-plus is an older chipset while the Plus is the same as the other XX chipsets.) - Price range is from around $35 to $45 after coupon depending on the model.
Examples: Grey RG35XX Plus - https://www.aliexpress.
Grey or Silver RG35XXSP - https://www.aliexpress.
Use code USAFF6 on these.
If you none of the Anbernic lineup looks good, the Trimui Smart Pro is a community favorite. It has a different chipset than the Anbernix devices but is similar in power. If you are after a PSP style feel, this might be the one for you. Around $41 before tax at the moment with that same code. https://www.aliexpress.
There are a few other companies and models and all have their niche. Unfortunately, the same price range means about the same performance. If you're looking for things like full N64/Dreamcast or PS2/3 performance then the price range jumps as you have to start looking into the Android based models. There are a few to look at currently but we're well past the $20 range from the R36S.
Lowest Android based T618 system - Should get you N64, PSP, DS etc easily with a little bit of PS2/GC/3DS but again those are not guaranteed.
RG505 - https://www.aliexpress.
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Anything in the Anbernic XX line of handhelds will be a good step up. They all use the same base chipset and the difference is only in form factor/battery capacity. They include a GBA style, an SP style, vertical, horizontal and a few other styles. All perform the same and can give you access to more of the N64 and Dreamcast library plus some of the PSP library as well. (One caveat, the RG35XX is not the same as the RG35XX Plus. The non-plus is an older chipset while the Plus is the same as the other XX chipsets.) - Price range is from around $35 to $45 after coupon depending on the model.
Examples: Grey RG35XX Plus - https://www.aliexpress.
Grey or Silver RG35XXSP - https://www.aliexpress.
Use code USAFF6 on these.
If you none of the Anbernic lineup looks good, the Trimui Smart Pro is a community favorite. It has a different chipset than the Anbernix devices but is similar in power. If you are after a PSP style feel, this might be the one for you. Around $41 before tax at the moment with that same code. https://www.aliexpress.
There are a few other companies and models and all have their niche. Unfortunately, the same price range means about the same performance. If you're looking for things like full N64/Dreamcast or PS2/3 performance then the price range jumps as you have to start looking into the Android based models. There are a few to look at currently but we're well past the $20 range from the R36S.
Lowest Android based T618 system - Should get you N64, PSP, DS etc easily with a little bit of PS2/GC/3DS but again those are not guaranteed.
RG505 - https://www.aliexpress.
No luck with the RG505 discount code? Got another that might work?
It's a good value for the build quality but keep in mind the extra $15~ you're spending is not for more performance, just better build. It's still the same SOC as the R36S. Definitely a better experience but up to personal taste whether it's worth 75% more money.
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Way better screen than I thought it'd be. Plays up to PS1 no problem.
Cons are super loud shoulder buttons and no wifi.
Other than that, solid device.
You can plug in a USB-C wireless adapter though.
One oddity, when you plug in a wifi adapter, the R36S's speakers makes loud crackling noises whenever it's actively doing file transfers over wifi. At least on the last one I set up it did that.