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expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025
expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025

R36S Retro Game Emulation Handheld (Black) w/ 64GB MicroSD Card

+ Free Shipping

$20

$40

50% off
AliExpress
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Update: This popular deal is still available.

BOYHOM Store via AliExpress has R36S Retro Game Emulation Handheld (Translucent Black) w/ 64GB MicroSD Card on sale for $23.27 - $3 off $19 coupon code IFP8WNN = $20.27Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for finding this deal.
  • Note: Free shipping (from China). Allow 10 to 15 days for arrival.
Specs:
  • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
  • Rockchip RK3326 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2x micro SD card slots (1x 64GB card included)
  • 2x USB-C ports
  • Dual joysticks / 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Linux-based operating system (ArkOS)
  • No Bluetooth / WiFi | No HDMI

Editor's Notes

Written by SlickDealio | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • Please see the original post for additional details and give the WIKI and forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by RevOne | Staff
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.

BOYHOM Store via AliExpress has R36S Retro Game Emulation Handheld (Translucent Black) w/ 64GB MicroSD Card on sale for $23.27 - $3 off $19 coupon code IFP8WNN = $20.27Shipping is free.

Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for finding this deal.
  • Note: Free shipping (from China). Allow 10 to 15 days for arrival.
Specs:
  • 3.5" 640x480 IPS display
  • Rockchip RK3326 processor
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2x micro SD card slots (1x 64GB card included)
  • 2x USB-C ports
  • Dual joysticks / 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Rechargeable battery
  • Linux-based operating system (ArkOS)
  • No Bluetooth / WiFi | No HDMI

Editor's Notes

Written by SlickDealio | Staff
  • About this Deal:
    • Please see the original post for additional details and give the WIKI and forum comments a read for helpful discussion.

Original Post

Written by RevOne | Staff

Community Voting

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Top Comments

These are great to dip your toes into the world of handheld retro emulation but I would keep in mind how inexpensive it is so please temper your expectations appropriately.
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.gg/r36s-setup-guide/
I spent more time modding it (mostly because I'm not good at it) then playing it but my kids enjoy playing on it.

For those with a 3d printer, there is a case for it on makerworld which fits well.
Depending on how much you want to spend there are a number of options.
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.us/item/32...61809.html
Grey or Silver RG35XXSP - https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32...61809.html
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.us/item/32...ceType=561
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.us/item/32...74732.html - $95 with code USAFF12

101 Comments

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Pro
Expert
This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
Mar 19, 2025
15,812 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
Mar 19, 2025
gabe23111
Mar 19, 2025
Pro
Expert
This user is an Expert in Home & Home Improvement
15,812 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank gabe23111

I spent more time modding it (mostly because I'm not good at it) then playing it but my kids enjoy playing on it.

For those with a 3d printer, there is a case for it on makerworld which fits well.
2
2
1
Mar 19, 2025
2,046 Posts
Joined Dec 2006
Mar 19, 2025
spikey911
Mar 19, 2025
2,046 Posts
Sorry, this item's currently unavailable in your location.
1
Mar 19, 2025
5 Posts
Joined Dec 2023
Mar 19, 2025
Motgold
Mar 19, 2025
5 Posts
Price increased to $23.33 just checked
1
3
Mar 19, 2025
1 Posts
Joined Apr 2020
Mar 19, 2025
CassianElessar
Mar 19, 2025
1 Posts
The price of the R36S is 23.33 minus the $3 discount which is $20.33. Don't forget the tax.
Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
Mar 19, 2025
18,888 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
Mar 19, 2025
RevOne
Mar 19, 2025
Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
18,888 Posts
Quote from Motgold :
Price increased to $23.33 just checked
Hi Motgold Smilie It's still showing as active for me. Just have to apply the coupon code (IFP8WNN) to get it down to $20.33.
Mar 19, 2025
105 Posts
Joined Sep 2014
Mar 19, 2025
mikemurt78
Mar 19, 2025
105 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank mikemurt78

I have this, it works well, takes a long time to start up. My card recently stopped working and I need to reload the OS. If you're looking to play N64 games I would step up to a stronger console, mine didn't run them well. Since it stopped working I just swapped to emulators on my phones and they honestly run the games better than the R36S, just missing the physical buttons.
3
Mar 19, 2025
39 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
Mar 19, 2025
RiceEater702
Mar 19, 2025
39 Posts
order one! Been thinking of getting one for a while and this help me pull the trigger.

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Mar 19, 2025
108 Posts
Joined Aug 2010
Mar 19, 2025
ViDeOmAnCiNi
Mar 19, 2025
108 Posts
can't apply promo code. just get "For security reasons your request can't currently be processed " ideas?

NVM. a refresh made it work. weird site.
Mar 19, 2025
1,792 Posts
Joined Jan 2009
Mar 19, 2025
MSH
Mar 19, 2025
1,792 Posts
Anyone have this and the TRIMUI BRICK Handheld Game? worth double the price?
Mar 19, 2025
39 Posts
Joined Feb 2017
Mar 19, 2025
powerkeeper
Mar 19, 2025
39 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank powerkeeper

These are great to dip your toes into the world of handheld retro emulation but I would keep in mind how inexpensive it is so please temper your expectations appropriately.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.gg/r36s-setup-guide/
10
Mar 19, 2025
454 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
Mar 19, 2025
salvio007
Mar 19, 2025
454 Posts
These are phenomenal for the price. I already have 3 variants and they all run PSP decently. Tekken runs great on mine.
Mar 19, 2025
822 Posts
Joined Oct 2012
Mar 19, 2025
bballer20
Mar 19, 2025
822 Posts
Quote from powerkeeper :
These are great to dip your toes into the world of handheld retro emulation but I would keep in mind how inexpensive it is so please temper your expectations appropriately.
A couple of things to keep in mind:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.gg/r36s-setup-guide/

Do you have any suggestions for a step up or 2?
Pro
Mar 19, 2025
2,356 Posts
Joined Sep 2011
Mar 19, 2025
santy83
Pro
Mar 19, 2025
2,356 Posts
What is the difference between this one and this - https://slickdeals.net/f/18184633-r36h-retro-game-emulation-handheld-w-64gb-microsd-card-from-24-52-free-shipping-aliexpress?src=SiteSearch

The hand control being on the side vs bottom. Is that the main difference? which is better?
Last edited by santy83 March 19, 2025 at 04:18 PM.
Mar 19, 2025
120 Posts
Joined Apr 2016
Mar 19, 2025
m00tknife
Mar 19, 2025
120 Posts
Quote from santy83 :
What is the difference between this one and this - https://slickdeals.net/f/18184633-r36h-retro-game-emulation-handheld-w-64gb-microsd-card-from-24-52-free-shipping-aliexpress?src=SiteSearch

The hand control being on the side vs bottom. Is that the main difference? which is better?

Yes, it's what the H in the model name stands for Smilie

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Mar 19, 2025
405 Posts
Joined Sep 2011

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