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expiredRevOne | Staff posted Jun 04, 2026 12:35 PM
expiredRevOne | Staff posted Jun 04, 2026 12:35 PM

BOYHOM R36S Retro Game Handheld (various)

+ Free S&H

$21

$40

47% off
AliExpress
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Deal Details
BOYHOM Local Store via AliExpress has BOYHOM R36S Retro Game Handheld (various) on sale as listed below for $24.04 - $3 (apply promo code USDEAL3 or SSUS03 at checkout) = $21.04. Shipping is free.
  • Note: Price may fluctuate slightly with currency exchange rates. You must be signed into your AliExpress account and have your address added to add items to your cart and place an order. You may have to manually type in the promo code to apply it at checkout. This item ships from a USA warehouse. For expedited customer service, please email [email protected].
Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for finding this deal.

Available:Specs:
  • 3.5" 640x480 IPS non-touchscreen display (4:3 aspect ratio)
  • Rockchip RK3326 Chipset
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2x micro SD card slots
  • 2x USB-C ports
  • Dual joysticks | 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Single speaker (front-facing)
  • 3500 mAh battery
  • Linux-based operating system (ArkOS)
  • Note: No built-in Wi-Fi / Bluetooth (can use a plug-in external Wi-Fi adapter via the USB-C port, if desired)
  • Can emulate most retro systems/games up to PlayStation 1 and Game Boy Advance very well; plus a limited amount of Nintendo DS

Editor's Notes

Written by megakimcheelove | Staff
  • This offer is $3.46 lower (14% savings) than previous Front Page deal.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional 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
BOYHOM Local Store via AliExpress has BOYHOM R36S Retro Game Handheld (various) on sale as listed below for $24.04 - $3 (apply promo code USDEAL3 or SSUS03 at checkout) = $21.04. Shipping is free.
  • Note: Price may fluctuate slightly with currency exchange rates. You must be signed into your AliExpress account and have your address added to add items to your cart and place an order. You may have to manually type in the promo code to apply it at checkout. This item ships from a USA warehouse. For expedited customer service, please email [email protected].
Thanks to Deal Editor RevOne for finding this deal.

Available:Specs:
  • 3.5" 640x480 IPS non-touchscreen display (4:3 aspect ratio)
  • Rockchip RK3326 Chipset
  • 1GB RAM
  • 2x micro SD card slots
  • 2x USB-C ports
  • Dual joysticks | 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Single speaker (front-facing)
  • 3500 mAh battery
  • Linux-based operating system (ArkOS)
  • Note: No built-in Wi-Fi / Bluetooth (can use a plug-in external Wi-Fi adapter via the USB-C port, if desired)
  • Can emulate most retro systems/games up to PlayStation 1 and Game Boy Advance very well; plus a limited amount of Nintendo DS

Editor's Notes

Written by megakimcheelove | Staff
  • This offer is $3.46 lower (14% savings) than previous Front Page deal.
  • Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion. 

Original Post

Written by RevOne | Staff

Community Voting

Deal Score
+32
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31 Comments

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Pro
Jun 04, 2026 01:37 PM
3,974 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
zdiddy987
Pro
Jun 04, 2026 01:37 PM
3,974 Posts
$20 seems good for this - I think the micro sd crapped out on one of mine but it'd probably work again with a new card in there

I keep one in my travel bag to have on hand at the airport or when flying
Jun 04, 2026 01:39 PM
7 Posts
Joined Sep 2018
CoolAlpaca8829Jun 04, 2026 01:39 PM
7 Posts
I paid about $25 on a slick deal and love mine. Swapped the SD card for a name brand card as soon as it arrived. (After copying the drive.)
Jun 04, 2026 01:49 PM
44 Posts
Joined Apr 2026
FantasticLinen792Jun 04, 2026 01:49 PM
44 Posts
The viral TikTok console, as they call it, I'm a fan of Arbernic because of their quality, but I decided to try this console and for the price it's equivalent to a family deal at any store Excellent offer, perfect for work when you're on lunch
Jun 04, 2026 01:51 PM
1,399 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
Shogun749Jun 04, 2026 01:51 PM
1,399 Posts
If i apply the coupon the price goes up lol
Jun 04, 2026 01:53 PM
18 Posts
Joined Aug 2017
namjiJun 04, 2026 01:53 PM
18 Posts
What games are already installed on this unit? Or do you need to purchase additional games?
Jun 04, 2026 02:13 PM
7 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
DanielP2234Jun 04, 2026 02:13 PM
7 Posts
Quote from namji :
What games are already installed on this unit? Or do you need to purchase additional games?
it will come with thousands of games. If you want to add your own games or a specific game that is missing, its as easy as finding them with google and adding them to the correct folder on the SD card and then using the menu to refresh the game list.

Some of the games may be not the correct language, but depending on the game it may not matter.
Jun 04, 2026 02:15 PM
2,048 Posts
Joined Jan 2004
romodomeJun 04, 2026 02:15 PM
2,048 Posts
I got the orange 128gb. Will copy and switch out the memory card once I get it.

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Jun 04, 2026 02:28 PM
401 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
bigbirdoncrackJun 04, 2026 02:28 PM
401 Posts

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

These are great. Most work decent out of pocket, but to get them to shine you have to tinker.

Even not tinkering, you NEED to replace the cards on these. They are all bottom of the barrel.

I know memory is expensive, these have 2 card slots (OS and Games)
They come with one card, with the OS and all games on one. Simply clone it over to a healthy namebrand card.
Or move to a 2 card setup (easy to do)
Even if you have some old 16gb for the OS card and use another for games you're going to be fine.

I just set one up for my son, 16gb for OS and a 32gb for games (all I had) and came no where near filling it up.

Just remember, Quantity isn't quality. - these cards have tons of Duplicates and foreign language and pure shovelwear / junk games too to get their ridiculous 10k+ game claims. You want to curate the ones they include or Google for a 1G1R complete set (1game =1rom)


For tinkering folks...
Another note - most of these R36s have multiple variants on parts, as they are built from whatever is available to build the boards and screens. This only matters to you if you plan to change to another OS. You can watch some YT on how to figure out what revision board and screen you have to make sure you download the right OS edition to match.

also side note...
some of the buttons are clicky (especially the back triggers) so don't expect to play this in bed next to a sleeping partner or any other place where silence is valued. 😜
Last edited by bigbirdoncrack June 4, 2026 at 07:36 AM.
2
Jun 04, 2026 02:32 PM
13 Posts
Joined Oct 2025
GreenStag770Jun 04, 2026 02:32 PM
13 Posts
But it Ali express
2
Jun 04, 2026 02:34 PM
401 Posts
Joined Apr 2006
bigbirdoncrackJun 04, 2026 02:34 PM
401 Posts
Quote from GreenStag770 :
But it Ali express
It's one of the manufacturers selling direct, and ships from US warehouse

If you're worried about your CC use a burner number
Jun 04, 2026 02:41 PM
14 Posts
Joined Sep 2013
asianwasteJun 04, 2026 02:41 PM
14 Posts
It's impressive what this thing can do for a small price but here are the things to look out for in my experience last year:

1. the SD card is a ticking time bomb. Replace it immediately and clone the data.

2. the button membranes have a strange tendency to clog and jam. You have to open it to nudge it back into place. It got really annoying how often that happens.

It's good out of the box. Comes with a good amount of ROMs. You will need to tinker with it some to get it to stop annoying you. File that under "get what you paid for". But overall if you are willing to tinker some, it's a damn good bang for buck.
Jun 04, 2026 02:48 PM
18 Posts
Joined Aug 2017
namjiJun 04, 2026 02:48 PM
18 Posts
Quote from DanielP2234 :
it will come with thousands of games. If you want to add your own games or a specific game that is missing, its as easy as finding them with google and adding them to the correct folder on the SD card and then using the menu to refresh the game list.Some of the games may be not the correct language, but depending on the game it may not matter.
Thank you! Should I get the 128 gb ? Or does it not matter if I'm going to swap the memory card with a quality one?
Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
Jun 04, 2026 02:50 PM
21,436 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
RevOneJun 04, 2026 02:50 PM
Original Poster
Pro
Deal Editor
21,436 Posts
Quote from bigbirdoncrack :
These are great. Most work decent out of pocket, but to get them to shine you have to tinker....
Great points, bigbirdoncrack Smilie Repped. To add on to the steps you mentioned, another bit of forewarning for anyone picking this up: You'll want to use a low-powered USB-A charging adapter. Try not to exceed 5W / 2A; ideally 1A-1.5A like those small 'cube' chargers the old iPhones used to come with. There is no charging "brick" included in the box; so you'll have to source your own, and these low-end handhelds - regardless of the manufacturer - generally don't play well long term with fast chargers that are common today. You likely already have an ETL or UL listed name brand USB-A charger that's 5W/ 1A - 2A in a junk drawer or laying around the house somewhere that came with a different device.

Not that using a charger above 2A is a fire hazard; it's just that the higher power chargers can potentially increase the risk of eventually bricking the R36S or often, not even charge the device at all. You'll also want to charge using a USB-C (inserted into the R36S) to USB-A cable (inserted into your 5W charging adapter). A USB-A to USB-C cable is included in the box.
Last edited by RevOne June 4, 2026 at 08:44 AM.
2
Jun 04, 2026 02:53 PM
58 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
cheapspartanJun 04, 2026 02:53 PM
58 Posts
Thanks.

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Jun 04, 2026 03:01 PM
165 Posts
Joined May 2016
5one1cnJun 04, 2026 03:01 PM
165 Posts
Good price for the R36s, but I preferred getting the G350 because the G350 is the better handheld. It's a rebranded Anbernic to hit a lower price point to compete with the R36.
Last edited by 5one1cn June 4, 2026 at 08:14 AM.

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