I Can't Believe This is Only $40 -- R36S Review

Table of Contents

• 🎮 Introduction
• 🕹️ History of OGA/RK3326 Clones
• 📦 Pricing and Unboxing/Impressions
• 🕹️ Controls (D-pad, Buttons, Analogs)
• 📏 Size Comparisons
• 🖥️ Stock Firmware Experience
• ⚙️ Upgrading ArkOS
• 🎲 Emulation Testing
• ⚡ ArkOS Quick Mode
• 👍👎 Summary (Likes and Dislikes)
• 🎯 Conclusion

🎮 Introduction

Welcome to a deep dive into the R36S handheld, an impressively affordable retro gaming device that’s shaking up the budget handheld market. At just around $40, the R36S offers a compelling package for gamers who want a versatile and functional retro console without breaking the bank. This article unpacks everything about the R36S—from its lineage and hardware to its software and gaming performance—guiding you through what makes this device stand out, and where it falls short.

Whether you’re a seasoned retro handheld enthusiast or a newcomer curious about affordable options, this review gives you a comprehensive look at the R36S. It’s built on the shoulders of several RK3326 chipset devices and offers both plug-and-play convenience as well as the potential for custom firmware exploration, making it a fascinating subject in today’s retro gaming landscape.

🕹️ History of OGA/RK3326 Clones

To truly appreciate the R36S, we need to understand its roots, tracing back to the original OGA (Odroid Go Advance) device. Released in early 2020 by Hardkernel, a South Korean company, the OGA was a unique handheld in that it shipped as a DIY kit. Buyers had to assemble it themselves, tools included, making it a niche product that appealed to hobbyists who enjoyed a hands-on approach.

Despite its innovative concept, the OGA faced criticism for its hardware quality, particularly the controls, which many found lacking. Shortly after, in September 2020, Anbernic released the RG351P—a clone of the OGA with notable upgrades such as dual analog sticks and an OCA laminated LCD panel. Priced at about $110, it improved upon the OGA’s shortcomings but still lacked Wi-Fi and had a 3x2 aspect ratio display, which was more suited to Game Boy Advance emulation than other systems.

The success of the RG351P inspired Anbernic to continue developing within this chipset. They released the RG351M with a metal shell and built-in Wi-Fi, followed by the RG351V, which switched to a 4:3 aspect ratio and 480p resolution, catering to fans of the classic Game Boy form factor. The RG351MP, released in September 2021, combined features like the metal shell and 480p screen but lacked Wi-Fi, possibly due to the metal case interfering with signal reception.

Meanwhile, other companies like Powkiddy jumped into the scene with their own clones, the most notable being the RGB20S. This device gained viral popularity on TikTok in 2022, despite mixed reviews regarding its controls and ergonomics. The RGB20S is essentially a clone of the RG351MP, which itself is a clone of the OGA—showing how these devices build on each other’s legacies.

The R35S followed as a direct clone of the RGB20S, but its stiff rubber membrane controls disappointed many, including myself, to the point where I couldn’t enjoy playing for more than a few minutes. However, the R35S’s price point of around $35 to $40 made it popular enough to inspire the next evolution: the R36S.

The R36S, the focus of this review, is a clone of the RGB20S and thus a clone of a clone, continuing the RK3326 lineage. What sets it apart is its shockingly low price and improved build quality, making it a significant player in the affordable retro handheld market.

📦 Pricing and Unboxing/Impressions

The R36S’s most remarkable feature is its price: approximately $40 on AliExpress, sometimes even less during sales. This is about half the price of other RK3326-based devices from Powkiddy or Anbernic, which usually hover around $80. This low price point immediately grabs attention and raises questions about what compromises, if any, have been made.

Unboxing the R36S reveals a very straightforward package. It comes in three color options: solid white, transparent black, and transparent purple. I received the transparent black version, which looks sleek and modern. Inside the box, you’ll find the handheld itself, a charging cable, and a quick start manual that amusingly still references the RGB20S, showcasing how shamelessly this device copies from its predecessors.

The handheld’s design is sharp and ergonomic, with analog sticks positioned below the D-pad and face buttons, which tends to be more comfortable during gameplay. A notable feature is the removable battery compartment housing a 3500mAh battery, which provided me with about 4 hours of gameplay during testing. The compartment is securely fastened, so there’s no annoying rattle.

Button noise is well-managed; unlike many vertical handhelds with loud back buttons, the R36S’s buttons are dampened enough to avoid distraction, though they’re not silent. Overall, the device feels solid for its price, with thoughtful touches that enhance the user experience.

🕹️ Controls (D-pad, Buttons, Analogs)

Controls are critical in any gaming handheld, and the R36S strikes a balance between affordability and playability. The D-pad uses a softer rubber membrane compared to its predecessor, the R35S, improving responsiveness and comfort, especially when pressing cardinal directions (up, down, left, right). However, the D-pad’s pivot mechanism feels flat and somewhat restrictive when trying to hit diagonal inputs, which can be a drawback for games requiring precise diagonal control.

Testing the D-pad with classic games like Contra and Street Fighter 3 revealed this limitation. While cardinal inputs were solid, diagonals were harder to register reliably, resulting in about a 50% success rate for complex moves like Hadouken and Shoryuken. This means the D-pad is serviceable but not ideal for games that demand high precision in diagonal inputs.

The face buttons have also been improved with softer membranes, offering a responsive yet slightly mushy feel. They bounce back quickly, making them comfortable for extended play sessions without significant fatigue or missed presses.

The function buttons in the center use clicky micro-switches and are on the louder side, but they don’t rattle excessively inside the shell, which is a pleasant surprise. The analog sticks follow the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con style, initially stiff but loosening up with use. They also support L3 and R3 clicks, which is a nice addition for games that require analog stick presses.

On the bottom, the device features two USB-C ports: one labeled OTG for external controllers and one for charging (DC). There’s also a headphone jack and what looks like speaker holes, but the R36S actually houses only a single mono speaker at the front center, which delivers decent audio quality.

📏 Size Comparisons

The R36S measures smaller than many similar retro handhelds, striking a comfortable middle ground in size and ergonomics. Compared to the Anbernic RG351V, which was the first with a 480p 4:3 aspect ratio display, the R36S is more compact with smaller bezels and a squarer shape reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s handhelds.

In height, the R36S is comparable to the Game Boy Color but wider, making it a nostalgic yet modern device. When compared to Powkiddy’s RGB20S and R35S, the R36S is shorter but roughly the same width, which contributes to its comfortable grip and portability.

Other vertical handhelds like the Xu10 and Anbernic RG353V are larger and more expensive, with the RG353V sporting a more powerful Rockchip 3566 chipset. On the smaller side, devices like the Anbernic RG35XX and Miu Mini Plus are more pocketable but less powerful, generally capping at PS1 emulation, whereas the R36S can handle more demanding systems.

Ultimately, the R36S’s size positions it well for travel and casual gaming sessions without feeling cumbersome or too tiny to hold comfortably.

🖥️ Stock Firmware Experience

Out of the box, the R36S runs a version of ArkOS (Aros) 2.0, an open-source retro gaming operating system. The interface uses a Nintendo Switch-inspired theme, which looks sleek but can be changed easily to more traditional themes like NES Box for those who prefer a classic look.

Navigation is straightforward: users select systems and games with the A button, and games launch quickly. However, not all games have box art, and some titles on the pre-loaded 64GB SD card appear to be hacked or modified versions, which can affect gameplay expectations. For example, the Super Nintendo game Super Punch-Out had a cheat enabled with infinite power, which might not appeal to purists seeking an authentic experience.

One downside is the lack of built-in Wi-Fi. While the device lists factory default Wi-Fi networks, it cannot connect to external networks without a USB Wi-Fi dongle. Even with a compatible dongle, the connection drops immediately, likely due to power management issues with the OTG port. This complicates updating the operating system over the air but doesn’t prevent manual updates via SD card flashing.

⚙️ Upgrading ArkOS

Manually upgrading ArkOS is relatively simple and highly recommended to improve stability and access newer features. The process involves downloading the latest ArkOS build for the RG351MP (the device the R36S clones) from the official GitHub repository and flashing it onto a fresh SD card with a tool like Balena Etcher.

A key step is replacing a boot file (a device tree blob, or DTB) with one specific to the R36S to ensure compatibility. This hack essentially tricks the system into recognizing the R36S hardware properly, ensuring smooth operation.

Once the new SD card is inserted into the device, the initial boot takes a few minutes to initialize partitions and settings. Importantly, you must switch the system to use the SD2 slot for ROMs to access your game library correctly.

With the upgraded ArkOS, you gain access to a more recent operating system version, improved emulator cores, and enhanced UI options, setting the stage for a better gaming experience overall.

🎲 Emulation Testing

The R36S handles a wide range of retro systems well, especially those with less demanding hardware requirements. Here’s a breakdown of performance across various platforms:

• Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance: These handheld systems run flawlessly at 100% speed, with thousands of games pre-loaded on the stock SD card.
• Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis: Classic home consoles also perform excellently, with comprehensive game libraries included out of the box.
• Arcade (MAME/CPS3): 80s classics, early 90s, and some mid-90s arcade games run well, including the full Neo Geo catalog. Analog sticks work adequately for arcade controls.
• Sony PlayStation: The RK3326 chipset powers PS1 games smoothly, including demanding titles like Bloody Roar 2 and Tekken 3.
• Nintendo DS: DS games run well, but the lack of a touchscreen and the smaller screen size can affect games that rely on dual screens or touch input. Games like Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars require toggling between screens, which can be awkward.
• Nintendo 64: Performance is mixed. Using the default RetroArch core, many games run at roughly half speed. Switching to standalone emulators like Mupen64Plus with Rice graphics improves performance but doesn’t guarantee full-speed gameplay for all titles.
• Sega Dreamcast: Similar to N64, many games run near full speed, but frame rate dips below 30 FPS affect smoothness in heavier titles like Dead or Alive 2 and Crazy Taxi 2.
• Sony PSP: About one-third of PSP games run well, particularly 2D and fighting games. Heavier 3D games like God of War don’t perform adequately.
• Sega Saturn: Supported by ArkOS and runs well, but the stock SD card lacks Saturn games, so users must add their own.

In summary, the R36S excels with 2D and less demanding 3D systems but struggles with more intensive platforms like N64, Dreamcast, and PSP. It’s best viewed as a solid all-rounder with occasional limitations rather than a powerhouse for every retro system.

⚡ ArkOS Quick Mode

A standout feature in the latest ArkOS update is Quick Mode. Once enabled, this function allows users to power down the device instantly while saving their game state. By holding the R3 button and pressing the power button, the system saves your progress and shuts down in under 17 seconds.

Turning the device back on resumes the exact game and spot where you left off, dramatically improving convenience for gamers on the go. This feature complements the traditional sleep mode, which conserves battery but continues running in the background, draining power over time.

Quick Mode is a game-changer, especially for casual sessions or when you need to pause and resume quickly without long boot times or manual save states.

👍👎 Summary (Likes and Dislikes)

Likes

• Price: At around $40, the R36S delivers exceptional value, making it arguably the best budget retro handheld on the market today.
• Controls: While not perfect, the controls are a marked improvement over previous clones, with a softer D-pad and responsive face buttons.
• Screen: The OCA laminated IPS panel with 640x480 resolution is bright, vibrant, and visually appealing, with the screen popping out nicely from the case.
• Ergonomics: The device’s size and button layout are comfortable, especially for extended gaming sessions.
• Versatility: Offers both plug-and-play gaming on arrival and the ability to install custom firmware like ArkOS or AmberEL, opening the door for enthusiasts to customize their experience.
• Battery: Removable 3500mAh battery provides about 4 hours of gameplay and can be swapped out if needed.
• Audio: Mono speaker delivers good volume and clarity for a single speaker setup.

Dislikes

• D-pad Pivot: The flat pivot design hampers diagonal inputs, making some games harder to play precisely.
• Performance Limits: The RK3326 chipset struggles with Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, and PSP games, limiting the handheld’s appeal for fans of these systems.
• Wi-Fi Issues: No built-in Wi-Fi and problematic USB dongle support make wireless updates and downloads difficult.
• Pre-loaded Games: Many games on the included SD card are hacked or modified, which may not suit purists and can lead to unexpected gameplay experiences.
• Build Quality: While decent for the price, the plastic shell and button feel aren’t premium, which might deter users accustomed to higher-end devices.
• Limited Speaker Setup: Only a single mono speaker, though it performs well, stereo would be preferable.

🎯 Conclusion

The R36S is a remarkable handheld that punches well above its weight class. For just $40, it offers a surprisingly high-quality screen, solid controls, and broad emulation support that makes it a fantastic entry-level device for retro gaming enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

While it’s not perfect, especially with its D-pad limitations and weaker performance on more demanding systems like N64 and PSP, it delivers incredible value for the price. The ability to upgrade ArkOS and install custom firmware means that the R36S can grow with you as you learn more about retro handhelds.

If you’re on a tight budget or looking for a gift that provides thousands of games and plenty of fun without the steep price tag of premium retro handhelds, the R36S is an excellent choice. It’s not designed to replace high-end devices but serves as a capable, versatile, and affordable gateway into the retro gaming world.

In the ever-expanding ecosystem of retro handhelds, the R36S stands out as a testament to how accessible and enjoyable retro gaming can be without spending a fortune. Whether you want a plug-and-play device or a customizable platform to tinker with, the R36S deserves a spot on your radar.

So, are you ready to dive into thousands of classic games for less than the price of many modern titles? The R36S makes that dream a reality.