Boyhom R36S Retro Handheld Review
The market for retro gaming handhelds has exploded, with devices like the Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX dominating the scene. However, a new challenger has taken over TikTok and AliExpress: the R36S Retro Handheld Game Console. Priced significantly lower than its competitors, it promises to play advanced systems like PSP, N64, and Dreamcast.
But is a $45 device really capable of running these heavy games, or is it too good to be true? This review focuses on the real-world performance of the R36S. We will look past the marketing numbers and analyze the screen quality, button feel, and actual gaming performance. If you are looking for the best budget retro handheld of 2025, this honest breakdown will help you decide if the R36S is a hidden gem or electronic waste.
Real-Life Use Case
R36S Retro Handheld
The R36S is not a replacement for a Nintendo Switch or a Steam Deck. It is designed for “burst gaming”—short sessions of nostalgia when you have 15-20 minutes to kill.
Typical use cases include 👇
- ✅ Commuting: Perfect for playing Pokémon or Mario while on the bus or train.
- ✅ Waiting Rooms: A great way to pass time at the doctor’s office without draining your phone battery.
- ✅ Nostalgia Trips: Replaying the childhood games from PS1, GBA, and SNES that you grew up with.
- ✅ Budget Gift: An affordable gift for kids or teens getting into retro gaming for the first time.
What Is This Product?
R36S Retro Handheld
The R36S is a vertical Linux-based handheld emulator. It mimics the design of the classic GameBoy but adds two analog sticks and four shoulder buttons on the back. Under the hood, it uses the RK3326 chip, which is a quad-core processor capable of 3D gaming. It runs on **ArkOS**, an open-source operating system that allows for deep customization. It essentially puts 15,000+ classic games from 20 different consoles into your pocket.
Key Features
R36S Retro Handheld
- ✅ 3.5 Inch IPS Screen: Features a stunning 640×480 resolution display with zero bezel gaps (better than many expensive rivals) 📱.
- ✅ Dual Joysticks: Unlike the Miyoo Mini, this includes two analog sticks, making it possible to play PS1 and N64 games properly 🎮.
- ✅ Massive Game Compatibility: Supports MAME, N64, PS1, PSP, GBA, NES, SNES, and Sega Dreamcast.
- ✅ Open Source ArkOS: The system is highly customizable, allowing you to change themes, save states, and load custom cheat codes ⚙️.
- ✅ USB-C OTG Support: You can plug in a Wi-Fi dongle (sold separately) to scrape box art or play multiplayer.
✅❌ Real Pros & Cons (Mandatory Honest Section)
R36S Retro Handheld
| 👍 The Good (Pros) | 👎 The Bad (Cons) |
| ✅ Unbeatable Price 💰:For under $50 getting a device that can emulate N64 and Dreamcast is incredible value. It is the cheapest RK3326 device on the market. | ❌ Stiff Buttons: The D-Pad and face buttons feel a bit stiff and loud compared to premium devices. They require a bit more force to press. |
| ✅ Beautiful Display: The screen is the star of the show. It is bright, colorful, and sharp. It looks significantly better than the screen on the original Miyoo Mini. | ❌ Cheap Build Quality: The plastic shell feels a bit hollow. If you shake the device, the shoulder buttons tend to rattle loudly. |
| ✅ Dual Analog Sticks:The inclusion of joysticks opens up a library of 3D games that you cannot play on other vertical handhelds | ❌ Stock SD Card Failure: The generic MicroSD cards included in the box are very low quality and prone to corruption. You **must** replace them immediately. |
| ✅ Battery Life: You can expect about 4 to 5 hours of gameplay on older systems (GBA/SNES), which is decent for travel. | ❌ Complex for Beginners: ArkOS is powerful but can be confusing. It is not as “plug and play” as Nintendo devices. You might need to watch tutorials. |
| ✅ Pocketable: It is slightly larger than a deck of cards, making it easy to slide into a pocket. | ❌ Loud Shoulder Buttons: The L1/L2 and R1/R2 buttons on the back make a loud “click” sound which might annoy people around you. |
Price and Value
Boyhom R36S Retro Handheld Review
Current Market Price: $40.00 – $50.00 USD (varies by AliExpress sales and shipping).
At this price point, the R36S is the “King of Budget Handhelds.” It outperforms the Anbernic RG35XX in terms of raw power (GPU) for the same price. If you are willing to accept the cheaper build quality, the gaming performance per dollar is unmatched.
Who Should Buy This Product
- ✅ Gamers on a strict budget who want maximum performance.
- ✅ People who specifically want to play N64, Dreamcast, or NDS games cheaply.
- ✅ Tech-savvy users who enjoy tinkering with settings and custom firmware.
- ✅ Travelers who want a disposable console they don’t mind scratching.
Who Should Not Buy This Product
- ❌ People who want a premium, solid-feeling device (Buy Anbernic instead).
- ❌ Users who want to play heavy PSP games like *God of War* at full speed.
- ❌ Beginners who get frustrated by software menus and file management.
- ❌ People with large hands (the controls can feel cramped).
Helpful Buying Guide
To ensure you have the best experience with the R36S, follow these critical tips:
- 1. Replace the SD Card: The card that comes in the box will fail eventually. Buy a branded card (Samsung or SanDisk) and copy the system files over immediately.
- 2. Use the Right Charger: Do not use a fast charger (USB-C to USB-C). Only use a standard USB-A to USB-C cable (5V/1A or 5V/2A). Fast chargers can fry the battery.
- 3. **Update ArkOS: Check online guides to update the ArkOS firmware. This fixes many bugs and improves performance for N64 games.
Final Thoughts
Boyhom R36S Retro Handheld Review
The Boyhom R36S is a rough diamond. The build quality is mediocre, and the buttons are loud, but the screen and performance are shocking for the price. It plays games it has no business playing at this price point. If you can overlook the cheap plastic feel, it is easily the best entry-level retro handheld of 2025.
You can paste this just before the Buy Now button 👇
👉 If you want to relive your childhood memories without spending hundreds of dollars, the R36S is the perfect gateway into retro gaming. It offers the best screen and performance you will find for under $50.
People Also Ask Style
Boyhom R36S Retro Handheld Review
- Can the R36S play PSP games?
- Yes, it can play many 2D PSP games and lighter 3D titles (like Tekken 6) reasonably well. However, heavy games like God of War will run slow or require “frameskip” enabled.
- How do I add games to the R36S?
- You need to take out the MicroSD card, put it in a card reader connected to your PC, and drag your ROM files into the corresponding console folders (e.g., GBA roms into the GBA folder).
- Does the R36S have Wi-Fi?
- No, the device does not have an internal Wi-Fi chip. To use Wi-Fi for updates or scraping, you must plug a Wi-Fi dongle into the OTG port.
- R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus: Which is better?
- The Miyoo Mini Plus has better build quality and buttons. The R36S is more powerful (plays N64/PSP) and has joysticks. Choose R36S for power, Miyoo for quality.
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