The portable emulation market has been buzzing with the introduction of the R36S Portable Gaming Console, a device that promises a high-quality gaming experience at an incredibly affordable price.

Is this the best budget-friendly emulator on the market?
Our review explores every aspect of the R36s to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your gaming needs.

Detailed First Impressions: R36S Portable Gaming Console Review

The R36s strikes a remarkable balance between retro and modern design, slightly larger than the Anbernic RG35XX, and evoking nostalgia with its Game Boy-inspired aesthetics combined with Super Nintendo-like buttons. The addition of R1, R2, L1, L2 buttons, along with two analog sticks, enhances its functionality.

Design and Build Quality:

• Size and Form Factor: Comfortable for extended play sessions.
• Button Quality: Reasonably good, but falls short of higher-end models like Miyoo Mini Plus.
• Analog Sticks: Well-placed for 3D gaming, with a responsive feel.

A notable concern was the buttons that to our surprise were ok and we had no potential control issues.

Screen and Connectivity:

• Display: The 3.5-inch screen offers a clear 640×480 resolution, though lacking touch capabilities.
• Connectivity: No WiFi support limits online functionalities, but dual USB C ports provide charging and peripheral connection options.

Operating System & Software Experience

The R36s comes equipped with Ark OS, a robust and user-friendly operating system known among emulation enthusiasts.
Our unit required an update, a process we found to be straightforward and beneficial for the overall performance.

Here is a quick and simple tutorial on how to update the units using your phone:

Software Highlights:

• Ark OS Features: Known for its stability and compatibility with a myriad of emulators.
• Update Process: Simple and effective, enhancing both performance and user experience.

Comprehensive Performance Evaluation

Armed with an RK 3326 processor, the R36s shows remarkable versatility and power, especially at its price point. We tested its emulation capabilities across a wide range of gaming platforms:

• SEGA: Master System, Game Gear, Mega Drive, Saturn, Dreamcast (with limitations)
• Nintendo: NES, Game Boy series, SNES, DS (some restrictions), N64 (selected titles)
• Sony: PS1, PSP (selective performance)
• Other Platforms: Mame, CPS1/2/3, NeoGeo, Atari, Wonderswan, NeoGeo Pocket Color, Open BOR, PC Engine, and more.

Gaming Performance:

• Emulation Quality: Satisfactory across most tested platforms, with few exceptions.
• User Experience: Smooth gameplay, with occasional hiccups in more demanding titles (mainly on dreamcast titles but thats understandable given the processing power needed).

Final Verdict of the R36S Portable Gaming Console Review: Is it  Worth Your Money?

For €79.90, the R36s stands out as an exceptional entry-level portable emulation device. It offers a broad range of platform support, decent performance, and build quality that rivals devices at a slightly higher price point.

Summary for the Busy Gamer:

• Overall Performance: Impressive for the price, suitable for a wide array of classic games.
• Build and Design: Solid, with minor areas for improvement in button quality.
• Value Proposition: Arguably the best portable emulator in its price range.

Our Comprehensive Rating: 85/100

Pros:

• Excellent price-performance ratio
• Versatile and user-friendly operating system

Cons:

• Button quality could be better
• Minor issues with hardware assembly

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R36S Portable Gaming Console: