R36S 64GB Retro Gaming Handheld Console With ArkOS & EmulationStation

The R36S 64GB is an affordable Linux retro gaming handheld running ArkOS with the EmulationStation frontend, providing a clear console-style interface for browsing systems, adjusting settings and launching compatible software.

Its vertical design combines a familiar D-pad and face-button arrangement with dual analogue sticks, four rear shoulder buttons and a bright 3.5-inch IPS display. The 640x480 resolution and traditional 4:3 aspect ratio are particularly well suited to classic home consoles, arcade platforms and handheld systems.

Inside the R36S is a Rockchip RK3326 processor with four ARM Cortex-A35 CPU cores running at up to 1.5GHz. This is paired with Mali-G31 MP2 graphics and 1GB of memory, providing dependable performance across most 8-bit and 16-bit platforms as well as the original PlayStation.

ArkOS provides the underlying Linux operating system, emulator configuration and system tools, while EmulationStation creates the visual console-style frontend used to navigate the handheld. Supported systems are organised into clearly labelled menus with artwork, system categories and straightforward access to compatible content.

The combination of ArkOS and EmulationStation means the R36S feels more like a dedicated portable console than a general-purpose Linux device. System menus, controls, emulator options and storage folders are prepared and organised before dispatch for a straightforward experience from the first power-on.

RetroArch handles many of the supported platforms through a consistent set of video, audio and control options, while compatible standalone emulators are used where they provide stronger performance or more suitable features.

The included storage has been upgraded to a genuine 64GB Kioxia microSD card. Kioxia is the memory manufacturer formerly known as Toshiba Memory and provides a more dependable foundation than the unbranded cards commonly supplied with low-cost handheld consoles.

Dual microSD card slots allow the operating system and user storage to be managed separately. The first slot contains the configured ArkOS and EmulationStation system card, while the second can be used with a compatible additional card when expanding or reorganising your collection.

The 3.5-inch IPS display delivers strong viewing angles, clear colours and a sharp 640x480 image. Integer scaling, aspect-ratio options, shaders, bezels and other presentation settings can be adjusted through ArkOS, RetroArch and the installed emulator interfaces.

Dual analogue sticks provide improved control for compatible PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP titles, while the D-pad remains well suited to platform games, role-playing games, puzzle titles and traditional arcade controls. Four rear shoulder buttons provide the additional inputs required by later systems.

For audio, the R36S includes a built-in speaker and a 3.5mm headphone connection. Separate volume buttons allow quick adjustment without opening the ArkOS or EmulationStation menus.

The USB-C OTG port can be used with selected compatible accessories through the appropriate adapter. This can include supported USB Wi-Fi dongles for network features, although Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not built into the handheld.

Performance is strongest across systems such as Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, Super Nintendo, Master System, Mega Drive, PC Engine, Neo Geo, arcade platforms and original PlayStation. More demanding Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP titles remain game-dependent and should not be expected to perform uniformly.

Compact enough for travel while still providing a complete set of controls, the R36S is a strong entry-level choice for anyone looking for an inexpensive retro gaming handheld with a sharp 4:3 screen, ArkOS flexibility and the easy-to-navigate EmulationStation frontend.

A protective EVA carry case is included to help keep the console, charging cable and small accessories together when the handheld is stored or transported.

Compare the R36S with the Anbernic RG28XX in our budget retro gaming handhelds collection.

Brand: R36S
Product Name: R36S 64GB Retro Gaming Handheld Console
Product Type: Linux Retro Gaming Handheld Console
Model: R36S
Configuration: Retrolize 64GB Kioxia Edition
Hardware Variant: Two-RAM-Chip RK3326 R36S Board Configuration
Single-RAM-Chip Clone Variant: Not Supplied
Operating System: ArkOS-Based Community Linux Build
Frontend: EmulationStation
Emulation Framework: RetroArch & Compatible Standalone Emulators
Interface Style: Console-Style System & Software Navigation
Processor: Rockchip RK3326
CPU: Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A35 At Up To 1.5GHz
GPU: Mali-G31 MP2
RAM: 1GB DDR3L
RAM Configuration: Two RAM Chips
Display: 3.5-Inch IPS
Resolution: 640 × 480
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Touchscreen: Not Supported
Included Storage: Genuine 64GB Kioxia MicroSD Card
System Card Configuration: ArkOS-Based Community Build & EmulationStation Installed & Configured
Storage Slots: 2 × MicroSD / TF Card Slots
TF1 Slot: Operating System & Primary Storage
TF2 Slot: Optional Secondary Storage
Manufacturer-Rated Storage Support: Up To 256GB With A Compatible MicroSD Card
Controls: D-Pad, A, B, X, Y, Start, Select & Function Button
Analogue Controls: Dual Analogue Sticks
Shoulder Controls: L1, L2, R1 & R2
Additional Controls: Power, Reset, Brightness & Volume Buttons
Audio: Built-In Speaker
Headphone Connection: 3.5mm Stereo Jack
Charging Connection: USB-C DC Input
Accessory Connection: Separate USB-C OTG Port
Charging Requirement: Standard 5V USB Power; 5V/2A Recommended
Charging Cable: USB-A To USB-C Cable Included
Mains Power Adapter: Not Included
Built-In Wi-Fi: No
USB Wi-Fi Support: Compatible USB Wi-Fi Dongle & OTG Adapter Required
Built-In Bluetooth: No
HDMI Output: No
Battery: Rechargeable Lithium Battery
Battery Runtime: Varies According To Brightness, Volume, Emulator & Workload
Available Colours: Black, Red & Purple
SKU – Black: R36S-64GB-BLK
SKU – Red: R36S-64GB-RED
SKU – Purple: R36S-64GB-PUR
GTIN/EAN: No Verified Manufacturer GTIN

Performance varies between individual titles, emulator versions and settings. A system being listed as supported does not mean that games for that system are included on the console; it simply means that the R36S is capable of running compatible games for that platform.

Nintendo Systems

Nintendo Entertainment System / Famicom: Strong Compatibility
Famicom Disk System: Supported
Super Nintendo / Super Famicom: Strong Compatibility
Game Boy: Strong Compatibility
Game Boy Color: Strong Compatibility
Game Boy Advance: Strong Compatibility
Nintendo 64: Supported With Game-Dependent Performance
Nintendo DS: Supported Through DraStic With Touch Input Mapped To Physical Controls

Sega Systems

SG-1000: Strong Compatibility
Master System: Strong Compatibility
Mega Drive / Genesis: Strong Compatibility
Game Gear: Strong Compatibility
Sega CD / Mega-CD: Supported
Sega 32X: Supported
Dreamcast: Supported With Game-Dependent Performance & Settings

Sony Systems

PlayStation 1: Strong Compatibility
PlayStation Portable / PSP: Supported With Game-Dependent Performance
PSP Minis: Generally Better Suited To The Hardware Than More Demanding PSP Titles

NEC Systems

PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16: Strong Compatibility
PC Engine CD / TurboGrafx-CD: Supported
SuperGrafx: Supported

SNK Systems

Neo Geo: Strong Compatibility
Neo Geo CD: Supported
Neo Geo Pocket: Strong Compatibility
Neo Geo Pocket Color: Strong Compatibility

Arcade Systems

FinalBurn Neo: Supported
MAME: Supported Through Compatible Arcade Sets
Capcom Play System I: Strong Compatibility
Capcom Play System II: Strong Compatibility
Capcom Play System III: Supported

Atari Systems

Atari 2600: Supported
Atari 5200: Supported
Atari 7800: Supported
Atari Lynx: Supported
Atari ST: Supported

Other Handhelds, Computers & Engines

WonderSwan: Supported
WonderSwan Color: Supported
Game & Watch: Supported
MSX & MSX2: Supported
Amstrad CPC: Supported
ZX Spectrum: Supported
Commodore 64: Supported
ScummVM: Supported
DOS: Supported Through DOSBox-Compatible Software
PICO-8 / Fake-08: Supported With The Appropriate Licensed Software & Files
PortMaster-Compatible Ports: Supported Where The Required Files & Control Configuration Are Available

Systems Outside The Intended Performance Range

Nintendo GameCube: Not Supported
Nintendo Wii: Not Supported
Nintendo 3DS: Not Supported
PlayStation 2: Not Supported
Original Xbox: Not Supported
Sega Saturn: Not Recommended Due To Hardware Performance Limitations

Upper-End Performance Varies: The R36S offers strong performance across most 8-bit, 16-bit and original PlayStation systems. Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP performance varies between titles and may require individual emulator or frameskip settings.

Use The Correct Charging Port: Connect the included charging cable to the USB-C port marked DC. The second USB-C connection is the OTG accessory port and is not intended for charging.

5V Charging Required: Use the included USB-A to USB-C cable with a standard 5V USB power source. A mains USB power adapter is not included.

Back Up The System Card: The supplied ArkOS and EmulationStation installation is configured for the fitted R36S hardware and display panel. Back up the microSD card before replacing firmware, changing device-tree files or making major system changes.

1 × R36S 64GB Retro Gaming Handheld Console In The Selected Colour
1 × Genuine 64GB Kioxia MicroSD Card With Configured System Installation
1 × Protective EVA Carry Case
1 × USB-A To USB-C Charging Cable
1 × Instruction Booklet
1 × Retail Box

This R36S 64GB Retro Gaming Handheld Console is covered by a 12-month Retrolize warranty against manufacturing defects and hardware faults arising during normal use from the date of delivery.

The warranty does not cover accidental damage, liquid damage, cracked displays, damaged charging ports, damaged controls, forced connections, unauthorised hardware modification, incorrect external power supplies or damage caused by unsuitable cables and accessories.

Damage or loss of data caused by replacing the operating system, altering the EmulationStation installation, installing incompatible firmware, using an incorrect device-tree file, modifying protected system files or changing the supplied microSD card configuration is not covered.

Emulation performance varies according to the system, individual title, emulator, firmware version and selected settings. Game-specific slowdown, graphical errors, control limitations or compatibility differences are not considered hardware faults.

Normal reduction in rechargeable battery capacity through age and repeated charging is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Warranty claims remain subject to the full Retrolize warranty terms and are additional to the customer’s statutory rights.

Is This The Single-RAM-Chip R36S Clone?

No. The R36S consoles supplied by Retrolize use the two-RAM-chip RK3326 board configuration associated with the established R36S design. We do not supply the later single-RAM-chip clone variant.

Different two-RAM-chip production runs can still use different display panels and minor board revisions, which is why replacement firmware must be compatible with the exact console.

Is The R36S Ready To Play?

Yes. Retrolize installs and configures the ArkOS-based operating system, EmulationStation frontend and genuine Kioxia system card before dispatch.

Which Systems Run Best On The R36S?

Performance is strongest across Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, Super Nintendo, Master System, Mega Drive, Game Gear, PC Engine, Neo Geo, compatible arcade platforms and original PlayStation software.

Can The R36S Run Nintendo 64 Games?

Selected Nintendo 64 titles are supported, but performance varies considerably between games. Some titles may require different emulator or frameskip settings, while others may not provide satisfactory performance.

Can The R36S Run Dreamcast Or PSP Games?

Selected Dreamcast and PSP titles can run, particularly less demanding games and PSP Minis. These systems are performance-dependent and should be regarded as additional compatibility rather than the console’s primary strength.

Does The R36S Have Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is not built in. Compatible network features require a supported USB Wi-Fi dongle and the appropriate USB-C OTG adapter.

Does The R36S Have Bluetooth?

No. Bluetooth is not built into this R36S configuration.

Does The R36S Have HDMI Output?

No. The R36S does not provide HDMI television or monitor output.

Does The R36S Have A Touchscreen?

No. Nintendo DS touch input is reproduced through mapped analogue-stick and button controls where supported by the emulator.

Can The Storage Be Expanded?

Yes. The R36S has two microSD card slots. The supplied 64GB Kioxia card contains the configured system installation, while the second slot can accept a compatible additional microSD card.

Why Does Retrolize Supply A Kioxia MicroSD Card?

Low-cost handhelds are commonly supplied with unbranded storage that can be less dependable. Retrolize uses a genuine Kioxia card to provide a stronger foundation for the operating system and frontend configuration.

Can I Replace Or Update The Operating System?

Yes, but only use a system image and device-tree files confirmed as compatible with the exact R36S hardware and display panel. Back up the supplied card before making any changes. Damage or data loss caused by incompatible firmware is not covered by the Retrolize warranty.

Is International Delivery Available?

Yes. Tracked international delivery is available to supported destinations, with available services and any applicable import charges shown at checkout.