By Super Asurada 77 | Retro Joy Lab
Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.
Let me introduce the R36S, a budget-friendly handheld console that’s earned a reputation for being one of the best value retro gaming devices out there.
The box and manual don’t show any manufacturer name — not even a logo, except for a small “GAME CONSOLE” mark on the device.
A mystery brand, but that’s part of its charm.
It weighs just 191 grams, about the same as a typical smartphone — light and easy to hold.
For comparison, the XU10 weighs around 200 grams.
Don’t expect premium build quality though — this is a budget device through and through.
The plastic below the screen looks like it still has a protective film stuck under it — not the best finish.
The D-pad and ABXY buttons have high resistance, which can make long sessions tiring.
That said, newer batches of the R36S have improved D-pads,
and Street Fighter II inputs like Hadouken and Shoryuken now come out smoothly.
It has only one mono speaker, and honestly, the sound quality is poor.
But at under ₩40,000 (≈ $30 USD), just having a speaker is a small miracle.
The R1, R2, L1, and L2 buttons make loud clicking noises —
so if you play on public transport, be prepared for a few annoyed glances.
The DC port is actually a USB-C charging port.
A few safety tips:
- Always charge with a 5V 1.5A or 5V 2A charger with proper certification (KC or UL).
- Do NOT use 9V fast chargers or 5V/9V mixed chargers — the board may burn out.
- Avoid 5V 1A chargers — they can overheat or even catch fire.
- Turn off the console before charging, and never charge overnight.
If you ignore these rules, your console might end up smoking and fried.
If you use a 4-pole earphone (with a mic), one side of the audio may not work.
Use a 3-pole non-mic earphone instead — that solves the issue.
The screen is very bright and sharp, almost too bright —
staring at it for too long can cause eye strain,
and the LED backlight can be harsh in dark rooms.
Performance-wise, it handles PS1 and below perfectly fine.
Dreamcast games technically run, but with heavy stuttering.
NDS games show noticeable frame drops.
The device’s short width also makes it less comfortable to grip for long sessions.
The controls and OS layout are typical of Linux-based retro handhelds —
nothing fancy, but familiar.
So why do I still call it the best budget handheld?
Because for under $30–35,
you can comfortably play arcade, 8-bit, 16-bit, and even PS1 games
while lying on your bed or couch.
Pros
- Super cheap price
- Bright and clear display
- Great for short sessions of PS1 and earlier titles
Cons
- Stiff D-pad and buttons cause finger fatigue
- Overly bright display can hurt the eyes
- Narrow horizontal body makes it uncomfortable for long play
- Poor mono speaker quality
- Loud shoulder button clicks
If you’re considering a vertical-style handheld,
I’d suggest adding just ₩10,000 (~$7 USD) more and getting the XU10,
which feels sturdier and more comfortable overall.
Still, for pure affordability, the R36S remains unbeatable.
Enjoy your retro gaming life!
🎮 — Super Asurada 77
Original article in Korean: [link]
