R36S Emulators: Supported Systems and How Well They Run
Last updated: November 2026
The R36S runs ArkOS, whose emulator list has 121 entries: consoles, arcade boards, home computers and game engines. Everything up to the PS1 era runs well; 64-bit and early-2000s systems run game by game; the PS2 and anything newer don't run at all. The limit is the RK3326 chip, which is the same on every R36 model.
Which emulators does the R36S run?
ArkOS combines RetroArch with a few standalone emulators. RetroArch handles most systems through its "cores"; heavier systems get a dedicated program that runs faster. A few examples from the ArkOS emulator list:
| System | Default emulator in ArkOS |
|---|---|
| PlayStation (PS1) | PCSX-ReARMed (RetroArch), DuckStation also available |
| PSP | PPSSPP (standalone) |
| Dreamcast | Flycast (RetroArch) |
| Sega Saturn | YabaSanshiro (RetroArch) |
| 64-bit home console of 1996 | Mupen64Plus (standalone), with RetroArch alternatives |
| Dual-screen handheld | DraStic (standalone) |
The card we ship is already set up: games are sorted by system and launch with the right emulator. The exact list of systems on it depends on the card.
What runs well, generation by generation
"Runs well" means comfortable on most games, not perfect on every one. The ArkOS author says it plainly: on these small RK3326 devices, the PS1 and everything older emulate well, while the heavier 3D systems are far from perfect because they need more power than the chip has.
| Generation | Systems (examples) | On the R36S |
|---|---|---|
| Early consoles (late 70s, early 80s) | Atari 2600, 5200 and 7800, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Vectrex | Runs well |
| 8-bit home consoles | Sega Master System, SG-1000 and the other 8-bit consoles of the 80s | Runs well |
| 16-bit home consoles | Sega Genesis (Mega Drive), PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16, and the other 16-bit consoles | Runs well |
| Classic handhelds | Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket, WonderSwan, Atari Lynx, and the monochrome, color and 32-bit handhelds of the 90s and early 2000s | Runs well |
| Arcade | CPS1, CPS2, CPS3, Neo Geo, MAME 2003 | Runs well |
| 32-bit CD era | PlayStation (PS1) | Runs well on most games |
| 32-bit CD era, heavier | Sega Saturn | Game by game |
| Late-90s 3D | The 64-bit home console of 1996, Dreamcast | Game by game |
| 2000s portables | PSP, the dual-screen handheld | Game by game |
| PS2 era and newer | PS2, original Xbox and every later home or hybrid console | Doesn't run |
The list also covers home computers (Amiga, MSX, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, MS-DOS PCs). We have no tested figures for them, so we don't rate them here.
How well do the heavier systems run?
A community tester rated games one by one on an R36S running ArkOS. These are one person's results with their settings, not an official score, but they give a fair picture:
| System | Games tested | Rated "Good" | Rated "Ok" |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSP | 329 | 132 | 107 |
| 64-bit home console of 1996 | 290 | 128 (plus 55 "Good/Medium") | n/a (other labels used) |
| Dreamcast | 212 | 62 | 61 |
| Sega Saturn | 152 | 39 | 32 |
| Dual-screen handheld (games without required touch) | 62 | 49 | 1 |
Two practical points from those tests. On the 64-bit console and the PSP, the result often depends on the emulator or the setting chosen for each game. On the dual-screen handheld, there is no touchscreen: the right stick moves a stylus pointer, so touch-heavy games are harder.
Why doesn't the R36S play PS2 games?
Because no PS2 emulator exists in ArkOS or in its successor dArkOS. The RK3326 chip (quad-core Cortex-A35, Mali-G31 graphics, 1 GB of RAM) already struggles with the late-90s 3D systems. Even some early-2000s consoles that ArkOS does support are reserved for devices with the stronger RK3566 chip. Be wary of any listing that promises PS2 on an R36S.
Is it the same on the R36H, R36 Max and R36 Ultra?
Yes for performance: all of them use the RK3326 chip with 1 GB of RAM, so the same systems run, with the same limits. The R36H also ships with ArkOS. The R36 Max and R36 Ultra ship with a different factory system, so menus and emulator choices can differ. Specs side by side are on our R36S specs page.
More than consoles: PC game ports
PortMaster installs ports of PC games on the R36S. Some need the data files from a copy of the game you own. Our PortMaster guide explains how to install it, with or without Wi-Fi.
R36S emulators FAQ
What emulators can run on the R36S?
RetroArch and standalone emulators such as PPSSPP, Mupen64Plus and DraStic, all included in ArkOS. Its list counts 121 entries.
What consoles does the R36S run?
8-bit and 16-bit consoles, classic handhelds, arcade boards and the PS1 run well. Saturn, Dreamcast, PSP and the 64-bit and dual-screen systems run game by game.
Can the R36S play PSP games?
Many of them. In one tester's list, 239 of 329 PSP games were rated "Good" or "Ok"; demanding ones slow down.
Can the R36S play PS2 games?
No. There is no PS2 emulator for this chip, on any R36 model.
Does the R36S come with games?
Yes. The card holds 15,000+ games sorted by system. Our R36S game list guide goes system by system, and you can add your own with our add games guide.
Is the R36S legal?
Emulators are legal software; game files are copyrighted. Play only games you own the rights to, and check the rules where you live.
System names are trademarks of their respective owners. R36S Console is an independent store, not affiliated with them.