R36S vs RG35XX: Which Retro Handheld Should You Buy in 2025?

If you're looking for a portable retro console in 2025, you've definitely come across these two: the R36S and the Anbernic RG35XX. Both cost under $60, run thousands of classic games, and have massive fanbases on Reddit and YouTube. But which one is actually worth it?

I've spent hundreds of hours with both (yes, my thumb is destroyed) and I'm going to give you the real deal. No marketing fluff, no sponsored BS—just the honest opinion of someone who's played way too much Chrono Trigger on a tiny screen.

Quick Specs

Spec	R36S	RG35XX
Screen	3.5" IPS 640x480	3.5" IPS 640x480
Processor	Allwinner H700 quad-core	Allwinner H700 quad-core
RAM	1GB DDR4	1GB DDR4
Storage	Dual TF card (up to 512GB)	Single TF + 64MB internal
Battery	3200mAh (~6-8 hrs)	2600mAh (~5-6 hrs)
Weight	~165g	~165g
System	Linux (ArkOS/custom)	Linux (GarlicOS/Batocera)
Price	~$35-45	~$35-50

On paper, they look almost identical. Same chipset, same resolution, similar weight. But the devil's in the details, and that's where things get interesting.

Design and Build Quality

Let's start with how they feel in hand, because that's kind of the whole point of a handheld.

The R36S is inspired by the PS Vita, with a wider body and slightly angled grips. It's super comfortable for long sessions—I've marathoned Final Fantasy VII for 3 hours without getting cramps. The buttons have a satisfying click and the D-pad is responsive without being mushy.

The RG35XX has a vertical Game Boy-style layout. It's charming and nostalgic, but honestly? It's less ergonomic for extended play. After an hour using the shoulder buttons, my hand starts complaining. Anbernic's build quality is good—the plastic feels premium and doesn't creak.

Winner: R36S. The horizontal layout is simply more comfortable for hours of gaming. If you're buying a retro handheld, you're going to play a lot. Comfort matters.

Screen Quality

Both have 3.5-inch IPS screens at 640x480, and honestly, both look beautiful. Vivid colors, wide viewing angles, and retro pixel art looks gorgeous at this resolution.

The R36S has a slightly warmer color profile, which I personally prefer for retro games. The RG35XX leans a bit blue. Both are bright enough for indoor play, but neither is amazing in direct sunlight.

Winner: Tie. You'd need to put them side by side to notice any difference.

Controls

Here the R36S pulls ahead. Both analog sticks are positioned perfectly for N64 and PSP games. The D-pad has a pivot point that makes fighting games responsive. The ABXY buttons have crisp tactile feedback.

The base RG35XX doesn't even have analog sticks. The Plus version adds them, but they're awkwardly positioned due to the vertical layout. For anything requiring analog control (N64, PSP, certain PS1 games), the R36S is clearly better.

Winner: R36S. Better analog positioning and more versatile control layout.

Performance and Emulation

Same chipset = similar raw performance, but software optimization matters a lot.

Both run perfectly:

• NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
• Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear
• Neo Geo, Atari, MAME arcade games
• Most PS1 games at full speed

Playable with occasional stutters:

• N64 (Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time run well; GoldenEye struggles)
• PSP (2D games and simpler 3D titles run fine; God of War struggles)
• Dreamcast (some games work, many don't)

The R36S has a slight edge here because the custom firmware community (ArkOS) has done excellent optimization work.

Winner: R36S by a hair. Better firmware optimization for demanding titles.

Battery Life

The R36S has a 3200mAh battery versus the RG35XX's 2600mAh. In real-world use:

• R36S: 6-8 hours of GBA/SNES, 4-5 hours of PS1/N64
• RG35XX: 5-6 hours of GBA/SNES, 3-4 hours of PS1

That extra hour or two makes a difference on long trips. Both charge via USB-C in about 2 hours.

Winner: R36S. More battery = more gaming. Simple math.

Software and Community

Both have active communities building custom firmware.

The R36S runs ArkOS beautifully, with a clean interface, automatic box art scraping, and excellent per-game configs. The Reddit community (r/r36s) is incredibly helpful.

The RG35XX has GarlicOS and Batocera, both excellent. GarlicOS is praised for its fast boot and minimalist UI.

Winner: Tie. Both have excellent software support and passionate communities.

Price and Value

Here's where it gets serious. Both cost between $35-50 depending on where you buy. But there's a catch.

If you buy from AliExpress or random sellers, you're rolling the dice on:

• Which firmware version you'll receive (some come with broken builds)
• Whether the SD card is genuine or fake with corrupted data
• 20-45 day shipping wait
• Basically zero customer support

If you buy the R36S from a specialized shop like r36s-console.com, you get it pre-configured with 15,000+ tested games, verified hardware, and real customer support. The price is slightly higher, but you're paying for a product that works right out of the box.

Winner: R36S from a trusted seller. The peace of mind is worth the small premium.

The Verdict

The RG35XX is a decent device. If you specifically want that vertical Game Boy form factor and mainly play GBA and SNES, it'll serve you well.

But for most people, the R36S is the better buy in 2025:

• Better ergonomics for long gaming sessions
• Dual analog sticks for N64/PSP/PS1 games
• Larger battery (3200mAh vs 2600mAh)
• Dual TF card slots for more flexibility
• Excellent firmware support with ArkOS

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the R36S run PS2 or Switch?

No. Neither the R36S nor the RG35XX have enough power for PS2 or Switch emulation. For that, you'd need something like a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro (which costs $140+). Both max out at PS1/N64/PSP emulation.

Do I need to set up the R36S myself?

If you buy from AliExpress, probably yes. If you buy from r36s-console.com, it comes pre-configured with 15,000+ tested games. Just charge and play.

Is the RG35XX Plus better than the original?

Yes—it adds analog sticks and Wi-Fi. But even the Plus version has ergonomic limitations due to the vertical layout. The R36S is still more comfortable for long sessions.

Which has better build quality?

Both are surprisingly well-built for the price. Anbernic has a slight edge in overall finish, but the R36S is solid with no durability issues.

Can I use my own ROMs?

Absolutely. Both support loading legally obtained ROMs via SD card. The R36S's dual slot is especially handy—one card for the system, another for games.