R36S Retro Handheld Console 64GB Black US$12.42 (~A$18.61) Delivered (New Users Only) @ BOYHOM Store via AliExpress

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R36S Retro Handheld Console 64GB Black US$12.42 (~A$18.61) Delivered (New Users Only) @ BOYHOM Store via AliExpressAffiliate
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Hiphopopotamus on 16/09/2025 - 06:59 aliexpress.com (3707 clicks)
Last edited 16/09/2025 - 11:40 by 1 other user
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System: open source Linux system
Built-in emulator: support MAME/N64/PS1/NEOGEO/ /FC/SFC/MD/CPS1/CPS2/CPS3/ , etc.
Screen size: 3.5-inch IPS OCA full lamination MIPI screen
Resolution: 640*480
CPU: RK3326, ARM 64bit quad-core Cortex-A35 CPU up to 1.5GHz
GPU: Mali-G31MP2 (520MHz), support OpenGL ES 3.2
Speaker: Built-in 8W cavity speaker
Battery Capacity: 3500mAh
Battery Maximum Power Consumption: 5W
Battery life: 8H
Charging time: 2H
Type-C charging interface: support
Type-C-OTG data port: support

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Comments

  • ilove on 16/09/2025 - 07:01

    if i can only find mine.

  • easternculture on 16/09/2025 - 07:04
    -1

    R40s is showing for $12.29 AUD in bundle deals for me

    • raiseyoursteaks on 16/09/2025 - 07:43

      Link?

    • LlamaOfDoom on 16/09/2025 - 07:57

      Carry case maybe?
      $40+ here.

      • easternculture on 16/09/2025 - 09:03
        +4

        🤣 your right. I always fall for these listing variations

  • Jklaro on 16/09/2025 - 07:04

    New users only.

  • Far Cough on 16/09/2025 - 07:08
    +2

    $37.67 for old users

    • CodeXD on 16/09/2025 - 07:39
      +9

      What about young users?

      • Far Cough on 16/09/2025 - 08:20

        use your phone

        • Zilch on 16/09/2025 - 08:46

          What about middle-aged users?

        • miicah on 16/09/2025 - 12:17

          Phone is fine

  • ce5himm on 16/09/2025 - 07:12
    +1

    What is difference between these and say ambernic rg35 series

    • Toxinor on 16/09/2025 - 08:23

      Cheaper. Essentially same performance.

      • BROKENKEYBOARD on 16/09/2025 - 09:24

        You mean compared to the old 35xx? The H700 35xx should be faster

        • Toxinor on 16/09/2025 - 12:23

          Faster, but given the games we want to play on them…

    • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:23
      +1

      This is a clone of the old Anbernic RG351 series (2020 era). So this is an inferior knock off of an old Anbernic line of consoles.

      • Clear on 16/09/2025 - 10:16

        And I believe some of the knock offs don't support the custom ROMs?

        • metalslaw on 16/09/2025 - 12:55

          Not roms. Firmware.

          Some of the knockoffs of the R36S don't easily load the custom firmware (ArkOS for R36S) built for the legit R36S's, or at least it takes some effort to get them working correctly (usually due to the screen being different).

          The BoyHom store is a trusted site for the legit R36S's, so anyone looking to buy one and that isn't a new AliExpress member, the price can get as low as $30 AUD (ex gst), every so often, and it's usually only 1 colour. You have to watch the store everyday to get it that low. If you can't check or don't want to check, anything around $35 is a decent deal, as they will get up around $60 when not on sale.

          • Clear on 16/09/2025 - 12:56

            @metalslaw: ROM is used synonymously with firmware these days 😉

  • daft009 on 16/09/2025 - 07:52
    +6

    My 8yo and his friends enjoy this thing more than the latest consoles lol

    • AustriaBargain on 16/09/2025 - 10:31

      It's ideal for the old Pokemon games.

      • daft009 on 16/09/2025 - 10:54

        tekken 3, dragonball z, onepiece…

        they are all going through a fighting game phase

        got it for his friend's birthday present and now they all want one!

  • SlipperyS on 16/09/2025 - 07:58

    Does anyone have opinion on this model compared to the r36ultra and r40? Should I just buy an r40 is that how it works?

    • metalslaw on 16/09/2025 - 13:15

      There are a couple of versions of the square screened r36s.

      You're looking for the R36 Plus, not the R36 Ultra or R36 Max. The later 2 are the knockoffs of the Plus. One has a soccer ball middle button, the other has long thin middle buttons.

      I recently bought a R36 Plus from this store and loaded a custom firmware built for the proper R36 lineup (RK3326 chipset), and it worked perfectly,
      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008758145027.html

      It's the same as the first link recommended from the handhelds.wiki page for the R36 Plus, and correlates to the same store as one of the stores selling official boyhom products on the R36S page of the same wiki,
      https://handhelds.wiki/R36Plus

      As far as R40, I haven't researched it, so can't help you on that one.

  • anthman on 16/09/2025 - 08:17
    -1

    Good as a gateway device but might aswell jump to other devices - better ergonomics, more powerful and for not much more money ($50-$80 total) - but much much better

    • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:22
      +2

      Such as? These make great Xmas gifts for younger cousins, siblings etc. Or as a cheap device to chuck in your bag for travel that you won’t care if it gets scratched up.

      • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:25

        The Anbernic XX series or TrimUI Brick.

        • yoquierotaco on 16/09/2025 - 09:02
          +1

          Which stores have genuine versions? I’m n00b with these handheld devices.

        • Munki on 16/09/2025 - 10:04

          Yep the Anbernic and TrimUI devices are way nicer.

      • FabMan on 16/09/2025 - 09:12

        As PainToad said. I bought two of the R36S for my kids and they use them with no issues, I tried them, too small for my adult hands, and I have small man hands. I got myself a Anbernic RG40XX-V, I enjoy using it and it is much more comfortable to hold.

      • anthman on 16/09/2025 - 09:30

        Agree that is cheap and cheerful for the purposes you describe. However for the money I described you can get a much more enjoyable experience if it's for an adult/serious gamer/long sessions. Depends on what you plan to use it for, that's all.

        In terms of suggestions: anbernic, trimui, miyoo - they all make devices in this price range and some in the higher end. Then you've got more expensive but not-quite-handheld-PC pricing options from retroid, then you've got the more exxy ones

    • AustriaBargain on 16/09/2025 - 10:31

      I got the Analogue Pocket and I'm still trying to justify it in my mind.

  • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:17
    +1

    Should stack with 14% cashback via Topcashback as far as I can tell: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/924214

  • raiseyoursteaks on 16/09/2025 - 08:20

    Thanks OP

  • LanceVance on 16/09/2025 - 08:21

    Does this come with games?

    • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:26
      +2

      I believe so, it should come with a 64GB SD card that has a bunch of retro games preloaded.

      The SD card is likely to be crappy quality though and you should copy the files off it and replace it with a genuine branded card bought from a reputable store in Australia if you really care about the data on it.

      • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:27

        Poorly organised with dupes, often not english and shitty dumps.

        Seriously people, don't use anything on the included SD Card.

        • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:33
          +11

          Lmao the entire device and games including delivery costs less than a meal at Macca’s, set your expectations accordingly and you won’t be disappointed. It is absolutely playable out of the box, but yes you might want to learn to curate your own library eventually.

          • smartazz104 on 16/09/2025 - 09:55

            @max99: Eventually meaning when the included SD card invariably dies.

            • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 10:59
              +1

              @smartazz104: Yep, like I said above:

              The SD card is likely to be crappy quality though and you should copy the files off it and replace it with a genuine branded card bought from a reputable store in Australia if you really care about the data on it.

      • LanceVance on 16/09/2025 - 08:33
        -1

        Cheers, where do you get other games from?

        • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:37
          +5

          From your original game carts and CDs of course. Surely you aren't asking for advice on how to pirate which is clearly against OzBargain's rules when a quick Google would reveal more appropriate places to source ROMs?

        • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:38
          +2

          Not sure if pointing you directly towards sources is allowed since it is technically pirating. But here’s a link to a setup guide for the R36S which you may or may find to be helpful: https://www.joeysretrohandhelds.com/guides/r35s-r36s-setup-g…

        • FabMan on 16/09/2025 - 09:13

          Tiny Best Set: GO!

      • AEKaBeer on 16/09/2025 - 09:04
        +1

        The game list is actually pretty extensive. It's not the best organisation but otherwise I've been more than happy with the selection on the 128GB sd card (about 108GB worth of games).

        • drprox on 16/09/2025 - 09:41

          Mine only seems to have about 10 games on it…not sure what I'm doing wrong
          Edit - I'm a clown i see now :P

    • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:26

      Only Hello Kitty Island Adventure.

  • bugsbargains on 16/09/2025 - 08:27

    They took my money twice and the order failed both times, not game enough for a third attempt

    Edit: Third time lucky, failed twice with PayPal and worked with my card

  • scottySK on 16/09/2025 - 08:31

    Bargain price. Awesome device with such a nice screen. You can run Stardew Valley on it as well

  • bargainjargon on 16/09/2025 - 08:38

    I'm not a new user but I haven't bought anything since 2020. I was able to buy it for $16.76.

  • knobbs on 16/09/2025 - 09:01

    I can't seem to get a new user account to stick, any advice from the professionals as Mr Gerry would say?

    • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 11:01

      Have you tried using Google SSO login rather than setting up an actual Aliexpress account?

      • knobbs on 16/09/2025 - 11:19

        No I haven't tried that yet. I would assume if it did it would only work for the number of Google accounts you have though?

    • 6828 on 16/09/2025 - 14:09

      The last 3 accounts I've tried to create have been blocked by Aliexpress. I am using my own domain name but it's never been an issue before. I don't really want to sign up to new Gmail accounts. What to do……

  • mynameisborat on 16/09/2025 - 09:09

    This or r40s?

  • c0bnut on 16/09/2025 - 09:11

    Stack this with the Shopback 17.5% back. Winner chicken dinner.

    • will05 on 16/09/2025 - 11:27

      from memory sb don't stack with new account

  • ATTS on 16/09/2025 - 09:40

    Does these hand held console have digimon or crash bash game on ps1 emulator?

    • c0bnut on 16/09/2025 - 09:45

      Yes it can play the entire PS1 catalogue.

      • ATTS on 16/09/2025 - 09:47

        Thanks man

        Is it already loaded or do we need to dl and install some sort of file.

        Those 2 games are my favourite

        • c0bnut on 16/09/2025 - 09:51

          It'll probably be pre-loaded with rubbish, I'd wipe the sd card, install a custom firmware and put the roms you want on manually.

        • valkeris on 16/09/2025 - 10:47

          It has crash bandicoot but not Digimon preloaded.

          • ATTS on 16/09/2025 - 11:11

            @valkeris: Thanks man, just need to find the digimon ROM

  • starbearer on 16/09/2025 - 11:03

    thanks… got it for $18.44 through an old but unused account.

    paid through paypal/aud

    • KokeeMonster on 16/09/2025 - 11:35

      same - also used 17.5% cashback from shopback ;) - thanks OP

  • KokeeMonster on 16/09/2025 - 11:41
    +1

    Thanks OP
    first time buying this - it says it includes 15,000+ games - so i can use it straight away or i have to do something? sorry for the dumb question :D

    • valkeris on 16/09/2025 - 12:04
      +2

      Just charge it. Everything already on it to use.
      I would suggest backing up the SD card as they have been known to fail on these cheap units.

  • mrkrdp on 16/09/2025 - 12:26

    What's a good SD card to buy after purchasing one of these devices?
    (I know it comes with one but comments say to replace with a reliable one)

    • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 13:05

      Cheapest brand name from a trusted seller. The speed of the card will make no difference for this use case.

    • metalslaw on 16/09/2025 - 13:30

      I've been buying Kodak SD cards to replace the ones that come with these devices, from this store,
      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007181462138.html

      Note though. Log in. Go to page. Add one to basket, go to checkout, but then delete it. Then go to aliexpress main page, and select bundle heading. The same listing as you accessed before, now comes up as the first link in the bundle selection, and with a decent amount cheaper pricing. e.g. 128gb card goes from $16.19 to $8.55.

      The only issue I had with these cards was initially loading a custom sd card image taken from a 128gb from another brand. These cards are a few gb smaller in practice (125gb). So I initially had to load the image onto a 256, then copy the files manually over to a 128 kodak, then image that, to be able to image dump straight onto the other 128 kodak's. (I bought a number of R36S's for Christmas this year you see ;) ).

      • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 14:06

        I wouldn’t be buying SD Cards from AliExpress.

  • SjslTech on 16/09/2025 - 12:31
    +2

    A friend linked me to this page, so thought I would try offer some info for future buyers.

    This is a known seller of "non-clone" R36S, which is great and should avoid headaches when trying out new things on it. The SD card it comes with is junk, and you should plan on getting a new one asap - these boot from the sd card, and when it starts to fail you will start having issues ranging from certain games no longer working, saves randomly missing, and the big one being the system hanging on a black screen when you power it on.

    Things worth knowing before buying:

    This handles mainstream 8 and 16 bit systems perfectly, even with shaders and overlays (gameboy, nes, snes, megadrive, mastersystem, etc). PS1 is pretty great, and i would say "near perfect". PSP, N64 and Dreamcast are all spotty - some games work fine, with others being completely unplayable. NDS is hit and miss too. Theres a great compatibility list on the R36S wiki (not sure if links are allowed here, but top result on google should find it) that tests and details performance of higher end systems like N64 and PSP. DOS games work pretty great on it too, and theres a heap of ports available over on portmaster that range from perfectly playable to unplayable.

    This CANNOT play wii, ps2, ps3, 3ds, switch, gamecube, etc

    As for OS options, theres a bunch available. Most people are going to find ArkOS (a fresh install) good enough, but theres also an Armbian build for it which basically turns it into a mini PC. An android build was recently made available and its pretty good all things considered (performance of a $30 zte woolies phone from 2020)

    Lots of resources available for these cheap handhelds too - R36S subreddit and wiki are the main ones, but theres also a bunch of guides on youtube if thats more your thing

    Edit: forgot to mention, theres a heap of different screens that are used in these, and that slightly complicates things when doing a fresh install of the OS. Visually they are all pretty much the same, but you may need to change some files around when doing a fresh install. Panel 4 seems to be the most common, and most OS' use that as the default, so theres a good chance everything will work perfectly out of the box on your first try when installing a new OS

  • PapaGs Deals on 16/09/2025 - 13:09

    Is this able to run lower-end Steam games?

    • SjslTech on 16/09/2025 - 13:11
      +2

      only if they have been ported over to portmaster - theres currently 1157 ports available, most notably half life, morrowind and grand theft auto 3\vc

      edit: looks like links are allowed here - https://portmaster.games/games.html

  • nafis on 16/09/2025 - 13:24

    already had an account but created a new account for this and bought. it worked fine even though i used all same details as my existing acc (except email)

  • rwt on 16/09/2025 - 14:15

    Received an email with cancellation

    Your order 820535687XXXXXX has been closed for security reasons.

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