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R36S Retro Handheld Console 64GB Black US$13.61 (~A$20.63) Delivered (New Users Only) @ BOYHOM Store via AliExpress

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R36S Retro Handheld Console 64GB Black US$13.61 (~A$20.63) Delivered (New Users Only) @ BOYHOM Store via AliExpressAffiliate
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Hiphopopotamus on 16/09/2025 - 06:59 aliexpress.com (7254 clicks)
Last edited 19/09/2025 - 17:12 by 1 other user
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82 available at the time of posting.

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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

Available again at a slightly higher price, was US$12.42 (~A$18.61).

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closed Comments

  • ilove on 16/09/2025 - 07:01

    if i can only find mine.

  • easternculture on 16/09/2025 - 07:04
    -3

    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
        +7

        🤣 your right. I always fall for these listing variations

  • Jklaro on 16/09/2025 - 07:04
    +1

    New users only.

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

    $37.67 for old users

    • CodeXD on 16/09/2025 - 07:39
      +13

      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
        +1

        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…

      • LilSlip on 22/09/2025 - 09:44
        +2

        There's a lot more than just performance and price

        Anbernic (I just learned yesterday that its anbernic not ambernic)'s RG XX series has wifi and Bluetooth over this, as well as display out and slightly better processing.

        Build quality and buttons tend to be slightly better (See G350 vs R36s comparisons)

        In my opinion, they also have better custom firmware options like Knulli or MuOS.
        You get what you pay for essentially.

        • qaz182 on 22/09/2025 - 12:23

          can confirm @LilSlip is correct

    • 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
          +3

          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
            +2

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

          • Low Punt on 16/09/2025 - 21:16
            -1

            @metalslaw: How do you tell if it’s a knock off? It says r36s in title? Cheers

            • metalslaw on 17/09/2025 - 01:27
              +2

              @Low Punt: Here is a decent video on how to tell a real R36S from a clone,
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlfWA9gVqmM

              Anyway, the easiest way to know if your looking at a clone on aliexpress, is to check the listing against the list on handhelds.wiki
              https://handhelds.wiki/R36S_Clones

              The top 3 in the verified links on that page, are all stores you can buy from and be assured you get a real R36S. The 2nd link is actually to the BOYHOM store, as linked in the OP (store number 1102694328).

              I've bought from 2 of these stores (BOYHOM Store, and Factory Game Direct Store), and have got legit versions of R36S's (BOYHOM Store) and R36 Plus (Factory Game Direct Store).

  • daft009 on 16/09/2025 - 07:52
    +9

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

    • AustriaBargain on 16/09/2025 - 10:31
      +1

      It's ideal for the old Pokemon games.

      • daft009 on 16/09/2025 - 10:54
        +3

        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
      +1

      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.

      • SlipperyS on 16/09/2025 - 19:20

        Cheers for the info, I grabbed one from the OP for the price and will upgrade later if I get good use out of it.

      • GoldAlwaysGold on 16/09/2025 - 19:24

        Can they link up for multiplayer?

        • metalslaw on 16/09/2025 - 19:41
          +1

          As per handhelds.wiki page, not all R36 Plus's come with a wifi chip apparently, so you would need a wifi dongle if it doesn't have it.

          But as long as the listing says it has it, it should have it.

          You then need to set up netplay through arkos or retroarch, and it looks like does take a bit of effort to get set up.

          I found a video on setting it up,
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZPnrdaNCmE

  • anthman on 16/09/2025 - 08:17

    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
      +3

      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
        +1

        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.

        • ChipsChicky on 16/09/2025 - 22:23

          how would you compare the screen quality on 40xxv and r36s? I am leaning towards 40xxv for long as screen looks much nicer in youtube vidoes.

          • FabMan on 17/09/2025 - 09:15
            +4

            @ChipsChicky: Okay, I just ran both the R36S and the RG40XX-V next to each other, I tried the Legend of Zelda a Link to the Past and Streets of Rage 2 as I am very familiar with both of those games.

            Screen: RG40XX-V is larger, clearer, higher contrast, and colours are more pleasing. The RG40XX-V is more reflective, while the R36S is brighter at max brightness, I could see the R36S screen in direct sunlight but not the RG40XX-V, but I could see the RG40XX-V screen if I shaded it from the sun while still outside. The first level of SoR2 is a great comparison area, it has high contrasting colours with neon lights, dark alleyways, and has that chain link fence in the foreground. The gaps between the neon lights on the R36S are not as pronounced and consistent, so some neon bars look like they are touching, while on the RG40XX-V there are clear black gaps for each one. The chain link fence looks noisier on the R36S with more shimmer, and the dark alleyways on the R36S look a bit washed out, not as dark. The RG40XX-V has undersaturated reds though, so the hair to skin on Axel doesn't look as contrasting as it probably should and his red gloves are looking too orange, while the R36S reds are too strong. Hopefully there are shaders or settings to adjust colours, I'm now going to look for them.

            Sound: R36S sounds awful, if I push my thumb on the R36S grill it sounds a lot better, like the speaker is rattling. Might be an indication of build quality, tape or foam might fit it. The R36S can get louder, but no good if its awful sounding. The RG40XX-V sounds great, but isn't perfect, it feels kinda wheezy, like, there is a tiny quiet hiss over it.

            Build: The RG40XX-V feels a lot more comfortable to hold, it is larger and comfortable for my small man hands, its edges are a lot smoother and rounded. The R36S feels sharp along the edges and the buttons are stiff, the RG40XX-V buttons feel nice to press, not too loose or too stiff. I think the analog sticks are better on the R36S than the RG40XX-V, the R36S sticks are smoother for better accuracy, there are two of them, while RG40XX-V single stick is stiff and jitters a bit in movement.

            Overall: R36S is amazing for the price, a great entry product while the RG40XX-V is better across the board, still a budget device, but it does look, sound, and feel great to play retro games on. I'm happy with it and I use it.

      • 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.

      • ChipsChicky on 16/09/2025 - 22:33

        what were you thinking?

      • FabMan on 18/09/2025 - 09:58
        +1

        I have it too, I like it for Gameboy / Gameboy Color, and Game Gear games. It feels right playing those handhelds on the Analogue Pocket. Other than that, I prefer my RG40XX-V. I think the Analogue Pocket is not worth the money, I barely use it, while my RG40XX-V gets used a lot. Put Knulli on RG40XX-V and it feels like a celebration of retro games, with the artwork, music, and video clips.

        • AustriaBargain on 18/09/2025 - 10:42
          +1

          I mostly wanted it for the accuracy. Tiny emulation errors annoy me, like in the GBA Mario Superstar Saga game some of the unique fonts in speech bubtbles don't render properly in emulation. But then there's the fact that AP doesn't cleanly integer scale GBA to full width of the screen. So you either have imperfect pixels or a screen size smaller than the actual GBA. And I don't think it properly recreates the GBC/Pocket screen well at all. The GBC screen was unique, I was a reflective screen, the colour pixels seemed to float above the grey background. I probably would have been happier with a GBC and a flash cart.

          Buuuttt…. it does do SNES very well, so it's like a portable/dockable FPGA SNES. Which is nice. Plus any console older than SNES. But I think the fact after all this time I'm still trying to justify buying it means it probably wasn't a good buy.

          • FabMan on 18/09/2025 - 11:38

            @AustriaBargain: I understand, I use to feel like that. I have a collection of old consoles and handhelds, but I'm now happy with a high, but not perfect, level of accuracy on emulation in exchange for convenience. Setting up my hardware to a CRT, or fixing my handhelds to last longer seems like hard work compared to using either my Mister FPGA or the RG40XX-V.

    • AngusD on 17/09/2025 - 01:12
      +4

      These things are dangerous to one's wallet! I picked one up in a similar AliExpress deal last year, had a lot of fun with it, next thing I knew I was down the rabbit hole dropping a few hundred bucks on a Retroid Pocket 5 plus accessories, sd card etc.

      • xdigger on 17/09/2025 - 22:27

        Could have paid a little more for the steamdeck beater Legion Go for around $700…..

        • AngusD on 18/09/2025 - 23:34
          +1

          Nah those are way too big to be useful as portable devices. RP5 is just right, basically about the same size as a phone plus a little extra for the controls.

        • FabMan on 20/09/2025 - 11:13

          If you just play retro games, those things are not ideal. Cost more, they are big so that taking them anywhere is inconvenient, heavy that you'd be needing to sit in a comfy position, chews through battery life. I can shove many of the dedicated retro device in a pocket, whip it out quickly, lasts many hours too.

          If you like a mix of modern and retro, those things, like the Legion Go! are really good.

  • max99 on 16/09/2025 - 08:17
    +2

    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
          +13

          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

        Cheers, where do you get other games from?

        • PainToad on 16/09/2025 - 08:37
          +7

          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
          +3

          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
    +1

    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
        +1

        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
          +1

          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
      +2

      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.

      • HunterDes on 16/09/2025 - 14:42
        +1

        Wow thanks for that bundle trick. Didn't know about it, going to try on some other things I need to buy :-)

        • metalslaw on 16/09/2025 - 14:47
          +1

          It only works for items that are already in the bundle deals. And with the bundles deal page not having a search function, this method at least brings that item to the front, instead of having to scroll for screens and screens, and sometimes having it never come up. It's not fullproof, but it at least works for at least a decent amount of low priced items that you find normal listing for.

          I also found that if you add an item you want from within the bundles page, then keep scrolling, it will show more of that item, sometimes at a cheaper price. So you remove the one you have in your bundle, and add the cheaper one.

      • Low Punt on 16/09/2025 - 21:53

        Cool tip! That worked a treat!

        • PainToad on 17/09/2025 - 07:20

          Until the SD Card fails and you loose all your saves. Replacing the cheap included SD Card with another cheap SC Card makes no sense.

          • Low Punt on 17/09/2025 - 09:43

            @PainToad: I haven’t had one fail yet. I use the cheap Kodak ones recommended from an reddit called handhelds or similar. I use them outdoors in terrible weather so only buy cheapies but so far so good. I was unaware however that by adding it to cart you’d be promoted for bundle deal. Saves so much fluffing around.
            That said YMMV

    • jonske on 16/09/2025 - 15:49

      bought some patriot micro SD cards off amazon, just takes forever copying over a large collection onto it

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