ArkOS & RetroArch on the R36S, explained simply

If you have just picked up an R36S handheld, the first thing you will meet is ArkOS, the software that runs the whole console. It can look a little unfamiliar at first, but once you understand a few basics it becomes very easy to use.

This guide explains ArkOS and RetroArch in plain English, with no jargon. We will cover how the menus are laid out, how save states work, and the handful of settings that matter most when you are starting out.

What is ArkOS?

ArkOS is the operating system that ships on the R36S. Think of it as the equivalent of the home screen on a phone. It is a lightweight, community-built system based on Linux, and it is designed specifically for handheld retro consoles like this one. When you switch the R36S on, ArkOS is what greets you.

Its main job is to organise your games by system and hand them over to the right emulator when you press a button. On the R36S it comes ready to go, so you do not need to install anything yourself. With over 15,000 games pre-installed across dozens of consoles (see the R36S games list), ArkOS is what keeps that huge library tidy and browsable on the 3.5-inch IPS display.

What is RetroArch, and how is it different?

RetroArch is a separate piece of software that ArkOS uses behind the scenes. Where ArkOS is the menu you browse, RetroArch is the engine that actually runs many of the games. It works using small emulator plugins called cores, with each core handling a particular console such as the SNES, the Mega Drive, or the Game Boy Advance.

The short version is this: ArkOS is where you pick a game, and RetroArch is often what plays it. You do not need to fiddle with RetroArch to enjoy the R36S, because sensible defaults are already set. It is simply useful to know the name, because most of the in-game settings menu belongs to RetroArch rather than ArkOS.

How the menus are laid out

When ArkOS loads, you will see a list of consoles rather than a jumble of individual games. Scroll left and right to move between systems like the PlayStation, the N64, or the Neo Geo. Once you choose a system, you get the list of games available for it.

The controls follow a simple pattern:

• D-pad or thumbstick: move around the menus
• A button: select or confirm
• B button: go back
• Start: open options and settings
• Select: used in some menus for extra options

If a system looks empty, it usually just means no games for that platform are loaded, which is normal since not every console is represented equally.

Save states made simple

Save states are one of the best features on the R36S, and they are the thing most new owners want to understand first. A save state takes a complete snapshot of the game at that exact moment, so you can pick up later from precisely where you left off. This works even for old games that never had a save system of their own.

To use them, press the hotkey button and a shoulder button together while playing. The exact hotkey combination depends on your ArkOS version, so open the settings once and note which buttons save and load a state before you rely on them. Save states are separate from a game's own built-in saves (they also help with PS1 and PSP games on the R36S), so it is worth using the in-game save now and then as a backup for longer adventures.

The most important settings for beginners

You do not need to change much to get a good experience, but a few settings are worth knowing about. Most of these are reached by pressing the hotkey during a game to open the RetroArch quick menu.

• Aspect ratio: choose between the original 4:3 shape and a stretched full-screen look on the 3.5-inch display
• Video filters and scaling: add smoothing or leave games sharp and pixel-perfect, whichever you prefer
• Controls: remap buttons if a game does not feel right
• Rewind: a handy feature that lets you step back a few seconds after a mistake

Our advice is to leave things as they are at first and only adjust settings when something specific bothers you. The defaults on the R36S are chosen to work well for most people out of the box.

Getting comfortable with your R36S

The best way to learn ArkOS is simply to play. When you are ready to go further, our guide on how to add games to the R36S uses the same folders you see in the menus. When you are ready to go further, our guide on how to add games to the R36S uses the same folders you see in the menus. Spend a little time browsing the systems, load a game or two, and try saving and loading a state so the process becomes second nature. Within an afternoon most of the menus will feel familiar.

The R36S starts from £59.99 and comes with free tracked UK delivery and 14-day returns, so you can get started quickly and with peace of mind. With ArkOS and RetroArch doing the heavy lifting, you get a huge library of classics in a pocket-sized console without needing any technical know-how.