Playing PS1 & PSP on the go: does it actually work?

If you have been eyeing up the R36S and wondering whether it can genuinely handle PlayStation classics on the go, this guide gives you an honest answer. The short version is that PS1 runs beautifully, while PSP is more of a mixed bag depending on the game.

We will walk through what works well, where the hardware runs out of puff, and how to set your expectations sensibly. No overblown claims here, just a realistic look at a handheld that costs from £59.99.

What the R36S is actually working with

The R36S is a compact retro console with a 3.5-inch IPS display and it ships running ArkOS, a well-supported Linux-based system that keeps emulators tidy and easy to launch. It comes with 15,000+ games pre-installed, so you have plenty to explore straight out of the box.

It is important to be clear about the class of device you are buying. This is an affordable handheld built around modest, older-generation hardware, not a modern flagship. That distinction matters a great deal once you start pushing beyond 16-bit and 32-bit systems, which is exactly where PS1 and PSP come in.

PS1: this is where the R36S shines

PlayStation 1 emulation is the highlight for most people. The R36S handles the vast majority of the PS1 library at full speed, with clean audio and stable frame rates. The 3.5-inch IPS panel actually suits the era well, since PS1 games were designed for standard-definition displays and look crisp and colourful here.

The kinds of PS1 games that tend to run comfortably include:

• Turn-based RPGs, where steady frame rates matter more than raw speed
• 3D platformers from the late 90s
• Fighting and skateboarding games
• Stealth and survival horror adventures

You may need to nudge a setting here or there for the odd demanding 3D title, but broadly speaking PS1 is a solved problem on this hardware. If PlayStation classics are your main goal, the R36S does the job nicely.

PSP: it works, but with caveats

PSP is where honesty matters. The R36S can run a decent chunk of the PSP catalogue, but not all of it, and not always at full speed. Lighter 2D games and less demanding 3D titles tend to perform well, while heavier 3D games can struggle.

Games that generally run well include 2D fighters, puzzle titles, visual novels and simpler action games. You can happily enjoy plenty of the PSP library, but you should treat it as a bonus rather than the core reason to buy this particular console.

Which PSP games to expect trouble with

The more graphically ambitious PSP releases are the ones that expose the hardware's limits. Expect slowdown, occasional stutter or the need for heavy tweaking with games such as:

• Big-budget 3D action games with lots of effects on screen
• Open-world games with large city areas
• Realistic racing simulators
• Late-generation 3D fighters

Some of these can be made playable with frame-skipping or resolution adjustments, but you are trading visual quality or smoothness to get there. If your heart is set on running the most demanding PSP 3D games at their best, a more powerful and pricier handheld would suit you better. For everything else, the R36S copes admirably.

Getting the best from both systems

A few simple habits make a real difference. First, use good quality game files, as poorly compressed or mismatched formats can cause slowdown that has nothing to do with the hardware. Second, do not be afraid to dip into the per-game settings in ArkOS, since a small tweak to the emulator or frame-skip can turn a stuttery game into a playable one. Our ArkOS and RetroArch guide shows where those menus live. Our ArkOS and RetroArch guide shows where those menus live.

It is also worth managing expectations around the display. The 3.5-inch IPS screen is lovely for PS1 and 2D content, and PSP games do look sharp on it, though you are viewing them on a smaller panel than the original PSP offered. For handheld play on the sofa or a commute, that trade-off feels perfectly reasonable.

Is it worth it for PS1 and PSP fans?

If you mainly want a pocketable machine for PS1 and the lighter end of the PSP library, the R36S represents strong value from £59.99. You get a huge pre-loaded collection, a nice screen and a system that handles the classics without fuss. If you are still comparing devices, read R36S vs RG35XX first. If you are still comparing devices, read R36S vs RG35XX first.

We offer free tracked UK delivery and 14-day returns, so you can try it and see how it fits your gaming habits. Just go in with realistic expectations about the most demanding PSP titles and you are unlikely to be disappointed.