R36S vs RG35XX: which retro handheld is better?

If you are weighing up the R36S against the Anbernic RG35XX, you are looking at two of the most popular budget retro handhelds around. Both aim to squeeze classic gaming into something you can slip in a pocket, and both sit at the affordable end of the market. The question is which one is right for you.

This is a fair comparison rather than a takedown. Both devices have genuine strengths, and the better choice really depends on what you value most. We will walk through the display, performance, software, build and price so you can make an informed decision.

Display: a close call

Both handhelds use a 3.5-inch IPS display. That size suits retro systems well, so games from the PlayStation, SNES, Game Boy Advance and Mega Drive look clean and readable in the hand.

The R36S display is bright, sharp and does a good job with older 2D titles, where the colours look punchy and clean. The RG35XX screen is very similar in practice, and side by side most people would struggle to pick a clear winner. If a wide 16:9 screen matters to you for streaming apps or certain 3D games, neither of these is aimed at that. They are built for classic aspect ratios first.

Performance and what they can actually run

Under the hood, the two devices are broadly comparable. Both handle 8-bit and 16-bit systems with ease, so anything from the NES, SNES, Mega Drive and Game Boy family runs beautifully with room to spare.

Where things get more interesting is the heavier stuff. Both can tackle PlayStation 1 well, and both make a decent go of Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and PSP, though you should expect the odd demanding title to struggle or need tweaking. Neither is a powerhouse, and that is fine. These are budget machines designed for the golden era of gaming, not for pushing the newest emulators to their limits. If your library is mostly retro classics, both will keep you very happy. Our PS1 and PSP on a handheld guide goes deeper on the heavier systems.

Software: ArkOS versus the stock experience

This is often where personal preference tips the balance. The R36S runs ArkOS, a well-regarded open-source operating system that is fast, stable and easy to navigate. It gives you clean menus, straightforward controls and plenty of scope for customisation if you like tinkering.

The RG35XX ships with its own stock firmware, which is perfectly usable, and there are custom firmware options in the community if you want to change it. That said, many people find ArkOS more polished out of the box. The R36S also comes with more than 15,000 games pre-installed, so you can switch it on and start playing straight away rather than spending an evening loading files onto an SD card (see the R36S games list).

• R36S: ArkOS, ready to play, big pre-installed library
• RG35XX: stock firmware, community custom firmware available

Build, controls and comfort

Both handhelds are compact and light, so they travel well and slip easily into a bag or coat pocket. The RG35XX has a tidy, slightly more premium feel to its shell that some owners appreciate. The R36S is comfortable in the hand with responsive buttons and a solid d-pad, which matters a great deal for platformers and fighting games where precise inputs count.

Battery life on both is respectable for a session on the sofa or a train journey, typically giving you several hours depending on what you are running. Neither will let you down for everyday use. This really comes down to which one feels nicer in your hands, and both are close enough that it is hard to go wrong.

Price and value for money

Price is often the deciding factor with budget handhelds, and both sit in a similar bracket. The R36S starts from £59.99, which represents strong value given that it arrives with a huge pre-installed library and a ready-to-go ArkOS setup. RG35XX prices vary by retailer, version and bundle, so check current listings before you compare.

When you buy the R36S from us, you also get free tracked UK delivery and a 14-day returns window, so there is no gamble in trying it out. That peace of mind, combined with the fact that it is ready to play the moment it arrives, makes it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants to skip the setup and get straight into their games.

So which one should you buy?

Still weighing other models? Our best retro handheld 2026 buying guide lists what to check. If you want something that works straight out of the box, with ArkOS and thousands of games already loaded, the R36S is the more convenient choice and comfortable to game on for hours. It suits players who just want to pick up and play without fiddling with firmware or SD cards.

The RG35XX is a fine handheld too, particularly if you like the feel of its shell and are happy to explore custom firmware yourself. For most people asking r36s vs rg35xx, though, the deciding factors come down to the ready-to-play experience, the polished software and the price. On all three, the R36S makes a compelling case.