Where to buy the R36S in the UK

The simplest place to buy the R36S in the UK is directly from our official store, where the console costs £59.99 for the 64GB version with 15,000+ games or £69.99 for the 128GB version with 30,000+ games, with free tracked UK delivery and 14-day returns. You can also find R36S listings on big marketplaces, but what you receive there depends on the individual seller.

This guide explains your options, what to check before you pay, and how to choose the right version and bundle so you only buy once.

The short answer: buy from a seller you can contact

The R36S is made by a third-party manufacturer rather than Nintendo, Sony or Sega, so it is not sold in high street game shops the way a mainstream console is. In the UK you will mostly see it in two places: dedicated online stores like ours, and listings on large marketplaces run by independent sellers.

Both can work. The difference is accountability. When you buy direct, you know exactly who sold you the console, which version you are getting and how to reach them by email if something is not right. On a marketplace, the listing photo may say R36S while the seller, the stock and the after-sales support change from one listing to the next.

Option 1: the official R36S UK store

Ordering from our store gives you a clear, fixed offer:

• R36S 64GB: £59.99, with 15,000+ games pre-installed
• R36S 128GB: £69.99, with 30,000+ games pre-installed
• Colours: black, white, purple, red or orange
• Free tracked UK delivery on every order
• 14-day returns, in line with your right to cancel
• UK customer support by email at [email protected]

Every console runs ArkOS on a 3.5-inch IPS display, and the games are already on the card, so it is ready to play out of the box. If you want to know what that library looks like, our R36S games list breaks it down by system.

Option 2: Amazon UK, eBay and other marketplaces

Marketplaces are convenient and you may already have an account. The catch is that the R36S name is used by many sellers, and handheld consoles that look almost identical are listed side by side. Some listings are the genuine R36S, while others are look-alike clones with different internals, a different screen or a near-empty card.

If you do buy from a marketplace, read the listing carefully rather than relying on the main photo. We cover this in more depth in R36S on Amazon UK vs the official store, including the questions worth asking a third-party seller before you order.

What to check before you pay, wherever you buy

Whichever shop you choose, these checks take two minutes and save a lot of hassle:

• Who the seller is: a named business with a contact email and a returns page
• The exact storage: 64GB or 128GB, and how many games come pre-installed
• The screen: the R36S uses a 3.5-inch IPS display
• The software: the R36S runs ArkOS
• Delivery: whether it is tracked, and who you contact if it goes missing
• Returns: how long you have and how to start a return

If a listing is vague on any of these points, ask the seller before buying. A seller who cannot answer basic questions before the sale is unlikely to be easier to reach after it.

64GB or 128GB: which version should you buy?

The 64GB version at £59.99 comes with 15,000+ games and is the natural starting point if you mainly want to play classic 8-bit and 16-bit systems plus the original PlayStation. It is also the version most people choose as a gift.

The 128GB version at £69.99 doubles the library to 30,000+ games. It suits collectors and anyone who likes to explore lots of systems, and it leaves you with more room if you later decide to add your own games. Both versions share the same 3.5-inch IPS screen and ArkOS software, so the choice is really about library size.

Is the Protect bundle worth adding?

At checkout you can add the Protect bundle for £12.99, which includes a protective case and 4 tempered glass screen protectors. If the console is going to travel in a bag or a coat pocket, or if it is for a younger player, it is a sensible way to keep the screen free of scratches from day one.

If it will mostly live on a sofa at home, you can skip it and keep the console on its own. It is a nice-to-have rather than a must.

Delivery and returns in the UK

Every order ships with free tracked UK delivery, so you can follow your parcel until it reaches your door. If the console is not right for you, you have 14 days to cancel after you receive it: email us and we will explain how to send it back. Refunds are made within 14 days of receiving your cancellation notice. Full details are in our R36S UK delivery and returns guide.

Our recommendation

If you want the genuine R36S with a known seller, a clear price and an easy route to returns, ordering direct is the most straightforward way to buy it in the UK. Pick your colour, choose 64GB or 128GB, decide whether you want the Protect bundle, and you are done.

Still not sure the R36S is the right handheld for you? Our honest R36S review and what is the R36S guide will help you decide. When you are ready, choose your R36S here.