R36S Supported Emulators

Introduction

The R36S is a versatile handheld gaming device that brings the world of retro gaming to your fingertips. Running on ArkOS, this compact console supports a wide range of emulators, allowing you to enjoy games from various classic systems. Whether you’re a longtime fan of retro games or new to classic gaming, the R36S offers a convenient way to explore an extensive library of games from the past. In this article, we’ll explore the different emulators and systems supported by the R36S, giving you a comprehensive overview of its capabilities. We’ll also touch on performance considerations, additional features, and how to get started with your R36S. Let’s dive into the world of retro gaming!

Supported Emulators in one look

Arcade Systems

• Arcade Classics
• CP1, CP2, CP3 (Capcom Play System)
• Neo Geo
• Naomi

Nintendo Systems

• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
• Nintendo 64 (N64)
• Game Boy
• Game Boy Color
• Game Boy Advance (GBA)
• Nintendo DS

Sega Systems

• Sega Master System
• Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
• Sega Saturn
• Sega Dreamcast
• Sega CD (mentioned)
• Sega 32X (mentioned)

Sony Systems

• PlayStation 1 (PS1)
• PlayStation Portable (PSP)

Atari Systems

• Atari 2600
• Atari 5200
• Atari 7800
• Atari Jaguar
• Atari Lynx

Other Consoles

• TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine
• WonderSwan
• WonderSwan Color
• Neo Geo Pocket
• Neo Geo Pocket Color
• Odyssey2 (mentioned)
• Intellivision (mentioned)
• ColecoVision (mentioned)

Computer Systems

• Commodore 64
• MSX
• MSX2

Additional Systems

• ScummVM (for point-and-click adventure games)
• MAME (for various arcade systems)

Arcade Systems

The R36S excels at bringing the arcade experience to your hands. Here are the arcade systems it supports: Arcade Classics You can enjoy a wide range of classic arcade games directly on your R36S. These timeless titles bring back the feel of the arcade right to your device.

CP System (CPS)

The R36S supports Capcom’s CP System series, including:

• CP1 – Known for classics like Street Fighter II and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
• CP2 – Home to fan favorites such as Street Fighter Alpha and Darkstalkers
• CP3 – Features titles like Street Fighter III and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

All of these CPS emulators work well on the R36S, providing a smooth arcade experience.

Neo Geo

The R36S supports Neo Geo games, allowing you to play iconic titles from this powerful arcade system. From fighting games like King of Fighters to action series like Metal Slug, the Neo Geo library is well-represented on this device.

Naomi Sega’s

Naomi arcade system is also supported on the R36S. However, it’s worth noting that Naomi games may not perform optimally. When trying to load Naomi games, you might encounter issues where the game attempts to load but returns to the menu. Various emulator cores and options have been tested, but consistent performance hasn’t been achieved yet.

Nintendo Systems

The R36S offers excellent support for various Nintendo consoles, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of games from Nintendo’s rich history. Here’s a breakdown of the Nintendo systems supported:

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

The R36S fully supports NES emulation, allowing you to play classic 8-bit games. You can enjoy iconic titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid with great performance.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

SNES games run smoothly on the R36S. You can dive into 16-bit classics such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Chrono Trigger without any significant issues.

Nintendo 64 (N64)

The R36S supports N64 emulation, but performance can vary depending on the game. Many popular titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time are playable, but you might encounter some slowdowns or graphical glitches in more demanding games. Some tweaking of emulator settings may be necessary for optimal performance.

Game Boy and Game Boy Color

Both the original Game Boy and Game Boy Color are well-supported on the R36S. You can enjoy a vast library of portable games, from Pokémon Red and Blue to The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, with excellent performance.

Game Boy Advance (GBA)

GBA emulation works great on the R36S. You can play through favorites like Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Metroid Fusion, and Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow without any significant issues.

Nintendo DS

The R36S includes support for Nintendo DS games. While performance can vary depending on the game, many popular DS titles are playable. Touch-based games might require some adjustment to play effectively on the R36S’s controls.

Sega Systems

The R36S offers support for a variety of Sega consoles, allowing you to experience many classic Sega games. Here’s an overview of the Sega systems supported:

Sega Master System

The R36S fully supports Sega Master System emulation. You can enjoy 8-bit classics like Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star, and Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap with excellent performance.

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis

Genesis games run smoothly on the R36S. You can dive into 16-bit favorites such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage, and Gunstar Heroes without any significant issues. The emulation for this system is particularly well-optimized.

Sega Saturn

The R36S supports Sega Saturn emulation, but performance can be inconsistent. Some titles run well, but many games may experience slowdowns, low frame rates, and audio glitches. Saturn emulation is generally quite demanding, so these issues are not unexpected on a handheld device like the R36S.

Sega Dreamcast

Dreamcast support on the R36S is surprisingly good for a handheld device. Many popular Dreamcast titles are playable and perform well. However, as with any more advanced system, performance can vary depending on the specific game. Some titles might run flawlessly, while others may experience occasional slowdowns or graphical issues.

Additional Sega Systems

Our research also mentions support for other Sega systems like the Sega CD and Sega 32X, though specific performance details weren’t provided for these platforms.

Sony Systems

The R36S offers support for some of Sony’s popular gaming consoles, allowing you to enjoy a range of PlayStation titles. Here’s a breakdown of the Sony systems supported:

PlayStation 1 (PS1)

The R36S provides excellent support for PlayStation 1 emulation. You can play a wide variety of PS1 games with good performance. Classic titles like Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, and Crash Bandicoot run well on the device. The emulation is stable, and most games should work without significant issues. It’s worth noting that for optimal performance, it’s recommended to disable features like rewind and fast forward while playing PS1 games. These features can significantly impact performance if left enabled.

PlayStation Portable (PSP)

The R36S also supports PSP emulation, which is impressive for a handheld device of its size. However, PSP emulation can be more demanding, and performance may vary depending on the game. Some PSP titles run well and are fully playable, while others might experience slowdowns or audio issues. Less graphically intensive games tend to perform better. You may need to adjust emulator settings to optimize performance for specific games. Popular PSP titles like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Lumines might be playable, but expect some performance variations. More demanding games may struggle to maintain full speed.

Atari Systems

The R36S offers support for several Atari consoles, allowing you to explore the early days of home video gaming. Here’s an overview of the Atari systems supported:

Atari 2600

The R36S fully supports Atari 2600 emulation. You can enjoy classic titles like Pitfall!, Space Invaders, and Adventure with excellent performance. These simple but iconic games run smoothly on the device.

Atari 5200

Atari 5200 games are also supported on the R36S. You can play titles like Centipede, Pac-Man, and Star Raiders without any significant issues. The emulation for this system is stable and performs well.

Atari 7800

The R36S supports Atari 7800 emulation, allowing you to experience games like Asteroids, Galaga, and Robotron: 2084. These games should run smoothly on the device.

Atari Jaguar

Interestingly, the R36S includes support for Atari Jaguar emulation. However, it’s important to note that Jaguar games may not perform optimally on this device. The research indicates that while Jaguar games work, they often run with very low frame rates and experience audio glitches. This is not unexpected, as Jaguar emulation is quite demanding even on more powerful hardware.

Atari Lynx

The R36S also supports Atari’s handheld console, the Lynx. However, the research suggests that Lynx games may have some compatibility issues. When attempting to load Lynx games, users have reported that the games try to load but then return to the menu. This suggests that while Lynx support is included, it may not be fully functional at this time.

Other Consoles and Computer Systems

The R36S doesn’t just stop at the major players like Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Atari. It also supports a variety of other consoles and computer systems, further expanding its retro gaming capabilities. Let’s explore these additional platforms:

TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine

The R36S supports both TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine emulation. You can enjoy classic titles like Bonk’s Adventure, R-Type, and Ys I & II. These games typically run well on the device, offering smooth gameplay and good audio.

WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color

Bandai’s handheld consoles, the WonderSwan and WonderSwan Color, are also supported. While these systems weren’t widely available outside of Japan, they host a number of interesting games that you can now experience on the R36S.

Neo Geo Pocket and Neo Geo Pocket Color

SNK’s portable gaming systems are well-emulated on the R36S. You can play titles like SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium and Metal Slug: 1st Mission with good performance.

Commodore 64

Moving into computer systems, the R36S supports Commodore 64 emulation. This allows you to experience a wide range of classic computer games and applications from the 1980s. The emulation is generally good, though you might need to get used to mapping keyboard controls to the R36S’s buttons.

MSX and MSX2

The R36S also supports the MSX and MSX2 computer standards. These systems were popular in Japan and parts of Europe, hosting many games that later became famous on other platforms. You can explore titles like Metal Gear, Vampire Killer (Castlevania), and Nemesis (Gradius) series. Additional Systems The research mentions support for other systems as well, including:

• Odyssey2
• Intellivision
• ColecoVision
• ScummVM (for point-and-click adventure games)
• Various arcade systems through MAME

While specific performance details weren’t provided for these systems, their inclusion adds even more variety to the R36S’s emulation capabilities.

Conclusion

The R36S is a versatile handheld device that offers an impressive range of emulation capabilities. It provides solid support for classic arcade games, Nintendo consoles, Sega systems, PlayStation titles, and Atari platforms. While more advanced systems like the N64, PSP, Saturn, and Dreamcast may face some performance limitations, the majority of games across these platforms are accessible and enjoyable. The device shines particularly bright with earlier consoles and arcade systems, offering a robust gaming experience for titles from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. PlayStation 1 emulation is notably strong, adding significant value to the R36S’s capabilities. Beyond the major gaming brands, the R36S supports an extensive array of other consoles and computer systems. This wide-ranging compatibility allows users to explore gaming history across different eras and regions. However, it’s important to note that performance and compatibility may vary, with some systems requiring tweaks for optimal performance. Despite these occasional limitations, the R36S stands out as a comprehensive tool for retro gaming enthusiasts. Its ability to emulate such a diverse range of platforms in a portable format makes it an invaluable device for those looking to carry decades of gaming history in their pocket.