🛑 Why you should avoid the R36S: don't waste your retro gaming budget
You see it everywhere on social media at ridiculously low prices. The R36S promises the moon: thousands of games, decent power and a nostalgic design. But the reality in 2026 is brutal: the R36S is often a major disappointment.
At Fun Esports, our job is to steer you towards enjoyment, not frustration. Here is why you should walk right past the R36S, and which models to turn to for a genuinely good experience.
The problem with the R36S (and why it's a trap)
Appealing on paper, the R36S suffers from deal-breaking flaws that make it a throwaway console:
- Poor build quality: The plastic creaks, the buttons are stiff and make a cheap "click" sound. This is a long way from the comfort you need for long sessions.
- Disastrous software reliability: The system crashes regularly, save files get corrupted without warning and setting it up is a nightmare for a beginner.
- Screen "lottery": Depending on the batch, you may end up with a decent screen or a panel with washed-out colours and light bleed.
- No follow-up: Unlike the big brands, no serious firmware ever arrives to fix the machine's persistent bugs.
The verdict: Buying an R36S means running the risk of seeing your console end up in a drawer after two weeks because of a bug or a broken trigger.
The real alternatives: quality, comfort and durability
For the same budget (or barely more), you can get a machine that will last for years and delivers a smooth software experience. Here are our two main recommendations:
1. The Anbernic RG35XX Pro: the quiet powerhouse
Anbernic is the world leader for a reason: the finish. The RG35XX Pro feels exemplary in the hand, has a beautiful screen and enough power to play PS1 and beyond with perfect stability. It is the zero-hassle console.
👉 Discover the Anbernic RG35XX Pro at Fun Esports
2. The Miyoo Mini Plus: the ultimate experience
It is the community's darling. The Miyoo Mini Plus is compact, has a vibrant screen and, above all, it works with OnionOS, the best operating system ever created for retro gaming. It is intuitive, good-looking and ultra-portable.
👉 See the Miyoo Mini Plus (Ultimate Experience Edition)
📊 Comparison: R36S vs the leaders
| Criteria | R36S (avoid) | Anbernic RG35XX Pro | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic quality | Low-end / fragile | Premium / sturdy | Excellent / soft |
| System (OS) | Unstable / buggy | Smooth and simple | Exceptional (OnionOS) |
| Screen | Hit or miss | Vibrant and accurate | Legendary (IPS) |
| Buttons | Noisy and hard | Quiet and responsive | Comfortable |
✅ Conclusion: aim at the right target
It is tempting to try to save 10 or 20 euros on a handheld console, but the price of the R36S hides a mediocre build. For a real trip back in time without frustration, investing in an Anbernic or a Miyoo pays for itself within the first few minutes of play.
Trust the Fun Esports expertise: choose reliability for your gaming sessions.