This isn’t the first time a handheld has appeared with this moniker. The previous R36 Plus was a terrible clone, looking to capitalize on the R36S success. The R36MAX was another one as it managed to get a few things right, but the inclusion of an odd soccer-themed motif in the design put it in the e-waste category for most folks, even if it has improved with custom options as time has gone on.
R36MAX (left) vs R6Plus (right)
The R36Plus looks to take these missteps in cloning and show why Game Console had led the budget pack. The new budget handheld takes everything that made the R36XX successful, and gives consumers the choice of a 1:1 display.
R36Plus Specs
New handheld – Same RK3326
Early reports suggested that the R36Plus would be running the Allwinner A133P chip, as recently seen in the Powkiddy V20. I came away from that device without feeling much of anything, so if it was that chip again, I hoped that there were some tricks coming with it.
I’m not sure where these reports originally emerged from, but to say I was skeptical would put it mildly. The RK3326 is so dialed in at this point that using a slightly more powerful chip that isn’t necessarily as optimized for this purpose struck me as an odd choice.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Game Console |
| Release Date | 04/2025 |
| Form Factor | Vertical |
| SoC | RK3326 |
| CPU | ARM 64bit Quad-Core Cortex-A35 |
| GPU | Mali-G31MP2 (520 MHz) |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Screen Size | 4″ |
| Resolution | 720×720 |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1 |
| Screen Type | IPS |
| OS | Linux |
| External Storage | 2x microSD slots |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Video Output | No |
| Speaker | 8W front-facing |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
R36Plus at AliExpressR36Plus at Amazon
My suspicions were validated when the CPU reported as N/A in Retroarch. The removal of a few screws confirmed what I had initially suspected. This is just the RK3326 again. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. I’d still rather be using ArkOS on this device than whatever Batocera bastardization that Powkiddy was running.
So the big difference in hardware with the R36+ is the obvious 1:1 screen difference, and the addition of a Wi-Fi chip. I don’t think it can be overstated how much of a quality of life improvement having the latter makes.
Having on-board Wi-Fi takes some pain out of the setup process, and just lets me do things on the fly vs groaning and marching off to find where I left the USB dongle, and its USB-C adapter. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it really does add a lot to the overall experience.
Clone Craziness
Old boards. Clone systems? c/o Retro Gaming With Deadfred
It wouldn’t be a Game Console system without multiple manufacturers jumping in on the fun, and it looks like that’s exactly what’s happening with the R36Plus. RH community member and YT creator Deadfred posted his experiences with two different R36Plus units he’d ordered. One of these two units had a Wi-Fi chip, while the other did not.
As such, it was fair to assume that one device (Wi-Fi) was real, and the other was a clone. The plot thickened when I opened the device I’d ordered to reveal a totally different board inside. The units DeadFred received were both marked R36S PRO-V11, with manufacture dates of April and August 2024. The board I have is marked as R36S Plus-V20 (again with the V20 comparisons). The manufacture date on my unit is from March 2025.
Perhaps Fred had received units from earlier builds? Or could both be different clone variants? Was my unit the “real” one? These are the joys of rolling the dice in the mystery handhelds landscape. It can be frustrating as a consumer, but this whole game of handheld shuffle is amusing to me. I find something charming about it. A scrappy group of small manufacturers with a loose structure providing supply, along with a seemingly never-ending stash of box design variants.
New board on the new console that I received – Note the RK3326 also pictured (Not the AllWinner A133P)
If these were larger purchases, I might rightfully feel I’d been burned, but somehow with these devices, it’s all in the game. An accepted risk that comes with the territory. Especially when jumping into the unknown of getting the first whack at a potentially new device. The hunt for that diamond in the rough might mean accepting some fool’s gold along the way, but at least it still looks and plays the part of the real stuff.
Even the naming is confusing. The listing I purchased the device from calls it the R36S Plus, whereas the box of the device I received is just marked as R36Plus. Are there different devices and not just clones? Maybe. Probably.
Reports of brittle shell plastics used are almost certainly related to clone systems, as that hasn’t been my experience with the R36Plus unit that I received. The shell is plenty sturdy, and I had no concerns about anything snapping apart when I opened the device.
Game Console R36Plus: Buttons and Screen
A vibrant 1:1 screen experience
This isn’t a handheld, packing some great surprises that we haven’t seen before. The R36Plus is the result of slight refinements in design to a similar package as the beloved R36S. This is the same 1:1 720×720 screen that we’ve seen in other similar devices. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but it certainly does a noble job. Considering the price point of the device, I’m not sure how much more you could really ask for.
The display does the job and does it quite well. Edge lighting is visible when the display is pushing mostly blacks, but it never proved noticeable in most day-to-day use. I love stretching systems to fill the screen on these devices, even if it isn’t “accurate”. It’s fun and lets you play around with all the fun options emulation affords users.
Controls are solid as ever
Buttons, D-pad, and sticks are all the same parts we’ve come to know from Game Console. Going back to the mention of slight refinements, the improved sloped triggers as seen on newer revisions of the R36S are here and notably quieter, if still imperfect. The controls might not win any contests for innovation in design, but everything here functions well, and Game Console systems are all about function over form first.
Game Console R36Plus: Performance
What’s Bubsy up to these days?
So we now know that any chatter about a new processor in a Game Console offering is still a dream for the future, we can curb any expectations that this device will handle differently than its predecessors. This is the RK3326 through and through. You’re getting your rock-solid PS1 and below performance, with some accessibility into the worlds of N64, DC, and PSP.
As I mentioned before, this chipset is a known entity at this point. So while it may not offer anything particularly new with this handheld, it’s probably as dialed in as a chip can be in this space. Devs and community members are familiar with it, and options for users to curate their experiences are plenty.
Game Console R36Plus: OS
ArkOS offers nearly limitless customization. Seen here to resemble MinUI.
The stock OS is a modded JelOS EmuElec build. If you’re a newer user who needs something that “just works”, then the OS experience that comes loaded on the R36Plus is entirely serviceable. If you want to open the box and get right into playing games, this will meet your needs just fine. There aren’t as many user options available for those who might want to dive a bit deeper, but it’ll certainly get you stage-hopping in Mega Man.
I opted to ditch the included SD card and hop over to the cozy and familiar ArkOS 2.0. Other options such as plumOS and MyMinUI have already popped their heads up as well. The options available almost immediately out of the gate speak to the advantages of this familiar chipset. So while there might be some disappointment, it isn’t something new inside; at least it gives you plenty of options from the time the device arrives in your mailbox.
Game Console R36Plus: Final Thoughts
On your marks….
The R36Plus comes to us at a strange time in the handheld emulation hobby. I snuck this order in under the tariffs wire, and at $36.63, I think it’s a well-priced device. Whether you’ll think it’s worth the investment at a new, higher price is difficult to say. Everything is now relative, so it’s difficult to compare devices at their old price points.
What I can say is that the R36Plus offers everything people loved about the R36S, and the Wi-Fi that I loved in the R36XX, and combines them with a 1:1 720×720 screen. There are no real surprises here. If you’ve used the R36S in the past (a real one anyway), this should be like slipping into a warm bath. Entirely familiar and comfortable.
I have a documented weakness for these devices. When they get it right (which isn’t always the case), Game Console offerings create the perfect meeting point of value and capability, with some kitschy charm thrown in. These are great devices for people who want to dip their toes into exploring the hobby, and offer a multitude of options to do so. If you’re comfortable with what you know the experience will be, then I have no trouble recommending the device, just make sure you’re getting the real deal.
R36Plus at AliExpressR36Plus at Amazon
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