The short answer
The R36S is a capable little emulation handheld that comfortably handles retro consoles and handhelds up to the PS1 / early 3D era, plus a huge catalogue of free homebrew and open-source game ports through PortMaster. Below we break down the systems it runs well, then the best legally free games to load first — no copyrighted content required to have a great time on day one.
Important: we don't supply or link copyrighted games. Everything recommended here is free, open-source, homebrew or public-domain, or your own legally obtained library. See our note at the bottom.
What can the R36S play?
The R36S runs on a Rockchip RK3326 chip with 1GB of RAM — the same platform as the R36 Max — which comfortably handles everything up to and including the PS1 era:
- 8-bit & 16-bit classics — NES, SNES, Master System, Mega Drive / Genesis, Game Boy / Color / Advance — flawless
- Arcade — most CPS1/CPS2 and classic arcade boards
- 32-bit era — PS1 runs well; a handful of demanding titles need tuning
- Handhelds — Game Boy Advance, Game Gear and similar
Where it struggles: N64, Dreamcast, PSP and Saturn are hit-or-miss to unplayable on this hardware — that's a chip limitation, so a pricier R36-series model won't help. If those systems are your goal, step up to a genuinely more powerful device such as the Retroid Pocket 5 that we also stock.
Want maximum library headroom? Pair the R36S with a larger storage card (up to 512GB) so you never run out of room.
Best FREE & homebrew games to load first (via PortMaster)
PortMaster is the single best thing you can install on an R36S — but there's a distinction almost every "best ports" list glosses over, and it matters both legally and practically:
Two different kinds of PortMaster entry:
- Genuinely free games — the whole game is free to download and play. Nothing else needed.
- Engine ports — PortMaster supplies an open-source engine, and you supply the game files from a copy you legally own. GTA III, Vice City, Half-Life, Quake and Stardew Valley all work this way. Installing the port is free; playing it legally requires owning the game.
Free games that run well on the R36S
The R36S's RK3326 chip with 1GB RAM handles lighter ports comfortably:
- Cave Story — the classic freeware Metroidvania. Runs beautifully, and it's one of the best games on the device full stop.
- 2048 and similar puzzle ports — tiny, instant, perfect for short sessions.
- Open-source arcade and shooter ports — titles like OpenTyrian that were built to run on modest hardware.
Engine ports — check before you get excited
If you own the originals, the classic 3D engine ports are the headline attraction. But be realistic about this chip: the R36S sits at the bottom of PortMaster's supported range. PortMaster itself runs on RK3326 hardware, but heavier ports — Stardew Valley is the usual example — really want an RK3566 or newer with more RAM. Expect the lighter 2D ports to shine and the 3D ones to be a mixed bag.
The PortMaster site and the community-maintained R36S compatibility lists are the places to check before you commit to a specific title — the list moves constantly as ports are optimised.
Tip: some of the best experiences on these handhelds are completely free. Cave Story alone justifies setting PortMaster up.
How to play your own game library, legally
If you own original cartridges or discs, or have legally purchased digital titles, you can play your own backups on the R36S. A few pointers:
- Only use files you have the legal right to use (your own dumps, public-domain, homebrew).
- Load them onto a genuine microSD card — cheap counterfeit cards are the #1 cause of crashes and corruption.
- New to the device? Start with our R36S setup guide to flash your firmware first.
Which handheld is right for your game library?
- R36S ($79) — best value for 8/16-bit and PS1-era libraries.
- R36 Max ($109.95) — bigger screen and battery for longer sessions. See our R36 Max vs R36S comparison.
- Retroid Pocket 5 ($549.95) — if you want to push into heavier 3D systems.
FAQ
What games can the R36S play? Retro systems up to roughly the PS1 era — NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Game Boy/GBA, arcade and PS1 — plus a large library of free homebrew and open-source ports via PortMaster.
Are there free games for the R36S? Yes — PortMaster offers many free and open-source game ports, which is the fastest legal way to fill your device.
Can the R36S play PS1 games? Yes, the R36S handles most PS1-era titles well. Heavier later-generation 3D systems are better suited to a more powerful handheld.
How many games can the R36S hold? It depends on your microSD card. A larger storage card (up to 512GB) holds a very large library.
Why buy from R36S AU: ✅ Free shipping Australia-wide & worldwide · ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee · 🕹️ Ready to play out of the box.
R36S AU is an independent retailer and is not affiliated with third-party console, game, or software publishers. We do not provide, license or authorise copyrighted games. Use only legally obtained files, homebrew, open-source and public-domain software you have the right to use.