Your R36S is more powerful than it looks. Beyond the obvious buttons and sticks, there are shortcuts, hidden features, and customisation options that can significantly improve your experience. This guide covers everything you need to know.
The Physical Layout
Let's start with what you can actually see and touch:
Face Buttons (Right Side)
The classic D-pad layout: A, B, X, Y. These map differently depending on the system you're emulating:
- NES: A and B map naturally
- SNES: Y and B are your main action buttons, A and X are secondary
- Game Boy: A and B only
- PlayStation: X is confirm, O is cancel (Japanese style – can be swapped)
- N64: Complex mapping – C-buttons often map to the right analogue stick
D-Pad and Left Analogue Stick
The D-pad is excellent for 8-bit and 16-bit games. The left analogue stick comes into its own for N64, PS1, and any game that requires 360-degree movement. Most emulators let you choose which to use for each game.
Right Analogue Stick
Essential for N64 games (C-buttons) and useful for camera control in 3D games. In some PS1 games, this can replicate the second stick functionality that newer controllers added.
Shoulder Buttons (L1, R1, L2, R2)
Four triggers across the top of the device. Crucial for SNES and PlayStation games. L2/R2 are sometimes duplicated on the front face for games that use them heavily.
Menu Buttons
- Start/Select: Classic gaming staples, function exactly as you'd expect
- Menu/Home: Brings up the emulator menu for save states, settings, and quitting
- Reset: Some firmwares use this as a hotkey trigger
- Power: Hold to turn off, quick press for sleep mode
Essential Shortcuts
These combinations will save you time:
Save State: Usually Menu + A (or Menu + L1 depending on firmware)
Load State: Usually Menu + B (or Menu + R1)
Fast Forward: Hold Menu + Right Shoulder
Slow Motion: Hold Menu + Left Shoulder
Screenshot: Menu + Select
Exit Game: Long press Menu or Home
Pro Tip: Most of these can be remapped in the settings. If the defaults don't work for you, change them.
The Menu System
Pressing the Menu button mid-game brings up the emulator overlay. Here's what you can do:
Save States
Save anywhere, anytime. Most emulators offer multiple save state slots. Use them liberally – they're perfect for:
- Resuming long RPG sessions
- Experimenting with different choices
- Skipping tedious sections
- Practicing difficult boss fights
Display Options
- Screen Rotation: Essential for vertically oriented games (Tate mode)
- Scaling: Integer (crisp pixels) vs Smooth (less jagged edges)
- Aspect Ratio: Original (black bars) vs Stretched (fills screen)
- Filters: Scanlines, CRT effects – purists love these
Audio Settings
- Volume: Obvious but essential
- Audio Sync: Adjust if sound is out of sync with video
- Enhancement: Some emulators offer improved audio quality
Advanced Features
Rewind
Some firmwares support a rewind feature – hold a button combination to reverse time in-game. Perfect for:
- Correcting mistakes without restarting
- Trying different approaches
- Analysing difficult patterns
Cheat Codes
Yes, you can still use GameShark and Game Genie codes. Most emulators have a cheats menu where you can input codes or download community-created cheat databases.
Netplay
Some advanced firmwares support online multiplayer. It's not perfect (latency is an issue), but playing Street Fighter II with a friend in another city is genuinely possible.
Customisation
Button Mapping
Don't like the default layout? Remap everything. Common customisations:
- Swap X and O for PlayStation games (Western vs Japanese style)
- Map N64 C-buttons to the right stick for better camera control
- Create custom layouts for fighting games that rely on specific button combinations
Hotkeys
Assign any function to any button combination. Popular choices:
- Quick save/load to shoulder buttons for rapid fire states
- Fast forward to a single trigger for easy speed runs
- Screenshot to a memorable combination for capturing moments
Themes and Skins
Customise the look of your R36S interface. Community-created themes range from minimalist to elaborate. Installing them is usually as simple as copying a folder to your device.
Battery-Saving Tips
Extend your playtime with these settings:
- Lower brightness: The biggest battery drain
- Disable vibration: If your firmware supports haptics
- Use headphones: The speaker uses more power than the headphone jack
- Power save mode: Some firmwares offer a mode that limits performance for battery life
- Sleep mode: Use quick-press power instead of fully shutting down for short breaks
Troubleshooting Controls
Buttons not responding: Check button mapping in the emulator settings. Some games remap controls unexpectedly.
Analogue stick drifting: This can happen with heavy use. Most firmware includes deadzone calibration – use it.
Wrong button layout for game: Each emulator has its own controls. Make sure you're configuring the right system.
Getting the Most from Your R36S
The R36S is deceptively simple. At first glance, it's just a retro gaming device. But with these tips and tricks, it becomes a powerful, customisable platform that can handle almost anything from gaming's first four decades.
Experiment, customise, and make it yours. That's the beauty of these devices – they're designed to be tweaked until they're perfect for you.
Need more help? Check out our FAQ or contact us. Happy gaming!