If you're looking at our retro handheld collection, you've probably noticed we have three main options: R36S, R36H, and R36 ULTRA. They all play retro games, they all come with thousands of titles preloaded, and they all cost significantly less than what Nintendo or Sony would charge for something similar.
So which one should you actually buy? Let's break it down properly, without the marketing fluff.
The Quick Answer
Buy the R36S if: You want the best value and don't mind a vertical layout. It handles everything up to PS1 beautifully and costs under $80 AUD.
Buy the R36H if: You grew up with PSP or prefer horizontal controls. Same internals as R36S, different ergonomics.
Buy the R36 ULTRA if: You specifically want to play Dreamcast, PSP, or GameCube games and are willing to pay extra for the extra power.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | R36S | R36H | R36 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 4.3" IPS | 5" IPS |
| Layout | Vertical (GBA-style) | Horizontal (PSP-style) | Horizontal |
| Analogue Sticks | Yes (dual) | Yes (dual) | Yes (dual) |
| Best For | Value, portability | Comfort, racing games | PSP/Dreamcast emulation |
| Battery Life | ~6-7 hours | ~6-7 hours | ~5-6 hours |
| Price | ~$79 AUD | ~$89 AUD | ~$129 AUD |
Design & Ergonomics: What Actually Feels Good?
The R36S uses a vertical layout similar to a Game Boy Advance or modern smartphone. Some people love it for one-handed gaming and pocketability. Others find the button placement cramped for long sessions.
The R36H adopts a PSP-style horizontal layout. If you've ever held a PlayStation controller, the button arrangement will feel immediately familiar. This makes a huge difference for fighting games (Street Fighter, Tekken) and 3D platformers where dual analogue sticks matter.
The R36 ULTRA is physically larger – think Switch Lite dimensions. More screen real estate is great for reading text in RPGs or spotting enemies in action games, but it's definitely less pocket-friendly. This is a "throw it in your bag" device, not a "slip it in your pocket" one.
Performance: Does the Extra Power Matter?
Here's the thing: for 90% of retro games, the R36S and R36H perform identically. They share the same processor and RAM. SNES, Genesis, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 1 – all run perfectly fine on both.
Where the R36 ULTRA justifies its existence is in the heavier stuff:
PlayStation Portable (PSP): R36S can handle lighter PSP games, but demanding titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus struggle. R36 ULTRA runs the entire PSP library smoothly.
Dreamcast: R36 ULTRA can run a decent portion of the Dreamcast library. Games like Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Soul Calibur are playable. The R36S/R36H simply can't handle this.
N64 Performance: All three devices run N64 games, but R36 ULTRA has fewer frame drops in demanding titles like Perfect Dark and Conker's Bad Fur Day.
The Real-World Usage Differences
We gave these devices to actual humans and asked for feedback after a week:
Commuter (30-minute train rides): Preferred R36S. Quick to pull out, fits in a jacket pocket, handles Pokemon and Mario Kart perfectly.
Couch gamer (hour+ sessions): Preferred R36H. The wider grip doesn't cause hand cramping, and the larger screen is easier on the eyes.
Enthusiast (wants it all): Preferred R36 ULTRA. Willing to pay more for Dreamcast emulation and better screen, even if it means carrying a larger device.
Which Games Work Best on Each?
R36S/R36H Perfect Picks:
- SNES: Super Mario World, Zelda: A Link to the Past, Chrono Trigger
- PS1: Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Final Fantasy VII-IX
- GBA: Advance Wars, Metroid Fusion, Mario & Luigi
- Genesis: Sonic 2-3, Streets of Rage 2, Gunstar Heroes
R36 ULTRA Exclusives (practically speaking):
- PSP: God of War, Gran Turismo, Wipeout Pure
- Dreamcast: Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Soul Calibur
- Better N64: Perfect Dark, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Paper Mario
Our Recommendation
If you're still unsure, here's our honest advice: start with the R36S. At under $80 AUD with free shipping, it's low risk. If you love it but wish for a horizontal layout, upgrade to the R36H later. If you find yourself constantly pushing the limits of what it can play, that's when you know you need the R36 ULTRA.
Most of our customers are perfectly happy with the base model. The extra power of the ULTRA is great to have, but you won't miss it if you're mainly interested in 8-bit and 16-bit classics with some PS1 on the side.
Have questions about which one suits you best? Drop us a message through our contact page. We actually play these things daily and can give you real advice based on what you want to play.