How to Use the R36S: Step-by-Step Guide
If you're new to the R36S console or want to better manage your games and emulators, this guide will help you step by step configure your device to get the most out of it.
Before You Begin! Key Concepts
- ROM : Digital file of a video game.
- Core : Emulator for a console (e.g. PlayStation 1, SNES, etc.).
- BIOS : Essential files for the operation of some emulators.
- ArkOS : R36S operating system.
- Retroarch : Emulation platform used within ArkOS.
R36S Specifications
- Display: 3.5 inches, 640x480 px, IPS.
- CPU: RK3326.
- GPU: Mali-G31.
- RAM: 1 GB DDR3L.
- Operating System: ArkOS.
- Battery: 3200 mAh, 3.7V.
- Weight: 192 g.
Step 1: Load the Console
- Use the left USB port to charge the battery.
- Avoid fast chargers (0.5A - 2A recommended).
- The LED turns off when charging is complete.
- Don't leave your console charging all night.
Step 2: Memory Cards (MicroSD)
You can use one or two cards:
- 1 Card: Insert into the right slot for OS and games (64GB or more).
- 2 Cards: Operating System on the right and games on the left (64GB to 256GB).
Tip: The included cards are often low quality. Replace them with Kingston or Samsung cards (avoid SanDisk in the left slot).
Step 3: Compatible Emulators
The R36S is compatible with numerous retro systems, including:
| Emulator | Supported formats |
|---|---|
| 3DO | .iso, .cue , .bin
|
| Advision | .bin
|
| ALG | .chd
|
| Friend |
.adf , .dms , .zip , .lha
|
| Apple II |
.dsk , .do , .po , .nib
|
| Arcade (MAME) |
.zip (MAME ROM sets) |
| Astrocade |
.bin , .zip
|
| Atari 800/5200/7800 |
.a78 , .bin , .rom , .zip
|
| Atari 2600 |
.a26 , .bin , .rom
|
| Atari ST |
.st , .msa , .zip
|
| Atomiswave |
.zip , .lst
|
| Backup | Custom or varied formats for saved data |
| BGMUSIC |
.mp3 , .ogg (audio files) |
| BIOS |
.bin (system files for certain emulators) |
| C16/C64/C128 |
.prg , .d64 , .tap , .t64 , .crt , .zip
|
| Channel F |
.bin , .rom
|
| CoCo3 |
.dsk , .cas
|
| ColecoVision |
.col , .rom , .bin
|
| CPS1/CPS2/CPS3 |
.zip (MAME ROM sets) |
| Daphne |
.daphne , .m2v , .ogg (Laserdisc video/audio files) |
| Doom |
.wad (Doom game files) |
| TWO |
.exe , .bat (with support for DOSBox) |
| Dreamcast |
.cdi , .gdi , .chd
|
| EasyRPG |
.ldb , .rpg
|
| Enterprise |
.com , .epd , .tap
|
| Famicom/NES |
.nes , .zip , .fds
|
| GBA |
.gba , .zip
|
| GBC |
.gbc , .zip
|
| Genesis/Megadrive |
.bin , .gen , .smd , .md , .zip
|
| GX4000 | .cpr
|
| Intellivision |
.int , .bin
|
| Lynx | .lnx
|
| MAME |
.zip (Arcade ROM sets) |
| Master System |
.sms , .zip
|
| MSU-MD |
.cue , .bin
|
| MSX/MSX2 |
.rom , .dsk , .cas
|
| N64/N64DD |
.z64 , .v64 , .n64
|
| Naomi |
.zip , .lst , .bin
|
| NDS |
.nds , .zip
|
| Neo Geo/Neo Geo CD |
.zip (for ROMs), .cue , .iso
|
| NGP/NGPC |
.ngp , .ngc
|
| Odyssey 2 | .bin
|
| OnScripter |
.txt (game script files) |
| OpenBOR | .pak
|
| Palm |
.prc , .pdb
|
| PC-98 |
.fdi , .hdi , .d88
|
| PC Engine/TurboGrafx |
.pce , .cue , .iso
|
| Peak-8 |
.p8 , .png
|
| Pokemon Mini | .min
|
| PSP/PSP Minis |
.iso , .cso
|
| PSX |
.cue , .bin , .iso , .pbp , .chd
|
| Saturn |
.cue , .iso , .bin , .chd
|
| ScummVM | Game directories with supported .scummvm files |
| Sega 32X |
.32x , .zip
|
| Sega CD |
.cue , .iso , .bin , .chd
|
| SFC/SNES |
.sfc , .smc , .zip
|
| SG-1000 |
.sg , .zip
|
| SGB (Super Game Boy) |
.gb , .zip
|
| SNES Hacks/SNESMSU1 |
.sfc , .msu
|
| Solarus | .solarus
|
| Sufami Turbo | .st
|
| SuperGrafx | .sgx
|
| Supervision | .sv
|
| Thomson |
.k7 , .fd
|
| TI-99 |
.ctg , .dsk
|
| TIC-80 | .tic
|
| TurboGrafx-CD |
.cue , .iso
|
| TVC (Video Compact) | .tvc
|
| Uzebox | .uze
|
| Vectrex |
.vec , .bin
|
| VIC-20 |
.prg , .tap , .d64
|
| Videopac |
.bin , .rom
|
| Virtual Boy | .vb
|
| VMU (Dreamcast Memory Card) | Save data formats |
| WASM-4 | .wasm
|
| Wolf3D |
.wl6 , .wl1
|
| WonderSwan/Color |
.ws , .wsc
|
| X1/X68000 |
.d88 , .dim , .hdf
|
| ZX81/ZX Spectrum |
.tap , .tzx , .z80 , .sna , .dsk
|
Important: Some emulators require BIOS files in the
/BIOSfolder. Make a backup before formatting.
Step 4: First Use and Configuration of ArkOS
- Download ArkOS from:
- Flash the image to the SD card with Rufus ( https://rufus.ie/en/ ).
- Insert the card into the right slot and turn on the console.
- After the first boot, power off and reinsert the SD card into the PC to load ROMs.
If you use 2 memory cards :
- Place the second card in the left slot and select:
- Scripts Setup > Advanced > Switch to SD2 for ROMs .
Step 5: Controls and Key Combinations
| Action | Key Combination |
|---|---|
| Quit a game | FN + START |
| Turn off console | Home > Exit > Shut Down System |
| Adjust brightness | Menu > Display Settings |
| Access the Quick Menu | R3 + X |
| Save game state | Quick Menu > Save State |
| Load game state | Quick Menu > Load State |
Step 6: Add and Manage Games (ROMs)
- Copy the ROM files to the correct folder inside EASYROMS .
- For Arcade games ( MAME ), leave the ZIP files unzipped .
- Download ROMs and BIOS from trusted sources like Archive.org .
If you want more information on how to add games, you can read this step-by-step article.
Download Covers and Videos
Use the Skraper tool ( https://www.skraper.net/ ) to add covers and preview videos.
Recommended configuration:
- Image: 2D Box
- Video: Normalized
- Set the output folder to
ROMROOTFOLDER/imagesandROMROOTFOLDER/videos.
Step 7: Configure Shaders to Simulate Classic Screens
To improve the viewing experience:
-
GameBoy (original screen effect) :
- Shaders > Load Preset > Handheld > LCD-GRID-V2-MOTIONBLUR.GLSP
- Activate GB Colorization with the
TWB64-285 (DMG-SWITCH).
-
Vectrex (glossy vector effect) :
- Core Options > Render Resolution: 580x720
- Line Brightness: 8 | Line Width: 6 | Bloom Brightness: 4
Step 8: Backup SD
Back up your settings to avoid losing your custom configurations:
-
ArkOS Configurations:
- Menu > Script Settings > Backup ArkOS Settings .
-
Favorites List:
- Save the GAMELIST.XML files to
/EASYROMS.
- Save the GAMELIST.XML files to
-
Duplicate memory card:
- Flash a new card with ArkOS and copy the EASYROMS folder.
Step 9: Turn Off the Console Properly
To avoid memory and system damage:
- Do not hold down the power button .
- Use the menu: Start > Exit > Shut Down System .
Conclusion
The R36S is a handheld console with a great capacity for retro emulation. By following this guide, you'll be able to optimize its performance, configure games, and customize the experience to the fullest.
Enjoy your favorite classic games in the best possible quality! 🎮