The R36S console has been all the rage on social media since late 2024. But is it really the best gaming purchase under €100? We used it for 30 days, under real conditions (train commutes, evening sessions, lending it to friends) to give you our honest review, with no marketing spin.
The R36S is a portable console running Linux (EmuELEC) designed for retro game emulation. It's made by Anbernic, one of the market leaders for portable retro consoles in China.
The R36S takes the Game Boy Advance SP design and gives it a modern update. The matte plastic shell feels good in the hand. The buttons are precise and responsive. The D-pad is particularly well done — much better than on many competitors.
The 3.5-inch IPS screen is the real star of this console. Colours are vivid, blacks are deep, and viewing angles are excellent. Brightness is more than enough even outdoors.
The RK3326 chip handles NES, SNES, GBA, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and the vast majority of PS1 games perfectly. N64 and some Dreamcast games run acceptably.
The 3500mAh battery offers between 4 and 6 hours of battery life depending on brightness and emulator used. Charges via USB-C in about 2 hours.
Let's be honest: out of 30,000 games, there's a lot of "filler" (obscure titles, regional duplicates, etc.). But there are also all the essentials: Super Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Street Fighter, Sonic, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and hundreds of other classics.
The R36S clearly stands apart from the GameStick 4K (€54.99) thanks to its portable format with a built-in screen. Where the GameStick 4K shines for playing as a family on the big screen, the R36S is designed for individual, on-the-go use — on public transport, while travelling, or simply settled in comfortably without taking over the living room TV. If you have to choose between the two, ask yourself where you'll play most often: on the sofa in front of the TV, or everywhere else.
The R36S is the best gaming purchase under €100 in 2025. For anyone who wants to rediscover the classics of the 80s-00s, it's a fully justified investment.
No, the EmuELEC interface is designed to be used with no technical knowledge at all. The Linux system runs in the background, but the user only ever navigates a simplified, gamepad-style interface.
About 2 hours via USB-C, for 4 to 6 hours of gaming depending on screen brightness and game type.
It's best suited to a teenager or adult comfortable with a slightly more technical console. For a young child, the Retro620 (€34.99), which is simpler to use, is a better choice.
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