The main difference between the R36S and the RG-351MP is the shape.
The R36S is a vertical, Game Boy shaped, the RG-351MP is a horizontal.
Other differences
- The R36S launched at about $40 and the RG-351MP at about $147.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
R36SThe R36S (82 x 130 mm, 187 g). The RG-351MP is 145 x 73 x 18 mm, 271 g. Both fit a jeans pocket.
Which is better for PS2 games, the R36S or the RG-351MP?
NeitherNeither plays PS2 games.
Which costs less?
R36SThe R36S, at about $40 at launch against $147. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
TieBoth run GBA at full speed and fill about the same share of the screen with even pixels: 50% of the R36S's screen at 2x, 50% of the RG-351MP's screen at 2x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 3,500 and 3,500 mAh.
Side by side
| R36S | RG-351MP | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $40 | $147 |
| Released | Oct 2023 | Sep 2021 |
| Plays well up to | DS | DS |
| Shape | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Software | Linux | Linux |
| Chip | RockChip RK3326 | RockChip RK3326 |
| Memory | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| Screen | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 640 x 480 |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 3,500 mAh |
| Weight | 187 g | 271 g |
| Size | 82 x 130 mm | 145 x 73 x 18 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, symmetrical |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | Yes, side by side |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Video out | No | No |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- R36SRG-351MP
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues.
Full details
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More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 17 comments by 13 different people compare them in community discussions, and 4 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.