The main difference between the R36S and the RG-35XX is power.
The RG-35XX plays everything up to Dreamcast well, while the R36S tops out at DS.
Other differences
- The R36S has two analog sticks; the RG-35XX has none.
- The RG-35XX connects to a TV; the R36S cannot.
- The R36S runs on the RockChip RK3326, the RG-35XX on the Allwinner H700.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
TieAbout the same size: R36S 82 x 130 mm, 187 g, RG-35XX 81 x 117 x 20 mm, 175 g. Both fit a jeans pocket.
Which is better for PS2 games, the R36S or the RG-35XX?
NeitherNeither plays PS2 games.
Which costs less?
R36SThe R36S, at about $40 at launch against $50. 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-35XX's screen at 2x.
Which has the bigger battery?
R36SThe R36S, at 3,500 mAh against 2,600 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| R36S | RG-35XX | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $40 | $50 |
| Released | Oct 2023 | Mar 2024 |
| Plays well up to | DS | Dreamcast |
| Shape | Vertical | Vertical |
| Software | Linux | Linux |
| Chip | RockChip RK3326 | Allwinner H700 |
| 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 | 2,600 mAh |
| Weight | 187 g | 175 g |
| Size | 82 x 130 mm | 81 x 117 x 20 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | None |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | Yes, side by side |
| Wi-Fi | No | No |
| Video out | No | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- R36SRG-35XX
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues.
Full details
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links.
More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 120 comments by 88 different people compare them in community discussions, and 18 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.