D-R35S Plus

A 3.5 inch 4:3 Linux handheld that plays everything up to SNES well.

D-R35S Plus

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The D-R35S Plus is a 3.5 inch 4:3 Linux handheld that plays everything up to SNES well, made by SZDIIER. It came out in April 2024 at $40. Inside is the V.R. Technology VT569B with 64 MB of RAM.

Who it's for

Buy it if

  • You want to play everything up to SNES, plus some PS1.
  • You want a 3.5 inch screen and carry it in a bag or a jacket.

Skip it if

  • You want PS1 games: it scores 70 out of 100, so many games struggle.
  • You want Wi-Fi for updates and cloud saves.

What it plays

Plays up to: SNES. Chip: V.R. Technology VT569B.

  1. Game Boy100
  2. NES100
  3. Genesis50
  4. GBA50
  5. SNES80
  6. PS170
  7. DS0
  8. N640
  9. Dreamcast0
  10. PSP0
  11. Saturn0
  12. GameCube0
  13. 3DS0
  14. Wii0
  15. PS20
  16. Switch0
  17. Wii U0
  18. PS30

Scores out of 100. 100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues on this device. 80 or more plays well (green), 50 to 79 plays partly (yellow).

What the specs mean

4:3 screen

NES to PS2 era home consoles were 4:3, so they fill it. GBA and PSP games show bars above and below.

Based on: Display math: native screen shapes of each system

PS1 and N64 at exactly 2x

320 x 240 times 2 is the screen's own 640 x 480, so PS1 and N64 pixels stay perfectly even with no filter and no bars.

Based on: Display math: native resolution x whole-number scale = screen resolution

Same chip as 1 other handheld

The V.R. Technology VT569B also powers the GAMEMT E5. The same chip means similar speed, though memory and cooling can differ.

Based on: Our handheld database (chip field)

Shoulder buttons in a row

L1 and L2 sit side by side along the top edge instead of stacked. PS2 games that need L1 and L2 together mean sliding one finger between them.

Based on: Layout data (shoulder button layout)

D-pad on top, sticks below

The d-pad has the natural thumb spot, which suits 2D games. In 3D games your thumb lives on the lower stick.

Based on: Layout data (d-pad placement)

Rating

6.1 RETROPULSE score out of 10

  • Plays49
  • Screen46
  • Value65
  • Controls85
  • Portability75
  • Battery91

How we score: what it plays 30%, how many players own and recommend it 20%, screen 15%, price compared with handhelds that play as much 10%, controls 10%, size and weight 10%, battery size for its chip 5%.

Good

  • Plays everything up to SNES well
  • Low price

Not so good

  • PS1 games do not run reliably
  • No Wi-Fi
  • No video out

Screen fit

Screen: 3.5 inch, IPS, 4:3, 640 x 480.

SystemOriginalSharpest scaleScreen filled
Game Boy160 x 1443x (480 x 432)68%
GBA240 x 1602x (480 x 320)50%
NES and SNES256 x 2242x (512 x 448)75%
Genesis320 x 2242x (640 x 448)93%
PS1 and N64320 x 2402x (640 x 480)100%

Whole-number scales keep every pixel the same size. Bold rows fill the screen with a perfect fit. Screen 640 x 480.

Size

82.5 x 130.1 x 25.4 mm. Too big for a jeans pocket

  • D-R35S Plus (82.5 x 130.1 mm)
  • iPhone 15 (71.6 x 147.6 mm)

True scale, front view. Jeans pocket = front no bigger than an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case (160 x 82 mm).

Specs

Performance
ChipV.R. Technology VT569B
CPUCortex-A7
Cores1
Clock speed810 MHz
GPUVivante 3D GPU
RAM64 MB DDR2
CoolingNo
Screen
Size3.5"
TypeIPS
Resolution640 x 480
Refresh rate60 Hz
Pixel density228 ppi
Aspect ratio4:3
Dual screenNo
Controls
D-padCross, Upper placement
Analog sticksYes
Stick layoutDouble, symetrical
L3 / R3Yes
Shoulder buttonsSide By Side
GyroscopeNo
Connectivity
StorageExternal MicroSD
SD cardYes
Wi-FiNo
BluetoothNo
USB-CYes
Video outNo
Headphone jackYes
Build
Form factorVertical
Dimensions82.5 x 130.1 x 25.4 mm
Battery3000 mAh
ShellPlastic
SpeakersFront
Software
Operating systemLinux

Questions

Can the D-R35S Plus play PS2 games?

Not well. PS2 scores 0 out of 100. It plays everything up to SNES well.

Is the D-R35S Plus good for GBA?

GBA runs at full speed. At 2x it fills 50% of the screen with even pixels.

Does it have a headphone jack?

Yes.

How big is the battery?

3,000 mAh. The middle Linux and other handheld in our database has 3,000 mAh.

Can it connect to a TV?

No, it has no video out.

How much does the D-R35S Plus cost?

It launched at about $40 in Apr 2024. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.

Price and newer models

$40 at launch Under $60

The newest in its line in our database, out since Apr 2024.

Similar handhelds

Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.