R36S or Anbernic RG35XX — both under $100, both retro handhelds. iGC tested both for 18 months. The verdict: R36S wins on game library, PS1 support, and battery. RG35XX wins on price. Here is the complete, honest comparison.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
📊 Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | R36S 🏆 | Anbernic RG35XX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$65 |
| Games Included | 6,000+ | ~3,000 |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Battery Life | 6.2h | ~5h |
| PS1 Support | 500+ at 100% | Limited |
| N64 Support | 97% | ❌ Poor |
| D-pad Accuracy | 94% | ~85% |
| Dual Analog Sticks | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Weight | 198g | ~175g |
| iGC Score | 9.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
🎮 Game Library Comparison
- 6,000+ games total
- 500+ PS1 at 100%
- 2,000+ GBA at 100%
- 200+ N64 at 97%
- 800+ NES at 100%
- 1,000+ Arcade at 100%
- ~3,000 games total
- PS1 limited support
- ~1,500 GBA at 100%
- N64 poor (no sticks)
- ~600 NES at 100%
- Limited Arcade
⚡ Performance Tests
| Test | R36S | RG35XX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA Pokemon Emerald | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| SNES Chrono Trigger | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| PS1 Final Fantasy VII | 100% ✅ | Partial ⚠️ | R36S |
| N64 Mario 64 | 97% ✅ | ❌ Unplayable | R36S |
| SF II D-pad | 94% | ~85% | R36S |
| Battery Life | 6.2h | ~5h | R36S |
| Price | $79.99 | ~$65 | RG35XX |
🤔 Which Should You Buy?
- You want PS1 games (FF VII, MGS)
- You want N64 games (Mario 64)
- You want 6,000+ games
- You want dual analog sticks
- You want best D-pad accuracy
- Budget is $79.99
- Budget is strictly under $70
- You only play NES/SNES/GBA
- You don't need PS1 or N64
- You don't need analog sticks
🏆 Final Verdict: R36S vs Anbernic RG35XX
For most players: R36S wins. For strict budget under $70: RG35XX is acceptable.
R36S: $79.99, 6,000+ games, PS1 at 100%, N64 at 97%, dual analog sticks, 6.2h battery, 94% D-pad. RG35XX: ~$65, ~3,000 games, PS1 limited, no N64, no analog sticks, ~5h battery.
The $15 difference buys you 2x more games, PS1 support, N64 support, dual analog sticks, and 24% more battery. For 90% of players, R36S is the obvious choice. iGC score: R36S 9.4/10 vs RG35XX 7.8/10.
❓ FAQ
R36S wins for most players: $79.99 vs ~$65, 6,000+ vs ~3,000 games, PS1 at 100% vs limited, dual analog sticks vs none, 6.2h vs ~5h battery. RG35XX wins only on price. iGC scores: R36S 9.4/10 vs RG35XX 7.8/10.
No. The RG35XX has no analog sticks. This means N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT) are unplayable, and PS1 games requiring analog (Crash Bandicoot, Spyro) have issues. The R36S has dual analog sticks.
Limited PS1 support with compatibility issues. The R36S plays 500+ PS1 games at 100% including Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot. For PS1 gaming, R36S is the clear choice.
Yes. $15 more buys: 2x more games (6,000+ vs 3,000), PS1 at 100%, N64 at 97%, dual analog sticks, 24% longer battery (6.2h vs 5h), better D-pad (94% vs 85%). For 90% of players, R36S is the obvious upgrade.
R36S. More games to discover (6,000+ vs 3,000), better PS1 support, dual analog sticks for N64. Both have similar setup ease. For beginners who want the best experience, R36S is worth the $15 premium.
