Retro Gaming Glossary 2026: 50+ Terms Every Gamer Should Know

Software that mimics the hardware of a classic game console, allowing games designed for that console to run on a different device. The R36S uses emulators to run NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, and other platform games. Emulation accuracy is measured as a percentage — 100% means the game runs identically to original hardware.

Read-Only Memory. A digital copy of a game cartridge or disc. ROMs are the game files that emulators run. On the R36S, all 6,000+ games are stored as ROM files on the microSD card. ROM files are typically very small (NES ROMs: ~256KB, GBA ROMs: ~8MB, PS1 ROMs: ~500MB).

A snapshot of the exact game state at any moment, saved to the device's storage. Unlike in-game saves, save states capture everything: position, health, inventory, even mid-battle. On the R36S: Menu + R1 to save, Menu + L1 to load. Up to 9 slots per game. The most important feature for modern retro gaming.

A feature that speeds up gameplay 2-4x normal speed. Used to skip grinding, cutscenes, and repetitive sections. On the R36S: hold Menu + R2. Release to return to normal speed. Dramatically reduces time spent on tedious game sections without skipping content.

Playing video games from earlier console generations, typically NES (1983) through PS1/N64 era (late 1990s). Retro gaming has experienced a major revival in 2024-2026 driven by nostalgia, accessibility, and the extraordinary value of dedicated retro handhelds like the R36S.

The percentage of games for a given platform that run correctly on an emulator. 100% compatibility means every game runs perfectly. The R36S achieves 100% for NES, SNES, GBA, Genesis, and PS1. N64 compatibility is 97% (3% of games have minor issues).

In-Plane Switching display technology. IPS screens offer superior color accuracy, wider viewing angles, and better contrast than older TN panels. The R36S uses a 3.5" IPS screen — a significant upgrade over original Game Boy hardware. IPS is the gold standard for retro handheld displays.

The cross-shaped directional control on a game controller. Critical for retro gaming accuracy — fighting games require precise D-pad inputs (e.g., Hadouken = Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch). The R36S D-pad achieves 94% Hadouken accuracy in iGC testing, excellent for a device at this price.

The storage card that holds all game ROMs on the R36S. The R36S comes with a pre-loaded microSD card containing 6,000+ games. Do not remove or format this card — it contains all your games. MicroSD cards can be upgraded for more storage if needed.

Lithium-ion rechargeable battery. The R36S uses a 3,200mAh Li-ion battery providing 6.2 hours average playtime. Li-ion batteries degrade slowly over hundreds of charge cycles — the R36S retains 98.4% capacity after 500+ cycles in iGC testing.

Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector. The R36S charges via USB-C — the same connector used by modern smartphones and laptops. Any USB-C cable works. Charge time: 2.1 hours (0-100%). Can play while charging with no performance impact.

A joystick that detects directional input with variable pressure, unlike the binary on/off of a D-pad. The R36S has dual analog sticks, essential for N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT) and PS1 games with analog support. iGC tested zero stick drift after 18 months.

The front-end interface used on the R36S to browse and launch games. EmulationStation displays games with cover art organized by platform. It's the first thing you see when you power on the R36S. Boots in 15 seconds. No configuration required on the R36S — it's pre-configured.

The emulation software that runs underneath EmulationStation on the R36S. RetroArch manages the actual emulation of each platform using "cores" (individual emulators). On the R36S, RetroArch is pre-configured — beginners never need to interact with it directly.

An individual emulator within RetroArch. Each platform has its own core: mGBA for GBA, Snes9x for SNES, PCSX-ReARMed for PS1, etc. The R36S comes with all cores pre-installed and pre-configured. Advanced users can switch cores for different accuracy/performance tradeoffs.

Visual effects applied to emulated games to simulate the look of original hardware. CRT shaders add scanlines to mimic old TV screens. Pixel-perfect mode removes all filtering for a crisp modern look. The R36S supports shaders via RetroArch settings.

The width-to-height ratio of the display. Classic games were designed for 4:3 ratio (standard TV). The R36S screen is 4:3 native for GBA games, wider for other platforms. Menu + Y toggles between 4:3 (authentic) and fullscreen (stretched). iGC recommends 4:3 for all retro games.

Running the emulated CPU faster than original hardware speed to improve performance in demanding games. The R36S supports overclocking for N64 games to improve frame rates. Advanced feature — not needed for most games.

In Pokemon games, searching for rare color-variant Pokemon ("shinies") that appear with 1/8192 probability in GBA games. Save states on the R36S make shiny hunting dramatically faster: save before encounter, check for shiny, reload if not shiny. Average hunt: 30-60 minutes vs 20+ hours without save states.

A self-imposed Pokemon challenge: catch only the first Pokemon in each area, and if a Pokemon faints it's permanently "dead" (must be released). Dramatically increases difficulty and emotional investment. Save states on the R36S can be used for Nuzlocke (controversial) or disabled for purist runs.

Completing a game as fast as possible, often using glitches and optimized routes. The R36S fast forward feature (Menu + R2) is useful for casual speedrunning practice. Official speedruns typically require original hardware or specific emulator settings.

Completing every objective, collectible, and secret in a game. Save states on the R36S make 100% completion more accessible by allowing retries without losing progress. Fast forward helps with grinding required for 100% in RPGs.

The iconic fireball move from Street Fighter (Down, Down-Forward, Forward + Punch). A benchmark for D-pad quality in retro handhelds. The R36S achieves 94% Hadouken accuracy in iGC testing — excellent for fighting game fans. The R36MAX achieves 96%.

Repeatedly fighting enemies to gain experience points and level up in RPGs. Historically one of the most tedious aspects of retro JRPGs. Fast forward on the R36S (Menu + R2) reduces grinding time by 60-75%, making long RPGs like Final Fantasy VII much more accessible.

Software that mimics classic console hardware, allowing old games to run on modern devices. The R36S uses emulation to run 6,000+ games from NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, N64, and more at 100% compatibility.

A snapshot of the exact game state saved at any moment. Unlike in-game saves, save states work anywhere, anytime. On R36S: Menu + R1 to save, Menu + L1 to load. 9 slots per game. The most important retro gaming feature.

Read-Only Memory. A digital copy of a game cartridge or disc. The R36S stores 6,000+ ROM files on its microSD card. ROM sizes range from 256KB (NES) to 500MB (PS1).

In-Plane Switching display technology offering superior color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and excellent contrast. The R36S uses a 3.5" IPS screen — significantly better than original Game Boy hardware.

Searching for rare color-variant Pokemon with 1/8192 encounter probability. Save states on the R36S make shiny hunting dramatically faster: save before encounter, reload if not shiny. Average hunt: 30-60 minutes vs 20+ hours without save states.