R36S or Miyoo Mini Plus — two of the most popular retro handhelds under $100. iGC tested both for 18 months. The verdict: R36S wins on value and game library, Miyoo Mini Plus wins on pocket size. Here is the complete, honest comparison to help you choose.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
📊 Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | R36S 🏆 | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$89 |
| Games Included | 6,000+ | ~3,000 |
| Screen Size | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Battery Life | 6.2h | ~5h |
| Weight | 198g | ~145g |
| Size | 155×80×18mm | ~113×80×16mm |
| PS1 Support | 500+ at 100% | Limited, some issues |
| N64 Support | 97% | ❌ Poor |
| WiFi | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| D-pad Accuracy | 94% | ~88% |
| iGC Score | 9.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
🎮 Game Library: R36S Wins 2:1
- 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 support
- ~600 NES at 100%
- Limited Arcade
⚡ Performance Comparison
| Test | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA Pokemon Emerald | 100% ✅ | 100% ✅ | Tie |
| PS1 Final Fantasy VII | 100% ✅ | Partial ⚠️ | R36S |
| N64 Mario 64 | 97% ✅ | ❌ Poor | R36S |
| SNES Street Fighter II | 94% D-pad | ~88% D-pad | R36S |
| Battery Life | 6.2h | ~5h | R36S |
| Pocket Size | 198g / 155mm | 145g / 113mm | Miyoo |
🤔 Which Should You Buy?
- You want PS1 games (FF VII, MGS, Crash)
- You want N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT)
- You want 6,000+ games
- You want best battery (6.2h)
- You want best D-pad for fighting games
- Budget is $79.99
- Ultra-compact size is #1 priority
- You only play NES/SNES/GBA
- You want WiFi connectivity
- Shirt pocket portability matters most
🏆 Final Verdict: R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus
For most players: R36S wins. For ultra-compact carry: Miyoo wins.
R36S: $79.99, 6,000+ games, PS1 at 100%, N64 at 97%, 6.2h battery, 94% D-pad. Miyoo Mini Plus: ~$89, ~3,000 games, PS1 limited, N64 poor, ~5h battery, smaller size.
Unless shirt-pocket portability is your absolute #1 priority, the R36S delivers more value, more games, better PS1/N64 support, and longer battery for $9 less. iGC verdict: R36S is the better buy for 90% of players.
❓ FAQ
R36S wins for most players: $79.99 vs $89, 6,000+ vs ~3,000 games, PS1 at 100% vs limited, 6.2h vs ~5h battery, 94% vs ~88% D-pad accuracy. Miyoo wins only on pocket size (113mm vs 155mm).
Limited PS1 support with some compatibility issues. The R36S plays 500+ PS1 games at 100% including Final Fantasy VII, Metal Gear Solid, Crash Bandicoot, and Tekken 3. For PS1 gaming, R36S is the clear choice.
Yes. R36S: 155×80×18mm, 198g. Miyoo Mini Plus: ~113×80×16mm, ~145g. Miyoo is significantly more compact. R36S fits in jacket/cargo pockets; Miyoo fits in shirt pockets. Both are portable.
R36S: 6.2 hours average (iGC tested). Miyoo Mini Plus: ~5 hours. R36S has 24% longer battery life. For travel and long sessions, R36S is the better choice.
Yes. R36S $79.99 vs Miyoo Mini Plus ~$89. R36S is $9 cheaper and includes 2x more games (6,000+ vs ~3,000). R36S delivers significantly better value per dollar.
