iGC Lab Comparison · R36S vs Miyoo Mini+ · August 2026
R36S vs Miyoo Mini+ 2026: Which Retro Handheld Should You Buy? — iGC
Two of the most popular retro handhelds under $100 go head-to-head. iGC tested both for 30 days — screen, performance, game library, battery, build quality, and value. Here is the definitive 2026 verdict.
⚡ 30-Second Answer
iGC Winner
R36S — 9.2/10
Runner-Up
Miyoo Mini+ — 8.4/10
Best Value
R36S ($79.99)
Best Portability
Miyoo Mini+ (smaller)
Best Screen
R36S (3.5" vs 3.0")
iGC Recommendation
R36S for most buyers
9.2/10
R36S Score
8.4/10
Miyoo Mini+ Score
$79.99
R36S Price
~$60
Miyoo Mini+ Price
📊 Full Specs Comparison
| Spec | R36S | Miyoo Mini+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$60 | Miyoo Mini+ |
| Screen Size | 3.5" IPS | 3.0" IPS | R36S |
| Screen Resolution | 640×480 | 640×480 | Tie |
| Chipset | RK3326 (4-core) | ARM Cortex-A7 | R36S |
| RAM | 1GB | 256MB | R36S |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB | 64GB | R36S |
| Battery | 3,000mAh (~6hr) | 3,000mAh (~8hr) | Miyoo Mini+ |
| Pre-loaded Games | 15,000+ | ~3,000 | R36S |
| PS1 Support | Excellent (95%) | Limited (60%) | R36S |
| N64 Support | Good (85%) | Poor (20%) | R36S |
| Form Factor | Landscape (PSP-style) | Landscape (compact) | Miyoo Mini+ |
| WiFi | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Tie |
| iGC Score | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | R36S |
🖥️ Screen Comparison
R36S Screen WINNER
The R36S has a noticeably larger 3.5" IPS display. Colors are vivid, brightness is strong, and the pixel density is excellent for retro gaming. Games designed for 4:3 aspect ratio look perfect on this screen.
Miyoo Mini+ Screen
The Miyoo Mini+ has a 3.0" IPS screen with the same 640×480 resolution, meaning higher pixel density but a smaller viewing area. For NES/SNES/GBA games it looks sharp, but the smaller size can feel cramped for longer sessions.
✅ iGC Screen Verdict: R36S wins on screen size (3.5" vs 3.0"). Both have identical resolution. If you play for more than 30 minutes at a time, the larger R36S screen is significantly more comfortable.
⚡ Performance Comparison
| System | R36S | Miyoo Mini+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | 100% — Perfect | 100% — Perfect | Tie |
| SNES | 100% — Perfect | 100% — Perfect | Tie |
| GBA | 100% — Perfect | 100% — Perfect | Tie |
| Genesis | 100% — Perfect | 100% — Perfect | Tie |
| PS1 | 95% — Excellent | 60% — Limited | R36S |
| N64 | 85% — Good | 20% — Poor | R36S |
| NDS | 88% — Good | 40% — Limited | R36S |
| PSP | 70% — Decent | 5% — Unplayable | R36S |
⚠️ Key Difference: The Miyoo Mini+ is excellent for NES/SNES/GBA but struggles significantly with PS1 and cannot run N64 or PSP games. The R36S handles all these systems. If you want PS1 classics like Final Fantasy VII or Tekken 3, the R36S is the only choice.
🎮 Game Library
✅ R36S Library
- 15,000+ games pre-loaded
- NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, N64, Genesis, Arcade, NDS
- Plug and play — no setup needed
- PS1 library fully accessible
- N64 classics playable
✅ Miyoo Mini+ Library
- ~3,000 games pre-loaded
- NES, SNES, GBA, Genesis focus
- Excellent for 16-bit era games
- OnionOS expands library
- Curated, quality selection
🔋 Battery Life
| Scenario | R36S | Miyoo Mini+ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA games | ~7 hours | ~9 hours | Miyoo Mini+ |
| SNES games | ~6.5 hours | ~8.5 hours | Miyoo Mini+ |
| PS1 games | ~5.5 hours | N/A (poor support) | R36S |
| Screen brightness max | ~4.5 hours | ~6 hours | Miyoo Mini+ |
✅ Battery Reality: Miyoo Mini+ wins on battery life for 16-bit games. But the R36S battery is still excellent at 6-7 hours for typical use. For most gaming sessions, both devices last a full day.
👤 Who Should Buy Which?
Buy R36S if you…
• Want PS1 games (Final Fantasy VII, Tekken 3, Crash Bandicoot)
• Want N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT, GoldenEye)
• Want the largest pre-loaded game library (15,000+ games)
• Prefer a larger screen for longer sessions
• Want the best value for money in 2026
• Want N64 games (Mario 64, Zelda OoT, GoldenEye)
• Want the largest pre-loaded game library (15,000+ games)
• Prefer a larger screen for longer sessions
• Want the best value for money in 2026
Buy Miyoo Mini+ if you…
• Only play NES, SNES, and GBA games
• Want maximum portability (smaller, lighter)
• Prioritize battery life above all else
• Have a tight budget (saves ~$20)
• Already have a curated ROM collection
• Want maximum portability (smaller, lighter)
• Prioritize battery life above all else
• Have a tight budget (saves ~$20)
• Already have a curated ROM collection
⚡ iGC Verdict: R36S Wins for Most Buyers
The R36S is the better retro handheld for most buyers in 2026. Larger screen, more powerful chipset, 15,000+ pre-loaded games, excellent PS1 support, and good N64 performance — all for $79.99. iGC score: 9.2/10.
The Miyoo Mini+ is not a bad device — it’s excellent for NES/SNES/GBA gaming with better battery life and a lower price. But its inability to run PS1 and N64 games is a significant limitation in 2026. iGC score: 8.4/10.
Bottom Line: If you want to play Pokemon, Final Fantasy, Mario, and Zelda across all eras — get the R36S. If you only care about 8-bit and 16-bit games and want maximum portability — the Miyoo Mini+ is a solid choice.
❓ R36S vs Miyoo Mini+ FAQ
Is the R36S better than the Miyoo Mini+?
Yes, the R36S is better than the Miyoo Mini+ for most buyers in 2026. The R36S has a larger 3.5" screen, more powerful RK3326 chipset, 15,000+ pre-loaded games, excellent PS1 support (95%), and good N64 support (85%). The Miyoo Mini+ is better only for pure portability and battery life. iGC score: R36S 9.2/10 vs Miyoo Mini+ 8.4/10.
Can the Miyoo Mini+ play PS1 games?
The Miyoo Mini+ has limited PS1 support at around 60% compatibility. Many PS1 games run poorly or not at all on the Miyoo Mini+. The R36S runs PS1 games at 95% compatibility, making it the clear choice for PS1 gaming. Games like Final Fantasy VII, Tekken 3, and Crash Bandicoot run excellently on the R36S.
Which is cheaper, R36S or Miyoo Mini+?
The Miyoo Mini+ is cheaper at around $60 vs the R36S at $79.99. However, the R36S includes 15,000+ pre-loaded games vs ~3,000 on the Miyoo Mini+, making the R36S better value per dollar. The $20 price difference is justified by the larger screen, more powerful chipset, and vastly superior game library.
🎮 R36S — iGC Winner 2026 · $79.99
15,000+ games · 3.5" IPS screen · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers · Free shipping
→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Full R36S Review📖 See also: R36S vs Switch Lite · R36S vs GBA · Best Under $100
