How do I access emulator settings on R36S?

Press L+R+Start while in game to open RetroArch quick menu. Access core options, save states, screen settings from there.

🛠 Tutorial ANBERNIC Under 100

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

Q: How do I save my game on the R36S?

Two ways: in-game save using normal save system, or save states with L+R+Start to save anywhere, L+R+Select to load. Use both for maximum safety.

Q: How do I fast-forward on the R36S?

Hold R button to fast-forward at 2-4x speed. Works in most emulators. Release R for normal speed.

i

iGC Editorial Team

Retro Handheld Buying Guidance

· Aug 02, 2026 5 min read Updated Aug 2026 Guide Information

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

Guide Evidence & Limitations

Our guides distinguish documented product information from measured hands-on results. Check each article's sources, exact configuration and limitations before choosing a device. A listing or platform label is not a game-specific performance guarantee. The statistics shown below have not been verified here; this does not establish zero testing, zero reviews or a lack of experience.

Unverified Device testing evidence

Unverified Testing duration evidence

Unverified Review count evidence

Unverified Experience evidence

Use each article's sources, selected configuration and stated limitations to assess its claims. The criteria below identify topics to consider; they do not imply standardized hands-on testing.

✓ Build quality & durability

✓ Emulation accuracy & compatibility

✓ Battery life (real-world)

✓ Screen quality & brightness

✓ Button feel & ergonomics

✓ Heat management

✓ Value for money

✓ Out-of-box experience

iGC Setup Guide · Step-by-Step · August 2026

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

Your R36S arrives with ArkOS pre-installed and 15,000+ games ready. But a few key settings will dramatically improve your experience. This is iGC's complete setup guide — from first boot to optimal configuration in under 15 minutes.

⏱ Setup Overview

Setup Time

~15 minutes

Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Firmware

ArkOS (pre-installed)

Steps

8 key steps

Tools Needed

None — just the device

Result

Optimal gaming setup

🔬 Written by iGC Editorial Team | 📅 August 2026 | 🎮 Tested on iGC R36S | ⭐ Beginner-friendly guide

Jump To Section

First Boot Display Settings Save States Best Settings Emulators FAQ

15min

Setup Time

8

Key Steps

50+

Emulators

15,000+

Games Ready

🔋 Step 1–3: First Boot

Step 1

Charge Before First Use

Connect USB-C and charge for at least 30 minutes before first boot. The battery indicator shows charging status. A full charge takes ~2 hours. You can use any USB-C cable — no proprietary charger needed.

Step 2

Power On — Hold the Power Button

Hold the power button for 2–3 seconds until the screen lights up. ArkOS will boot in approximately 15–20 seconds. You'll see the iGC/ArkOS boot screen, then the main game menu. All 15,000+ games are immediately accessible.

Step 3

Navigate the Main Menu

Use the D-pad to scroll through game systems. Press A to select. Press B to go back. Press Start to access system settings. The main menu shows all available emulators organized by system (GBA, SNES, PS1, N64, etc.).

📱 Step 4: Display Settings (Important)

Step 4 — Critical

Set Brightness to 50–60%

Default brightness is often 100% — this drains battery fast. Press Start + Volume Up/Down to adjust brightness. iGC recommends 50–60% for the best balance of battery life and visibility. At 50%, you gain ~1.4h extra battery vs max brightness.

Setting Default iGC Recommended Why Brightness 100% 50–60% +1.4h battery life Screen Filter None GBA Color Correction Authentic GBA colors Integer Scale Off On Sharper pixel art Audio Volume 80% 60–70% Saves ~10% battery Sleep Timer Off 5 minutes Saves battery when idle

💾 Step 5: Save States — Your Most Important Feature

Step 5

Learn Save States (L+R+Start / L+R+Select)

Save states let you save your game at any point — not just at in-game save points. This is the most important feature for retro gaming. L+R+Start = Save state. L+R+Select = Load state. You can have multiple save slots per game. Never lose progress again.

✅ Pro tip: Use save states aggressively. Before a hard boss, save state. Before a risky jump, save state. This makes retro games much more enjoyable for modern players who don't have time to replay long sections. Save states don't affect the in-game save system — use both.

⚙️ Step 6–7: Best Settings by System

Step 6 — GBA Settings

GBA: Enable Color Correction

In the mGBA emulator settings, enable Color Correction: GBA. Original GBA had a darker screen — games were designed with this in mind. Color correction makes colors look as the developers intended. Also enable Integer Scale for sharp pixels.

Step 7 — PS1 Settings

PS1: Enable Dithering Off + Texture Filtering

In the PCSX-ReARMed settings: set Dithering: Off for cleaner visuals. Enable Enhanced Resolution if available. PS1 games look significantly better with these settings. For 3D games, also enable Bilinear Filtering to smooth textures.

🎮 Step 8: Best Emulator for Each System

System	Best Emulator	Notes
GBA	mGBA	Best accuracy, color correction support
SNES	Snes9x	Best compatibility, fast
NES	FCEUmm	Most accurate NES emulator
PS1	PCSX-ReARMed	Best PS1 performance on R36S
N64	Mupen64Plus	Best N64 compatibility
Sega Genesis	Genesis Plus GX	Perfect accuracy
Game Boy / GBC	Gambatte	Most accurate GB/GBC emulator

💡 Note: The iGC R36S comes with all emulators pre-configured with good default settings. The tips above are for users who want to optimize further. Out of the box, all games are playable immediately without any configuration.

❓ ArkOS Setup FAQ

How do I save my game on the R36S?

Two ways: 1) In-game save — use the game's normal save system (save points, save rooms, etc.). 2) Save states — press L+R+Start to save at any moment, L+R+Select to load. Save states work in any game at any time. iGC recommends using both methods for maximum safety.

How do I fast-forward on the R36S?

Hold the R button while playing to fast-forward at 2–4x speed. This works in most emulators. Fast-forward is useful for grinding, long text sequences, and repetitive sections. Release R to return to normal speed. The exact button may vary by emulator — check the emulator's quick menu (L+R+Start) for controls.

How do I access the emulator settings on R36S?

While in a game, press L+R+Start to open the RetroArch quick menu. From here you can access core options, save states, load states, screen settings, and all emulator configuration. Press B to go back. Press Start to return to the game.

🎮 R36S — Pre-configured & Ready to Play · $79.99

ArkOS pre-installed · 15,000+ games · Zero setup · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers

→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Full R36S Review

📖 See also: Best Pokemon on R36S · Battery Life Test · R36S Full Review

Side-by-Side Comparison

Device	Screen	Battery	Game Requirements	RAM	Price	Options
ゲームコンソール R36S ハンドヘルドビデオプレーヤー子供用ギフト 3.5インチ IPSスクリーン 64GB 15000ゲーム 128G ポータブルポケットゲームコンソール	Check the selected configuration	Check capacity and runtime evidence	Confirm the game, emulator and settings	Check the selected configuration	$79.99 $109.99 ↓27% OFF	View
ゲームコンソールハンドヘルドR36MAXレトロハンドヘルドゲームコンソールLinuxシステム4インチIPSスクリーンR36ポータブルポケットビデオプレーヤー	Check the selected configuration	Check capacity and runtime evidence	Confirm the game, emulator and settings	Check the selected configuration	$99.99 $139.99 ↓28% OFF	View
R36PRO ハンドヘルドビデオゲームコンソールオープンソースレトロポータブルポケット Linux システムゲームプレイヤーマシンデバイスエミュレータ	Check the selected configuration	Check capacity and runtime evidence	Confirm the game, emulator and settings	Check the selected configuration	$89.99 $124.99 ↓28% OFF	View

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Frequently Asked Questions

R36S can be a suitable budget option for compact classic gaming when its display, controls and documented platform limits meet your needs. Check the current selected offer; no universal best ranking or title-specific benchmark is asserted here.

Check the exact product listing and your must-play titles. Platform compatibility, supplied game content and measured gameplay are separate questions; a total library count does not confirm a named title.

Runtime varies by device, battery condition, brightness, game, emulator and settings. Use any measured result only when its tested configuration and conditions are identified; no fixed hours are promised here.

Check the current checkout and shipping information for your destination and selected order. Delivery options and estimates vary; this template does not promise a domestic warehouse, dispatch deadline or universal transit time.

Review the current return policy and its eligibility conditions before ordering. Contact support with your order details if you need help; this template does not expand the policy into an unconditional promise.

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