The R36S uses a standard microSD card that you can upgrade anytime. The 64GB card that comes with R36S holds 6,000+ games — but if you want to add your own ROM collection, upgrading to 128GB-512GB is easy and costs $10-25. Here is the complete guide.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
💾 Do You Need to Upgrade the R36S MicroSD?
- You play preloaded games only
- You don't have a personal ROM collection
- 6,000+ games is more than enough
- You're a casual retro gamer
- You have a large personal ROM collection
- You want 500+ PS1 games (each ~500MB)
- You want complete platform libraries
- You're a serious ROM collector
🏆 Best MicroSD Cards for R36S 2026
| Card | Size | Price | iGC Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung EVO Plus | 128GB | ~$12 | ⭐ Best value upgrade |
| SanDisk Ultra | 128GB | ~$13 | Reliable, widely available |
| Samsung EVO Plus | 256GB | ~$20 | ⭐ Best for large collections |
| SanDisk Ultra | 256GB | ~$22 | Good alternative |
| Samsung EVO Plus | 512GB | ~$45 | For complete ROM libraries |
📊 How Much Storage Do You Actually Need?
| Goal | Recommended Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Play preloaded games only | 64GB (stock) | 6,000+ games already loaded |
| Add personal GBA/SNES/NES ROMs | 128GB | 2D ROMs are tiny (KB-MB) |
| Add 100+ PS1 games | 256GB | PS1 games ~300-700MB each |
| Complete PS1 + N64 + all platforms | 512GB | Full ROM collector setup |
🔧 How to Upgrade R36S MicroSD Card — Step by Step
Connect the original 64GB card to your PC via a card reader. Copy all contents to a folder on your PC. This preserves all preloaded games and settings.
Format the new microSD card as exFAT (for cards 64GB+). On Windows: right-click the card → Format → exFAT. On Mac: Disk Utility → Erase → ExFAT.
Copy all files from the backup folder to the new card. Maintain the exact same folder structure. This transfers all 6,000+ preloaded games and emulator settings.
Add your personal ROMs to the correct folders: GBA → /ROMS/GBA/, SNES → /ROMS/SNES/, PS1 → /ROMS/PSX/, N64 → /ROMS/N64/.
Insert the new card into R36S. Power on. EmulationStation will scan and display all games. Restart if new games don't appear immediately.
❓ FAQ
R36S uses a standard microSD card (SDXC). The stock card is 64GB with 6,000+ games preloaded. It supports up to 512GB. Recommended upgrade cards: Samsung EVO Plus or SanDisk Ultra (128GB ~$12, 256GB ~$20).
Yes. R36S uses a standard microSD card that can be replaced with any size up to 512GB. Back up the original card, format the new card as exFAT, copy all files, add your ROMs, and insert. Takes about 30-60 minutes.
iGC recommendation: Samsung EVO Plus 128GB (~$12) for most buyers. If you have a large PS1 collection, Samsung EVO Plus 256GB (~$20). Always buy Samsung or SanDisk — avoid cheap no-brand cards with fake capacity.
The stock 64GB card is sufficient for most buyers (6,000+ games preloaded). Upgrade to 128GB if adding personal GBA/SNES ROMs. Upgrade to 256GB if adding 100+ PS1 games. 512GB for complete ROM collector libraries.
Format as exFAT for cards 64GB and larger. On Windows: right-click card → Format → select exFAT → Format. On Mac: Disk Utility → select card → Erase → ExFAT. Then copy all files from the original card to maintain the preloaded game library.
