You grew up with a Game Boy. Now you're wondering: is the R36S worth it? The honest answer: the R36S plays every Game Boy game ever made — plus 5,900 more — on a color IPS screen with save states, for $79.99. Here is the complete comparison from someone who loves both.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
📊 Full Specs: R36S vs Original Game Boy
| Spec | R36S 🏆 | Original Game Boy (1989) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 new | $50–150 used |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS color, backlit | 2.6" green, no backlight |
| Games available | 6,000+ preloaded | 1 cartridge at a time |
| GB/GBC/GBA games | ✅ All at 100% | GB only (not GBA) |
| Save states | ✅ 9 slots per game | ❌ None |
| Battery life | 6.2h rechargeable | ~15h (4x AA batteries) |
| Charging | USB-C, 2.1h | AA batteries (ongoing cost) |
| Weight | 198g | ~390g (with batteries) |
| Fast forward | ✅ 2-4x speed | ❌ None |
| Authenticity | Emulation | ✅ Original hardware |
🖥️ Screen Comparison: Night and Day
- Full color display
- Backlit — play in any lighting
- 3.5" — 35% larger than original GB
- Wide viewing angles (IPS)
- Adjustable brightness
- Pokemon in full color on original GB games
- 4-shade green display
- No backlight — needs bright light
- 2.6" — smaller screen
- Authentic original experience
- No brightness adjustment
- Iconic look that defined an era
🎮 Game Library: 6,000+ vs 1
💛 The Nostalgia Factor: Honest Assessment
The original Game Boy is authentic hardware. The click of a cartridge. The green screen. The AA batteries. For collectors and purists, this experience is irreplaceable. Original hardware also has 100% accuracy by definition — it IS the original experience.
The R36S plays every Game Boy game in full color on a backlit IPS screen with save states and fast forward. For players who want to actually play and enjoy the games — rather than collect hardware — the R36S delivers a dramatically better gaming experience.
Nostalgia is real and valid. But nostalgia is about the games, not the hardware limitations. Playing Pokemon Red on the R36S with a color IPS screen and save states triggers the same nostalgia — with none of the frustration of squinting at a green screen or losing progress.
Which Should You Choose?
- You want to play the games (not collect)
- You want color screen and backlight
- You want save states anywhere
- You want 6,000+ games for $79.99
- You want GBA/SNES/PS1 too
- You want modern convenience
- You're a hardware collector
- Authenticity is paramount
- You love the original aesthetic
- You want 15h battery on AA batteries
- You have a specific cartridge collection
Games: $0 (6,000+ included)
Batteries: $0 (USB-C rechargeable)
Total: $79.99 forever
Games: $5–50+ per cartridge
Batteries: $10–20/month
Total: $100–300+ ongoing
🏆 Verdict: R36S vs Original Game Boy
For playing games: R36S wins completely. For collecting hardware: keep your Game Boy.
R36S: $79.99, 6,000+ games, color IPS screen, save states, fast forward, USB-C charging. Original Game Boy: authentic hardware, 15h battery, cartridge collection, no color, no backlight, no save states.
The R36S plays every Game Boy game ever made — in color, with save states, on a backlit screen — plus 5,900 more games from SNES, PS1, NES, and Arcade. For $79.99. If you want to play your childhood games, the R36S is the upgrade you've been waiting for.
❓ FAQ
Yes. All original Game Boy (GB), Game Boy Color (GBC), and Game Boy Advance (GBA) games run at 100% on the R36S. All preloaded — no cartridges needed. Displayed in full color on the IPS screen.
For playing games: yes. Color IPS screen vs green screen, 6,000+ games vs 1 cartridge, save states vs none, USB-C vs AA batteries. For hardware collecting: original Game Boy wins on authenticity.
Yes. All original Pokemon games (Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) run at 100% on the R36S. All preloaded. Displayed in full color even for original GB games.
R36S: 3.5" IPS color backlit screen. Original Game Boy: 2.6" 4-shade green unlit screen. R36S screen is 35% larger, full color, backlit for any lighting. The difference is dramatic.
Yes. R36S adds: color IPS screen, 6,000+ games, save states, fast forward, SNES/PS1/NES games, USB-C charging. At $79.99, it's the best upgrade for any Game Boy fan. Keep your GB for collecting, use R36S for playing.
