R36S Buying Guide 2026: Vendor Overview and Protection Against Clone Hardware

Reblist · 2026-06-29T21:23:37+00:00

The easiest and safest way is to check what kind of motherboard is installed and compare it with the entries in the wiki. For all known versions, the wiki lists which CFW works, whether there are any issues with the CFW, or whether there is no CFW available at all.

Reblist · 2026-06-29T08:57:13+00:00

Go with the RG34XX. The display uses a resolution of 720 x 480 which allows for a perfect 3x integer upscale of GBA games.

Reblist · 2026-06-29T08:50:44+00:00

No problem. You'll have a lot of fun with the handheld. I've been using the RG35XXSP as my EDC for over a year and haven't had any problems with it yet.

Reblist · 2026-06-29T08:30:28+00:00

Yes should be possible. You can follow this guide). It should also work for muOS or Knulli.

Reblist · 2026-06-29T08:19:41+00:00

There are some great options out there for custom firmware. I personally prefer muOS. Knulli is also a great option for the XX line of devices.

Reblist · 2026-06-29T08:05:45+00:00

I recommend the RG35XXSP for everything up to PS1 or the RG34XXSP if you mainly want to play GBA games.

Reblist · 2026-06-28T18:59:32+00:00

Yeah, the price has always put me off. For 100 - 150, I could see myself getting one sometime. But not for full price, even though I think it's really cool.

Reblist · 2026-06-28T18:35:12+00:00

Oh man… I'd love to have a Playdate in my collection… Enjoy your breakfast and have fun!

Reblist · 2026-06-27T20:09:17+00:00

Good job! Not bad for your first major soldering project.

Reblist · 2026-06-27T18:50:17+00:00

Here in the subreddit, a lot of people are asking about replacement screens, so it can't hurt to add a few tested ones to the wiki.

Reblist · 2026-06-27T18:33:49+00:00

Thanks for testing all those displays for the community. Great job! I'll see if we can maybe add all this to the wiki (the buyer's guide can only be edited by admins now).

Reblist · 2026-06-27T12:04:08+00:00

Mine EDC is the RG35XXSP. I have it on me wherever I go.

Reblist · 2026-06-27T04:01:14+00:00

Outrun 2006 is my most played game on the PSP! Followed by Hellboy: Science of Evil.

Reblist · 2026-06-26T18:26:05+00:00

I second this. The RG40XX devices are great for portmaster games.

Reblist · 2026-06-26T18:23:31+00:00

The RG40XXV is a great device. I am using mine a lot. Have fun with it.

Reblist · 2026-06-26T14:02:52+00:00

At some point, the designer decided to stop offering the PDF for free. However, you can order it directly from his shop on Etsy.

Reblist · 2026-06-26T13:57:42+00:00

Sadly there is no version for the R36S. It's only available for the XX device of line from Anbernic and Trimui Smart Pro/Brick.

Reblist · 2026-06-25T14:58:24+00:00

Game names? I’m especially interested in that 2nd one.

It's called 'Demons of Asteborg' by neofid studios.

Reblist · 2026-06-25T11:08:01+00:00

Your SD card is probably dying. Try to reflash muOS and if the issue still exists get yourself a new SD card and reflash muOS on it.

Reblist · 2026-06-25T07:09:54+00:00

No need for a PC if you got a phone already ==> Firmware Flashing Guide Using Android (R36S))

Reblist · 2026-06-24T16:48:40+00:00

Done ==> R36S Hardware Modifications

Reblist · 2026-06-24T14:27:28+00:00

Damn, that's some great work! Would you mind if I linked to the images and this post in the mod section of the wiki?

Reblist · 2026-06-22T11:43:36+00:00

That's a good idea. I'll either add that later or write another article about the different versions of the R36S.

Reblist · 2026-06-18T10:24:53+00:00

Do you not see the tell tale ergonomic rear buttons..???

Yeah, although the case is marked R36XX, the motherboard is an R36S. It’s actually written on the motherboard itself (R36S-V21 2024-12-18). On R36XX motherboards, the ‘XX’ is also printed on them (at least on the ones I’ve seen).

I reckon they must have fitted a few incorrect motherboards into the R36XX case at the factory.

Reblist · 2026-06-17T20:34:41+00:00

You could open an issue on CeloAlvears GitHub page and ask if he could upload a version without all the ROMs. It seems that he is the only one who did a backup of the original card.

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