- The Chinese handheld Boyhom R36S offers more than 15 thousand games through various emulators
- You don’t need to download or install anything, just unzip and play
- Five color variants are available, the price is around 900 crowns
As part of our Gadget of the Week series, today we look at the R36S handheld game console, which very nostalgically recalls the days of 8-bit gaming on Nintendo’s Game Boy, but also other consoles from the turn of the 80s and 90s of the last century. It is an absolute must for those who remember those times.
R36S game console
As the typical vague name suggests, it is a device from China. Behind the R36S handheld is Boyhom, a company that specializes in the development of alternative game consoles. Their variation on the Nintendo Switch called M17, or at most the retro console Boyhom 3, is also worth mentioning.
The R36S is designed for easy portability, which anyone who likes to play while waiting or on the go will appreciate. It offers the size of a larger smartphone (174 x 84 x 21 millimeters) and a very simple, even practical design. The base is a solid plastic chassis in five colors: matte white and transparent red, purple, orange and black.
The display and equipment are pleasing
The Chinese console is equipped with a 3.5″ LCD IPS display with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels, which is more than enough for older titles. Under the hood we find 4 GB of RAM and a 4-core RK3326 processor with a clock speed of up to 1.5 GHz. For a mobile phone, this might not seem enough, but for playing emulated games from old consoles, this performance is more than enough.
Boyhom R36S handheld game console and detail of controls
Another feature is a removable 3200mAh lithium-polymer battery that supports 5W charging, but you must have a special charging adapter. The battery should keep the console running for about 6 hours. There are two versions to choose from with 64 or 128 GB of storage, while you can expand the memory with a microSD card with a capacity of up to 256 GB.
In addition to the display, there are also control elements on the front. At the bottom you will find two analogue sticks, at the top right there is a quartet of buttons A, B, X, Y and on the left a directional pad, the so-called d-pad. On the back there are four more buttons of the bumper type.
Retro games for veterans
There is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, because inside the console there is an operating system built on a Linux kernel, which has 15 thousand games pre-installed. How does it work? The console has an activated emulator of games from consoles of many brands. Whether it’s older consoles NES and SNES, Nintendo 64, but also Game Boy or PlayStation Portable.
Complete overview of console emulators:
- NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
- SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
- N64 (Nintendo 64)
- Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
- Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
- Sega Game Gear
- PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16
- Neo Geo
- PlayStation 1 (PS1)
- PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Capcom System 1, 2, and 3 (CPS1, CPS2, CPS3)
- MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator)
- Dreamcast (with some limitations)
- Nintendo DS
As for the games themselves, there are Super Mario World and 64, the original Mario Kart, Tetris, Metroid, all parts of The Legend of Zelda, titles from the Final Fantasy series, Metal Gear, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, and even God of War , The Godfather, GTA: Vice City and GTA: Liberty City Stories in the PSP versions. So the selection is really diverse.
Price and availability
You can buy the Boyhom R36S handheld game console at classic Chinese e-shops, for example on AliExpress or eBay, for a price of around 800-900 crowns. Unfortunately, the company does not offer delivery to the Czech Republic from its official website, so you will have to use an alternative in the form of one of the e-shops. Also, be careful to buy a console that has ArkOS installed, which has support for a Wi-Fi dongle, thanks to which it is possible to update or download new game titles from an online database. For variants that do not have ArkOS, you will be deprived of this option.
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- A charger for 5,000 crowns, the likes of which you have never seen before
But the price is extremely favorable. After all, you get a huge amount of games from around 20 console systems in one single purchase. And often these are really great classics that many players have not played due to the age difference. The pocket solution does not appear to be a bad idea at all.
Whether you’re looking for an affordable and fun way to revisit gaming history, or simply need something to distract you on the go, the R36S might just be the gadget to meet your expectations.
Author of the article
Jakub Fischer
Journalist, fan of modern technology, summer months and Asian food. I like Lynch films, Pollock paintings, french house and Arsenal football club. In my spare time I play PlayStation and go jogging.
Gadget of the Week: The Boyhom R36S Handheld – A Nostalgic Dive into Gaming History!
Well, well, well! It looks like we’ve landed ourselves a shiny new gadget that’s fit for all the nostalgic souls out there. Meet the Boyhom R36S handheld game console, your time machine back to the glorious days of pixelated adventures and least six years of Catholic guilt for not finishing the latest Final Fantasy.
15,000 Games? Did Someone Say "Eternal Weekend"?
For those who think "15,000 games" is a typo, fear not! This little gem lets you channel your inner 90s kid because players can now choose from more than 15,000 games from the comfort of their couch or while awkwardly standing in the queue at Tesco. And here’s the kicker: you don’t need to don a tech support badge; just unzip and hit the start button! It’s almost as easy as convincing yourself that buying one is a "nostalgic investment".
A Design That Says, “I Love Retro, but I Don’t Want To Be Seen Dead in Public With it!”
Picture this: a design that’s a cross between a spicy new smartphone and your grandmother’s old vinyl player. At a size of 174 x 84 x 21 mm, it’s light enough for on-the-go gaming but definitely slightly bulkier than that 90s Walkman you used to jam to in your mom’s minivan. In five delightful color variants from matte white to transparent red, it’s got more color than your friend Steve’s mid-life crisis!
Display Talk – No, Not Your Dating Profile!
Under the hood, we have a 3.5” LCD IPS display. Think of it as checking your ex’s social media on a Sunday morning – you just can’t look away. With a resolution of 640 x 480, it’s like a warm, pixelated hug for your eyes. And while this might not win you any smartphone beauty contests, trust me when I say it’ll give you a sweet flashback to the days when Mario was just a plumber trying to rescue a damsel – in distress who absolutely should have installed that proper security system!
Battery Life Meets Your Weekend Plans!
Now, the Boyhom R36S comes with a removable 3200 mAh battery that promises about 6 hours of gaming. That’s right! Six whole hours of avoiding real-life responsibilities while you indulge in Super Mario Kart madness or attempt to save the princess (again!). Just make sure you have that special charging adapter, or this could just become a fancy paperweight.
A Virtual Arcade Without the Need for Wi-Fi?!
Now, what do you mean there’s no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity? No updates, no social media drama; just pure, unadulterated gameplay! That’s right—come for the games back from the era when "cloud" only meant rain. The ingenious use of a Linux kernel lets you dive headfirst into retro gaming without the stress of a 21st-century bloatware nightmare.
With a whopping selection, the R36S brings you a list of classic emulators from NES to PSP, from Tetris that makes you question your life choices to the edgy thrill of God of War (PSP version, folks). Who wouldn’t want to relive the pitfalls of pixelated platforming while possibly avoiding adulthood?
Pricey or Priced to Sell?
Now here’s the kicker—this trip down memory lane will only set you back about 800 to 900 crowns. A small price for a vast library of imaginary summers spent battling Bowser, while absolutely none of it prepares your mom for your very real adulthood problems. Just remember to get the version that supports ArkOS if you wish to venture online; otherwise, you’ll just have a glorified brick that reminds you of your formative teenage years.
In Conclusion:
If you’re on a quest for nostalgia or just need a distraction from whatever existential crisis you’re avoiding today, the Boyhom R36S is your ticket. It’s more than a gadget; it’s an investment in cherished memories, whether you’re blowing the dust off the classics or making some new (albeit slightly pixelated) foes.
So why not grab yours today? Because every now and then, escaping reality with a virtual mushroom high is exactly what the doctor prescribed! 🍄🎮
- The Chinese handheld Boyhom R36S boasts an expansive library of over 15,000 games accessible through multiple emulators, providing endless entertainment for retro gaming enthusiasts.
- Simply unzip the console’s files to dive straight into gameplay—there’s no need for complicated downloads or installations.
- Available in five eye-catching color variants and priced around 900 crowns, the R36S offers both style and affordability.
In this week’s edition of our Gadget of the Week series, we’re excited to showcase the Boyhom R36S handheld game console. This device evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, transporting players back to the golden era of 8-bit gaming commonly associated with Nintendo’s Game Boy, along with other classic consoles from the late 80s and early 90s. It’s truly a treasure for anyone who cherished those bygone gaming days.
R36S game console
Living up to its somewhat vague name, the Boyhom R36S is a product hailing from China. Boyhom is known for their innovative alternative gaming consoles, including their unique take on the Nintendo Switch called the M17 and the retro-themed console Boyhom 3, both of which also deserve recognition.
The R36S is designed with portability in mind, a feature that will resonate with gamers who love to play while on the move or during idle moments. Its dimensions resemble those of a larger smartphone, measuring 174 x 84 x 21 millimeters, and it flaunts a practical and straightforward design. The console’s robust plastic chassis is available in five attractive colors: matte white, transparent red, purple, orange, and classic black.
The display and equipment are pleasing
Equipped with a 3.5-inch LCD IPS display boasting a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels, the R36S provides a clear and vibrant visual experience, more than sufficient for classic titles. At its core, the console features 4 GB of RAM powered by a four-core RK3326 processor, clocking in at up to 1.5 GHz. While this may seem minimal compared to modern mobile devices, it offers ample performance for playing emulated games from yesteryear’s consoles.
Boyhom R36S handheld game console and detail of controls
The device houses a removable 3200mAh lithium-polymer battery that supports 5W charging but requires a specific charging adapter. Users can expect around six hours of gaming time on a single charge. Buyers can choose between two storage capacities: 64 GB or 128 GB, with the added benefit of expanding memory with a microSD card of up to 256 GB.
The console’s user interface is complemented by a thorough array of control elements. It features dual analog sticks at the bottom, with a set of four action buttons (A, B, X, Y) situated at the top right and a directional pad, commonly known as a d-pad, to the left. Additionally, there are four bumper-type buttons located on the back, ensuring a comprehensive gaming experience.
Retro games for veterans
The R36S lacks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Instead, it operates on a Linux kernel-based system, and comes pre-installed with an incredible 15,000 games. The console supports a plethora of emulators that allow you to enjoy titles from numerous classic systems, including notable brands such as Nintendo and Sony, spanning from early NES and SNES to the Nintendo 64, Game Boy, and PlayStation Portable.
Complete overview of console emulators:
- NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
- SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
- N64 (Nintendo 64)
- Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
- Sega Genesis/Mega Drive
- Sega Game Gear
- PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16
- Neo Geo
- PlayStation 1 (PS1)
- PlayStation Portable (PSP)
- Capcom System 1, 2, and 3 (CPS1, CPS2, CPS3)
- MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator)
- Dreamcast (with some limitations)
- Nintendo DS
As for the library of games available, it features iconic titles such as Super Mario World, both versions of Super Mario 64, the original Mario Kart, Tetris, Metroid, multiple installments of The Legend of Zelda series, classic titles from the Final Fantasy franchise, and even modern classics like Metal Gear, Resident Evil, Crash Bandicoot, as well as well-loved PSP titles such as God of War, The Godfather, GTA: Vice City, and GTA: Liberty City Stories. The selection caters to a wide range of gaming preferences.
Price and availability
Interested buyers can purchase the Boyhom R36S handheld game console from popular Chinese online marketplaces, including AliExpress and eBay, for a price tag hovering around 800-900 crowns. However, purchasers in the Czech Republic should note that the company does not provide delivery through its official website, necessitating the use of alternative e-commerce options. It is also highly recommended to ensure that the console includes ArkOS, which enables support for a Wi-Fi dongle that allows for updates and downloading new game titles from an extensive online database. Consoles lacking ArkOS will not have this vital feature.
More articles from the Gadget of the Week section
- Shelfy is a smart box for your fridge that can save you a lot of money
- Epico SapphireShield glass is like a sapphire shield for your phone
- The BubblePal soft toy looks like something out of a horror film, but it can please your children
- Hooti pillow doped with artificial intelligence can solve your snoring
- RingConn 2 is a ring with many “bests”, perhaps almost the cheapest
- Boox Palma is an ingenious hybrid of a mobile phone and e-book reader
- The phone from the Minimal brand is a tribute to Blackberry for less than 10 thousand
- The Ugreen power bank with a shocking capacity of 48,000 mAh will delight and disappoint
- Windsible is a smart accessory that will please any fast car lover
- Qudi Mask 2 may be a fling, but it may also be a demonstration of the future
- A unique Times Gate accessory that must not be missing from any “toymaker’s” table
- Playdate is a handheld game console that will definitely not stand out in the crowd
- The Pocket S is a pocket-sized game machine that surprisingly runs on Android
- The smart Pendant pendant perfectly remembers everything you say
- A unique Skyted mask that is used for something completely different than you would expect
- The Twinn ring has only one function, yet it can be a hit
- Ferret Plus is the ultimate tool (not only) for craftsmen
- A smart iPhone holder that does what no other can do
- A smart voice recorder with ChatGPT-4 that every distracted manager needs
- A smart tracker for your pet can detect arrhythmia
- A charger for 5,000 crowns, the likes of which you have never seen before
The price point of the R36S is undeniably attractive, especially considering the extensive library of games representing around 20 different console systems bundled into a single purchase. Many of these titles are celebrated classics that younger players may have missed out on due to generational gaps in gaming. This portable gaming solution presents a compelling option for nostalgia seekers and modern gamers alike.
If you’re in search of an engaging and budget-friendly means to relive gaming history, or simply need a distraction while on the move, the Boyhom R36S could very well be the perfect gadget for your needs.
Author of the article
Jakub Fischer
Journalist, fan of modern technology, summer months and Asian food. I like Lynch films, Pollock paintings, french house and Arsenal football club. In my spare time I play PlayStation and go jogging.
