If you are shopping for your first budget retro gaming handheld, two names come up again and again: the R36S and the RG35XX H. Both sit in the same affordable bracket, both run proper emulation off a microSD card, and both will happily play decades of classics from the NES right up to PS1, Dreamcast and N64.
So which one should you actually buy? We have put them head to head across the things that genuinely matter — screen, battery, build, connectivity, software and price — to help you decide.
The Quick Answer
If you want the best value and the simplest experience, the R36S is hard to beat — it is cheaper, comes pre-loaded and ready to play, and ships with a free protective case. If you want a horizontal layout, premium buttons, WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI out, the Anbernic RG35XX H is the more feature-rich option.
Read on for the full breakdown of where each one wins.
Form Factor
This is the most immediately obvious difference. The R36S uses a vertical (portrait) layout, much like the original Game Boy. The RG35XX H uses a horizontal (landscape) layout, closer to a Game Boy Advance or a modern controller.
Neither is objectively better — it comes down to preference. The vertical R36S is brilliant for retro handheld systems and 2D classics, and slips neatly into a coat pocket. The horizontal RG35XX H feels more natural for action games and anything you would have played on a landscape system, and the wider grip is more comfortable for longer sessions for some people.
Screen
Here the two are remarkably close. Both handhelds use a 3.5-inch IPS display at 640x480 resolution. That is the sweet spot for retro emulation: pixel-art games from the SNES, Mega Drive and Game Boy Advance look crisp and vibrant, and the IPS panel means good colours and viewing angles on both.
In practice you will not see a meaningful difference in screen quality between them. Both are a big step up from the cheap, washed-out LCD screens you find on the very cheapest no-name handhelds.
Battery Life
The R36S packs a slightly larger 3500mAh battery, while the RG35XX H uses a 3300mAh cell. Both are rated for roughly 6+ hours of real-world gameplay, depending on screen brightness and how demanding the system you are emulating is.
The R36S's marginally bigger battery gives it a slight edge on paper, but in day-to-day use both will comfortably get you through a long journey or several evenings of play. Both charge over USB-C.
Build Quality & Controls
This is where the RG35XX H earns its keep. Anbernic has a strong reputation for build quality, and the RG35XX H delivers excellent button feel and a premium chassis. If tactile, clicky controls are a priority for you, it is a genuine highlight.
The R36S is no slouch either — it has a responsive D-pad, satisfying buttons and even dual analogue sticks, which is generous at its price. It feels solid in the hand, and it comes in eight colours so you can pick one that suits you.
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth & HDMI
This is the clearest win for the RG35XX H. It includes WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI out, while the standard R36S has none of these.
- WiFi lets you handle updates and certain online features without pulling the SD card.
- Bluetooth means you can pair wireless controllers and headphones.
- HDMI out lets you plug into a TV for big-screen play.
If those features matter to you but you prefer the R36S, note that the R36S Ultra adds WiFi and Bluetooth too — a useful middle ground that keeps the R36S form factor while closing the connectivity gap.
Software & Setup
Both devices run Linux-based custom firmware off a microSD card, and both support the popular community firmware projects if you want to tinker. For most people, though, the difference is how ready-to-go each is out of the box.
The R36S from GameBro arrives pre-loaded with over 40,000 games on a 128GB microSD card. You turn it on and start playing — no downloading, no setup, no faff. The RG35XX H is also supplied ready to play, but the R36S's curated, pre-loaded library is one of the things that makes it such an easy first handheld.
Emulation Power
Both handhelds sit in the same performance class. They handle the 8-bit and 16-bit eras flawlessly — NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Game Boy, GBA, arcade — and they do a great job with PS1. Push into the demanding stuff (Dreamcast, PSP, N64) and both will run lighter titles well while struggling with the heaviest ones.
The honest takeaway: neither is dramatically more powerful than the other for the systems they target. If you want a noticeable step up in emulation muscle for N64 and PSP, the R36S Ultra is the better choice than either of these two.
Price & Value
At £44.89, the R36S is one of the best-value retro handhelds you can buy in the UK — and that price includes the 128GB pre-loaded card and a free protective hardcase. The RG35XX H, with its premium Anbernic build and full connectivity, sits at a higher price point but rewards you with the extra features.
R36S vs RG35XX H: At a Glance
- Layout: R36S = vertical / RG35XX H = horizontal
- Screen: Both 3.5" IPS 640x480 (tie)
- Battery: R36S 3500mAh / RG35XX H 3300mAh (slight R36S edge)
- Build & buttons: RG35XX H wins on premium feel
- WiFi / Bluetooth / HDMI: RG35XX H wins (R36S Ultra also has WiFi/BT)
- Out-of-the-box simplicity: R36S wins (pre-loaded, free case)
- Price & value: R36S wins
Which Should You Buy?
Buy the R36S if you want the best value, the simplest plug-and-play experience, a vertical Game Boy-style layout, and you do not need WiFi or HDMI. It is the ideal first retro handheld and our number-one seller.
Buy the RG35XX H if you specifically want a horizontal layout, the very best button feel, and built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI out for TV play.
Buy the R36S Ultra if you want the R36S form factor plus WiFi and Bluetooth plus noticeably stronger emulation for N64 and PSP. It is the best all-rounder of the three.
Why Buy From GameBro?
A lot of budget handhelds online are clones shipped directly from China — cheap up front, but you can wait weeks for delivery, and faulty units are common. We keep every handheld in UK stock with fast 2–3 day delivery, free UK shipping and a 12-month warranty. If anything goes wrong, you have real UK-based support to fall back on.
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Browse All Handhelds →The Verdict
For most people, the R36S is the smarter buy: it is cheaper, simpler and comes ready to play with a free case. The RG35XX H is the pick if you want a horizontal layout and full connectivity — and the R36S Ultra splits the difference brilliantly.
Want to dig deeper before you choose? See our full R36S review, or compare the whole R36S line-up in our Top 3 Retro Handhelds Compared guide. When you are ready, head over to our shop to pick yours.
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