Retro handheld with games included: do you add ROMs UK?

Do retro handhelds come with games already installed?

Some do, but not all retro handhelds come with games already installed, so it is one of the first things UK buyers should check. This week, T3 put retro-style gadgets back in the spotlight and noted that many retro gaming handhelds require buyers to add their own game ROMs on an SD card. That is normal in the wider handheld market, but it is not what every shopper wants.

If you want a retro handheld with games included, the important phrase is pre-loaded. On GameBro consoles, the games are already on the microSD card when the console arrives. You turn it on, choose a system, choose a game, and play. There is no account, no WiFi connection, and no subscription needed for normal play.

That matters if the console is a gift, a first retro handheld, or a simple nostalgia buy. We like tinkering with handhelds, but we also know most people buying one for SNES, GBA, PS1, Genesis or Arcade games do not want an evening of file transfers before they can play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Turtles in Time, Crash Bandicoot – The Huge Adventure or X-Men: Children of the Atom.

Why do some handhelds make you add ROMs yourself?

Some handhelds are sold more like empty emulation devices, so the buyer supplies their own ROM files and loads them onto an SD card. That can suit hobbyists who already have a curated library, know which folders each system uses, and are comfortable managing BIOS files, card formats and emulator settings.

For everyone else, it can be confusing. You may need a computer, a card reader, correctly named folders and a basic understanding of which files work with each emulator. If something does not show up, you are then troubleshooting the ROM, the folder, the SD card, the file type or the console itself.

That is why we separate two buying types. A setup project is fine if you enjoy the process. A ready-to-play console is better if you mainly want to hand it to someone and let them play Mario Party 3, Aladdin MD, Tetris 2+ bomb block or Arcade fighters without explaining file paths first. Our what’s included page is written for that exact question.

What is different about a GameBro preloaded handheld?

A GameBro preloaded handheld is set up before it reaches you, with games already on the microSD card and no setup required for normal play. Every console includes games pre-loaded, a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns, with free Standard Delivery taking 2–3 working days or Next Day Delivery available for £4.99.

The most popular option is the GameBro R36S (128GB), because it keeps the price low while still giving you a 3.5-inch IPS screen, 128GB storage and 40,000+ games across 20+ systems. It is rated 4.8 out of 5 from 200 reviews, and it is the model we usually point people to when they ask for a simple first handheld.

If you want a larger display, the GameBro R36S Max (128GB) has a 4-inch 720x720 IPS screen, a 4000mAh battery and pre-loaded games across 20+ systems. The GameBro R36S Ultra (128GB) also uses a square 4-inch 720x720 screen, which suits Game Boy, GBC and many Arcade games well, and it adds WiFi, although WiFi is not needed to play the pre-loaded games.

Which systems and games are usually included?

GameBro handhelds cover the classic systems most buyers are looking for, including NES, SNES, GB, GBC, GBA, PS1, Genesis and Arcade. The broader supported system list on the handhelds also includes N64, NDS, PSP, SMS, DC, GG, Atari, NGP, Neo Geo, WS, PCE and Lynx.

The exact game library can vary by model and card, but the appeal is that the console is not empty when it arrives. A sample of the pre-loaded library includes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Turtles in Time, Crash Bandicoot – The Huge Adventure, Aladdin MD, Tetris 2+ bomb block, X-Men: Children of the Atom, Virtual Pool 64, Toki Tori and Track & Field.

If you are choosing mainly for one system, screen shape matters as much as the game list. We have a separate guide to the best handheld for Game Boy games and another on the best retro handheld for SNES because GB, GBA, SNES and Arcade games all feel slightly different across 3.5-inch, 4-inch and square screens.

Do you still need WiFi, subscriptions or extra setup?

No, you do not need WiFi, a subscription or extra setup to play the pre-loaded games on a GameBro handheld. This is one of the simplest differences between a ready-to-play retro console and a modern digital storefront device.

The R36S and R36S Max do not have WiFi, but that does not stop you playing the games already on the microSD card. The R36S Ultra, RG35XX Plus and RG40XX V do have WiFi, but it is not required for normal offline play. If you want the fuller answer, we cover it in Do retro handhelds need WiFi?

• No WiFi needed: the pre-loaded games are stored locally on the card.
• No subscription needed: there is no monthly service to access the included games.
• No setup needed: you do not have to add ROMs before first play.
• Optional tinkering: advanced users can still manage files later if they choose, but it is not required to start.

Which preloaded retro handheld should you buy first?

Most people should start with the R36S if they want the simplest preloaded retro handheld UK buyers can pick up without spending time on setup. It has a familiar vertical shape, a 3.5-inch IPS 640x480 screen, 128GB storage, 40,000+ games across 20+ systems and a 3500mAh battery rated for 6+ hours.

Choose the R36S Max if you want a bigger 4-inch screen and 4000mAh battery while keeping the same no-setup approach. Choose the R36S Ultra if you like the square 4-inch screen for Game Boy and Arcade play, or if WiFi is useful to you for other features, while still not being needed to play the pre-loaded library.

If you specifically want Anbernic hardware with WiFi, Bluetooth and HDMI out, the RG35XX Plus and RG40XX V are the stronger fit. If your main question is simply “will it arrive with games and work out of the box?”, the R36S remains our plain answer at £49.99.

The verdict

If you want a hobby project, buying an empty retro handheld and adding your own ROMs can make sense. If you want a retro handheld with games included, the safer choice is a preloaded model that works as soon as it arrives, and for most UK buyers that starts with the R36S.

Read next: Do retro handhelds need WiFi or subscriptions to play?, Retro Handheld Buying Guide 2026: What Actually Matters, How to Add Games to Your R36S or Are Retro Gaming Handhelds Legal in the UK?.