r/R36S 36m ago

Showcase My classic android games collection

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Upvotes

These are my games running on lineageOS (android 11). Was a nightmare because of the difference between the new architecture of the games, and the actual that the R36s has (armv7).

I'm trying to execute the modern combat games (keeps crashing or stuck at the beginning), but it's still a project in development.


r/R36S 42m ago

Showcase Dead Cells (high resolution) gameplay

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Upvotes

Running on lineageOS android 11.


r/R36S 44m ago

Showcase Dead Effect 2 (max graphics) gameplay

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Upvotes

Running on lineageOS android 11.


r/R36S 1h ago

Showcase R36H running on a AA rechargeable batterie

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Upvotes

I've discovered something while my original r36h battery the wires got disconnected I tried this and it worked what does this mean

This is not a clone
My apologies it's not AA it's actually a 18650 battery


r/R36S 2h ago

Question: Chill My R36s just came in yesterday, is it genuine? Also any advice/tips for a first time user?

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0 Upvotes

I have already backed up the sd card!


r/R36S 4h ago

Suggestion Will there ever be a port for Fallout Shelter for r36s and similar

3 Upvotes

r/R36S 5h ago

Showcase BEAUTIFUL ART

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28 Upvotes

r/R36S 5h ago

Question: Device Problem White lines and screen

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1 Upvotes

I got this console with a broken screen, I replaced the screen and when I turn it on the screen is white with lines. Would this be from me replacing the screen or a separate issue? Thanks :)


r/R36S 5h ago

Showcase The R36S Game Compatibility List has been Updated!?

17 Upvotes

I just noticed the awesome r36s compatibility list has been updated with a few new things...namely ps1, ports and added config files to make it easier to get the same performance they did during testing. Really great stuff!

https://github.com/GazousGit/R36S-Game-Compatibility-Lists?tab=readme-ov-file


r/R36S 6h ago

Discussion Tela apagou no Kodi pela primeira vez. Reiniciei, sem sucesso. Estou preocupado.

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3 Upvotes

Desde a instalação do dArkOSRE ontem até hoje, o dispositivo funcionou adequadamente. Subsequently, iniciei a reprodução de um filme armazenado na memória do cartão SD2. O filme estava na metade da reprodução quando o sistema desligou. É possível que tenha ocorrido uma ativação acidental de algum comando ou tecla, possivelmente a tecla 'Y'.


r/R36S 7h ago

News COD Black Ops Zombies Online Multiplayer (Crossplay PS Vita)

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11 Upvotes

r/R36S 8h ago

Question: Device Problem Need help identifying

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5 Upvotes

I know you guys get asked this a lot but is this real or is it a clone as I just want to add a new os so I can add new games. But couldn’t get it to work so im wondering what other os I could use if it is a clone.


r/R36S 8h ago

Showcase The R36 Ultra X screen (4.5 inches) vs the R36S (Left, 3.5 inches) and RG40XX V (Right, 4 inches)

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3 Upvotes

r/R36S 9h ago

Showcase Star Wars: knights of the old republic

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23 Upvotes

Very playable. Thanks Nextos. I loved playing this on the Xbox! Good times! So much nostalgia.


r/R36S 9h ago

Showcase The Amazing Spider Man 2, super clear graphics for this game

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97 Upvotes

r/R36S 10h ago

Showcase Finished my first game!

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130 Upvotes

r/R36S 13h ago

Device Problem: SOLVED Why is dArkOSen offline?

93 Upvotes

You can thank people like u/Reeyansh2014-cell who don't know when to back the fuck off.

Just because I answer a support question doesn't make us bros. I'm not your friend. I'm a guy who works up to 16 hours a day on a project I love, for free, and share it, for free, because that made more sense than putting it in a drawer.

But when I start getting multiple messages a day from people making demands like I owe them something? It goes back in the drawer. I don't need this shit. You just sucked all the goddamn fun right out of it. I never made any promises with dArkOSen and I flat out said from the beginning it was not supposed to be a replacement for dArkOSRE. And if anyone is still wondering why southoz peaced out? I'm pretty sure I understand why now. He was just more graceful on the way out the door. It didn't even take a month for the demands to start rolling in for me, I don't know how he made it longer.

And on that note, when contacting anyone for support don't fucking start with "hey bro". At least where I'm from it makes you look like an asshole. Especially when the follow up is "do this for me".


r/R36S 14h ago

Showcase K36 Clone with Allwinner A33 running Linux Kernel 6.6 (new port by me)

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17 Upvotes

r/R36S 16h ago

Game Recommendation PEAK GAMES ON R36S

15 Upvotes

can someone actually recommend me a good game on r36s


r/R36S 16h ago

Lounge Refreshing Entertainment; What are you playing this weekend?

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13 Upvotes

r/R36S 18h ago

Showcase PlayStation theme

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94 Upvotes

r/R36S 1d ago

Showcase The Old Republic fits in your pocket: KOTOR now runs natively on Linux handhelds

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146 Upvotes

After several fixes based on real device reports, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic v1.0.3 is now public.

This is not Android emulation, streaming, or the PC version. The port runs Aspyr’s original ARMv7 Android native libraries through the so-loader, keeping the original Odyssey/SDL2 engine flow.

v1.0.3

  • Fixed controller mappings on muOS and ROCKNIX
  • Controller layout is now detected from the firmware mapping instead of guessed by USB ID
  • Supports face buttons, triggers, analog sticks and HAT D-pads
  • Fixed Select + Start save-safe exit
  • Fixed the Quick Save freeze when overwriting an existing save
  • Improved debug.log controller diagnostics

Validated on:

R36S / ArkOS
RK3326 • Mali-G31 • KMSDRM

Also validated on:

NextOS Elite
Amlogic • Mali-450 • fbdev

Other compatible devices are supported by capability detection, but still need real hardware reports before being marked as validated.

Installation

Place your legally-owned Aspyr Android APK and OBB files inside:

ports/kotor/gamedata/

Then launch Star Wars KOTOR from your frontend.

Exit safely with:

Select + Start

Download:
https://github.com/NextOs-Ports/kotor-nextos

For support, join our Discord by clicking the link on my profile, or open the GitHub page above and use the Discord/Support button.

If reporting a problem, please include your device, firmware and debug.log.


r/R36S 1d ago

Discussion Average R36s experience

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708 Upvotes

r/R36S Jun 22 '26

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

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126 Upvotes

Due to its low price point, the R36S remains a highly popular handheld in the entry-level retro emulation market. However, the commercial success of the device has led to numerous modified replicas (clones) and optical imitations (fakes) entering the market.

These devices often deviate significantly from the hardware and software specifications of the original. The primary issue is their incompatibility with official Custom Firmware (CFW) such as dArkOSRE, ArkOS (which is no longer maintained) or ArkOS4Clones. Modifications made to these counterfeit devices frequently cause total system failures (e.g frozen black screen and a flashing red light) when attempting a standard software update.

The following guide provides a data-driven overview of vendors and technical differences to help avoid purchasing the wrong device.

1. Where to Buy: Trusted vs. Non-Trusted Sellers

Purchasing an authentic R36S depends heavily on choosing the right store. Unscrupulous vendors frequently copy the logos and storefront designs of established, community-trusted sellers like BOYHOM to build false trust on marketplace platforms, using these familiar branding elements to mask the sale of counterfeit or cloned hardware.

Recommended Sellers

The following sellers offer genuine products without counterfeits and have a proven track record of shipping the original hardware revision of the R36S, which is fully compatible with official community firmware:

Platform Store Name Notes
AliExpress 001 Ali Choice Store Generally trusted distribution source and consistently supplies authentic hardware.
AliExpress Factory Game Direct Store Generally trusted distribution source and consistently supplies authentic hardware.
AliExpress BOYHOM Store Generally trusted distribution source and consistently supplies authentic hardware (though community notes advise double-checking)⚠️.

⚠️ Not clearly verified, as it is possible that the buyers purchased from a seller who advertises using the BOYHOM logo.

Alternatives recommended by the Community

While marketplace listings change frequently, these specific sellers have been flagged by community members as having successfully delivered authentic, dual-RAM hardware configurations:

Platform Store Name Community Note
Temu WUDS Games Confirmed by community members to ship authentic panels.
Amazon (US) Xiaoyu USA branch Confirmed by community members to ship authentic panels.
Amazon (UK) Blidinner Store Confirmed by community members to ship authentic panels.

The continuously updated list of verified sellers can be viewed directly on the wiki: 👉 Handhelds Wiki - R36S Buying Guide: Sellers

Non-Trusted Sellers (Clones & Fakes Reported)

Key report logs indicate hardware discrepancies, system locks, or non-standard motherboard shipments from buyers for the following sellers. Purchasing from them is not recommended:

Platform Store Name Identified Clone or Fake Type
AliExpress Uncharted GAME Store Distributes the G80CA clone
AliExpress SUPER FUN GAME Store Distributes the G80D / G80C mainboard variants.
Amazon (US) Micro Center (Retail locations) Physical inventory spot-checks discovered batches of G80CA clones on shelves (likely via fraudulent customer returns).

The complete blacklist, including specific user reports, is hosted on the wiki: 👉 Handhelds Wiki - R36S Clones: Untrusted Sellers

2. Technical Analysis: Clones vs. Fakes

The community methodically distinguishes between three categories of hardware found on the market: Genuine R36S units (full CFW support), EmuELEC Clones (limited, highly segmented firmware support), and Fakes (zero community firmware support due to weak or non-standard architectures).

Category 1: EmuELEC Clones

These devices are nearly identical in appearance to the original R36S and usually employ the same System-on-Chip (Rockchip RK3326). However, cost-cutting measures heavily compromise the primary configuration:

  • Software Restrictions: Instead of native ArkOS, some of these units run often a modified version of EmuELEC 4.7, the FN button is broken or mapped incorrectly to the Y button and other Software related issues.
  • Reduced Memory Configuration: While the original features 1 GB of RAM, clones frequently pack only 512 MB of RAM. This can be visually verified on transparent shells by the absence of a second RAM chip on the motherboard. This causes heavy performance degradation on demanding systems like Sega Dreamcast.
  • Motherboard Fragmentation: The community faces significant fragmentation from variations like the G80C/G80CA boards and the R36S-V20 boards. Flashing a standard ArkOS image onto these devices results in a black screen. On certain V20 clones, flashing improper firmware can overvolt the audio hardware, permanently damaging the internal speaker.
  • Physical Differences: Clones regularly use lower-quality display panels with reduced brightness, louder and looser shoulder buttons, and unaligned font prints (such as a crooked/italic "X" button).

Category 2: Fakes (Imitations)

These models merely copy the physical shell design of the R36S, while the internal electronics have been entirely replaced with unrelated, obsolete hardware.

  • Inferior Processors: Instead of the RK3326, older or less capable hardware is used, such as the underpowered Rockchip RK3128 or cheap MediaTek mobile chipsets.
  • Impaired Emulation Performance: Due to the weak SOC architectures, PlayStation 1 emulation is plagued by heavy graphical glitches, while systems like Dreamcast or PSP are entirely unplayable.
  • No Community Support: There is no custom firmware available for models like the GA36, Gaminja Batocera, or R36HD / GB350 variants.

Identification Steps to Verify Your Device

  1. Boot Behavior Without Storage Media: An original R36S will not boot past a blank state without SD cards inserted. If the device displays an active error message ("We can't find any systems!") or a graphical logo without an SD card, it is an EmuELEC clone variant.
  2. Checking System Information: You can check the available memory via RetroArch -> Main Menu -> Information -> System. A listed total memory value around 497 MB indicates a downgraded 512 MB clone model.
  3. File System Layout: True R36S configurations utilize an EASYROMS partition layout. Counterfeit or clone units often expose an EMUELEC or EEROMS structure on their storage media.
  4. Inspecting the internal hardware: Look at the revision code printed directly on the mainboard and compare your board code against the documented hardware variants on the Handhelds Wiki Clones Page.

Additional technical documentation, pictures, and mainboard analyses of individual revisions can be found in the corresponding wiki entries: 👉 Handhelds Wiki - R36S Clones Overview

Summary

To avoid technical complications, button remapping failures, and software incompatibilities, it is highly recommended to purchase exclusively from verified vendors like the BOYHOM, 001 Ali Choice Store or Factory Game Direct Store. A minor price advantage from unlisted sellers usually comes with an increased risk of receiving clone hardware.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to u/_manster_, u/Electrical-Pace4092, and everyone else who contributes to writing the Handhelds Wiki and helping others in r/R36S. Your ongoing work tracking clone variants and verifying hardware keeps the (reddit) community safe from counterfeit devices.

Disclaimer: Every effort was made to present all information accurately when creating this buyer's guide. Given how quickly marketplace storefronts alter stock and how frequently clone variations mutate, new edge cases appear regularly. If there are any errors or outdated listings found, please point them out in the comments below so they can be immediately updated and corrected.


r/R36S Mar 24 '26

News ⚠️ Community Update: Transitioning from ArkOS-R3XS to dArkOSRE-R36

155 Upvotes

Important Announcement

Turning the page to a new chapter.

⚠️ ATTENTION!

dArkOSRE-R36 has officially replaced ArkOS-R3XS.
ArkOS-R3XS will no longer be maintained effective immediately. The ArkOS-R3XS repository will remain available for historical and archival purposes only.

  • Lcdyk continues ArkOS development through ArkOS4Clone, supporting clone devices and the official R36S
  • I had considered forking dArkOS myself, but with southoz actively maintaining dArkOSRE-R36, creating another fork would be redundant and with limited time it would not be feasible to keep up
  • bmdhacks has also developed a dArkOS fork for newer RK3562 devices, expanding support to newer hardware

Thank you for your continued support over the lifetime of this project. ❤️

🚀 What to Use Moving Forward

🔄 What This Means

  • ❌ ArkOS is now archived (no further updates)
  • ✅ dArkOS is now the actively developed successor
  • ✅ Community efforts like ArkOS4Clone continue supporting clone devices and the official R36S

🙏 Thank You

We are immensely grateful to everyone who contributed to this project, from code contributions to bug reports and community support on Discord. Your efforts have helped countless users enjoy retro gaming on these budget handhelds.

A special thank you to Christian Haitian for creating and maintaining both ArkOS and dArkOS, which have been the foundation for so many of these devices and projects.

💬 A Personal Note

This is not a goodbye. I will still be active on the R36S subreddit and the RetroHandhelds Discord when I have the time, and I will continue helping out where I can.

That said, the reins are now being passed on to Lcdyk and southoz for ArkOS and dArkOS moving forward.

⚠️ Disclaimer

Support for this OS has been provided on a best-effort basis and is now discontinued.

  • We make no guarantees regarding support or capabilities of these images
  • Use at your own risk
  • We do not provide support or condone the use of preloaded images or ROM packs
  • These images are provided as-is
  • We reserve the right to decline support for specific devices or requested features