Just received your R36S? Follow these essential first steps to get up and running safely and quickly.
Why this matters: The included SD card is notoriously unreliable and WILL fail, causing:
What to do:
Recommended SD Cards: See our SD Card Recommendations
Follow these steps in order for the smoothest setup experience:
Black screen? See our Boot & Display Troubleshooting Guide
Taking too long? If still booting after 15 minutes, try removing and reinserting the SD card, then power on again.
| Function | Hotkey Combination |
|---|---|
| Exit Game (Return to Menu) | SELECT + START (hold for 2 seconds) |
| Save State (Quick Save) | SELECT + R1 |
| Load State (Quick Load) | SELECT + L1 |
| Fast Forward | SELECT + R2 |
| RetroArch Menu (In-Game) | SELECT + X |
| Screenshot | SELECT + B |
| Volume Up/Down | SELECT + D-Pad Up/Down |
| Brightness Up/Down | SELECT + D-Pad Left/Right |
Once you've tested the stock firmware, you'll want to add your own game ROMs. Here's the basic process:
roms folder on the SD cardroms/gb for Game Boy, roms/psx for PlayStation)Important: ROMs must be placed in the correct system folder:
roms/nes - Nintendo Entertainment System (.nes)roms/snes - Super Nintendo (.smc, .sfc)roms/gb - Game Boy (.gb)roms/gba - Game Boy Advance (.gba)roms/psx - PlayStation 1 (.cue/.bin, .pbp, .chd)roms/n64 - Nintendo 64 (.z64, .n64)See our Performance Guide for a complete list of supported systems and file formats.
Works exactly like the original console - save within the game menu. These saves are stored in the game's save file.
saves/ folder (usually auto-synced)RetroArch feature that saves the exact game state at any moment - even mid-level!
Don't rely solely on save states! If you switch emulator cores or update firmware, save states may become incompatible. Always use in-game saves for long-term progress.
You now know the essentials to start gaming on your R36S. Here's what to explore next:
Complete step-by-step guide with unboxing, detailed setup, and advanced tips.
Read Full Tutorial →Replace stock firmware with ArkOS or Rocknix for better performance and features.
Firmware Guide →Which systems run best? Game compatibility lists and optimization tips.
Performance Guide →Best SD cards, screen protectors, cases, and upgrades for your R36S.
Accessories Guide →Black screen? Audio crackling? Performance issues? Find solutions here.
Troubleshooting Guide →A: Typically 4-6 hours depending on the system you're playing. PS1 and Dreamcast drain faster than NES or Game Boy. You can extend battery life by lowering screen brightness (SELECT + D-Pad Left).
A: No, the R36S does not have HDMI output. It's designed for portable play only.
A: Varies by system. Common formats: .nes, .smc/.sfc, .gb, .gba, .z64, .cue/.bin (PS1), .chd (PS1 compressed). See our Performance Guide for complete list.
A: Hold SELECT + START for 2 seconds. This is the most important hotkey to remember!
A: The R36S only has one set of controls, so true multiplayer isn't possible. However, you can play turn-based games with friends (passing the device).
A: We cannot provide ROM files. Legally, you should only use ROMs of games you physically own. Many homebrew and open-source games are freely available online.
If you take away only one thing from this guide, let it be this: the stock SD card WILL fail. Don't wait until you've invested hours into your games. Order a quality replacement now and flash custom firmware for the best experience.