Expanding Your R36S: How to Add New Emulators to Your Retro Handheld

Yes! The R36S runs on Linux-based firmware, making it highly customizable. While it comes preloaded with popular emulators (e.g., RetroArch, PPSSPP), you can install additional ones to play niche consoles like Sega Dreamcast, Atomiswave, or even DOS games. Here’s how to do it safely and effectively.

1. How the R36S Handles Emulators

The device organizes emulators in two ways:

• RetroArch Cores: Integrated into the RetroArch frontend.
• Standalone Emulators: Separate apps (e.g., Flycast for Dreamcast, DuckStation for PS1).

Most users add new emulators by manually installing standalone binaries or RetroArch cores.

2. Step-by-Step: Adding a New Emulator

What You’ll Need

• A PC with a microSD card reader.
• The R36S’s TF1 (system) SD card.
• Emulator files compatible with ARM Linux (R36S uses a Rockchip RK3326 chip).

Method 1: Install Standalone Emulators

1. Download the Emulator:

   • Find ARM Linux builds for emulators like Flycast (Dreamcast) or DOSBox-Pure from trusted sources like:
     • GitHub (search for [emulator] + ARM build)
     • Emulation Wiki
   • Example: Flycast build for RK3326 devices here.

2. Transfer Files to the R36S:

   • Insert the TF1 SD card into your PC.
   • Navigate to /emulators/ and create a new folder (e.g., flycast).
   • Copy the emulator’s executable file (e.g., flycast.sh) and required libraries here.

3. Update EmulationStation:

   • Edit /emulationstation/es_systems.cfg to add your new system:
     xml

     Copy

     <system>  
       <name>dreamcast</name>  
       <fullname>Dreamcast</fullname>  
       <path>/roms/dreamcast</path>  
       <extension>.chd .gdi .cdi</extension>  
       <command>/emulators/flycast/flycast.sh %ROM%</command>  
     </system>  
     

4. Add ROMs and BIOS:

   • Place Dreamcast games in /roms/dreamcast/.
   • Copy BIOS files (e.g., dc_boot.bin) to /bios/.

Method 2: Add RetroArch Cores

1. Download Cores:

   • Grab ARM64 RetroArch cores from the Buildbot.
   • Example: Beetle Saturn (Sega Saturn).

2. Install the Core:

   • Copy the .so file (e.g., mednafen_saturn_libretro.so) to /retroarch/cores/.

3. Enable the Core:

   • Launch RetroArch on the R36S, go to Load Core > Install or Restore a Core, and select the new file.

3. Top Emulators to Add

1. Flycast: For Dreamcast/Naomi/Atomiswave games.
2. DuckStation: Faster than RetroArch’s SwanStation for PS1.
3. DOSBox-Pure: Play classic PC titles like Doom or SimCity.
4. Mupen64Plus-Next: Better N64 compatibility.

4. Troubleshooting Tips

• Permission Issues: Run chmod +x /emulators/[folder]/[emulator] via SSH.
• Missing Dependencies: Install libraries like lib32z1 using apt-get over SSH (if firmware allows).
• Crashes: Test different emulator builds (some ARM forks work better than others).

5. Risks to Avoid

• Bricking: Always back up your SD card before modifying files.
• Incompatible Builds: Use emulators compiled for ARM64 (RK3326 chip).
• Overloading Storage: The R36S has limited RAM—avoid heavy emulators like PS2 or GameCube.

6. Community Resources

• Retro Game Corps Guides: R36S Optimization Tips
• r/SBCGaming: User-tested emulator configs and troubleshooting.
• ArkOS Wiki: Compatibility insights (works for similar RK3326 devices).

Final Thoughts

With a little tinkering, the R36S can emulate 20+ systems beyond its out-of-the-box setup. Focus on lightweight emulators, keep your firmware updated, and join forums to share your discoveries!

What emulator are you adding first? Let us know in the comments! 🕹️

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