What emulators are on R36s?

The R36S handheld console typically comes with several pre-installed emulators, allowing you to play games from a wide range of classic consoles. These emulators provide compatibility for retro games, from the 8-bit era all the way through to the PlayStation Portable (PSP). The specific emulators available may depend on the software version (such as the stock OS or custom OS like ArkOS), but here's a general list of common emulators you can expect on the R36S:

Common Emulators on the R36S:

  1. RetroArch (multi-system emulator):

    • RetroArch is a powerful, all-in-one emulator that supports a vast number of gaming consoles. It's a core-based system where you can add individual emulator cores for each system.
    • Supported consoles include:
      • NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)
      • SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
      • Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
      • Genesis/Mega Drive
      • PlayStation 1 (PS1)
      • Atari 2600
      • Neo Geo
      • MAME (for arcade games)
      • Sega Saturn
      • Nintendo 64 (N64)
      • And more…
  2. PPSSPP (PSP emulator):

    • This emulator allows you to play PlayStation Portable (PSP) games on the R36S. It's one of the most popular PSP emulators and offers great compatibility and performance.
    • You can run ISO or CSO game files from your microSD card.
  3. MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator):

    • MAME supports a large library of arcade games, from classic machines to more modern arcade systems.
    • It’s great for playing retro arcade titles, often supporting a range of game genres like fighting, shooters, and platformers.
  4. PCSX-ReARMed (PlayStation 1 emulator):

    • This emulator allows you to play PS1 games on the R36S.
    • ISO or BIN files for PS1 games are supported.
  5. FCEUX (NES emulator):

    • FCEUX is a highly compatible emulator for NES games. It supports a variety of ROM formats and has built-in features like debugging tools for hardcore users.
  6. Snes9x (SNES emulator):

    • This emulator allows you to play Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games on the R36S.
    • .smc or .sfc ROM files for SNES games work with Snes9x.
  7. Genesis Plus GX (Sega Genesis/ Mega Drive emulator):

    • A highly accurate emulator for playing Genesis (also known as Mega Drive) games, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and other classic Sega titles.
  8. GBA.emu (Game Boy Advance emulator):

    • This emulator allows you to play Game Boy Advance (GBA) games. It supports .gba ROM files.
  9. DOSBox (DOS games emulator):

    • If you're into PC gaming from the MS-DOS era (like old DOS games), the DOSBox emulator enables you to run those classic games on the R36S.
  10. Citra (Nintendo 3DS emulator, might require specific setup):

    • While it's more resource-intensive, Citra can emulate Nintendo 3DS games. If your R36S supports this emulator (depending on its specs and software version), you could play 3DS titles.

Customizable Emulators in ArkOS (if installed)

If you're using a custom OS like ArkOS, you may have even more options available, as it can include a variety of emulators for different systems. ArkOS also typically makes it easy to add more emulators or update existing ones through its settings.

Additional Emulators You Can Install:

If you'd like to expand your collection of emulators, you can manually install additional emulator cores through tools like RetroArch or by installing new apps for specific systems. Some additional emulators you may find useful include:

  • Drastic (Nintendo DS emulator)
  • Yuzu (Nintendo Switch emulator)
  • Dolphin (GameCube and Wii emulator)
  • Visual Boy Advance (GBA emulator)
  • ZSNES (alternative SNES emulator)

Installing ROMs:

After you’ve selected your emulator, you will need to add your game files (called ROMs) to the appropriate folders on your microSD card:

  • Create a folder named ROMs on your microSD card (if it doesn't exist).
  • Inside the ROMs folder, create subfolders for each system (e.g., NES, SNES, PSP, GBA, etc.).
  • Place the game files for each system in their corresponding folder.

Using Bluetooth Controllers with Emulators:

Many emulators support Bluetooth controllers. If you want to use wireless controllers, simply pair your Bluetooth device through the Settings and map the buttons through the emulator’s input options.


Conclusion:

The R36S is a powerful device for retro gaming with a wide variety of pre-installed emulators. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can play games from many classic consoles like NES, SNES, PlayStation 1, Game Boy, and even PSP. If you're using a custom OS like ArkOS, the options could be even greater, with support for more emulators and smoother performance.

Let me know if you need help setting up specific emulators or finding ROMs for your games!

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