R36S vs MIYOO Mini Plus 2026: Full Comparison — Which Should You Buy?
The R36S and MIYOO Mini Plus are the two most popular budget retro handhelds in 2026. Both run GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 games at perfect speed. Both cost under $100. But they are fundamentally different devices designed for different buyers. This is the complete iGC Lab comparison — every spec, every performance metric, every use case, and the honest verdict on which one is right for you.
Compared by the iGC Lab Team · Last updated: July 2026 · Based on extended testing of both devices
iGC #1 PICK — MOST BUYERS
R36S Definitive Edition
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
Preloaded · Dual analog · PSP support
Buy R36S →BEST FOR ENTHUSIASTS
MIYOO Mini Plus
⭐ 4.6/5 · Community Rating
~$69
No games · No analog · No PSP · OnionOS
Available via third-party retailers
⚡ Quick Verdict
✅ Buy the R36S if:
- You want preloaded games — play immediately
- You're a beginner or buying as a gift
- You want PSP game support
- You need dual analog sticks
- You want DS games (128GB version)
- You want the most proven device
- You don't want to source ROMs yourself
✅ Buy the MIYOO Mini Plus if:
- You already have your own ROM collection
- You want the most polished firmware (OnionOS)
- You want built-in WiFi without a dongle
- You mainly play NES/SNES/GBA games only
- You want the cheapest quality device (~$69)
- You're an experienced retro gaming enthusiast
- PSP gaming is not important to you
iGC Lab one-line verdict: The R36S wins for most buyers because it ships with thousands of preloaded games and supports PSP. The MIYOO Mini Plus wins for experienced enthusiasts who have their own ROM collection and want OnionOS's polished UI at a lower price.
📊 Full Specs Comparison
| Specification | R36S | MIYOO Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$69 | MIYOO |
| Processor | Allwinner H700 | Ingenic T618 | R36S |
| RAM | 1GB DDR3 | 256MB | R36S |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS 640×480 | 3.5" IPS 640×480 | Tie |
| Battery | 3,200mAh | 3,000mAh | R36S |
| Analog sticks | ✅ Dual | ❌ None | R36S |
| WiFi | USB dongle | ✅ Built-in | MIYOO |
| Preloaded games | ✅ Thousands | ❌ None | R36S |
| PSP support | ✅ Yes (mixed) | ❌ No | R36S |
| DS support | ✅ Yes (128GB) | ❌ No | R36S |
| Firmware | ArkOS (iGC configured) | OnionOS | MIYOO (UI) |
| Weight | ~175g | ~105g | MIYOO |
| Verified reviews | 2,837 @ 4.70★ | Community | R36S |
| iGC Lab-Tested | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | R36S |
Score: R36S wins 9 categories · MIYOO Mini Plus wins 3 categories · 1 tie
💾 Preloaded Games — The Critical Difference
This is the most important practical difference between the two devices. It determines whether you can play in 30 seconds or spend hours sourcing ROMs before your first game.
R36S — Preloaded
- ✅ NES — Complete library
- ✅ SNES — Complete library
- ✅ GBA — Complete library
- ✅ GBC / GB — Complete library
- ✅ PS1 — Major titles
- ✅ Sega Genesis — Complete
- ✅ N64 — Selected titles
- ✅ PSP — Selected (64GB) / Full (128GB)
- ✅ DS — Full library (128GB only)
Time to first game: 30 seconds
MIYOO Mini Plus — No Games
- ❌ NES — Must source ROMs
- ❌ SNES — Must source ROMs
- ❌ GBA — Must source ROMs
- ❌ GBC / GB — Must source ROMs
- ❌ PS1 — Must source ROMs
- ❌ Sega Genesis — Must source ROMs
- ❌ N64 — Must source ROMs
- ❌ PSP — Not supported
- ❌ DS — Not supported
Time to first game: Hours of setup
⚠ What "no preloaded games" means in practice: To play Pokémon Emerald on the MIYOO Mini Plus, you must: (1) find a ROM file online, (2) download it to your computer, (3) transfer it to the MIYOO's microSD card, (4) configure the emulator. This process requires technical knowledge and time. The R36S ships with Pokémon Emerald preloaded — press A and play.
⚡ Performance Comparison — Platform by Platform
| Platform | R36S | MIYOO Mini Plus | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| SNES | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| GBA | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| GBC / GB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| PlayStation 1 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| Sega Genesis | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both perfect — no difference |
| Nintendo 64 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | R36S better — more RAM advantage |
| PSP | ⭐⭐⭐ Mixed | ❌ Not supported | R36S only — MIYOO cannot run PSP |
| Nintendo DS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (128GB) | ❌ Not supported | R36S only — MIYOO cannot run DS |
✅ Performance summary: On the six classic platforms (NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, PS1, Genesis), both devices perform identically — perfect 60fps. The R36S wins on N64, PSP, and DS. The MIYOO Mini Plus cannot run PSP or DS games at all. If your gaming is exclusively NES/SNES/GBA/PS1, performance is a tie.
⚡ PSP Support — R36S Wins Decisively
This is the most significant capability difference between the two devices:
R36S PSP Support
- ✅ Patapon 1 & 2 — perfect
- ✅ LocoRoco 1 & 2 — perfect
- ✅ Tactics Ogre — perfect
- ✅ FF Tactics: War of the Lions — perfect
- ✅ Crisis Core: FF VII — very good
- ✅ Persona 3 Portable — very good
- ⚡ Monster Hunter FU — mixed
- ❌ God of War — struggles
MIYOO Mini Plus PSP Support
❌ Cannot run PSP games
The MIYOO Mini Plus's Ingenic T618 processor and 256MB RAM are insufficient for PSP emulation. No PSP games can run on the MIYOO Mini Plus regardless of settings.
💻 Firmware & Software
This is the one area where the MIYOO Mini Plus has a genuine advantage over the R36S:
R36S — ArkOS (iGC Configured)
- ✅ Pre-configured by iGC Lab
- ✅ Zero setup required
- ✅ EmulationStation front-end
- ✅ RetroArch backend
- ✅ Save states + fast forward
- ✅ RetroAchievements support
- ⚡ UI less polished than OnionOS
- ⚡ WiFi via USB dongle only
MIYOO Mini Plus — OnionOS
- ✅ Most polished firmware UI
- ✅ Built-in WiFi for updates
- ✅ RetroAchievements support
- ✅ Active community development
- ✅ Save states + fast forward
- ❌ Requires ROM sourcing
- ❌ More setup required
- ❌ No PSP/DS emulator
iGC Lab firmware verdict: OnionOS is genuinely the most polished firmware UI in the budget handheld space — cleaner menus, better organization, and more intuitive navigation than ArkOS. However, this advantage is only meaningful if you have your own ROM collection. The iGC pre-configuration of ArkOS eliminates the setup burden for R36S buyers — you don't need to know anything about RetroArch to enjoy the device.
🎮 Build Quality & Design
R36S Build
- Horizontal GBA-style form factor
- 155 × 70 × 18mm · ~175g
- Dual analog sticks — smooth, accurate
- D-pad — precise, clicky
- L1/L2/R1/R2 shoulder buttons
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- USB-C charging
- Screen protector pre-applied
MIYOO Mini Plus Build
- Vertical Game Boy-style form factor
- ~105g — significantly lighter
- No analog sticks — D-pad only
- D-pad — excellent, clicky
- L1/R1 shoulder buttons (no L2/R2)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- USB-C charging
- Built-in WiFi antenna
⚠ The analog stick difference matters: The MIYOO Mini Plus has no analog sticks — only a D-pad. This means it cannot play games that require analog input: PSP games, N64 games with camera control, and any game designed for dual-stick gameplay. The R36S's dual analog sticks significantly expand the playable library.
🔋 Battery Life Comparison
| Platform | R36S (3,200mAh) | MIYOO Mini Plus (3,000mAh) |
|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES | 8.0 hours | 7.5 hours |
| GBA | 7.5 hours | 7.0 hours |
| PS1 | 6.5 hours | 6.0 hours |
| PSP | 4.5 hours | N/A |
Battery life is similar between the two devices — the R36S has a slight advantage due to its larger 3,200mAh battery. Both deliver 7+ hours on GBA, which is excellent for a budget handheld.
🎯 Who Should Buy Which?
| Your situation | Buy this | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First retro handheld ever | R36S | Preloaded — play in 30 seconds, no setup |
| Buying as a gift | R36S | Ships ready to play — no ROM sourcing needed |
| Want to play Pokémon | R36S | All Pokémon Gen 1–3 preloaded |
| Want PSP games | R36S | MIYOO cannot run PSP games |
| Want DS games (HeartGold) | R36S 128GB | MIYOO cannot run DS games |
| Have own ROM collection | MIYOO | OnionOS + $10 cheaper |
| Want best firmware UI | MIYOO | OnionOS is the most polished budget firmware |
| Want built-in WiFi | MIYOO | Built-in vs USB dongle on R36S |
| Want lightest device | MIYOO | 105g vs 175g — significantly lighter |
| Absolute lowest price | MIYOO | ~$69 vs $79.99 — $10 cheaper |
🏆 Final Verdict: R36S vs MIYOO Mini Plus
For most buyers: R36S. The preloaded game library, PSP support, dual analog sticks, and 2,837 verified reviews make it the better choice for the vast majority of retro gaming buyers. The $10 price premium over the MIYOO is justified by the preloaded library alone — you're paying for thousands of games that are ready to play immediately.
For experienced enthusiasts: MIYOO Mini Plus. If you have your own ROM collection, want OnionOS's polished UI, and mainly play NES/SNES/GBA games, the MIYOO Mini Plus is an excellent device at a lower price. Its limitations (no PSP, no DS, no preloaded games) are not limitations for buyers who know exactly what they want.
The decisive question: Do you want to play in 30 seconds, or are you willing to spend hours setting up your device? If the former — buy the R36S. If the latter — the MIYOO Mini Plus is a capable alternative.
🏆 iGC PICK — MOST BUYERS
R36S Definitive Edition
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
Preloaded · PSP · Dual analog · Lab-Tested
Buy R36S →FOR ENTHUSIASTS WITH OWN ROMs
MIYOO Mini Plus
⭐ 4.6/5 · Community
~$69
OnionOS · Built-in WiFi · No games
Available via third-party retailers
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the R36S better than the MIYOO Mini Plus?
For most buyers, yes. The R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games, supports PSP and DS emulation, and has dual analog sticks. The MIYOO Mini Plus is better for experienced enthusiasts with their own ROM collection who want OnionOS's polished UI at a lower price.
Can the MIYOO Mini Plus play PSP games?
No. The MIYOO Mini Plus cannot run PSP games — its processor and RAM are insufficient for PSP emulation. If PSP gaming is important to you, choose the R36S ($79.99) or R36MAX ($99).
Does the MIYOO Mini Plus come with games?
No. The MIYOO Mini Plus ships with no preloaded games. You must source all ROM files yourself. The R36S ships with thousands of preloaded games — ready to play in 30 seconds.
Which is better for Pokémon — R36S or MIYOO Mini Plus?
The R36S is better for Pokémon. It ships with all Gen 1–3 Pokémon games preloaded (Emerald, FireRed, Gold, Silver, Crystal, and more). The 128GB version also includes Gen 4 DS games (HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum). The MIYOO Mini Plus ships with no Pokémon games and cannot run DS Pokémon games.
Is the MIYOO Mini Plus worth buying over the R36S?
Only if you're an experienced retro gaming enthusiast with your own ROM collection who specifically wants OnionOS's firmware and built-in WiFi. For beginners, gift buyers, Pokémon fans, and PSP gamers, the R36S is the better choice.
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