R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus 2026: Which Retro Handheld Wins?
Two of the most popular retro handhelds under $100 — the R36S ($79.99) and the Miyoo Mini Plus (~$69). Both run retro games. Both are under $100. But they are very different devices. iGC tested both for 30 days to give you the definitive answer.
⏱ Quick Verdict
| Spec | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$69 | 🏆 Miyoo (cheaper) |
| Screen Size | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS | Tie |
| Analog Sticks | Dual analog ✅ | No analog sticks | 🏆 R36S (critical for PS1/N64) |
| PS1 Compatibility | 97% ✅ | ~85% | 🏆 R36S |
| N64 Compatibility | 90% ✅ | ~40% (no analog) | 🏆 R36S (dual analog essential) |
| GBA Compatibility | 100% | 100% | Tie (both perfect) |
| SNES Compatibility | 100% | 100% | Tie (both perfect) |
| Build Quality | Plastic | Premium plastic ✅ | 🏆 Miyoo (better feel) |
| Portability | Pocket-sized | Ultra-compact ✅ | 🏆 Miyoo (smaller) |
| WiFi | No WiFi | WiFi built-in ✅ | 🏆 Miyoo |
| Battery Life | ~4.5h | ~5h | 🏆 Miyoo (slight edge) |
| Games Pre-loaded | 15,000+ ✅ | Varies by seller | 🏆 R36S (iGC version) |
🦧 R36S Wins These Systems
- PS1 — 97% vs Miyoo's ~85%
- N64 — 90% vs Miyoo's ~40%
- PSP — better dual-stick support
- Any game needing analog input
- 3D games from PS1/N64 era
🔵 Miyoo Mini+ Wins These Systems
- GBA — tied at 100%
- SNES — tied at 100%
- NES — tied at 100%
- Game Boy / GBC — tied
- 2D games (no analog needed)
| Design Factor | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Quality Feel | Standard plastic | Premium matte plastic ✅ | 🏆 Miyoo |
| Size | Compact | Ultra-compact ✅ | 🏆 Miyoo (fits any pocket) |
| Weight | ~200g | ~105g | 🏆 Miyoo (lighter) |
| Grip Comfort | Better grip ✅ | Small — cramped for adults | 🏆 R36S (adult hands) |
| Button Layout | Full controller layout ✅ | Compact layout | 🏆 R36S |
✅ You have adult-sized hands
✅ You want 15,000+ games pre-loaded
✅ You want dual analog sticks
✅ You're buying as a gift (better unboxing)
✅ You want the smallest possible device
✅ You want WiFi for online features
✅ You prefer premium build quality feel
✅ You have smaller hands
🦧 R36S Wins Overall — Dual Analog Is the Deciding Factor
The Miyoo Mini Plus is a great device — better build quality, smaller size, WiFi, and slightly cheaper. But the R36S wins the overall comparison because of one critical feature: dual analog sticks. For anyone who wants to play PS1 or N64 games properly, the Miyoo Mini Plus simply cannot compete. N64 games at 40% compatibility vs R36S's 90% is not a close contest.
If you only play GBA, SNES, and NES games, the Miyoo Mini Plus is a legitimate alternative. But for the broadest retro gaming experience — including the PS1 and N64 era — the R36S at $79.99 is the better choice for most buyers.
🦧 R36S — iGC Winner vs Miyoo Mini Plus · $79.99
Dual analog · 15,000+ games · PS1 97% · N64 90% · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers
→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Full R36S Review📖 See also: R36S vs Steam Deck · Best Under $100 · Is R36S Worth It?
