How do I access emulator settings on R36S?

Press L+R+Start while in game to open RetroArch quick menu. Access core options, save states, screen settings from there.

What is your return policy?

We offer a 30-day hassle-free return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us at support@igameconsole.com and we will make it right.

🛠 Tutorial ANBERNIC Under 100

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

Q: How do I save my game on the R36S?

Two ways: in-game save using normal save system, or save states with L+R+Start to save anywhere, L+R+Select to load. Use both for maximum safety.

Q: How do I fast-forward on the R36S?

Hold R button to fast-forward at 2-4x speed. Works in most emulators. Release R for normal speed.

i

iGC Editorial Team

Retro Gaming Expert · Tested 47+ Handhelds

· Aug 02, 2026 5 min read Updated Aug 2026 Lab-Tested & Verified

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

How We Test

Our team has hands-on tested 47+ retro handheld consoles over 2,000+ hours. Every device is evaluated on real-world performance — not spec sheets. We buy, test, and verify before we recommend.

47+ Devices Tested

2,000+ Testing Hours

8,000+ Verified Reviews

5+ Years Experience

Every handheld we review goes through our standardized 7-point evaluation framework. We test each device for a minimum of 40 hours across multiple emulation platforms before publishing our verdict.

✓ Build quality & durability

✓ Emulation accuracy & compatibility

✓ Battery life (real-world)

✓ Screen quality & brightness

✓ Button feel & ergonomics

✓ Heat management

✓ Value for money

✓ Out-of-box experience

iGC Setup Guide · Step-by-Step · August 2026

R36S ArkOS Setup Guide 2026: First Boot, Settings & Best Configuration

Your R36S arrives with ArkOS pre-installed and 15,000+ games ready. But a few key settings will dramatically improve your experience. This is iGC's complete setup guide — from first boot to optimal configuration in under 15 minutes.

⏱ Setup Overview

Setup Time

~15 minutes

Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Firmware

ArkOS (pre-installed)

Steps

8 key steps

Tools Needed

None — just the device

Result

Optimal gaming setup

🔬 Written by iGC Editorial Team | 📅 August 2026 | 🎮 Tested on iGC R36S | ⭐ Beginner-friendly guide

Jump To Section

First Boot Display Settings Save States Best Settings Emulators FAQ

15min

Setup Time

8

Key Steps

50+

Emulators

15,000+

Games Ready

🔋 Step 1–3: First Boot

Step 1

Charge Before First Use

Connect USB-C and charge for at least 30 minutes before first boot. The battery indicator shows charging status. A full charge takes ~2 hours. You can use any USB-C cable — no proprietary charger needed.

Step 2

Power On — Hold the Power Button

Hold the power button for 2–3 seconds until the screen lights up. ArkOS will boot in approximately 15–20 seconds. You'll see the iGC/ArkOS boot screen, then the main game menu. All 15,000+ games are immediately accessible.

Step 3

Navigate the Main Menu

Use the D-pad to scroll through game systems. Press A to select. Press B to go back. Press Start to access system settings. The main menu shows all available emulators organized by system (GBA, SNES, PS1, N64, etc.).

📱 Step 4: Display Settings (Important)

Step 4 — Critical

Set Brightness to 50–60%

Default brightness is often 100% — this drains battery fast. Press Start + Volume Up/Down to adjust brightness. iGC recommends 50–60% for the best balance of battery life and visibility. At 50%, you gain ~1.4h extra battery vs max brightness.

Setting Default iGC Recommended Why Brightness 100% 50–60% +1.4h battery life Screen Filter None GBA Color Correction Authentic GBA colors Integer Scale Off On Sharper pixel art Audio Volume 80% 60–70% Saves ~10% battery Sleep Timer Off 5 minutes Saves battery when idle

💾 Step 5: Save States — Your Most Important Feature

Step 5

Learn Save States (L+R+Start / L+R+Select)

Save states let you save your game at any point — not just at in-game save points. This is the most important feature for retro gaming. L+R+Start = Save state. L+R+Select = Load state. You can have multiple save slots per game. Never lose progress again.

✅ Pro tip: Use save states aggressively. Before a hard boss, save state. Before a risky jump, save state. This makes retro games much more enjoyable for modern players who don't have time to replay long sections. Save states don't affect the in-game save system — use both.

⚙️ Step 6–7: Best Settings by System

Step 6 — GBA Settings

GBA: Enable Color Correction

In the mGBA emulator settings, enable Color Correction: GBA. Original GBA had a darker screen — games were designed with this in mind. Color correction makes colors look as the developers intended. Also enable Integer Scale for sharp pixels.

Step 7 — PS1 Settings

PS1: Enable Dithering Off + Texture Filtering

In the PCSX-ReARMed settings: set Dithering: Off for cleaner visuals. Enable Enhanced Resolution if available. PS1 games look significantly better with these settings. For 3D games, also enable Bilinear Filtering to smooth textures.

🎮 Step 8: Best Emulator for Each System

System	Best Emulator	Notes
GBA	mGBA	Best accuracy, color correction support
SNES	Snes9x	Best compatibility, fast
NES	FCEUmm	Most accurate NES emulator
PS1	PCSX-ReARMed	Best PS1 performance on R36S
N64	Mupen64Plus	Best N64 compatibility
Sega Genesis	Genesis Plus GX	Perfect accuracy
Game Boy / GBC	Gambatte	Most accurate GB/GBC emulator

💡 Note: The iGC R36S comes with all emulators pre-configured with good default settings. The tips above are for users who want to optimize further. Out of the box, all games are playable immediately without any configuration.

❓ ArkOS Setup FAQ

How do I save my game on the R36S?

Two ways: 1) In-game save — use the game's normal save system (save points, save rooms, etc.). 2) Save states — press L+R+Start to save at any moment, L+R+Select to load. Save states work in any game at any time. iGC recommends using both methods for maximum safety.

How do I fast-forward on the R36S?

Hold the R button while playing to fast-forward at 2–4x speed. This works in most emulators. Fast-forward is useful for grinding, long text sequences, and repetitive sections. Release R to return to normal speed. The exact button may vary by emulator — check the emulator's quick menu (L+R+Start) for controls.

How do I access the emulator settings on R36S?

While in a game, press L+R+Start to open the RetroArch quick menu. From here you can access core options, save states, load states, screen settings, and all emulator configuration. Press B to go back. Press Start to return to the game.

🎮 R36S — Pre-configured & Ready to Play · $79.99

ArkOS pre-installed · 15,000+ games · Zero setup · 4.70★ from 2,837 buyers

→ Shop R36S — $79.99 Full R36S Review

📖 See also: Best Pokemon on R36S · Battery Life Test · R36S Full Review

Side-by-Side Comparison

Device	Screen	Battery	Emulation	RAM	Price
R36S Definitive Edition Best Pick	3.5" IPS	3000mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / N64	1GB	$79.99 $114.99 ↓30% OFF	Shop Now
R36MAX Classic Edition	4.0" IPS	3200mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / N64	1GB	$109.00 $154.99 ↓30% OFF	View
R36PRO Open Source Edition	3.5" IPS	3000mAh / 6h	PS1 / GBA / PSP	1GB	$129.00 $179.99 ↓28% OFF	View

* Prices and specs verified as of July 2026. Subject to change.

⚡ Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated

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Plug & play. Pre-loaded. Ships in 24hrs. 30-day returns.

Free US Shipping 30-Day Returns ⭐ 4.70 · 2,837 Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The R36S remains the best retro handheld under $100 in 2026. It handles PS1, GBA, and N64 flawlessly out of the box, with a 3,000mAh battery and comfortable grip. For the price, nothing comes close.

The R36S can emulate Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PS1, and N64. It comes pre-loaded with thousands of classic games across these platforms.

In our testing, the R36S delivers 5-7 hours of continuous gameplay on a full charge, depending on screen brightness and the emulation platform being used.

Yes. We ship to 77+ countries worldwide. US orders ship within 24 hours from our domestic warehouse. International orders typically arrive within 7-14 business days.

We offer a 30-day hassle-free return policy. If you are not satisfied for any reason, contact us at [email protected] and we will make it right.

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