R36S Pokémon Games Guide 2026: Every Generation, Every Game
The iGC R36S ships with every classic Pokémon game preloaded — from the original Red and Blue through HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum. This is the complete guide to playing Pokémon on the R36S — which games to play first, the best play order, R36S-specific tips for save states and fast forward, legendary catching strategies, and everything you need to get the most out of the greatest Pokémon library ever assembled on a single device.
iGC Lab Pokémon Guide · Last updated: July 2026 · All games tested on iGC R36S
🏆 Pokémon Games on the R36S — Quick Reference
64GB — GEN 1–3 (10 GAMES)
- Red, Blue, Yellow (GBC)
- Gold, Silver, Crystal (GBC)
- Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald (GBA)
- FireRed, LeafGreen (GBA)
128GB — GEN 1–4 (16 GAMES)
- Everything on 64GB, plus:
- HeartGold, SoulSilver (NDS)
- Platinum (NDS)
- Diamond, Pearl (NDS)
🏆 The Definitive Pokémon Play Order on R36S
For First-Time Pokémon Players
- Pokémon Emerald (GBA) — The best Pokémon game. Start here, always.
- Pokémon FireRed (GBA) — The original Kanto journey, perfected.
- Pokémon Crystal (GBC) — The definitive Gen 2. Two regions, Red as final boss.
- Pokémon HeartGold (NDS) — 128GB only. The most beloved game in the series.
- Pokémon Platinum (NDS) — 128GB only. The definitive Sinnoh experience.
For Returning Pokémon Veterans
- Pokémon Emerald — The Battle Frontier will challenge even veterans. 100+ hours.
- Pokémon HeartGold — 128GB only. The complete Johto + Kanto experience.
- Pokémon Crystal — The original Gen 2 peak. Suicune's story.
- Pokémon Platinum — 128GB only. Distortion World + Battle Frontier.
- Pokémon Yellow — Pikachu follows you. The anime experience.
For Pokémon Completionists (All 16 Games)
Chronological by generation — the complete retro Pokémon experience:
- Red or Blue (GBC)
- Yellow (GBC)
- Gold or Silver (GBC)
- Crystal (GBC)
- Ruby or Sapphire (GBA)
- FireRed (GBA)
- LeafGreen (GBA)
- Emerald (GBA)
- Diamond or Pearl (NDS)*
- Platinum (NDS)*
- HeartGold (NDS)*
- SoulSilver (NDS)*
* 128GB version only
✅ R36S Advantages for Pokémon — What Changes Everything
💾 Save States Transform Pokémon
- Save before every legendary — never lose a Master Ball
- Retry boss battles without losing progress
- Explore dialogue choices without consequences
- Save before using one-time TMs
- Multiple save slots = multiple playthroughs
Shortcut: Select + R1 to save · Select + L1 to load
⚡ Fast Forward Eliminates Grinding
- 4x speed = egg hatching in 2 minutes (vs 8)
- 4x speed = EXP grinding 75% faster
- 2x speed = overworld travel instant
- 2x speed = battle animations instant
- 4x speed = Battle Frontier grinding manageable
Shortcut: Hold Select + R2 (2x) · Tap Select + R2 (4x toggle)
✅ The R36S Pokémon calculation: A full Pokémon Emerald playthrough including the Battle Frontier takes approximately 80 hours at normal speed. With 4x fast forward for grinding and 2x for travel, the same playthrough takes approximately 45–50 hours — without missing any content or story.
🏆 Pokémon Emerald — Complete R36S Guide
iGC #1 POKÉMON PICK
Pokémon Emerald (GBA)
System: GBA · Preloaded: Both versions · Length: 40–100+ hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pokémon Emerald is the best Pokémon game ever made and the most popular game on the R36S. It combines the best of Ruby and Sapphire, adds the Battle Frontier — the most challenging post-game content in the series — and delivers 100+ hours of content for completionists. The R36S's save states and fast forward transform the Emerald experience.
Emerald — R36S Tips
| Situation | R36S Strategy |
|---|---|
| Starter selection | Save state before choosing — reload to try different starters without restarting |
| Catching Rayquaza | Save state at the top of Sky Pillar — reload if Rayquaza faints or flees |
| Catching Groudon / Kyogre | Save state before each encounter — both are required for the story |
| Elite Four | Save state at the entrance — reload if you lose without wasting items |
| EXP grinding | 4x fast forward at Victory Road — fastest EXP in the game |
| Egg hatching | 4x fast forward while cycling on the Mauville bike path — hatch in 2 minutes |
| Battle Frontier | Save state before each Battle Factory round — reload on bad rental sets |
| Shiny hunting | Save state before entering grass — reload and re-enter to reset encounters |
Emerald — Essential Legendaries & Save State Locations
Rayquaza 🏆
Location: Sky Pillar, top floor
Save state: Before entering the room
Tip: Use Ultra Balls. Rayquaza has a low catch rate — expect 20+ attempts. Save state is essential.
Groudon & Kyogre
Location: Cave of Origin / Terra Cave
Save state: Before each encounter
Tip: Both are required for the story. Save Master Ball for Latios/Latias.
Latios / Latias
Location: Roaming Hoenn
Save state: Before using Master Ball
Tip: Use Master Ball on Latios/Latias — they flee every turn. No other reliable method.
Regice / Regirock / Registeel
Location: Sealed Chambers
Save state: Before each chamber
Tip: All three have low catch rates. Save state and use Timer Balls after 30+ turns.
🏆 Pokémon FireRed — Complete R36S Guide
iGC #2 POKÉMON PICK
Pokémon FireRed (GBA)
System: GBA · Preloaded: Both versions · Length: 25–50 hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pokémon FireRed is the definitive Kanto experience — the original Red and Blue rebuilt with Gen 3 mechanics, expanded post-game content in the Sevii Islands, and the full 151 Pokémon. If you grew up with the original games, FireRed is the perfect way to relive Kanto with modern quality-of-life improvements.
FireRed — R36S Tips
| Situation | R36S Strategy |
|---|---|
| Starter selection | Save state before Professor Oak — try all three starters before committing |
| Catching Mewtwo | Save state at Cerulean Cave entrance — Mewtwo is the hardest catch in the game |
| Elite Four | Save state before each trainer — reload if you lose a key Pokémon |
| Sevii Islands | 2x fast forward for island travel — significantly reduces backtracking time |
| Safari Zone | Save state before entering — reload if you run out of steps before catching target Pokémon |
| Grinding for Elite Four | 4x fast forward at Victory Road — reach level 55+ in 30 minutes |
FireRed — Legendary Save State Locations
Mewtwo
Cerulean Cave, B1F
Save at cave entrance
Zapdos
Power Plant
Save before the room
Articuno / Moltres
Seafoam / Mt. Ember
Save before each
🏆 Pokémon HeartGold — Complete R36S Guide
128GB ONLY — iGC #1 DS PICK
Pokémon HeartGold (NDS)
System: NDS · Preloaded: 128GB only · Length: 50–120+ hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pokémon HeartGold is the most beloved Pokémon game ever made. It rebuilds Gen 2 with Gen 4 mechanics — Pokémon follow you everywhere, two full regions (Johto + Kanto), and Red as the ultimate final boss. The 120+ hour completionist experience is the peak of the Pokémon series. On the R36S 128GB, it runs at very good speed with minor frame drops in demanding outdoor areas.
⚠ HeartGold performance note: HeartGold runs at 50–60fps on the R36S — very good but not locked 60fps. Minor frame drops occur in large outdoor areas (National Park, Safari Zone). These drops are brief and do not affect gameplay. The game is fully playable and enjoyable on the R36S.
HeartGold — R36S Tips
| Situation | R36S Strategy |
|---|---|
| Starter selection | Save state before Professor Elm — try Cyndaquil, Totodile, Chikorita before choosing |
| Catching Ho-Oh | Save state at the top of Tin Tower — Ho-Oh has a very low catch rate |
| Catching Lugia | Save state at Whirl Islands — Lugia is the hardest catch in HeartGold |
| Red battle | Save state at Mt. Silver entrance — Red's team is level 80–88, the hardest battle in the series |
| Roaming legendaries | Save state before using Master Ball — use it on Raikou, Entei, or Suicune (they flee every turn) |
| Kanto gym leaders | Save state before each gym — Kanto leaders are significantly harder than Johto |
| Grinding for Red | 4x fast forward at Mt. Silver — grind to level 75+ before facing Red |
HeartGold — Red's Team (The Final Challenge)
🔴 Red's Team — Mt. Silver
Lv. 88
Lv. 80
Lv. 82
Lv. 84
Lv. 84
Lv. 84
iGC tip: Save state at Mt. Silver entrance. Bring a team of level 75–80 Pokémon. Red's Pikachu has Light Ball — it will one-shot most Pokémon. Lead with a Ground-type to eliminate it first.
🏆 Pokémon Crystal — Complete R36S Guide
iGC #3 POKÉMON PICK
Pokémon Crystal (GBC)
System: GBC · Preloaded: Both versions · Length: 30–60 hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pokémon Crystal is the definitive Gen 2 experience — animated sprites, the Battle Tower, the ability to choose a female protagonist, and Suicune's expanded story. Two regions (Johto + Kanto), 251 Pokémon, and Red as the ultimate final boss. Crystal runs at perfect 60fps on the R36S — the IPS screen makes the animated sprites look stunning.
Crystal — R36S Tips
| Situation | R36S Strategy |
|---|---|
| Catching Suicune | Save state at Tin Tower — Suicune is stationary in Crystal (unlike Gold/Silver) |
| Catching Ho-Oh | Save state at the top of Tin Tower — requires all three Legendary Beasts first |
| Catching Lugia | Save state at Whirl Islands — Lugia is at level 40, bring Pokémon that can False Swipe |
| Red battle | Save state at Mt. Silver — same team as HeartGold but slightly lower levels |
| Battle Tower | Save state before each streak — reload on bad matchups to preserve win streaks |
🏆 Pokémon Platinum — Complete R36S Guide
128GB ONLY — iGC #2 DS PICK
Pokémon Platinum (NDS)
System: NDS · Preloaded: 128GB only · Length: 40–80+ hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pokémon Platinum is the definitive Sinnoh experience — the Distortion World, Giratina's Origin Forme, the Battle Frontier, and a significantly improved story over Diamond and Pearl. If you're playing Gen 4 on the R36S 128GB, play Platinum instead of Diamond or Pearl.
Platinum — R36S Tips
| Situation | R36S Strategy |
|---|---|
| Distortion World | Save state before Giratina — the Distortion World is a one-time event |
| Catching Giratina | Save state at the Distortion World entrance — Giratina is level 47 with a low catch rate |
| Cynthia battle | Save state before the Champion — Cynthia is the hardest Champion in the series |
| Dialga / Palkia | Save state at Spear Pillar — both are required for the story |
| Underground fossil hunting | 2x fast forward while digging — significantly reduces fossil hunting time |
💚 Gen 1 — Red, Blue, Yellow on the R36S
The original Pokémon games run at perfect 60fps on the R36S. The IPS screen makes the original Game Boy graphics look sharper than on original hardware. Here are the key differences between the three Gen 1 games:
Pokémon Red
Version exclusives: Ekans, Arbok, Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume, Mankey, Primeape, Growlithe, Arcanine, Scyther, Electabuzz
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Blue
Version exclusives: Sandshrew, Sandslash, Vulpix, Ninetales, Meowth, Persian, Bellsprout, Weepinbell, Victreebel, Magmar, Pinsir
✅ Preloaded — both versions
Pokémon Yellow ⭐
Pikachu follows you. Anime starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle all obtainable). The most charming Gen 1 experience.
✅ Preloaded — both versions
💡 Gen 1 iGC tip: Play FireRed instead of Red/Blue for the definitive Kanto experience — Gen 3 mechanics, expanded post-game, and better graphics. Play Yellow if you want the original Game Boy experience with Pikachu following you.
🎯 Legendary Catching — Complete Save State Strategy
Save states transform legendary catching from a frustrating RNG experience into a reliable, enjoyable process. Here's the complete strategy:
✅ The Universal Legendary Catching Method
- Save state (Select + R1) immediately before the legendary encounter
- Weaken the legendary to red HP using False Swipe or a weak attack
- Apply a status condition (Sleep or Paralysis) for better catch rates
- Throw Ultra Balls or Timer Balls (after 30+ turns)
- If the legendary faints or you run out of Pokéballs — load state (Select + L1) and retry
- Repeat until caught — no legendary is permanently lost
| Legendary | Game | Save State Location | Best Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rayquaza | Emerald | Top of Sky Pillar | Ultra Ball |
| Mewtwo | FireRed | Cerulean Cave entrance | Ultra Ball / Timer Ball |
| Ho-Oh | HeartGold / Crystal | Top of Tin Tower | Ultra Ball |
| Lugia | HeartGold / Crystal | Whirl Islands entrance | Ultra Ball |
| Raikou / Entei / Suicune | HeartGold / Crystal | Before using Master Ball | Master Ball (they flee) |
| Giratina | Platinum | Distortion World entrance | Dusk Ball / Ultra Ball |
| Dialga / Palkia | Platinum | Spear Pillar | Timer Ball |
⚡ Grinding Guide — Fast Forward Strategy
Fast forward is the most impactful feature for Pokémon grinding. Here are the best grinding locations for each game with fast forward:
Emerald — Best Grinding Spots
- Victory Road — Level 40–60, best EXP
- Elite Four rematch — Level 60–100, fastest
- Mauville City bike path — Egg hatching at 4x
- Battle Frontier — Use 4x for all battles
HeartGold — Best Grinding Spots
- Mt. Silver — Level 60–80, best for Red prep
- Victory Road (Kanto) — Level 50–70
- Elite Four rematch — Level 70–100
- Goldenrod City bike path — Egg hatching at 4x
FireRed — Best Grinding Spots
- Victory Road — Level 40–55, pre-Elite Four
- Cerulean Cave — Level 55–70, post-game
- Elite Four rematch — Level 70–100
Platinum — Best Grinding Spots
- Victory Road — Level 45–60, pre-Cynthia
- Mt. Coronet — Level 50–65
- Elite Four rematch — Level 65–100
- Solaceon Town — Egg hatching at 4x
All 16 Pokémon Games. Preloaded. Ready Now.
Every game in this guide is preloaded on the iGC R36S. Boot up and play in 30 seconds.
Gen 1–3 — 10 Pokémon games
64GB — $79.99 →Gen 1–4 — 16 Pokémon games
128GB — $89.99 →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Which Pokémon game should I play first on the R36S?
Start with Pokémon Emerald (GBA system). It's the best game in the series — the Battle Frontier, complete Hoenn story, and 100+ hours of content. After Emerald, play FireRed for the Kanto experience. If you have the 128GB version, HeartGold is the next essential game.
How do I catch legendaries without losing them on the R36S?
Press Select + R1 to save state immediately before the legendary encounter. If the legendary faints or you run out of Pokéballs, press Select + L1 to load the state and retry. No legendary is permanently lost when using save states.
How do I speed up grinding in Pokémon on the R36S?
Tap Select + R2 to toggle 4x fast forward. Use it during random battles, egg hatching, and overworld travel. 4x fast forward reduces grinding time by approximately 75% — what takes 8 hours at normal speed takes 2 hours at 4x.
Where are the Pokémon HeartGold and Platinum games on the R36S?
HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl are Nintendo DS games — they are in the NDS system on the R36S 128GB. Navigate to the NDS system on the main menu. These games are not available on the 64GB version.
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