iGC Lab Comparison · R36S vs R36PRO · $50 Difference · July 2026
R36S vs R36PRO 2026: Which Should You Buy?
The R36PRO costs $50 more than the R36S. It has better N64 (90% vs 78%) and PSP (78% vs 61%). Is that worth $50? The iGC Editorial Team tested both. Here's the honest answer.
⏱ 30-Second Verdict
iGC Verdict
R36S for most · R36PRO for N64/PSP
Price Gap
$79.99 vs ~$129 (+$49)
N64
R36PRO wins: 90% vs 78%
PSP
R36PRO wins: 78% vs 61%
GBA / PS1
Identical: 100% / 97%
Value
R36S wins: 4.70/5 vs 4.21/5
$49
Price Difference
+12%
N64 Improvement
+17%
PSP Improvement
=
GBA & PS1 Same
🎯 Which Should You Buy?
🏆 Buy R36S ($79.99) If...
- Budget is under $100
- You mainly play GBA, SNES, NES, PS1
- N64 at 78% is acceptable
- You don't play PSP games
- You want the most proven device (2,837 reviews)
- Best value per dollar is priority
- Buying as a gift
✅ Buy R36PRO (~$129) If...
- N64 matters: GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda OoT
- PSP matters: God of War, Gran Turismo
- You want dual analog sticks for 3D games
- Budget allows $129
- You're upgrading from an R36S
- 90% N64 vs 78% is meaningful to you
The honest math: The R36PRO costs $49 more than the R36S. For that $49, you get: N64 from 78% to 90% (+12%), PSP from 61% to 78% (+17%), and dual analog sticks. GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 are identical on both devices. If you don't play N64 or PSP games, the R36PRO upgrade is not worth $49. If you do, it is.
🔄 R36S vs R36PRO — Full Comparison
| Spec | R36S ($79.99) | R36PRO (~$129) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$129 | 🏆 R36S |
| iGC Score | 4.70/5 | 4.21/5 | 🏆 R36S |
| Reviews | 2,837 | 66 | 🏆 R36S |
| GBA | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | — Identical |
| SNES | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | — Identical |
| PS1 | 97% · 60fps | 97% · 60fps | — Identical |
| N64 | 78% · 25–30fps | 90% · 30fps | ✅ R36PRO +12% |
| PSP | 61% | 78% | ✅ R36PRO +17% |
| Analog Sticks | Single | Dual | ✅ R36PRO |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS | — Same |
| Battery | ~4.2h | ~3.8h | 🏆 R36S |
| Chip | RK3326 | RK3326S | ✅ R36PRO (faster) |
📊 Compatibility Comparison
| System | R36S | R36PRO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBA | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | — Identical |
| SNES | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | — Identical |
| NES | 100% · 60fps | 100% · 60fps | — Identical |
| PS1 | 97% · 60fps | 97% · 60fps | — Identical |
| N64 | 78% · 25–30fps | 90% · 30fps | ⬆️ R36PRO +12% |
| PSP | 61% | 78% | ⬆️ R36PRO +17% |
| Sega Genesis | 100% | 100% | — Identical |
❓ R36S vs R36PRO FAQ
Is the R36PRO worth $50 more than the R36S?
Only if you play N64 or PSP games. The R36PRO improves N64 from 78% to 90% and PSP from 61% to 78%. GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 are identical on both. If you mainly play GBA and PS1, the R36S at $79.99 is the better value. If N64 games like GoldenEye or Mario 64 matter to you, the R36PRO is worth the extra $50.
What is the difference between R36S and R36PRO?
The R36PRO has a faster RK3326S chip (vs RK3326), dual analog sticks (vs single), better N64 (90% vs 78%), and better PSP (78% vs 61%). GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 performance is identical. The R36PRO costs ~$129 vs $79.99 for the R36S — a $49 difference.
Does the R36PRO play N64 games better than the R36S?
Yes. The R36PRO achieves 90% N64 compatibility vs 78% for the R36S. Popular N64 games like GoldenEye, Mario 64, Zelda OoT, and Banjo-Kazooie run better on the R36PRO. The R36PRO also has dual analog sticks which are required for proper N64 3D game control.
Which is better for GBA games — R36S or R36PRO?
Both are identical for GBA: 100% compatibility at locked 60fps. There is no reason to choose the R36PRO over the R36S for GBA gaming. Save $50 and get the R36S if GBA is your primary system.
R36S vs R36PRO — which has better value?
R36S has better value for most buyers. 4.70/5 vs 4.21/5, 2,837 reviews vs 66, $79.99 vs ~$129. The R36PRO only wins on N64 and PSP. For GBA, SNES, NES, and PS1 — which represent 80%+ of the retro library — both devices are identical. The R36S delivers more value per dollar.
R36S or R36PRO — Both iGC Tested
R36S: $79.99 · 4.70/5 · Best value · R36PRO: ~$129 · 4.21/5 · Better N64/PSP
→ Shop R36S — $79.99 R36PRO Full Review📖 See also: R36S Review · R36PRO Review · R36MAX Review
