R36S 64GB vs 128GB: Which Version Should You Buy? (2026 Guide)
The iGC R36S comes in two versions — 64GB at $79.99 and 128GB at $89.99. The $10 difference is not about storage capacity alone. It's about which games are preloaded. The 64GB version covers every classic retro platform perfectly. The 128GB version adds Nintendo DS games — including Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum — plus a larger PSP library. This guide tells you exactly what's on each version and which one is right for you.
Official iGC Buying Guide · Last updated: July 2026
BEST FOR MOST BUYERS
R36S 64GB
$79.99
Gen 1–3 Pokémon · GBA/SNES/PS1/NES
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
Buy 64GB — $79.99 →BEST FOR POKÉMON & PSP FANS
R36S 128GB
$89.99
All Gen 1–4 Pokémon · Full PSP library
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
Buy 128GB — $89.99 →⚡ Quick Answer
✅ Buy 64GB ($79.99) if:
- You mainly play GBA, SNES, NES, or PS1
- Pokémon Gen 1–3 is your focus
- You want the absolute best value
- Buying as a gift for a child or casual gamer
- PSP gaming is not a priority
- You don't need HeartGold / Platinum
⭐ Buy 128GB ($89.99) if:
- You want Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver / Platinum
- You want a larger PSP game library
- You want Nintendo DS games preloaded
- You're a serious retro gaming enthusiast
- You want the most complete library possible
- $10 more is not a concern
iGC Lab recommendation: If you're unsure, buy the 128GB. For $10 more, you get HeartGold/SoulSilver, Platinum, and a significantly larger PSP library. You'll never wish you had fewer games — but you might wish you had more.
📊 What's Actually Different
| Feature | 64GB — $79.99 | 128GB — $89.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $89.99 |
| Hardware (all specs) | Identical | Identical |
| NES / SNES / GBA / PS1 | ✅ Full library | ✅ Full library |
| Pokémon Gen 1–3 (GBA/GBC) | ✅ All preloaded | ✅ All preloaded |
| Pokémon Gen 4 (DS) | ❌ Not included | ✅ HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum |
| Nintendo DS games | ❌ Not included | ✅ Full DS library |
| PSP games | Selected titles | ✅ Full PSP library |
| N64 games | ✅ Selected | ✅ More titles |
| Free storage remaining | ~8–12GB | ~15–20GB |
✅ Key insight: The hardware is 100% identical between both versions — same processor, RAM, screen, battery, and build quality. Performance on shared platforms (GBA, SNES, PS1) is identical. The only difference is the microSD card and preloaded game library.
💾 What's Preloaded on the R36S 64GB
The 64GB version covers every classic retro platform comprehensively. If your gaming interests are primarily pre-2000 consoles, the 64GB has everything you need.
| System | Coverage | Notable Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Game Boy Advance (GBA) | ✅ Complete | Pokémon Emerald, FireRed, Zelda, Metroid, FF6 |
| Game Boy Color (GBC) | ✅ Complete | Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Red, Blue, Yellow |
| Super Nintendo (SNES) | ✅ Complete | Super Mario World, Zelda ALTTP, FF6, Chrono Trigger |
| Nintendo (NES) | ✅ Complete | Super Mario Bros 1–3, Mega Man, Contra, Castlevania |
| PlayStation 1 (PS1) | ✅ Major titles | FF7, FF8, FF9, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Castlevania SotN |
| Sega Genesis | ✅ Complete | Sonic 1–3, Streets of Rage, Mortal Kombat |
| Game Boy (GB) | ✅ Complete | Tetris, Kirby, Zelda Link's Awakening |
| Nintendo 64 (N64) | ✅ Selected | Mario 64, Zelda OoT, GoldenEye, Mario Kart 64 |
| PSP | ⚡ Selected | Patapon, LocoRoco, Tactics Ogre, FF Tactics |
| Nintendo DS | ❌ Not included | Upgrade to 128GB for DS games |
⭐ What's Added on the R36S 128GB
The 128GB version includes everything on the 64GB, plus a significantly expanded library across three key areas:
🏆 Nintendo DS — Added
- Pokémon HeartGold
- Pokémon SoulSilver
- Pokémon Platinum
- Pokémon Diamond
- Pokémon Pearl
- Mario Kart DS
- New Super Mario Bros
- Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
- + Full DS library
⚡ PSP — Expanded
- Crisis Core: FF VII
- Persona 3 Portable
- Monster Hunter FU
- Kingdom Hearts BbS
- Dissidia Final Fantasy
- Valkyria Chronicles 3
- Ys: Oath in Felghana
- Disgaea: AoD
- Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
- + Full PSP library
🎮 N64 — More Titles
- More N64 titles
- Zelda: Majora's Mask
- Banjo-Kazooie
- Donkey Kong 64
- Paper Mario
- Star Fox 64
- F-Zero X
- Kirby 64
- Yoshi's Story
- + More titles
🎯 Which Version for Pokémon?
| Pokémon Game | Generation | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red, Blue, Yellow | Gen 1 (GBC) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gold, Silver, Crystal | Gen 2 (GBC) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald 🏆 | Gen 3 (GBA) | ✅ | ✅ |
| FireRed, LeafGreen 🏆 | Gen 3 (GBA) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Diamond, Pearl | Gen 4 (DS) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Platinum 🏆 | Gen 4 (DS) | ❌ | ✅ |
| HeartGold 🏆 | Gen 4 (DS) | ❌ | ✅ |
| SoulSilver 🏆 | Gen 4 (DS) | ❌ | ✅ |
Buy 64GB for Pokémon if:
- Emerald and FireRed are your main games
- You mainly play Gen 1–3
- Gold/Silver/Crystal is your nostalgia era
- You're introducing a child to Pokémon
Buy 128GB for Pokémon if:
- HeartGold or SoulSilver is on your list
- You want to play Platinum
- You want the complete Pokémon retro library
- You're a serious Pokémon fan
iGC Pokémon verdict: For Gen 1–3 Pokémon fans, the 64GB is perfect — Emerald, FireRed, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, LeafGreen, Red, Blue, Yellow are all preloaded. For anyone who wants HeartGold, SoulSilver, or Platinum, the 128GB is the only choice — these are DS games not included on the 64GB.
⚡ Which Version for PSP?
| PSP Game | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|
| Patapon 1 & 2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| LocoRoco 1 & 2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tactics Ogre | ✅ | ✅ |
| Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL | ✅ | ✅ |
| Crisis Core: FF VII | ❌ | ✅ |
| Persona 3 Portable | ❌ | ✅ |
| Monster Hunter Freedom Unite | ❌ | ✅ |
| Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dissidia Final Fantasy | ❌ | ✅ |
iGC PSP verdict: If PSP gaming is important to you — especially Crisis Core, Persona 3, Monster Hunter, or Kingdom Hearts — buy the 128GB. The 64GB includes only a small selection of PSP titles. The 128GB includes the full PSP library.
🎁 Which Version as a Gift?
Gift for a Child (Under 12)
Recommended: 64GB — $79.99
The 64GB has everything a child needs — Pokémon Emerald, FireRed, Mario, Zelda, Sonic. The $10 saving is meaningful, and children rarely need the DS or expanded PSP library.
Gift for a Teen / Adult
Recommended: 128GB — $89.99
For a teen or adult who grew up with the DS era — HeartGold, Platinum, Crisis Core — the 128GB is the better gift. The extra $10 delivers significantly more value for an older gamer.
Gift — Unsure of Their Preferences?
Recommended: 128GB — $89.99. When in doubt, more games is always better. The 128GB covers every retro gaming era comprehensively — there's no scenario where the recipient will wish they had fewer games.
🏆 Final Verdict
The decision is straightforward once you know what you want to play:
| Your situation | Buy this | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| GBA / SNES / NES / PS1 focus | 64GB | Complete library — save $10 |
| Pokémon Gen 1–3 only | 64GB | All Gen 1–3 preloaded — save $10 |
| Gift for a child | 64GB | Everything they need — best value |
| Want HeartGold / SoulSilver | 128GB | DS games only on 128GB |
| Want Pokémon Platinum | 128GB | DS games only on 128GB |
| Serious PSP gamer | 128GB | Full PSP library preloaded |
| Want Crisis Core / Persona 3 PSP | 128GB | Not included on 64GB |
| Gift for teen / adult | 128GB | More complete — better gift |
| Unsure — want everything | 128GB | $10 more, significantly more games |
BEST FOR MOST BUYERS
R36S 64GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
$109.99 Save 27%
Gen 1–3 Pokémon · GBA/SNES/PS1/NES complete
Buy 64GB — $79.99 →BEST FOR POKÉMON & PSP FANS
R36S 128GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$89.99
All Gen 1–4 Pokémon · Full PSP · Full DS
Buy 128GB — $89.99 →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between R36S 64GB and 128GB?
The hardware is identical — same processor, RAM, screen, and battery. The difference is the preloaded game library. The 64GB includes complete NES, SNES, GBA, GBC, PS1, and Genesis libraries. The 128GB adds Nintendo DS games (including Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum), a full PSP library, and more N64 titles.
Does the R36S 64GB have Pokémon HeartGold?
No. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are Nintendo DS games and are only preloaded on the R36S 128GB version. The 64GB includes all Gen 1–3 Pokémon games (GBA and GBC) but not Gen 4 DS games.
Is the R36S 128GB worth $10 more?
Yes, for most buyers. The 128GB adds Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum, a full PSP library including Crisis Core and Persona 3, and more N64 titles. For $10 more, the additional content is significant. If you only play GBA and SNES games, the 64GB is sufficient.
Can I add more games to the R36S 64GB later?
Yes. You can add games to either version by removing the microSD card, connecting it to a computer, and copying ROM files to the appropriate system folder. The 64GB has approximately 8–12GB of free space remaining; the 128GB has approximately 15–20GB.
Which R36S version should I buy as a gift?
For a child, the 64GB at $79.99 is the better gift — it has everything they need. For a teen or adult, the 128GB at $89.99 is the better gift — the DS and expanded PSP library is more relevant for older gamers. When in doubt, buy the 128GB.
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