A Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer specializing in retro handheld gaming devices. Anbernic produces the RG and R-series consoles — including the R36S, R36MAX, and R36PRO — which are widely regarded as the best value-for-money retro handhelds available in 2026. Anbernic devices run on Rockchip SoCs and support a wide range of emulation cores via custom firmware.

ArkOS is an open-source custom firmware (CFW) built on Linux, designed specifically for Anbernic and similar ARM-based retro handheld consoles. It uses EmulationStation as its front-end and RetroArch as its emulation backend. ArkOS is known for its stability, broad emulator support (NES through PS1/N64/Dreamcast), and active community development. It is one of the two most popular firmware choices for the R36S.

The proportional relationship between a screen's width and height. In retro gaming, aspect ratio is critical because original consoles output at specific ratios: Game Boy games are 10:9, NES/SNES are 4:3, and PSP is 16:9. A handheld with a 4:3 screen (like the R36S) displays classic console games without black bars or stretching, making it the preferred choice for authentic retro gaming.

In retro gaming emulation, BIOS files are low-level firmware dumps from original hardware that some emulators require to accurately replicate the original system's behavior. Without the correct BIOS file, certain games may fail to boot or exhibit graphical glitches. BIOS files are legally obtained by dumping them from hardware you own.

A decorative border image displayed around the game screen in an emulator to simulate the look of the original hardware's physical frame. Bezels can replicate the Game Boy's plastic casing, a CRT TV border, or a custom branded frame. RetroArch supports bezel overlays natively, and many ArkOS builds include pre-installed bezel packs.

Custom Firmware refers to third-party operating systems installed on retro handheld consoles to replace or supplement the stock firmware. CFW unlocks advanced features including broader emulator support, performance tuning, custom themes, and community plugins. Popular CFW options include ArkOS, JELOS, muOS, and MinUI. Most Anbernic devices support CFW installation via microSD card.

Within RetroArch, a "core" is a self-contained emulator module that handles the emulation of a specific gaming system. For example, the Gambatte core emulates Game Boy/GBC, while PCSX-ReARMed emulates PlayStation 1. Cores are loaded dynamically, allowing a single RetroArch installation to emulate dozens of systems.

A post-processing visual effect applied in emulators to simulate the appearance of classic CRT televisions. CRT shaders add scanlines, phosphor glow, and slight color bleeding that many retro gamers find more authentic than sharp pixel-perfect rendering. RetroArch includes dozens of CRT shader presets. Note: CRT shaders are GPU-intensive and may reduce performance on lower-end SoCs.

The cross-shaped directional input found on retro handheld controllers. D-pad quality is one of the most critical factors in retro gaming feel — a mushy or imprecise D-pad ruins platformers and fighting games. The R36S features a clicky, well-separated D-pad that iGC rates among the best in its price class.

A configuration where a retro handheld uses two separate microSD cards — one for the operating system/firmware and one for game ROMs. This setup is common on Anbernic devices and offers advantages: the OS card can be updated or replaced without affecting your game library. The R36S supports dual SD configuration natively.

Emulation is the process of using software (an emulator) to replicate the hardware behavior of one computing system on another. In retro gaming, emulation allows modern handheld devices to run games originally designed for classic consoles like the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Sega Genesis, PlayStation 1, and Nintendo 64. Emulation accuracy varies by emulator and target system.

EmulationStation is a graphical front-end for organizing and launching emulated games. It provides a visually rich interface with game artwork, metadata, and system categorization. EmulationStation-Desktop Edition (ES-DE) is the modern, actively maintained version used in most current CFW builds including ArkOS. It does not emulate games itself — it launches the appropriate emulator core for each game.

FPS measures how many individual frames an emulator renders per second. Most retro games target 60 FPS (NTSC) or 50 FPS (PAL). Dropping below the target FPS causes visible stuttering and audio desync. On the R36S (RK3326 SoC), NES/SNES/GBA run at a locked 60 FPS, while PS1 achieves 55–60 FPS on most titles.

The GPU handles rendering graphics in both games and emulators. In retro handhelds, the GPU is typically integrated into the SoC. The Mali-G31 GPU in the RK3326 (used in R36S) handles 2D emulation excellently and manages light 3D emulation (PS1, N64) adequately. GPU performance directly impacts whether CRT shaders and high-resolution rendering are feasible.

A feature on some retro handhelds that allows the device to output video to an external display via HDMI. HDMI output transforms a handheld into a portable home console. The R36S does not include native HDMI output, while higher-end devices like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 support HDMI via USB-C. This is a key differentiator when choosing between budget and premium handhelds.

IPS is an LCD panel technology offering superior color accuracy, wider viewing angles, and better contrast compared to older TN panels. In retro handhelds, IPS displays significantly improve the visual experience. The R36S features a 3.5" IPS display, which iGC considers the minimum acceptable standard for a quality retro gaming experience.

JELOS is an open-source, immutable Linux distribution designed for retro gaming handhelds. Unlike ArkOS, JELOS uses a read-only root filesystem for stability and security, with updates applied atomically. It supports a wide range of Anbernic and other ARM-based devices. JELOS is favored by users who prioritize system stability and clean update management over maximum customizability.

Input latency is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the corresponding action on screen. In retro gaming, low input latency is critical — fighting games, platformers, and rhythm games become unplayable with high latency. RetroArch's "Run-Ahead" feature can reduce perceived latency by pre-computing frames. The R36S achieves approximately 3–5 frames of total input latency under optimal settings.

MIYOO is a Chinese handheld manufacturer known for the MIYOO Mini and MIYOO Mini Plus — ultra-compact retro handhelds with a strong community following. MIYOO devices run OnionOS as their primary CFW. While MIYOO excels in portability and Game Boy-era emulation, Anbernic's R36S offers superior build quality, larger screen, and broader system compatibility at a comparable price point.

muOS is a modern, lightweight custom firmware for Anbernic RG35XX-series devices, designed with a clean UI and fast boot times. It uses a modular architecture that allows users to install only the components they need. muOS is particularly popular among users who prefer a minimalist interface over the feature-rich but heavier EmulationStation front-end used by ArkOS.

NAND flash is the type of non-volatile memory used for internal storage in retro handhelds. Some devices store the OS on internal NAND while using a microSD card for games. The R36S uses a microSD-based OS approach, which allows users to swap firmware by simply changing the SD card.

OnionOS is a custom firmware built exclusively for MIYOO Mini and MIYOO Mini Plus handhelds. It is not compatible with Anbernic devices. OnionOS is celebrated for its polished UI, extensive theme support, and deep RetroArch integration. For MIYOO users, OnionOS is the definitive firmware choice — analogous to what ArkOS is for Anbernic users.

Overclocking increases a processor's clock speed beyond its factory specification to improve performance. In retro handhelds, overclocking can push borderline-playable games to acceptable frame rates. However, overclocking increases heat output, reduces battery life, and may shorten hardware lifespan. ArkOS and JELOS both support CPU overclocking via system settings menus.

In the context of retro handhelds, "plug and play" describes a device that is fully configured and ready to use immediately upon unboxing — no firmware installation, ROM loading, or technical setup required. iGC's R36S ships as a true plug-and-play device: games are pre-loaded, firmware is pre-configured, and controls are pre-mapped.

A retro handheld described as "pre-loaded" comes with games already installed on the microSD card, ready to play without any additional setup. iGC curates and verifies every game in its pre-loaded library for correct region, save compatibility, and emulator core optimization.

RetroArch is the most widely used open-source emulation frontend and core library in retro gaming. It provides a unified interface for dozens of emulator cores, advanced features like shaders, netplay, rewind, and save states, and cross-platform support. Nearly all retro handheld CFW uses RetroArch as its emulation backend.

Retroid Pocket is a line of Android-based retro handheld consoles. Unlike Anbernic's Linux-based devices, Retroid Pocket runs Android, enabling access to the Google Play Store and streaming apps alongside emulation. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (~$219) is iGC's recommended premium option for users who want PS2/GameCube emulation and HDMI output.

The RK3326 is a quad-core ARM Cortex-A35 SoC manufactured by Rockchip, clocked at up to 1.5GHz with a Mali-G31 GPU. It is the most common processor in budget retro handhelds, powering the R36S and dozens of similar devices. The RK3326 handles NES, SNES, GBA, and PS1 emulation excellently, manages N64 adequately, and struggles with Dreamcast and PS2.

A ROM file is a digital copy of a game cartridge or disc. ROMs are the game files that emulators load and run. Common ROM formats include .nes (NES), .sfc/.smc (SNES), .gba (Game Boy Advance), .bin/.cue (PlayStation 1), and .z64/.n64 (Nintendo 64). The legal status of ROMs varies by jurisdiction.

Run-Ahead is a RetroArch feature that reduces perceived input latency by running the emulation 1–4 frames ahead of what is displayed, then rolling back to the correct frame. This effectively eliminates the inherent latency of emulation for supported cores. Run-Ahead is CPU-intensive and works best on simpler systems (NES, SNES, GBA).

A save state captures the complete state of a game at any moment and saves it to a file. Unlike in-game saves, save states can be created and loaded at any point, even mid-level. This makes difficult retro games accessible to modern players. Save states are supported by virtually all RetroArch cores.

A SoC integrates the CPU, GPU, RAM controller, and other components onto a single chip. In retro handhelds, the SoC is the single most important factor determining emulation capability. Common SoCs include the Rockchip RK3326 (budget, R36S), RK3566 (mid-range), and Unisoc T618 (mid-range Android). The SoC determines which gaming systems can be emulated and at what performance level.

Stock firmware is the operating system that comes pre-installed on a retro handheld from the manufacturer. Anbernic's stock firmware is functional but generally considered inferior to community CFW options like ArkOS or JELOS in terms of emulator support, UI quality, and performance optimization.

TDP measures the maximum heat a processor generates under sustained load, expressed in watts. In retro handhelds, TDP directly impacts battery life and device temperature during extended gaming sessions. The RK3326 has a TDP of approximately 2–3W, enabling 5–7 hours of battery life in the R36S.

A theme is a visual skin applied to EmulationStation or other front-ends that changes the appearance of the game library interface. Themes control background images, fonts, color schemes, animation styles, and layout. Hundreds of community-created themes are available for ArkOS and JELOS. Themes do not affect emulation performance.

USB-C is the modern universal connector standard used for charging, data transfer, and video output on retro handhelds. USB-C charging is a significant quality-of-life improvement over older micro-USB connectors — any modern phone charger works. The R36S charges via USB-C. Higher-end devices like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 use USB-C for both charging and HDMI video output.

VSync synchronizes the emulator's frame output rate with the display's refresh rate to eliminate screen tearing. Enabling VSync produces a smoother image but can introduce input latency. RetroArch offers multiple VSync modes including hard sync and adaptive sync. For retro gaming on 60Hz displays, VSync is generally recommended with a frame delay of 1–2.

Wi-Fi connectivity on retro handhelds enables features like metadata scraping, firmware updates, RetroAchievements tracking, and netplay. The R36S does not have built-in Wi-Fi, which keeps cost and power consumption low. Wi-Fi is available on mid-range and premium devices like the R36MAX and Retroid Pocket Flip 2.