R36S 64GB vs 128GB 2026: Which Version Should You Buy?
"Should I get the 64GB or 128GB?" is the most common question iGC receives about the R36S. The short answer: the 128GB is worth the extra $10 for most buyers. But the full answer depends on which games you want to play. This is the complete guide — every difference, every 128GB-exclusive game, and the definitive recommendation for every type of buyer.
iGC Lab Buying Guide · Last updated: July 2026
GEN 1–3 POKÉMON · LIGHT PSP
R36S 64GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
NES · SNES · GBA · GBC · PS1 · Genesis · N64 · PSP (selected)
Buy 64GB — $79.99 →ALL GENERATIONS · FULL PSP · DS
R36S 128GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$89.99
Everything on 64GB + Full DS + Full PSP library
Buy 128GB — $89.99 →iGC Lab one-line verdict: For $10 more, the 128GB adds HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, the full PSP library, and the full DS library. For most buyers — especially Pokémon fans — the 128GB is the better value. The 64GB is the right choice only if you specifically don't need DS or full PSP games.
⚡ Quick Answer
✅ Buy 64GB ($79.99) if:
- You mainly play GBA, SNES, NES, PS1
- Pokémon Gen 1–3 is your focus
- You don't need HeartGold or Platinum
- You don't need the full PSP library
- Saving $10 matters to you
- Buying for a young child
⭐ Buy 128GB ($89.99) if:
- You want Pokémon HeartGold or SoulSilver
- You want Pokémon Platinum
- You want the full PSP library
- You want Crisis Core, Persona 3, Tactics Ogre
- You want the complete DS library
- You're unsure — get everything for $10 more
✅ What's the Same — 64GB and 128GB
100% Identical on Both Versions
- Hardware: Same processor, RAM, screen
- Performance: Identical on all shared platforms
- Battery: Same 3,200mAh — 7.5hr GBA
- Controls: Same dual analog sticks, buttons
- Firmware: Same ArkOS, same shortcuts
- NES library: Complete — both versions
- SNES library: Complete — both versions
- GBA library: Complete — both versions
- GBC library: Complete — both versions
- PS1 library: Major titles — both versions
- Genesis library: Complete — both versions
- Price difference: Only $10
📊 What's Different — The Complete Breakdown
| Feature | 64GB — $79.99 | 128GB — $89.99 |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | 64GB microSD | 128GB microSD |
| Nintendo DS games | ❌ Not included | ✅ Full library |
| PSP library | Selected titles | Full library |
| Pokémon HeartGold | ❌ | ✅ |
| Pokémon SoulSilver | ❌ | ✅ |
| Pokémon Platinum | ❌ | ✅ |
| Pokémon Diamond / Pearl | ❌ | ✅ |
| Crisis Core: FF VII | ❌ | ✅ |
| Persona 3 Portable | ❌ | ✅ |
| Tactics Ogre: LUCT | ❌ | ✅ |
| Patapon 1, 2, 3 | ❌ | ✅ |
| Castlevania: DXC (PSP) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Ys: Oath in Felghana | ❌ | ✅ |
| Price | $79.99 | $89.99 |
⭐ 128GB-Exclusive Games — The Complete List
These games are preloaded on the 128GB version only. They are not available on the 64GB version.
📸 Nintendo DS — 128GB Only
- Pokémon HeartGold 🏆
- Pokémon SoulSilver 🏆
- Pokémon Platinum 🏆
- Pokémon Diamond
- Pokémon Pearl
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
- The World Ends With You
- Chrono Trigger DS
- Final Fantasy IV DS
- Dragon Quest IX
- Advance Wars: Dual Strike
- Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
- Radiant Historia
- Full DS library (400+ games)
⚡ PSP (Full Library) — 128GB Only
- Tactics Ogre: LUCT 🏆
- Crisis Core: FF VII 🏆
- Persona 3 Portable 🏆
- Patapon 1, 2, 3 🏆
- Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles
- Ys: Oath in Felghana
- Ys Seven
- FF Tactics: War of the Lions
- Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
- Dissidia Final Fantasy
- Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
- Valkyria Chronicles 3
- Jeanne d'Arc
- Full PSP library (200+ games)
💚 Pokémon — The Key Difference
For Pokémon fans, the 64GB vs 128GB decision is simple:
| Pokémon Game | Generation | 64GB | 128GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red, Blue, Yellow | Gen 1 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gold, Silver, Crystal | Gen 2 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald | Gen 3 | ✅ | ✅ |
| FireRed, LeafGreen | Gen 3 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Diamond, Pearl | Gen 4 | ❌ | ✅ |
| Platinum 🏆 | Gen 4 | ❌ | ✅ |
| HeartGold 🏆 | Gen 4 | ❌ | ✅ |
| SoulSilver 🏆 | Gen 4 | ❌ | ✅ |
💡 The Pokémon math: The 64GB has 10 Pokémon games. The 128GB has 16 Pokémon games — 6 more, including the two most beloved games in the series (HeartGold and SoulSilver). For $10 more, you get HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, and Pearl. If you're a Pokémon fan, the 128GB is the obvious choice.
⚡ PSP — The Key Difference
The PSP library difference between 64GB and 128GB is significant:
64GB — PSP (Selected Only)
A curated selection of light PSP titles:
- LocoRoco 1 & 2
- Lumines
- Some additional light titles
- ❌ No Tactics Ogre
- ❌ No Crisis Core
- ❌ No Persona 3
- ❌ No Patapon series
- ❌ No Castlevania DXC
128GB — Full PSP Library
The complete PSP library (200+ games):
- ✅ Tactics Ogre: LUCT
- ✅ Crisis Core: FF VII
- ✅ Persona 3 Portable
- ✅ Patapon 1, 2, 3
- ✅ Castlevania: DXC
- ✅ Ys: Oath in Felghana
- ✅ FF Tactics: WotL
- ✅ 200+ PSP titles total
🎯 Who Should Buy Which?
| Your situation | Buy this | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Gen 1–3 only (Emerald, FireRed) | 64GB | All Gen 1–3 preloaded — save $10 |
| Want Pokémon HeartGold | 128GB | DS game — 128GB only |
| Want Pokémon Platinum | 128GB | DS game — 128GB only |
| Want Tactics Ogre or Crisis Core | 128GB | PSP full library — 128GB only |
| Buying for a young child (GBA/SNES focus) | 64GB | All child-appropriate games included — save $10 |
| Unsure — want everything | 128GB | $10 more — 2x the content |
| Gift buyer — don't know their preferences | 128GB | More content = better gift — $10 more |
| Budget is the primary concern | 64GB | Still thousands of games — excellent value at $79.99 |
🏆 Final Verdict
For most buyers: 128GB at $89.99. For $10 more than the 64GB, you get the full DS library (including HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum), the full PSP library (including Tactics Ogre, Crisis Core, Persona 3, and Patapon), and 2x the total storage. The value proposition is clear — $10 for 6 more Pokémon games and 200+ more PSP games is an obvious upgrade.
The 64GB is the right choice if: You specifically only want Gen 1–3 Pokémon and GBA/SNES/NES/PS1 gaming, you're buying for a young child, or saving $10 is meaningful to you. The 64GB still ships with thousands of games and delivers an excellent experience.
GEN 1–3 · SNES · NES · PS1
R36S 64GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$79.99
10 Pokémon games · Thousands preloaded
Buy 64GB →🏆 RECOMMENDED — ALL GENERATIONS
R36S 128GB
⭐ 4.70/5 · 2,837 reviews
$89.99
16 Pokémon games · Full DS + PSP
Buy 128GB →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between R36S 64GB and 128GB?
The 128GB adds the full Nintendo DS library (including Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, and Platinum) and the full PSP library (including Tactics Ogre, Crisis Core, Persona 3, and Patapon). The 64GB includes selected PSP titles but no DS games. Both versions have identical hardware and performance.
Is the R36S 128GB worth the extra $10?
Yes, for most buyers. The 128GB adds 6 more Pokémon games (HeartGold, SoulSilver, Platinum, Diamond, Pearl) and 200+ more PSP games for $10 more. The value proposition is clear. The 64GB is only the better choice if you specifically don't need DS or full PSP games.
Does the R36S 64GB have Pokémon HeartGold?
No. Pokémon HeartGold is a Nintendo DS game and is only available on the R36S 128GB. The 64GB includes all Gen 1–3 Pokémon games (Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen) but not Gen 4 DS games.
Can I upgrade from 64GB to 128GB later?
Not directly — the microSD card is different. If you want the 128GB content later, you would need to purchase the 128GB version. We recommend choosing the right version upfront. When in doubt, choose 128GB.
Related Articles
