R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus — the two most popular retro handhelds under $100 in 2026. Both are excellent. But which one should you buy? We tested both extensively. Here's the honest, lab-tested verdict from the iGC team.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
⚡ 30-Second Verdict
📊 R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus — Full Specs Comparison
| Feature | R36S 🏆 | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$79-89 |
| Screen Size | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Battery Life | 6+ hours | ~5-6 hours |
| Games Preloaded | 6,000+ | ~3,000-5,000 |
| PS1 Support | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Limited |
| N64 Support | ✅ Good (97%) | ❌ Poor |
| Dual Analog Sticks | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Form Factor | Landscape | Compact landscape |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| iGC Rating | ⭐ 4.69/5 | 4.2/5 |
📱 Screen, Build & Feel — Side by Side
- 3.5" IPS — vivid, bright colors
- Comfortable grip for long sessions
- Solid build quality — no flex
- Responsive D-pad — great for fighters
- Analog sticks well-positioned
- Speaker quality above average
- 6,860 verified reviews · 4.69/5
- 3.5" IPS — good screen quality
- More compact — fits smaller pockets
- Lighter weight
- D-pad decent for 2D games
- Analog sticks smaller
- Speaker average
- Strong community/custom firmware
🎮 Game Library — Where R36S Wins Decisively
| Platform | R36S | Miyoo Mini Plus |
|---|---|---|
| NES / SNES / GBA | ✅ 100% | ✅ 100% |
| PS1 (FF7, Chrono Cross) | ✅ Excellent | ⚠️ Limited |
| N64 (Mario 64, MK64) | ✅ Good (97%) | ❌ Poor |
| Sega Genesis / Arcade | ✅ 100% | ✅ 100% |
| Total Games Preloaded | 6,000+ | ~3,000-5,000 |
🏆 Final Verdict — R36S vs Miyoo Mini Plus
- You want PS1 games (FF7, Chrono Cross)
- You want N64 games (Mario 64, MK64)
- You want 6,000+ games preloaded
- You want longer battery life
- You want the best value under $100
- You're a beginner — plug & play
- You want 6,860 reviews of confidence
- You only play NES/SNES/GBA games
- You want the most compact size possible
- You enjoy custom firmware (OnionOS)
- You don't need PS1 or N64
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
For most buyers, yes. The R36S has better PS1 emulation, better N64 support, more games preloaded (6,000+ vs ~3,000-5,000), and longer battery life. At the same price point, the R36S offers more value for the majority of retro gaming use cases.
The R36S is significantly better for PS1 games. FF7, FF8, FF9, Chrono Cross all run at 100% on the R36S. The Miyoo Mini Plus has limited PS1 support and struggles with demanding PS1 titles.
The R36S is much better for N64 games. Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Zelda OoT all run at 97%+ on the R36S. The Miyoo Mini Plus cannot run N64 games well due to hardware limitations.
Yes — if you only play NES, SNES, and GBA games and want the most compact device possible, the Miyoo Mini Plus is a great choice. It also has a strong custom firmware community (OnionOS). But for PS1, N64, and overall game library, the R36S wins.
Both are similarly priced. The R36S is $79.99 from iGameConsole. The Miyoo Mini Plus typically sells for $79-89 depending on the seller. At the same price, the R36S offers significantly more value with better PS1/N64 support and more games preloaded.
