R36S ($79.99) vs Retroid Pocket 4 (~$150) — these are two different tiers of retro handheld. This is not a close competition: they serve different buyers. R36S is the best retro handheld under $100. Retroid Pocket 4 is for buyers who need PS2/GameCube/Android gaming.
Lab-Tested · Gamer-Verified · Expert-Curated by the iGC Editorial Team — www.handheldgameconsoles.games
📊 Full Comparison Table
| Feature | R36S | Retroid Pocket 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | ~$150 |
| GBA / SNES / NES / PS1 / N64 | ✅ 100% | ✅ 100% |
| PS2 / GameCube | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Android gaming | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Preloaded games | 6,000+ | 0 |
| Analog sticks | ✅ Dual | ✅ Dual |
| WiFi | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 4.7" IPS |
| OS | Linux | Android 13 |
| Battery | 6.5h (GBA) | ~5-6h |
| iGC Verdict | Best under $100 | Best $100-200 |
🎯 The Simple Decision Framework
- Your goal is GBA/SNES/PS1/N64
- You want 6,000+ preloaded games
- Budget is under $100
- You're a first-time retro buyer
- You want plug-and-play simplicity
- You need PS2 / GameCube games
- You want Android apps/games
- You want a larger screen (4.7")
- WiFi is essential
- Budget allows $150+
💰 Is the $70 Premium Worth It?
What the extra $70 buys with Retroid Pocket 4:
iGC verdict: If you specifically want PS2 or GameCube, the $70 premium is justified. If you only play GBA/SNES/PS1/N64, R36S at $79.99 is the smarter buy.
❓ FAQ
Buy R36S ($79.99) if you want GBA/SNES/PS1/N64 gaming with 6,000+ preloaded games. Buy Retroid Pocket 4 (~$150) if you specifically need PS2, GameCube, or Android gaming. They serve different needs at different price points.
No. R36S cannot play PS2 games. For PS2 emulation, the Retroid Pocket 4 (~$150) or Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (~$219) are the right choices. R36S covers GBA, SNES, NES, PS1, N64, Genesis, and Arcade at 100% compatibility.
Only if you need PS2/GameCube/Android. For pure retro gaming (GBA/SNES/PS1/N64), R36S at $79.99 is the better value. The extra $70 buys PS2, GameCube, Android, WiFi, and a larger screen.
No. Retroid Pocket 4 comes with no preloaded games. You need to source and load your own ROMs. R36S comes with 6,000+ games preloaded on a 64GB microSD card — ready to play immediately.
R36S is better for beginners. 6,000+ games preloaded, zero setup, plug-and-play. Retroid Pocket 4 requires ROM sourcing, Android setup, and emulator configuration. R36S is the easiest retro handheld to get started with.
