R36S Setup Guide 2026: How to Set Up Your R36S in 5 Minutes
Just got your R36S? Good news: if you bought from iGC, you're already set up. The iGC R36S Definitive Edition ships with thousands of preloaded games, optimized firmware, and pre-configured controls — boot it up and you're playing in 30 seconds. This guide covers everything from first boot to advanced configuration, so you get the absolute best experience from your device.
Written by the iGC Lab Team · Last updated: July 2026 · Applies to: R36S with ArkOS firmware
⚡ Quick Start — iGC R36S
- Charge your R36S for 30 minutes before first use
- Press and hold the power button for 2 seconds
- Wait ~15 seconds for ArkOS to boot
- Navigate to your platform (GBA, PS1, SNES, etc.)
- Select a game and press A — you're playing
✅ iGC R36S units are pre-configured — no additional setup required for basic gaming.
🔌 Step 1: First Boot & Initial Setup
Before You Power On
- Charge first: Connect your R36S to a USB-C charger and charge for at least 30 minutes before first use. The LED indicator turns red while charging and turns off (or green on some units) when fully charged.
- Check the microSD card: The iGC R36S ships with the microSD card pre-installed. Do not remove it unless necessary.
- Screen protector: iGC units ship with a screen protector pre-applied. No action needed.
Powering On
- Press and hold the power button for 2 seconds — a short press will not power on the device
- The iGC logo appears, followed by the ArkOS boot sequence
- Boot time: approximately 12–18 seconds
- The EmulationStation main menu appears — organized by gaming platform
✅ iGC units only: Your R36S is already configured with optimal settings. The game library is pre-organized by platform. You can start playing immediately — no additional setup required.
Powering Off
To power off safely: press the Start button from the main menu → select Quit → select Shutdown System. Alternatively, hold the power button for 3 seconds and select Shutdown. Never remove the battery or cut power while a game is running — this can corrupt your save files.
🎮 Step 2: Understanding the Controls
| Button | In Menu | In Game |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad | Navigate menus | D-pad input |
| A button | Confirm / Select | A button (platform-specific) |
| B button | Back / Cancel | B button (platform-specific) |
| Start | Open system menu | Start button |
| Select | Filter / Options | Select button |
| L1 + R1 + Start | — | Exit game → return to menu |
| Select + R1 | — | Save state (quick save) |
| Select + L1 | — | Load state (quick load) |
| Select + R2 | — | Fast forward (hold) |
| Select + A | — | Open RetroArch menu |
⚠ Most important shortcut to memorize: L1 + R1 + Start = exit any game and return to the main menu. This works in every emulator on the R36S.
📄 Step 3: Navigating ArkOS
The iGC R36S runs EmulationStation as its front-end interface on top of ArkOS. Navigation is simple:
- Left/Right D-pad: Switch between gaming platforms (GBA, PS1, SNES, etc.)
- Up/Down D-pad: Scroll through games within a platform
- A: Launch selected game
- B: Go back
- Start: Open the system menu (shutdown, restart, settings)
- Select: Open filter/sort options for the current game list
The iGC game library is organized alphabetically within each platform. Use the Select button to filter by genre, number of players, or rating if you're looking for something specific.
🎮 Step 4: Playing Your First Game
- From the main menu, use Left/Right to navigate to your desired platform (e.g., "Game Boy Advance")
- Use Up/Down to scroll to your game (e.g., "Pokémon - Emerald Version")
- Press A to launch the game
- The emulator loads — most games start within 3–5 seconds
- Play normally using the physical controls
- To exit: press L1 + R1 + Start simultaneously
🌟 Recommended First Games by Platform
- GBA: Pokémon Emerald, Metroid Fusion, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
- SNES: Super Mario World, Chrono Trigger, Donkey Kong Country
- PS1: Final Fantasy VII, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon
- NES: Super Mario Bros 3, Contra, Mega Man 2
- N64: Super Mario 64, Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- PSP: Patapon, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
💾 Step 5: Save States & Fast Forward
Save states are one of the most powerful features of the R36S — they let you save your exact game position at any moment, even mid-battle or mid-level.
Save States
| Quick Save | Press Select + R1 during gameplay |
| Quick Load | Press Select + L1 during gameplay |
| Save to slot | Press Select + A → RetroArch menu → Save State |
| Load from slot | Press Select + A → RetroArch menu → Load State |
Pro tip: Use multiple save slots for different points in a game. This is especially useful for RPGs like Final Fantasy or Pokémon — save before a boss fight, and reload if you lose.
Fast Forward
Hold Select + R2 during gameplay to activate fast forward (up to 4x speed). This is perfect for:
- Grinding in Pokémon or RPGs
- Skipping repetitive sections
- Speeding through dialogue you've already read
- Farming items or experience points faster
Rewind
Hold Select + L2 to rewind gameplay up to 30 seconds. Perfect for undoing mistakes — missed a jump, lost a life, made a wrong choice in a dialogue tree.
💾 How to Add More Games to Your R36S
The iGC R36S already has thousands of games preloaded. If you want to add your own:
Method 1: Via Computer (Recommended)
- Power off your R36S completely
- Remove the microSD card from the slot on the back of the device
- Insert the microSD card into your computer using a card reader
- Open the microSD card — you'll see folders named by platform (GBA, PS1, SNES, etc.)
- Copy your ROM files into the appropriate platform folder
- Safely eject the microSD card from your computer
- Reinsert the microSD card into your R36S
- Power on — your new games will appear automatically in the game list
⚠ Important: Only add ROM files for games you legally own. iGC does not provide ROM files beyond the preloaded library. Supported file formats vary by platform — see the platform folder for existing examples.
Method 2: Via USB-C (OTG)
- Connect your R36S to your computer via USB-C cable
- On the R36S, navigate to Start → Network Settings → Enable USB Storage
- Your computer will recognize the R36S as a USB storage device
- Copy ROM files to the appropriate platform folders
- Safely eject and disconnect
- Press Start → Games Settings → Update Games List to refresh
ROM File Formats by Platform
| Platform | Folder Name | File Formats |
|---|---|---|
| NES | nes | .nes, .zip |
| SNES | snes | .sfc, .smc, .zip |
| Game Boy / GBC | gb / gbc | .gb, .gbc, .zip |
| GBA | gba | .gba, .zip |
| PlayStation 1 | psx | .bin/.cue, .chd, .pbp |
| Nintendo 64 | n64 | .z64, .n64, .v64, .zip |
| PSP | psp | .iso, .cso, .pbp |
| Sega Genesis | genesis | .md, .gen, .bin, .zip |
⚙️ Recommended Settings for Best Performance
The iGC R36S ships with optimized settings — but here are the key settings to know:
Brightness & Volume
- Brightness: Hold Function button + Up/Down to adjust brightness. Recommended: 60–70% for indoor use, 80–100% for outdoor use.
- Volume: Hold Function button + Right/Left to adjust volume. Or use the volume buttons if your unit has them.
Display Settings (Per Emulator)
Access via Select + A during gameplay → RetroArch menu → Settings → Video:
- Integer Scale: ON — ensures pixel-perfect rendering for retro games
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 — correct for most retro games
- Bilinear Filtering: OFF — keeps pixels sharp (personal preference)
- Shaders: Optional — CRT shaders add a retro TV look
Audio Settings
- Audio Latency: 64ms (default) — increase to 128ms if you experience audio crackling
- Audio Sync: ON — keeps audio and video synchronized
📶 Setting Up WiFi (Optional)
The R36S does not have built-in WiFi — it requires a USB WiFi dongle. WiFi enables RetroAchievements, ROM scraping, and online features.
Compatible WiFi Dongles
- Realtek RTL8188 chipset (most common, widely compatible)
- Realtek RTL8192 chipset
- Any dongle listed as "Linux compatible" with RTL chipset
WiFi Setup Steps
- Insert the USB WiFi dongle into the R36S USB-C port (using a USB-C to USB-A adapter if needed)
- From the main menu: Start → Network Settings
- Select Enable WiFi
- Select your network from the list
- Enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard
- Select Connect
What WiFi Enables
- ✅ RetroAchievements: Earn achievements in classic games — register free at retroachievements.org
- ✅ ROM Scraper: Auto-download game artwork, descriptions, and ratings
- ✅ Firmware updates: Download and install ArkOS updates
- ✅ SSH access: Advanced configuration via terminal
🔄 Firmware Updates
The iGC R36S ships with the latest stable ArkOS firmware pre-installed. Updates are optional but can improve performance and add new features.
⚠ Important: Firmware updates carry a small risk of issues. Only update if you're experiencing a specific problem that a new firmware version addresses. The iGC pre-installed firmware is already optimized — most users do not need to update.
How to Update ArkOS
- Connect to WiFi (see above)
- From the main menu: Start → System Settings → Update ArkOS
- The system checks for available updates
- If an update is available, select Download and Install
- The device will restart automatically after installation
- Do not power off during the update process
🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Device won't power on | Charge for 30 minutes. Hold power button for 3 seconds. Check USB-C cable is properly connected. |
| Screen is black after boot | Hold power button for 10 seconds to force restart. If persistent, contact iGC support. |
| Game runs slowly / stutters | Check if the game is within the R36S's performance range. For PSP: try a less demanding title. For N64: some games are inherently demanding. |
| Audio crackling or out of sync | In RetroArch menu: Settings → Audio → increase Audio Latency to 128ms. Ensure Audio Sync is ON. |
| Can't exit a game | Press L1 + R1 + Start simultaneously. Hold for 2 seconds if it doesn't respond immediately. |
| Save file not loading | Ensure you're using the same emulator core that created the save. In-game saves and save states are separate — check both. |
| Added games not appearing | From main menu: Start → Games Settings → Update Games List. Ensure files are in the correct platform folder. |
| Battery draining very fast | Reduce screen brightness. PSP games drain battery faster than GBA/SNES. Ensure WiFi dongle is removed when not in use. |
| Device getting hot | Normal during PSP/N64 gaming. If uncomfortably hot, switch to a less demanding platform. Ensure ventilation slots are not blocked. |
✅ iGC Support: If you purchased from iGC and experience any hardware issues, contact us at [email protected]. All iGC R36S units are covered by our 30-day return policy.
🌟 iGC Pro Tips: Get the Most from Your R36S
⚡ Performance Tips
- Use .chd format for PS1 games — smaller file size, same quality
- Close the game list and restart if the device feels sluggish
- Keep brightness at 60–70% to maximize battery life
- For PSP games, try the PPSSPP emulator settings: Rendering Resolution at 1x for best performance
- Use save states liberally — they're instant and don't affect game saves
🎮 Gaming Tips
- Fast forward through Pokémon grinding at 4x speed
- Use rewind to undo deaths in difficult platformers
- Enable CRT shader for an authentic retro TV look
- Use headphones — the speaker is average, headphones are much better
- Charge overnight — the R36S has overcharge protection
💡 The Single Most Useful Tip
Memorize Select + R1 = Quick Save and Select + L1 = Quick Load. Use them constantly. Save before every boss, every difficult section, every important decision. The R36S's save state system is one of its best features — use it to make every game more enjoyable.
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Buy R36S — $79.99 →❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up the R36S for the first time?
If you bought from iGC, your R36S is already set up. Charge for 30 minutes, hold the power button for 2 seconds, wait 15 seconds for ArkOS to boot, navigate to your platform, select a game, and press A. You're playing in under 5 minutes with no additional configuration required.
How do I exit a game on the R36S?
Press L1 + R1 + Start simultaneously to exit any game and return to the main menu. This shortcut works in every emulator on the R36S. Save your game first using Select + R1 (quick save) before exiting.
How do I save my game on the R36S?
Two methods: (1) Use the in-game save system as you would on original hardware. (2) Use save states — press Select + R1 to quick save at any moment. Save states are instant and work in every emulator. Press Select + L1 to quick load your save state.
How do I add games to the R36S?
Remove the microSD card, insert it into your computer, copy ROM files into the appropriate platform folder (e.g., GBA files into the "gba" folder), safely eject, reinsert into the R36S, and power on. New games appear automatically. Alternatively, connect via USB-C and enable USB storage mode.
How do I use fast forward on the R36S?
Hold Select + R2 during gameplay to activate fast forward at up to 4x speed. Release to return to normal speed. This works in all emulators and is perfect for grinding in RPGs or Pokémon games.
Does the R36S need WiFi to work?
No. The R36S works completely offline — all preloaded games play without any internet connection. WiFi (via USB dongle) is optional and enables RetroAchievements, ROM scraping, and firmware updates. Most users never need WiFi for basic gaming.
How long does the R36S take to charge?
The R36S charges from 0% to 100% in approximately 2.5 hours via USB-C. The LED indicator shows red while charging. You can play while charging — useful for extended gaming sessions. The R36S has overcharge protection, so leaving it plugged in overnight is safe.
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