R36S Retro Handheld Console — Is It Worth It?

The R36S is a fantastic entry-level retro handheld that punches well above its price point. For under £40, you get a 3.5-inch IPS display, 128GB of storage, and the ability to play everything from NES to PSP.

The build quality is surprisingly solid for the price — it feels comfortable in the hand and the buttons are responsive. The screen is bright and vibrant, making those retro games look gorgeous.

Battery life sits around 5-6 hours which is plenty for commutes or evening gaming sessions. The included 128GB card comes pre-loaded with thousands of games across multiple systems.

If you are getting into retro handheld gaming, the R36S is genuinely one of the best starting points in 2026. It is hard to beat this much value for under forty quid.