Retro Gaming Tips: Stunning R36S Secrets You Must Know

Top 10 Hidden Features of the R36S You Didn’t Know About

Retro gaming tips aren’t just about which games to play—they’re also about unlocking the full potential of the devices you play them on. The R36S is a great example: on the surface it looks like a simple handheld emulator, but once you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a surprising number of hidden features, shortcuts, and settings that can completely change your experience.

Below are ten lesser-known features and tricks that can help you get more performance, better visuals, smarter saves, and smoother gameplay out of your R36S.

1. Custom Button Mapping for Every Emulator

One of the most overlooked features is the ability to customize button layouts per system, and sometimes per game.

In most R36S firmware builds (especially if you use a custom OS like ArkOS or JELOS), you can open the Quick Menu inside a game (typically via a hotkey combo like Select + X).
From there, look for Controls or Input Remapping.
You can remap every button, save it for the current game, or apply it to all games for that specific console.

This is especially useful for:

Fighting games that need specific shoulder button layouts.
N64, PS1, or arcade titles with unusual control schemes.
Players who prefer reversed A/B or Y/X orientations (common with SNES-style vs. Nintendo-style layouts).

2. Hidden Performance Boost via Overclock Profiles

Many R36S users don’t realize the device can be gently overclocked for smoother performance in demanding systems like PlayStation, N64, or certain arcade cores.

In the System Settings or Emulator Options, look for something like CPU Frequency, Overclock, or Performance Profile.
Some firmwares offer presets such as:
- Power Saving
- Balanced
- Performance

A moderate overclock can:

Reduce frame drops.
Improve audio sync.
Make 3D games feel far more playable.

Just avoid extreme overclocks for long sessions, as they can increase heat and drain your battery faster. Think of this as one of the more advanced retro gaming tips: fine-tune clock speeds per core for the best trade-off between smooth gameplay and battery life.

3. Per-Game Save States and Auto-Save Tricks

Beyond standard in-game saves, the R36S supports save states, which allow you to freeze a game at any moment.

Hidden aspects to know:

Many cores support multiple save state slots.
You can bind hotkeys for quick save and quick load (e.g., Select + R to save, Select + L to load, depending on your configuration).
Some firmwares let you enable auto-save on exit, so whenever you quit a game, it automatically creates a state.

This feature is invaluable for:

Tough platformers.
Long RPGs.
Arcade shooters where you want to practice tricky sections.

4. Retro Achievements Integration

If your R36S firmware supports RetroAchievements and you’ve connected it to Wi-Fi, you can unlock a hidden layer of challenge and motivation.

In the RetroArch or equivalent interface, head to Settings → Achievements.
Log into your RetroAchievements.org account.
Enable achievements, leaderboards, rich presence, etc.

Once activated:

You’ll get pop-ups when you achieve specific goals in classic games.
You can track your progress online and compare with friends.
Many emulation enthusiasts love this system because it makes revisiting familiar titles feel fresh and rewarding.

5. Custom Shaders and Filters for Authentic Visuals

The R36S can do more than just show pixels as-is. Hidden in the video settings are shaders and filters that transform how games look.

Look for:

Shaders (e.g., CRT, scanlines, LCD grids).
Scaling and aspect ratio options (4:3, integer scaling, etc.).
Color correction for certain systems.

Some recommended approaches:

Use light CRT shaders for 16-bit consoles to mimic old TVs without hurting performance.
Turn on integer scaling for sharp pixels if you prefer a crisp, modern look.
Experiment with handheld LCD-style filters for Game Boy and Game Boy Advance.

6. Fast-Forward and Slow-Motion Controls

The R36S can alter game speed on the fly, which is extremely handy in many situations.

In the input or hotkey settings you can:

Assign a button combo to fast-forward (speeding up grinding in RPGs or long cutscenes).
Assign a button combo to slow-motion (great for learning tricky boss patterns or fighting game combos).

This is one of those simple but powerful retro gaming tips:

Use fast-forward when you’re replaying familiar content.
Use slow-motion as a training tool, then turn it off when you’re ready for the real challenge.

7. Hidden Hotkeys for Screenshots and Quick Menu Access

Most R36S builds come with several hotkeys that aren’t immediately obvious from the manual.

Common hidden combos include:

Quick Menu: Select + X or Select + Start (varies by firmware).
Screenshot: Select + Y or a configured combo in the hotkey settings.
Exit Game: Select + Start or Select + B (again, firmware-dependent).

Once you learn these:

You can capture your best high scores or nostalgic moments.
Quickly tweak settings without leaving the emulator.
Exit games cleanly without risking corrupted saves.

Check your specific OS documentation or input settings screen to confirm the exact combinations.

8. Per-System Bezels and Overlays

To enhance immersion, the R36S can display themed bezels or overlays around the play area.

In your video or overlay settings, enable On-Screen Overlays or Bezels.
Choose from system-specific frames that mimic original hardware:
- Arcade cabinets
- Game Boy borders
- Classic TV frames

While it doesn’t improve performance, it:

Makes handheld and older systems feel more authentic.
Helps fill in unused screen space for 4:3 or smaller resolutions.
Adds personality to your library.

9. Library Management: Favorites, Playlists, and Custom Covers

Support for favorites and playlists is a quiet strength of the R36S UI that many people ignore.

You can:

Mark a game as a favorite, then access it from a dedicated tab.
Create custom playlists (e.g., “Fighting Games,” “Co-op Classics,” “RPG Backlog”).
Add box art and screenshots for a polished-looking game library.

Benefits:

Faster navigation when your SD card is full of titles.
More motivation to revisit curated sets of games.
A clean, console-like feel when browsing.

Some firmwares even support scraping online metadata to automatically download covers and info.

10. Multi-Core Emulation Options for Specific Systems

Certain systems on the R36S can be emulated by multiple cores (for example, different SNES or Genesis cores). This is a subtle but powerful hidden feature.

By switching cores you can:

Improve compatibility with specific games.
Fix graphical glitches or audio problems.
Gain access to core-specific options like different shaders, accuracy levels, or speed hacks.

How to use this:

In your emulator or RetroArch-style interface, go to Core Options or Load Core.
Try an alternate core when a game is buggy or slow.
Save per-game core settings once you find the best match.

Putting These Retro Gaming Tips Into Practice

The R36S is far more capable than it looks at first glance. By exploring:

Button remaps
Overclock profiles
Save states and achievements
Shaders, speed controls, hotkeys, and overlays

…you can take your portable retro setup from “plug and play” to “tuned and personal.”

Spend a little time in the settings, experiment with these hidden features, and you’ll discover that half the fun of devices like the R36S is customizing them to fit your ideal retro experience.