The 1:1 Aspect Ratio Advantage: Why Square Screens Win for Retro Gaming

Square screens on handhelds seem odd at first. We’re used to widescreen everything — phones, TVs, monitors. But for retro gaming, a 1:1 aspect ratio isn’t a gimmick. It’s genuinely useful, and in some cases, it’s the ideal choice.

Let’s explore why the R36S Plus and its 720×720 square display might be exactly what your retro gaming needs.

Understanding Aspect Ratios

First, a quick primer:

Most retro consoles output in 4:3. Classic arcade cabinets were often vertical (taller than wide). The question is: which modern screen handles these formats best?

Where 1:1 Screens Excel

1. Vertical Arcade Games

This is where square screens absolutely dominate.

Classic arcade shooters were designed for vertical CRT monitors:

On a 4:3 horizontal screen, these games display with massive black bars on the sides — you’re using maybe 60% of your screen. On a 1:1 screen, they fill much more of the display area, giving you a larger, more playable image.

2. Nintendo DS Emulation

The NDS presents a unique challenge: two screens stacked vertically.

On a 4:3 horizontal screen:

• Both screens must be shrunk significantly
• Side-by-side layout wastes space
• Vertical stack results in tiny images

On a 1:1 square screen:

• Side-by-side arrangement works beautifully
• Each screen gets reasonable size
• More natural viewing experience

The R36S Plus with its 720×720 display can show both NDS screens at a comfortable size. It’s not perfect (nothing is for NDS on a single screen), but it’s one of the best solutions in this price range.

3. SNES and 4:3 Content

Here’s where it gets interesting. SNES games are 4:3 — wouldn’t a 4:3 screen be better?

Not necessarily.

On a 4:3 screen (like the R36 Pro’s 640×480):

• Games fill the screen perfectly… in theory
• But the screen is only 3.5 inches
• The actual game image is relatively small

On a 1:1 screen (like the R36S Plus’s 720×720):

• Games have small letterboxes top and bottom
• But the screen is 4 inches
• The actual game image is larger despite the letterboxing
• Higher resolution means sharper pixels

4. Game Boy and GBC

Original Game Boy games had a nearly square aspect ratio (10:9). On a 1:1 screen, they display almost perfectly with minimal adjustment.

Game Boy Colour maintains similar proportions. These games look fantastic on the R36S Plus — crisp, clear, and properly proportioned.

Where 1:1 Screens Compromise

Let’s be fair. Square screens aren’t perfect for everything:

GBA Games

Game Boy Advance is 3:2 (wider than 4:3). On a 1:1 screen, GBA games have letterboxing on top and bottom. It’s perfectly playable, but you’re not using the full screen.

PSP Games

The PSP’s 16:9 widescreen content has significant letterboxing on a square display. If PSP is your primary focus, a widescreen handheld might suit you better.

PS1 and N64

Most 3D games from this era are 4:3. They display well on 1:1 screens with mild letterboxing, but technically a 4:3 screen would be more efficient.

The R36S Plus Advantage

The R36 Ultra also has a 1:1 720×720 screen. So why recommend the R36S Plus instead?

Same screen, different support.

The screen is the same. The experience is not. With the R36S Plus, you get proper firmware support, regular updates, and device-specific optimisations. The R36 Ultra gives you a square screen with clone firmware headaches.

Practical Gaming Scenarios

Our Recommendation

The 1:1 aspect ratio isn’t a gimmick or a compromise — it’s a deliberate design choice that benefits many retro gaming scenarios. If you play:

• Vertical arcade games
• Nintendo DS titles
• A variety of retro consoles

…then the R36S Plus with its 720×720 square display is an excellent choice.

Just make sure you buy the original R36S Plus with dedicated ArkOS support — not the clone alternatives with their workaround firmware.

Happy gaming!

Written by the HobbyistNirvana Team — your fellow retro gaming enthusiasts.