R36XX Complete Setup Guide: From Unboxing to Gaming

So you’ve got your hands on an R36XX — welcome to the world of retro gaming! Building on everything that made the R36S great, the R36XX adds Built-in WiFi connectivity, making wireless game transfers and online features a breeze. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering classics for the first time, this pocket-sized powerhouse is about to become your favourite companion.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything: unboxing, initial setup, adding games, utilising WiFi features, and getting the most out of your device.

What You’ll Need

India-Specific: We recommend purchasing a SanDisk or Samsung microSD card from Amazon India or a trusted local retailer. Avoid suspiciously cheap cards from unknown sellers — counterfeits are common and can corrupt your data.

R36XX vs R36S: What’s New?

The R36XX includes everything you loved about the R36S, plus one major upgrade:

The built-in WiFi eliminates the need for a USB dongle, keeps the USB-C port free for charging while transferring, and provides a more stable wireless connection.

Ready to upgrade? Check out the HN R36S WiFi Handheld with 64GB for a complete package with built-in WiFi support.

Is Your R36XX Authentic?

Before diving in, let’s make sure you have the real deal.

Warning: The market is flooded with clones, especially from sellers offering prices significantly below market rate. These knockoffs often feature inferior TN screens (washed-out colours, poor viewing angles) instead of the vibrant IPS display on the authentic R36XX.

Purchase from trusted retailers like HobbyistNirvana to ensure you receive an authentic device.

Step 1: Understanding Your R36XX Hardware

Let’s get familiar with what’s under the hood:

Step 2: The Dual SD Card Setup (Recommended)

Your R36XX has two microSD slots. Here’s the smart way to use them:

Pro Tip: Using two separate cards means you can upgrade or change your firmware without losing your game collection. Trust us — this saves headaches later!

Setting Up Your Cards

1. Insert your OS card (the one that came with your R36XX or your custom firmware card) into Slot 1 (TF1)
2. Insert your games card into Slot 2 (TF2)
3. Power on the device — it should boot to the main menu

If you only have one card, that’s fine too. The device works with a single card containing both the OS and games.

Step 3: Connecting to WiFi R36XX Exclusive

One of the biggest advantages of the R36XX is its built-in WiFi. Here’s how to set it up:

Initial WiFi Setup

1. From the main menu, navigate to Settings (or Network Settings)
2. Select WiFi or Wireless
3. Toggle WiFi to On
4. Wait for available networks to appear
5. Select your network from the list
6. Enter your password using the on-screen keyboard
7. Press A to confirm

Tip: Use the D-pad to navigate the keyboard and the analogue stick to quickly jump between sections. Press Start to switch between uppercase and lowercase.

Verifying Your Connection

Once connected, you should see:

• A WiFi icon in the status bar
• Your IP address in the network settings
• “Connected” status next to your network name

Troubleshooting WiFi

Step 4: Basic Navigation and Controls

Before adding games, let’s master the essential controls:

Navigating Menus

• Use the D-pad or analogue stick to browse
• Press A to select
• Press B to go back

Exiting Games (Important!)

This trips up many new users:

1. Press Start + Select simultaneously
2. Select Quit from the menu
3. You’ll return to the game selection screen

Warning: Never use the power button to exit games! This can corrupt your save data and, in some cases, damage the SD card filesystem.

Shutting Down Properly

1. Return to the main menu
2. Navigate to Settings or Power
3. Select Shutdown
4. Wait for the screen to go completely dark before putting the device away

Step 5: Adding Games to Your R36XX

Now for the exciting part — loading up your game library! The R36XX offers multiple ways to add games.

Method 1: Wireless Transfer via WiFi (Recommended) WiFi Feature

This is where the R36XX shines! No need to remove SD cards.

Using Network File Transfer

1. Ensure your R36XX is connected to the same WiFi network as your computer
2. On your R36XX, navigate to Settings → Network
3. Enable File Sharing or Samba (option name varies by firmware)
4. Note the IP address displayed (e.g., 192.168.1.100)

Method 2: Direct SD Card Transfer

Still works great when you need faster transfers for large files:

1. Power off your R36XX completely
2. Remove the games SD card (Slot 2) or your single SD card
3. Insert the card into your computer’s card reader
4. Open the card in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)

You’ll see folders organised by system:

5. Copy your game files into the appropriate folders
6. Safely eject the card
7. Insert it back into your R36XX
8. Power on and enjoy!

Pro Tip: For PS1 games, use .bin + .cue or .chd format. CHD files are compressed and save significant space — perfect if you’re working with a smaller SD card.

Step 6: WiFi-Enabled Features

The built-in WiFi on your R36XX unlocks several powerful features:

Note: Feature availability depends on your installed firmware. ArkOS and similar custom firmware typically support most WiFi features.

Step 7: Updating Your Firmware

The firmware that ships with the R36XX is often outdated. Updating gives you:

• Better emulator performance
• Full WiFi feature support
• More customisation options
• Bug fixes and stability improvements
• Support for additional systems

Recommended Firmware Options

Step 8: Optimising Your Experience

Adjusting Display Settings

1. Enter a game and press Start + Select
2. Navigate to Settings → Video
3. Adjust:
   • Brightness — Lower for better battery life
   • Scaling — “Integer scaling” for pixel-perfect display
   • Filters — Add CRT or LCD effects for nostalgia

Battery-Saving Tips

• Lower screen brightness to 50-60%
• Disable WiFi when not in use (saves significant battery)
• Use sleep mode for short breaks (quick press of power button)
• Keep volume at moderate levels

Creating Save States

Never lose progress again:

1. During gameplay, press Start + Select
2. Select Save State
3. Choose a slot (you get multiple!)
4. To load, follow the same steps and select Load State

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Quick Reference Card

Why Choose the R36XX?

The R36XX represents the perfect evolution of the beloved R36S. With built-in WiFi, you get:

• Convenience — Transfer games without removing SD cards
• Features — RetroAchievements, scraping, and more work out of the box
• Future-proof — OTA firmware updates keep your device current
• Clean setup — No dangling USB dongles

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