top of page
Search

The R36T Handheld – Retro TV Charm Meets Modern Play for Under $40!

Hey fam 👋


If you’ve ever looked at your handheld collection and thought, “I wish one of these looked like an old-school TV,” then let me introduce you to the R36T! This one’s got that quirky, CRT TV vibe… but inside? It’s all modern emulation power.

And best of all? The price usually floats around $36–$40 USD, making it super budget-friendly!


📺 Retro TV-Inspired Design (Nostalgia Level: MAX)

The very first thing you’ll notice is that big curved plastic lens on the screen, mimicking the look of old Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) televisions from the 80s and 90s.

But don’t worry… the actual screen underneath is flat, crisp, and sharp thanks to a 3.5-inch IPS panel at 640x480 resolution. That means your games still look clean and clear, with good color and wide viewing angles.


So you’re getting retro looks without sacrificing modern screen quality.


📱 Specs That Actually Matter (And Why They’re Good for You)

CPU: RK3326 Quad-Core Processor👉 Translation: This is a proven chip for retro gaming handhelds. It handles everything from NES and SNES up to PlayStation 1 and some light PSP games without lag or slowdown.


RAM: 1GB👉 More RAM = better performance when switching between emulators or running more demanding games like larger PS1 titles.


Operating System: EmuELEC👉 A fan-favorite, open-source OS in the handheld gaming community. Easy to use, fast to boot, and pre-loaded with emulator support for most classic consoles.


Screen: 3.5-inch IPS (640×480 resolution)👉 The sweet spot for retro gaming. Why? Because many older game consoles originally ran at low resolutions close to 240p or 480p. This screen makes those games look pixel-perfect without ugly stretching.


Battery: 3000mAh👉 Easily gives you 4-6 hours of playtime, depending on the game system you’re emulating. Enough for a long trip or a chill weekend gaming session.

WiFi: 2.4GHz👉 Yes, you can do things like RetroArch netplay or download updates wirelessly.


Bluetooth: Yes!👉 Connect a Bluetooth controller if you want to sit back and play on a bigger screen (more on that below).


Storage Options: 64GB or 128GB MicroSD Cards👉 Both come preloaded with 18,000+ retro games covering nearly every retro console you can think of (Arcade, NES, SNES, GBA, PS1, and more).


RGB Joystick Lighting:👉 The single thumbstick underneath the D-pad has colorful ambient lighting around it, making your handheld stand out and feel a little more… “gamer aesthetic.”It’s a small thing, but it makes the handheld feel more premium.

OTG Support (External Controllers):👉 Want to plug in a USB or Bluetooth controller for couch multiplayer? No problem!


🎨 Color Options (Pick Your Style!)

  • 🔴 Red with black buttons

  • ⚪ White with white buttons

  • 🔵 Light blue with white buttons

  • ⚫ Black with black buttons

  • ⚪ Grey with white buttons

👉 Every color option is available with either 64GB or 128GB storage.


🎮 How Does It Feel in the Hands?

✅ Lightweight but sturdy

✅ The dish-style D-pad feels familiar if you’ve used Game Boy-style handhelds

✅ Face buttons (ABXY) are responsive and easy to press

✅ Shoulder buttons (L1/L2 + R1/R2) are stacked and easy to reach


This is a great pick-up-and-play device, even if you’ve never owned a handheld before.


📡 WiFi and Bluetooth Perks

With built-in WiFi, you’re ready for:

✅ Wireless multiplayer on certain emulators

✅ Downloading save files or game box art covers

✅ Doing OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates (if needed)

Bluetooth support means you can connect controllers for multiplayer or console-style gaming.


📦 What’s in the Box?

  • ✅ Your R36T handheld

  • ✅ Type-C charging cable

  • ✅ Manual

  • ✅ Protective screen film


Simple, but you get all the basics needed to start gaming right away.


💸 Where to Buy:


🗨️ Your Turn!

Are you into the CRT TV aesthetic? Do you like the idea of handhelds with RGB lighting and WiFi?


👉 Drop a comment below to let me know what you think!Or head over to the P’Nick’s Handhelds Forum and let’s chat about it in the Retro Vertical Handhelds section.


Until next time! 👋


P'Nick ✨

bottom of page