R36S Clone Out of the Box Performance Tests and Issues

Unveiling the R36S ‘Clone’: Performance Insights, Issues, and What You Need to Know

In the world of handheld gaming consoles, clones often make waves—some for their affordability and others for their controversial performance. Today, we’re diving into the R36S Clone, a budget alternative that has grabbed attention for both its price tag and questionable quality. Purchased secondhand for just $40 AUD, this clone promises an out-of-the-box experience similar to its genuine counterpart. But is it really worth your time and money? Let’s delve deeper.

What’s Inside the Box?

Upon unboxing the R36S Clone, we observe several notable differences from the original:

• Packaging: The box design differs significantly from the genuine version.
• Contents: It comes with generic foam padding, a translucent orange device, a USB-C cable, a manual, and a screen protector, which appears improperly applied.
• SD Card Configuration: A major red flag is the presence of only one SD card in slot two, while the original uses a bootable card in slot one. This discrepancy indicates that the clone relies on internal flash memory instead of standard boot processes.

Booting Up: Software Experience

Upon powering up the device, users are greeted with a user interface that showcases around 15,000 games. However, there are notable omissions:

• No DOS Games: Like the original, this clone also lacks DOS titles.
• Limited Functionality: The absence of an options menu means no Port Master feature—critical for managing game settings effectively.
• Basic Settings: The EMC version running on the device is 4.7, lacking any standout features.

Game Performance: The Good and The Bad

Testing various popular systems revealed mixed results:

• Older Systems: Consoles like Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance performed admirably.
• Nintendo DS: While playable, it disappointingly lacks a full-screen option, forcing players to contend with a split-screen view. Additionally, the D-pad mappings are incorrect, complicating gameplay.
• Nintendo 64: Unfortunately, this system does not support save states, which severely limits gameplay flexibility.
• PlayStation 1: This is one of the few systems that functioned well without issues.
• Dreamcast and PSP: These encountered lag spikes and other mapping inconsistencies, suggesting performance below expectations compared to the original R36S.

Exploring the Internal Storage

One critical flaw in the R36S Clone is its inability to access its internal storage via a computer. Attempts to connect using USB ports yielded no results, indicating a lack of functionality expected in modern devices. On examining the SD card, we found it formatted as FAT32 but devoid of essential boot files, limiting customization possibilities for users looking to expand their game libraries.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

The R36S Clone presents a mixed bag of experiences. Here are key takeaways:

• Performance: Slightly inferior to the genuine version, particularly in terms of boot time (over one minute compared to 10-15 seconds) and functionality.
• Mapping Issues: D-pad and button mappings require adjustment since many come configured incorrectly out of the box.
• Software Limitations: The stock OS leaves much to be desired, lacking essential features like Save States and efficient access to added games.
• Potential for Alternatives: There may be opportunities to explore alternative operating systems to enhance functionality.

Conclusion

While the R36S Clone offers an alluring price point for those stepping into handheld gaming, it falls short in many areas, particularly when compared to the original console. If you seek reliability and superior performance, investing in the genuine article may prove more beneficial in the long run. For those willing to tinker and experiment, however, the clone could present an interesting project.

Have you had any experiences with the R36S Clone or other gaming clones? Share your thoughts and let us know if you found any workarounds for the issues discussed!