Top 20 Retro Games to Play on the Arkos R36S

The Arkos R36S comes preloaded with thousands of games, which can be overwhelming. We've picked the 20 that show off exactly what this little device can do — covering every era from 8-bit to PS1.

Classic NES & SNES

The R36S handles 8-bit and 16-bit games flawlessly. These hold up best:

  • Super Mario World — the definitive 2D platformer, still perfect decades later
  • Donkey Kong Country 2 — stunning visuals for its era, runs butter-smooth
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past — hours of content, timeless design
  • Mega Man X — tight controls, great for short commute sessions
  • Chrono Trigger — widely regarded as the best RPG ever made

Game Boy & GBA

The 3.5" IPS screen makes GBA games look better than they ever did on original hardware:

  • Pokémon FireRed — the best entry point if you haven't played Pokémon before
  • Golden Sun — a deep RPG that's impossible to put down
  • Metroid Fusion — atmospheric and tense, perfect with earbuds
  • Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow — one of the best handheld games ever made
  • The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap — an underrated gem from 2004

PlayStation 1

PS1 emulation on the R36S is excellent — these all run at full speed:

  • Crash Bandicoot 2 — better than the original, holds up brilliantly
  • Final Fantasy VII — the classic JRPG, finally truly portable
  • Spyro: Ripto's Rage — colourful and chill, great for relaxing sessions
  • Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 — peak Tony Hawk, instant fun
  • Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — the definitive action-RPG of the 90s

Sega & Arcade

  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 — still the best Sonic game
  • Streets of Rage 2 — the greatest beat-em-up ever made
  • Mortal Kombat II — great for quick sessions
  • Street Fighter II Turbo — the arcade classic in your pocket
  • Metal Slug — beautiful pixel art, frantic gameplay

Pro Tip: Use Earbuds

Half of these games — Final Fantasy VII, Symphony of the Night, Chrono Trigger — have legendary soundtracks that deserve better than the built-in speaker. The Gen Retro Gaming Earbuds plug straight into the 3.5mm jack. Use code FREEBUD at checkout to get them free with your console order.

Order the Arkos R36S — ships fast from our Australian warehouse.