Shoppers looking for retro legacy video games often face a simple fork in the road: do you want to play on a television or in your hands? The four systems here all promise a large library of classic games, but they split into one TV-oriented console and three R36S handhelds. Listed prices span $31.99 to $39.99, so the choice is less about cost and more about how you want to game. All four options include a pre-loaded library, so you can start playing without hunting for cartridges or discs.
What to weigh
The biggest decision is where you'll play. The New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI) is built around HDMI output and needs a separate display, while the three R36S models include their own screens and are designed to be carried. The listed prices all sit within a few dollars of each other, so each option stays in the same general range. Storage differs, with the TV console showing 64GB and the handhelds showing 128GB.
Quick take
- New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI) is the TV-connected option.
- R36S Retro Handheld (Purple) is one of the handheld options.
- R36S Retro Handheld (Black) is the middle-priced portable.
- R36S Retro Handheld (Multiple Colors) rounds out the portable group.
Listed-price comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar | Standout |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI) | USD 39.99 | HDMI output for TV play | |
| R36S Retro Handheld (Purple) | USD 32.99 | USB-C connectivity | |
| R36S Retro Handheld (Black) | USD 33.99 | 3D audio technology | |
| R36S Retro Handheld (Multiple Colors) | USD 31.99 | Multiple color options |
Decision matrix
- Play on a TV: New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI)
- Play in your hands: R36S Retro Handheld (Purple)
- Prefer the Black model: R36S Retro Handheld (Black)
- Look at the last R36S: R36S Retro Handheld (Multiple Colors)
Individual picks
New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI)
Choose this TV-oriented console when you want classic games on a bigger screen. It connects through HDMI and supports 4K output, with 20,000+ titles pre-loaded across decades of gaming history. The internal memory is 64GB, and a 12V battery is included. Its price is the highest in this group at $39.99, so you are paying for the HDMI experience rather than a pocketable format. This is a good fit for someone who already has a screen with an HDMI input. If retro play from a couch sounds right, this is the straightforward route.
R36S Retro Handheld (Purple)
Pick this handheld if USB-C connectivity is on your checklist. It has a 3.5-inch IPS display at 640x480 resolution, 128GB of storage, a battery rated for up to 4 hours, and an open-source Linux system that you can customize. It also comes with 20,000+ games, making it one of the more specific libraries in this group. The trade-off is that its price sits above the lowest handheld in the set. If portability and USB-C matter most, this one lines up well, and the battery estimate suggests you can play for a few hours away from a charger.
R36S Retro Handheld (Black)
If 3D audio technology sounds good for retro gaming, this black handheld features that detail. It uses the same open-source approach as the other R36S units, with a large built-in library of classic games ready to play without downloads or setup. The screen and storage otherwise match the rest of the handheld lineup, so you are not giving up the core portable experience. Its price falls between the other two handhelds, making it the middle option in the group. The black shell keeps things understated, and the audio enhancement is the main extra.
R36S Retro Handheld (Multiple Colors)
This option offers color variety and the lowest price in the set. It comes in black, white, purple, red, and orange, so you can match the shell to your taste. The screen is the same 3.5-inch IPS unit found on the other handhelds, and the storage is consistent with those models as well. It is described as brand new, and the connectivity is listed as USB. If you want to keep the cost down while still having a color choice, this is the one to look at. The five-color lineup makes it easy to spot this model in a crowd, and the listed price is the lowest in this group, which makes it a useful starting point for price-conscious shoppers.
Start with the TV-versus-handheld question. The rest is a matter of which extra features you value.
Final recommendation by use case
- TV gaming: New Retro Game Console (4K HDMI)
- Handheld play: R36S Retro Handheld (Purple)
- Black shell: R36S Retro Handheld (Black)
- R36S Retro Handheld (Multiple Colors)
