R36 Max: New 1:1 vertical gaming handheld available for under $40

Game Console has released a lot of retro gaming handhelds lately, including R46S (curr. $79.99 on Amazon) that debuted last autumn. Another that slipped under our radar was the R36 Max, which actually appears to be a vertical alternative to the R46S despite its name.

The R36 Max utilises an IPS display that measures 4-inches across while outputting at 720 x 720 pixels with a 1:1 aspect ratio. Unfortunately, Game Console has opted for a less powerful chipset this time around. For context, Game Console offers the R46S with the Rockchip RK3566, as well as 1 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 4,000 mAh battery.

Although the latter components have been carried across, Game Console has replaced the RK3566 with the weaker RK3326. As a result, the R36 Max has four ARM Cortex-A35 CPU cores and a Mali-G31 GPU at its disposal. While not the most powerful chipset around, it will be capable of emulating classic systems across its 720p display.

The R36 Max contains a usual assortment of gamepad buttons too, including a pair of joysticks and a reasonably-sized d-pad. The hearts for start/select buttons and a football button are certainly strange choices though, as is Game Console's mock-up of a football pitch. Currently, the R36 Max can be picked on marketplaces like AliExpress for under $40.