Getting comfortable with a new handheld’s menu system takes a bit longer than picking up a modern console, mostly because these devices pack in features borrowed from a dozen different emulator projects. A short orientation period saves a lot of confusion later.

Navigating the Home Screen

Most units group titles by system of origin, with quick shortcuts for recently played games. Spending a few minutes browsing each category helps build a mental map of where favorite titles live before diving into longer sessions.

Understanding Save States

Save states let players pause instantly at any moment, independent of a game’s built-in save system. This feature is especially useful for older titles that lack frequent checkpoints, though it’s worth learning the button combination for quick-saving before a long session rather than during one.

Adjusting Display and Audio Settings

Scaling options, shader filters, and audio balance can all be tweaked per system, letting players fine-tune the look and feel of older, lower-resolution titles to match personal preference rather than relying on default settings.

Organizing a Growing Library

As external storage fills up with additional titles, sorting games into custom folders or favoriting a shortlist keeps navigation quick even as the library grows into the thousands.

A Solid Starting Point

Owners just getting started often find that the R36S Max ships with a menu layout intuitive enough to explore without needing outside tutorials, making the first week of ownership far less overwhelming.