Looking for the best games R36S has to offer? With around 14,000 titles preloaded, the library can be overwhelming — where do you even start? These are the best games to play first, sorted by console, covering timeless classics and a few hidden gems worth your time.
Best Games R36S Beginners Should Try First
If you only play three games this week, make them Super Mario World, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Final Fantasy VII — a fast, friendly cross-section of what the best games R36S has to offer actually feels like. From there, use the console-by-console picks below to keep exploring.
Best Nintendo Games
- Super Mario World (SNES) — arguably the greatest platformer ever made.
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (SNES) — a must-play adventure.
- Super Mario 64 (N64) — the game that defined 3D platforming.
- Pokemon Red / Blue (Game Boy) — perfect pick-up-and-play on a handheld.
Best Sega Games
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis) — fast, colorful, and endlessly replayable.
- Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis) — the gold standard of side-scrolling beat-em-ups.
- Gunstar Heroes (Genesis) — a frantic run-and-gun classic.
Best PlayStation 1 Games
- Final Fantasy VII — one of the most beloved RPGs of all time.
- Crash Bandicoot — a PlayStation platforming icon.
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night — the genre-defining gothic adventure.
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 — still endlessly fun in short bursts.
Best Arcade and Fighting Games
- Metal Slug series — gorgeous pixel art and chaotic action.
- Street Fighter Alpha 3 — a deep, accessible fighter.
- The King of Fighters — Neo Geo at its finest.
Hidden Gems Worth Trying
- Chrono Trigger (SNES) — widely considered one of the best RPGs ever.
- Mega Man X (SNES) — tight, satisfying action platforming.
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (GBA) — a portable masterpiece.
Why These Classics Still Hold Up
Many of the best games R36S owners return to again and again were built around tight controls and short, replayable sessions, the opposite of today’s sprawling open-world epics. Titles like Chrono Trigger proved that 16-bit hardware could deliver storytelling that still gets cited among the best in the genre, which is exactly why these games remain worth playing decades later.
The good news is you do not have to choose just one era. With this much of the back catalog preloaded, you can bounce between an SNES classic, a PS1 RPG, and an arcade brawler in the same sitting, and every save picks up right where you left off thanks to built-in save states.
Whether you grew up with a specific console or are discovering these games for the first time, the variety here means there is always something worth firing up next.
Want Even More Options?
Preloaded picks are just the start. If your favorite title is not on the list, check our guide on how to add games to the R36S to expand your library even further.
Play them all on the R36S — $67.99 →
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best games on the R36S?
Top picks include Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Final Fantasy VII, Metal Slug, and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Are these games included with the R36S?
Most classic favorites are part of the roughly 14,000 preloaded games, and you can add any others via MicroSD.
What is the best RPG on the R36S?
Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Trigger are standout RPGs that run great on the R36S.
Can the R36S play classic arcade games?
Yes. Arcade classics like Metal Slug, Street Fighter, and Neo Geo titles run at full speed on the R36S.