The R36S is the budget retro handheld that continues to impress.
The R36S is a handheld built as an intro to retro emulation device for the budget gamer which gets impressive support. Even more impressive, there seems to be around a dozen manufacturers using different components the community has tirelessly found ways to support.
Speaking of support, this port was made by the community over at NextOS. You will need to join the NextOS Discord in order to complete this port.
Devices
Now there is a port of Zelda – Wind Waker working on the R36Ss Rockchip RK3326, a low power SOC that’s been around since 2018. The same year Nintendo introduced their cardboard accessory creation Labo.
This port will also work on Anbernic’s H700 line of devices from the RG35XX Plus to the recently released RG SP running KnulliOS. Rockchip RK3562 SOCs can be found in a few handhelds in 2026 and the port will work on some of those as well [check official support, at the time of writing Anbernic RG SP Plus has issues].
How to
If you want to get this popular Zelda game on your R36S [or other supported Anbernic XX or RK3562 device] there are a few steps you will need to follow.
- First you will need your legally obtained Zelda – Wind Waker ISO [I can’t help you here]
- Join the NextOS Discord
- In the NextOS Discord scroll down to ports
- Click ports-GameCube
- Select The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Find Link for most recent version in chat thread
- Download latest version [at time of writing it’s V7 0.2.25]
- Place microSD card in PC
- Right click downloaded Wind Waker file zip
- Select Extract to and chose Ports folder on SD card
- Insert Wind Waker ISO: SD/ports/wind-waker-nextos/gamedata
- Safely eject microSD card and place in R36S [or other device]
- Boot and open ports
- Select The Legend of Zelda – The Wind Waker
- You’ll likely see an install screen momentarily
- Play Game
The frame rate seems to be different per which R36S you have but all versions appear to be playable. To get a solid 60FPS I would suggest using one of the more powerful RK3562 handhelds.
Notes:
- H700 and RK3562 devices running KnulliOS seem ti have best chance of success
- If audio, controls or video don’t work give feedback on discord and wait for new version with fix [they are dropping steady updates]
Thoughts
I’ve seen the R36S referred to in the community as “the people’s champ handheld” and I have to agree. The community around the device has worked tirelessly for a couple of years turning the budget device into something special.
Wind Waker is one of the most popular Zelda titles and to have this GameCube title playing on this equipment is nothing short of amazing. There are other ports that will work on the R36S you can find on NextOS so be sure to checkout the ports the community has created.
Did you ever think we would see GameCube ports like Zelda – Wind Waker coming to the R36S?
GameOn
CellPhish
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