ARCH R
Open-source Linux gaming distribution for the R36S handheld and every clone we know about.
43 motherboard revisions covered. Two image variants, both with hardware auto-detect.
Leve como uma pluma.
Built for the hardware.
From-scratch Linux distribution on top of the ROCKNIX base. Every component hand-tuned for the RK3326 SoC, and only RK3326.
43 panels, two images
15 original, 18 clone and 10 soysauce motherboard revisions covered. The Flasher reads the silkscreen, picks the right overlay automatically. Same image boots every variant.
19s boot, 1.5 GHz on demand
Splash at 0.7s, ES at 19s. CPU runs cool at 1.4 GHz default. Toggle the overclock in ES for 1.5 GHz when PSP, Dreamcast and box86 ports need it. Per-emulator GLTHREAD on standalones.
Open-source GPU stack
Mesa 26 Panfrost as default: no proprietary blobs, GLES 3.1. libmali still available as opt-in via the ES Graphics menu. Auto-fallback if either driver does not bind.
Reproducible build
`make docker-RK3326` produces both image variants from a clean checkout: kernel, Mesa, RetroArch, every package. Byte-identical to the GitHub release.
Compatible hardware.
Two image variants. Each board boots the right one with no manual config: SARADC reads the board ID at boot.
- • R36S (genuine), R33S
- • Odroid Go Advance / v1.1 / Super
- • Anbernic RG351V / RG351M
- • GameForce Chi
- • MagicX XU10
- • Soysauce / Y3506-based handhelds
Boot logo, BSP-derived bootloader. Works on the original Anbernic and vendor batches.
- • K36 / R36S clones / EE Clone
- • Powkiddy RGB10 / RGB10X / RGB20S
- • MagicX XU-Mini-M
- • BatLexp G350
Mainline bootloader plus ROCKNIX patches. Covers the wider clone ecosystem.
Unsure which? The Flasher reads your motherboard silkscreen and picks for you.
Online out of the box.
Network features wired up and ready: toggle them in the ES menu when you want them.
PortMaster
Run native PC ports such as Half-Life, Diablo II, Stardew Valley, Quake. box86 and box64 included, /dev/uinput permissions wired.
RetroAchievements
Earn achievements as you play. Every supported libretro core hooked up. Hardcore mode flag in the ES menu.
Netplay
RetroArch netplay over LAN or device-to-device WiFi for up to 4 players. Same image, same core, hit Connect.
Tailscale / WireGuard / ZeroTier
Three VPN options. Toggle in the menu, paused automatically during gameplay so they never compete with the emulator.
Syncthing + rclone
P2P sync of saves and ROMs across your PC and other handhelds. Cloud backup to Drive, OneDrive and S3 via rclone.
Samba + SSH
Network share for ROMs from any OS. Remote shell for debug. Both opt-in (off by default for security).
Under the hood.
Every spec hand-tuned for the RK3326 and validated on actual silicon.
Documentation.
Everything you need: install, ROMs, controls, troubleshooting, build from source.