If you have just unboxed your R36S retro handheld console and find yourself stuck in a game without knowing how to get back to the main menu, don’t worry! This is a very common question, not only for the R36S but also for similar models like the R36 PRO or the R40S.
The R36S, like many other retro consoles running Linux-based operating systems such as ArkOS, uses a button combination called a “Hotkey” (shortcut button) along with other buttons to perform special actions like exiting games, saving progress, or accessing the emulator menu. The methods below are generally valid for most models in the R36 and R40 series.
Below, we explain the most effective methods to exit any game on your retro handheld console:
Method 1: The Quick Button Combination (Recommended)
This is the most common and fastest method to return directly to the game list or the ArkOS main menu.
- Identify the “Hotkey” Button:
- On most retro consoles running ArkOS, the default “Hotkey” is the SELECT button.
- In some variants, or if you have reconfigured it, it could be the FN (Function) button if your model has it. However, for the R36S, SELECT is the industry standard for this function.
- Press the Combination:
- While inside a game, press and hold the SELECT button (your Hotkey).
- While holding SELECT, press the START button.
- In short, the combination is: SELECT + START (Note: some systems require you to press this twice quickly).
- Result:
- Upon pressing this combination, the game will close immediately, and you will return to the main ArkOS interface to browse your systems and games.
Method 2: Accessing the RetroArch Menu (For more control)
Many games on the R36S run through RetroArch, a powerful frontend for emulators. If you need more options or if the SELECT + START combo fails, you can access the RetroArch menu directly.
- Identify the “Hotkey” Button (SELECT).
- Press the Combination for RetroArch:
- While inside a game, press and hold the SELECT button.
- While holding SELECT, press the X button.
- The combination is: SELECT + X
- Inside the RetroArch Menu:
- This will open the “Quick Menu.” Scroll down using the D-Pad.
- Look for the option “Close Content” or “Quit RetroArch”.
- Select it and press the A button to confirm.
Additional Tips and Troubleshooting:
- Save Your Progress: Before exiting, it is a good practice to save your progress. You can use RetroArch’s “Savestates” by pressing
Hotkey + L1to save andHotkey + R1to load. - Avoid Hard Shutdowns: Do not turn off the console by holding the power button while inside a game. Always exit to the main menu first to prevent potential SD card corruption or lost save files.
- Check Hotkey Settings: If these combinations don’t work, the Hotkey configuration might have been changed. You can check this in the ArkOS settings or within the RetroArch “Input” menu.
With these simple steps, you will master navigating between your games and the main menu of your R36S, maximizing your retro gaming experience.
Discover more about the R36S and other retro consoles!
If you don’t have your R36S yet, or you are looking for the perfect console to relive your childhood classics, visit our retro handheld consoles section to find the ideal model for you.
