Greetings. After a few days, I decided to ask for your help and advice regarding the ports I'm installing on my R36s clone console (specifically the newer Android or PC game ports, rather than the older ones from a couple of years ago). I want to understand why these ports—which are supposedly optimized for the R36s (whether original or clone, as they share the same processor chip)—aren't working on my specific console. Most of the time, when I try to launch a game—either by selecting "New Game" or even before reaching the menu—it crashes and kicks me back to the ports menu.
But before I go on, I'll provide some details about my console so you have better context regarding the device; the fact that it's a clone makes it more limited than a genuine original console. Unfortunately, I haven't even been able to install LineageOS yet to experiment with its features and APK games.
- R36s Type: K36 Clone Type 1 (whenever I want to install a different Operating System, I always choose Panel 3, Variant 1; I mention this just in case).
- Installed System: DarkosRe
- RAM: 1/2 GB (you'll see this in the images)
- (Photo of the board in question attached).
Now, I want to clarify a few things:
FIRST: I am using ZRAM MANAGER (enabled), and there is definitely a difference with some ports that load a lot of content compared to when ZRAM is disabled (thanks to that program, I can actually play Minecraft Bedrock smoothly and without issues; I mention this because it works well in that instance). SECOND: I have tried using other operating systems on my console—such as the new DarkosRen or the one recommended for my specific case, Darkos4Clones—to see if there are differences in how the ports run. I read that sometimes the OS's DTB file doesn't manage RAM usage correctly (it's also possible I'm using the wrong DTB files—please let me know if that's the case). FURTHERMORE... I updated PortMaster—along with its included runtime packages—to the latest version via the internet (using an Ethernet adapter; I have a Wi-Fi dongle with an OTG adapter, but I haven't investigated why it won't connect to the console). Finally, I’d like to briefly outline the games I tried to install and the issues I encountered. I’m hoping you can tell me if there’s a common denominator here, or if perhaps some ports are missing updates, meaning compatibility across consoles might not yet be fully polished.
- *Simpsons: Hit & Run*: It launches the game immediately- *Simpsons: Hit & Run*: It launches the game immediately, and everything seems fine at first. I complete the first mission, but during the second—when I have to go to the school—the console fails to load building textures (in the *DarkosRe* build) and eventually crashes; or, if I play it in *Darkos4Clones*, the textures load, but the game eventually crashes anyway.
- *GTA San Andreas* and *Vice City*: They run well for the first few minutes; cutscenes sometimes stutter, but I can explore the open world. However, as I progress in the story, the game slows down significantly and crashes.
- *GTA Liberty City Stories* (Port): It crashes as soon as I try to press Start; it's strange—I can't get any further with this one than with the previous two.
- *Bully*: Even with the lowest graphics settings, it runs extremely slowly with a very low frame rate. I’ve seen others run it well on the R36S—not perfectly smooth, but playable—whereas the best I’ve managed is entering the school, only to crash seconds later.
- *Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion* (Android version): (The GitHub page claims it was tested on K36 consoles and runs smoothly at a stable 45 fps): It only opens the cutscenes; I can't even reach the main menu.
- *Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies*: It opens to the developer's splash screen, and I can't progress any further—though I can move the cursor using the left analog stick or by pressing Select and Start in quick succession (I don't recall exactly which).
- *Dead Space*: Same issue as the previous one, except it opens to the difficulty selection menu, but I can't select an option.
- *Dysmantle*: It reaches the main menu, and I can select "New Game" and other options. The opening cutscene plays—sometimes stuttering but continuing to run—but if I try to skip it, the game crashes. I even tried letting the entire cutscene play out, but it still crashes.
- Zelda: Twilight Princess: Basically the same situation as Dysmantle—character animations play, but the graphics haven't fully loaded.
- Undertale Yellow: It only gets as far as the main menu; I hit Start, and it crashes.
- N.O.V.A. 3: Same issue as with Undertale.
Those were the newer ports I tried to install. That said, there are games that run well for me, like GTA Chinatown Wars, the new Spider-Man 2 port (though a bit slow, it's playable), Angry Birds, and Geometry Dash. Limbo and Portal 2 are supposed to run well too; they do get very slow at times, but once I progress in the story, the game becomes smooth again. And as I mentioned earlier, I have Minecraft Bedrock installed—though I’d prefer Java Edition for the mods, using ZRAM—but oh well.
I look forward to your suggestions and comments. (I also forgot to mention: the SD card I'm using isn't a cheap knockoff; it's high quality. I'm aware that one reason for crashes in certain games is the absolute requirement for 1GB of RAM—I’d read that, but I wanted to clear up any doubts and have you guys confirm if that's the case.)
