Nirvana Link
Add games over WiFi.
Skip the SD card shuffle.
Nirvana Link is a tiny app in your handheld's PORTS menu. Sign in with your phone, pick a game, and it lands in the right system folder — ready to play after a quick EmulationStation restart. Your saves get backed up too.
Already have a code on your screen? Go to hub.hobbyistnirvana.com/link.
How it works
Four steps, no PC, no file managers, no typing passwords on a tiny screen.
Get on WiFi
Plug a USB WiFi dongle into the OTG port and join your network from Options → WiFi.
Open Nirvana Link
Find it under PORTS → Nirvana Link. That's your game library.
Sign in from your phone
Scan the QR code or enter the 5-digit code at /link. Your handheld signs in by itself.
Pick a game & play
Choose a system and a game. After the download, restart EmulationStation and it's in your list.
Everything handled for you
Nirvana Link takes care of the fiddly parts so your handheld stays a game console, not a project.
Right folder, every time
Games install straight into the matching ArkOS system folder and the game list is updated for you.
Phone sign-in
Log in or create an account on your phone. You never type an email or password on the handheld.
Space checked first
Before downloading, Nirvana Link checks your card has room — a nearly full card won't end up half-written.
Save backups
Back up your game saves and save states to the cloud, then restore them any time — even onto a fresh card.
Automatic, when you're idle
Turn on automatic backups and they run in the background — paused while you're playing so nothing stutters.
Keeps EmulationStation
No new launcher to learn. You keep playing the way you already do — Nirvana Link just fills the shelf.
Your progress, safe
SD cards fail. Handhelds get dropped. Your 40-hour RPG save shouldn't go with them.
- Saves only — never gamesOnly save files and save states are backed up (
.srm,.sav,.state, memory cards…). - Restore without regretsRestoring never overwrites a local save that's newer than the backup.
- Last 10 backups keptOlder backups roll off automatically. Download any of them from your account.
Where to find it
On your handheld:
PORTS → Nirvana Link → Backup and restore saves
From there you can back up now, restore a previous backup, or switch on automatic backups.
View my backupsGet Nirvana Link
One zip, one folder to copy. Works on R36S handhelds running ArkOS.
Updating? Install the same way over the top of your old copy — you'll stay signed in.
Install from your computer
- Power off the R36S and put its SD card in your computer.
- Open the EASYROMS drive.
- Unzip the download and copy its ports folder onto EASYROMS. If asked, choose to merge and replace.
- Put the card back, power on, and open PORTS → Nirvana Link.
Don't see it under PORTS? Go to Options → Quit → Restart EmulationStation.
What you need
Once Nirvana Link is on your card, this is all it takes to start downloading games.
- An R36S running ArkOSNirvana Link lives in the PORTS menu.
- A USB WiFi donglePlug it into the OTG USB-C port. RTL8188-based dongles are the most reliable.
- A phoneUsed once to sign in — scan the QR code or type the code shown on screen.
- Some free spaceNirvana Link shows how much is left before every download.
First-time sign in
- On the handheld, open PORTS → Nirvana Link.
- Choose Sign in with phone. A QR code and a 5-digit code appear.
- On your phone, scan the QR code — or open hub.hobbyistnirvana.com/link and type the code.
- Log in, or create a free account. Your handheld finishes signing in on its own.
Built for the systems you play
Nirvana Link knows the ArkOS folder layout for every system your R36S supports, including:
Questions
I downloaded a game but it's not in my list.
EmulationStation only reads its game lists when it starts. Quit Nirvana Link, then go to Options → Quit → Restart EmulationStation. The game will be there.
Do I have to type my password on the handheld?
No. Sign-in always happens on your phone. The handheld shows a QR code and a 5-digit code; once you log in on your phone, the handheld picks up the session automatically.
My sign-in code expired.
Codes are short-lived for security. Just choose Sign in with phone again on the handheld to get a fresh one.
Which WiFi dongle should I use?
The R36S has no built-in WiFi, so you'll need a USB dongle in the OTG USB-C port. Dongles with an RTL8188 chipset are the most reliable. Connect from Options → WiFi before opening Nirvana Link.
Nirvana Link says it can't reach the server.
Check that WiFi is connected under Options → Network Info and that your network has internet access. Unplugging and re-plugging the dongle, then reconnecting, fixes most drops.
What exactly gets backed up?
Only save files and save states — things like .srm, .sav, .state and memory card files. Games themselves are never uploaded. Nirvana Link keeps your 10 most recent backups.
Will restoring a backup wipe my newer progress?
No. If a save on your card is newer than the one in the backup, Nirvana Link keeps your local copy.
Does this replace EmulationStation or ArkOS?
No. Nirvana Link is just an app in the PORTS menu. ArkOS, EmulationStation and your emulators stay exactly as they are.
Ready to fill your shelf?
Download Nirvana Link, sign in your handheld with your phone, and grab your first game in a couple of minutes.