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Since its debut in 2020, the Evercade has become a force to be reckoned with. Not only is it a bastion of physical gaming that has released over 600 ports of classics and indie capers on cartridges (no, really, those are still a thing), but its ecosystem of best retro console contenders now covers everything from handhelds and traditional TV boxes to authentic-feeling arcade machines with cart compatibility.
Yes, the Evercade started as a singular retro handheld with physical cartridge support, but it's now what I'd call a fully fledged platform. No, it's not coming for Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo's lunch money, but it does blend emulation tech and physical media to create a compelling classic console alternative that puts game ownership back in the hands of players.
Latest Evercade cartridge releases
Blaze announces new Evercade Cartridges pretty regularly, and its latest releases include a new Taito Arcade 3 cart and The Turrican Collection. The former compilation features staple cabinet classics from the Japanese publisher, such as Cadash, Crazy Balloon, Puzzle Bobble, and Qix, with the latter cramming the "complete Turrican saga" into one convenient package.
Serving as number 21 in the Evercade "original arcade games" collection, the new Taito pack tops off the platform's expansive access to the publisher's back catalogue. If you've got the first two purple boxed collections, picking up this latest edition is a no-brainer, and while you can grab most of the nine other classics elsewhere, shooters like Lunar Rescue aren't as readily available on other platforms.
Out of the two, I'd argue The Turrican Collection is more exciting, especially if you're a fan of the iconic sci-fi shooter. Developed by Factor 5, the series kicked off on the C64 before eventually making its way to the Amiga via its sequel, Turrican 2. The piggy-nosed cybernetic soldier also managed to reach 16-bit consoles thanks to Super Turrican and Mega Turrican, which are both included in the collection.
Having recently played through The Turrican Collection, I can confirm it makes for a great way to dive into the classic shooter series. The compilation sticks to the 16-bit Amiga, Super Nintendo, and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis ports, which means you are missing out on the C64 original. Missing OG microcomputer assault against the evils of AI (how relatable) aside, the compilation maintains the series' banging soundtrack, maps controls nicely to suit the Evercade, and runs without any emulation hiccups.
The bright side is that not having the C64 ports to hand has inspired me to try them out on the Commodore 64 Ultimate, and there's nothing to say original hardware can't live alongside your Evercade gadget of choice.
As for what's next, you'll want to keep an eye out for the Mega Cat Studios Collection 3, Activision Collection 2, and the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack. That latter N64 compilation features the OG collectathon and Banjo-Tooie, which happen to be the same pack-in games as the freshly announced Nexus handheld.
Evercade consoles and handhelds
Blaze's transformation from an old accessories brand into a full-blown retro console maker kicked off with the original Evercade handheld back in 2020. That portable was discontinued in 2022 to make way for its revamped sibling, the Evercade EXP, accompanied by the Evercade VS console that hooks up to TVs and monitors via HDMI.
Super Pocket
- Best suited to 8 and 16-bit games
- 2.8-inch IPS screen
- Eight buttons
- 4.3-inch IPS screen
- Built-in games
- Vertical layout
- USB-C charging
Evercade EXP-R
- Great for 2D and arcade
- 4.3-inch IPS screen
- ten buttons
- Horizontal and vertical TATE modes
- USB-C charging
- Library tracking
- Wi-Fi updates
Evercade VS-R
- A match for 2D and 3D
- 1080p HDMI output
- Two Gamepads included
- Four USB controller ports
- Dual cartirdge slots
- Compact console design
- Wi-Fi updates
Evercade Alpha
- Perfect for arcade games
- 8-inch IPS screen
- Built-in games
- Authentic arcade controls
- USB controller ports
- Light up marquee
- Wi-Fi updates
Since that initial wave, Blaze has continued to whip up new ways to play Evercade cartridges and refine its existing hardware lineup. Some more recent ventures include the Super Pocket, a budget-friendly handheld with a Game Boy-inspired look from its sister brand HyperMegaTech!, and the Evercade Alpha, a bartop arcade machine with authentic controls, an 8-inch IPS screen, USB controller support, and the same dual-cart compatibility as the EXP.
When you break down the options, there's basically a way to play Evercade cartridges on the go, on a big screen, or using something with arcade vibes if that's your jam. I should note that while the original and VS handheld used to have HDMI output, theoretically allowing it to act like a hybrid console, the newer Evercade EXP-R strips out both due to the fact that the output suffered from various issues and cost-cutting measures.
What the EXP-R does hold onto, though, is unique features like the option to play in TATE mode using additional A and B buttons. That makes the portable especially suited to vertical arcade shooters, a trait that's fairly uncommon outside of niche handhelds like the MagicX Zero 40. You're also getting Wi-Fi for updates and Blaze's full virtual library UI, which makes for a snazzy way to track your games without staring at your shelf or pile of carts.
Evercade Nexus | $199.99 at GameStop
Most of Blaze's handhelds and consoles cater to arcade and 2D console gaming, but the recently announced Evercade Nexus is set to change that. Unlike its predecessors, this brand-new handheld offers up a 5.89-inch "ultra bright" IPS display, dual thumbsticks, wireless headphone support, and local multiplayer connectivity, and it includes a Banjo-Kazooie Collection as a pack-in. The portable essentially boasts more features suited to PS1, N64, and Sega Saturn ports, so it could be worth investing in if you're looking to play early 3D romps from the fifth generation.
It's worth noting that the Evercade Nexus isn't set to have an exclusive library of games. It boasts similar specs to Blaze's existing systems, and it'll be using the same range of OG cartridges and 3D "Giga Carts." It also isn't designed to replace the plug-and-play VS-R console since it lacks HDMI output and USB gamepad support, but there is a wireless Evercade controller with dual analogue sticks inbound for your existing TV system.
How does the Evercade work?
Evercade consoles and handhelds might use cartridges, but the platform actually leverages a blend of physical hardware and traditional emulation. Unlike traditional Android and Linux options, though, Blaze includes optimized emulators and ROMs on each cartridge, meaning each release already has settings dialled in to maximize performance.
Basically, each cartridge uploads a complete specialized emulation package to the Evercade rather than just ROM dumping into a generic emulator. For example, Sega Genesis ROMs come wrapped in a version of BlastEm that's modified for cycle accuracy when running on an ARM Cortex chipset. The catch is that, unlike emulation-based handhelds like the Anbernic RG Cube, you won't be able to play around with settings yourself, so you ultimately need to rely on Blaze tweaking everything perfectly.
The good news is that Evercade games have a strong track record of running accurately. Occasionally, you may come across specific games on a cart with minor audio glitches or slow down, but the latter is sometimes tied to the same performance as the original hardware. Blaze also tends to whip up firmware updates to address any serious quirks for its systems, which provides an extra layer of performance reassurance.
Simply put, Blaze's approach to emulation swaps the freedom of running your own backed-up games and the ability to tweak specific settings for optimized convenience. If you've got a massive collection that you've already backed up for use with handheld and PC emulators, picking up an Evercade device might not make much sense. If you enjoy playing around with specific texture packs, upscaling tricks, or scanlines that better replicate the look of old CRT TVs, you'll be better off sticking with DIY solutions.
If you haven't already amassed a collection of retro games, though, the Evercade will provide you with fully licensed releases that require zero effort to emulate. That will save you from thinking about any gray areas when it comes to using your own legally obtained ROMs or retro console BIOS files, not to mention you'll have physical boxes to add to your shelf.
That said, even physical games are at the mercy of licensing. While big publishers can't come into your house and steal your carts, Evercade releases are sometimes "retired" from sale. This could be a pain if you're building your collection gradually, as specific collections could become harder to get hold of in the future, not to mention some ports are only included on Super Pocket handhelds due to specific usage rights.
The TLDR is that the Evercade offers up one of the most accurate retro console emulation experiences on the market. Blaze's approach to baking in bespoke emulators into each cartridge helps avoid incompatibility and accuracy pitfalls, whereas your mileage may vary when using DIY devices or ROM dumping systems like the Hyperkin Retron GX that use original copies of games.
I'd argue the next step up from the tailored emulators used by the Evercade is opting for complete hardware remakes powered by FPGA chipsets. Systems like the Analogue 3D and the SuperStation use Field Programmable Gate Array tech to precisely mimic the innards of an actual N64 or PS1, negating the need for software emulation. That does mean you'll have to provide your own OG cartirdges and discs since the aim is to recreate the original hardware, so if you'd prefer to just use an all-in-one system with its own cross-platform library, an Evercade device might still be the right call.
FAQ
How powerful is the Evercade VS?
The Evercade VS is a plug-and-play retro console that's armed with a Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A5 chipset and 512MB RAM. Those specs enable you to run a variety of games via cartridges using baked-in emulators at native 1080p via HDMI output, and while the specs look pretty low on paper, it actually punches harder than many other all-in-one systems out there and has access to over 700 releases.
Is the Evercade discontinued?
The Evercade is alive and well as a platform, and various hardware options that use the cartridge ecosystem now exist. While the 2020 version of Blaze's handheld has been discontinued, the latest EXP-R version of the portable carries the same portable gaming torch alongside the cheaper Super Pocket. If you're looking to hook up to a big screen, the Evercade VS-R also stands as an all-in-one HDMI console, and the Alpha arcade machine offers up the same tech within an authentic bartop cabinet.
Which Evercade cartridges are discontinued?
While most Evercade cartridges are still available, some releases are now branded as "legacy" carts. This is normally due to expired licensing or changes to original agreements, inevitably leading to discontinuation from sale. There's nothing stopping you from picking up retired releases second-hand, but you'll no longer find console collections #1, #2, #5 #6, #9, #10, #12, #13, #14, #16, #17, #19, #20, and #30, or Arcade #4 new at retailers.
What do the Evercade box colors mean?
Each Evercade cartridge is assigned a specific box color and number, which represent a series category and respective volume. Red boxes belong to the "Home Console" series, Purple is used to brand "Original Arcade Games", and Blue signifies "Home Computer" ports of games from the C64, ZX Spectrum, and other microcomputers. In addition, some specific Indie releases and collections feature standalone color schemes and artwork, with examples including the 8-bit Alwa/Cathedral collection, which are native ports rather than ROMs packaged with bespoke emulators.
Already using Valve's handheld for the classics? Take a peek at the best Steam Deck docks for ways to use the portable PC as a console.
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