The Evercade is a handheld game console made by a British company called Blaze Entertainment. It focuses on playing old games using special cartridges that have many emulated games. It was released on May 22, 2020. When it first came out, it included 10 cartridges with a total of 122 games.

Companies like Arc System Works, Atari, Bandai Namco Entertainment, G-Mode, Interplay Entertainment, and Piko Interactive have made versions of their games for the Evercade. Mega Cat Studios has also re-released some homebrew games on the Evercade. The Evercade can play games from systems like the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari Lynx, Intellivision, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and PlayStation. It can also play arcade games and home computer games from the Commodore 64, Amiga, and ZX Spectrum.

In December 2021, a home console version called the Evercade VS was released. The original handheld console was no longer sold and was replaced by an improved version called the Evercade EXP, which came out at the end of 2022.

History

The Evercade was created by Blaze Entertainment Limited, a company from Great Britain that had previously made Atari-related products and the Game Gadget. Blaze started working on the Evercade in 2018, aiming to build a console better than plug-and-play devices. The Evercade was introduced in April 2019 as a portable console for playing retro video games. It could connect to a television and played emulated games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.

The Evercade was first planned to release in the fourth quarter of 2019. However, the release was delayed to March 20, 2020, and then to May 22, 2020. Some areas faced further delays due to shipping problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The console sold for £60/$80 with one game cartridge included, while a premium version sold for £80/$100 and came with three cartridges. It had a white and red design, resembling the Nintendo Famicom, and a black version was also sold in the United Kingdom. Andrew Byatt, the Evercade’s development director, hoped to sell hundreds of thousands of units in its first year.

On May 31, 2022, Blaze announced it would stop selling the Evercade and instead launch an improved version called the Evercade EXP.

Hardware

The Evercade has a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and is based on Linux. It is slightly more than seven inches long, includes 256 megabytes of RAM, and has a 4.3-inch horizontal LCD screen with a resolution of 480×272 pixels. The screen uses a 16:9 aspect ratio because some of the console’s games were originally made for systems like the Atari Lynx, which use a wider screen ratio than 4:3. Players can switch between the 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

The Evercade can be connected to a television using a mini-HDMI cable instead of a regular HDMI cable. It supports 720p television output and provides high-definition upscaling for all games when connected to a TV. The console has a rechargeable battery that holds 2,000 mAh and lasts 4 to 5 hours. A 3.5 mm headphone jack is located on the bottom of the console, along with two volume controls. The cartridge slot, power button, and mini-HDMI port are on the top of the system. A MicroUSB port is used to charge the battery. Unlike modern handheld consoles, the Evercade does not have a touchscreen or Wi-Fi connectivity.

Blaze Entertainment tested 20 different versions of the Evercade’s D-pad before selecting the final one. The design is similar to the D-pads on the Genesis and Saturn controllers. The console has four action buttons on the front, two trigger buttons on top, and includes “menu,” “select,” and “start” buttons. The layout of the four action buttons was decided after Blaze conducted an online poll, which found that 68% of people preferred a layout like those used on modern game controllers. This caused confusion because in-game instructions did not match the buttons (for example, a player might need to press “B” when the game says “A”). Blaze released a firmware update to fix the issue, which required users to connect the console to the Evercade website via USB.

Two-player games adapted for the Evercade keep the multiplayer feature, with plans for future hardware to support two players. Adding Bluetooth was considered to enable multiplayer, but the team abandoned the idea due to cost and complexity, which did not align with the console’s focus. By the end of 2019, before the Evercade’s release, Blaze was already working on a second version with multiplayer support and a simpler way to connect to a television.

Games

Games for the Evercade are sold on multi-game ROM cartridges, which usually hold between 5 and 20 games. Some cartridges contain fewer than five games. Evercade cartridges allow players to save their progress, a feature not common in older games. The Evercade used game cartridges, which was unusual because most retro handheld consoles used built-in or downloaded games. The Evercade aimed to let players collect physical games, unlike other retro consoles. Cartridges, clamshell packaging, and paper manuals were used to appeal to fans of physical games, as digital downloads became popular. Cartridges and packaging are numbered to encourage collecting. Evercade cartridges are white and similar in size to Game Boy and Game Gear cartridges. In 2024, Blaze Entertainment announced new cartridges called Giga Carts. These look the same as regular cartridges but have more storage for modern games.

Cartridges use emulation to recreate existing games. Evercade developers worked with original game creators to ensure accurate recreations. Atari was the first publisher to partner with Evercade in April 2019. Later, partnerships were formed with Interplay Entertainment, Data East, and Bandai Namco Entertainment. Each cartridge includes games exclusive to its publisher.

Blaze Entertainment asked game licensees to suggest specific games for the Evercade. These games were usually well-known or rare. Games from Japanese studios were also requested. Licensees sometimes suggested other games. Byatt stated that quality was prioritized over quantity, aiming to avoid having 3,000 games. Some games could not be released due to missing paperwork proving ownership. Discussions also included indie developers creating new retro-style games. Mega Cat Studios released a cartridge with 10 homebrew games previously made for the NES and Mega Drive.

The Evercade uses licensed or custom-built emulators. It can play games from the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari Lynx, NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Intellivision, PlayStation, and Neo Geo.

At launch, the Evercade had 10 cartridges with 122 games. Blaze planned to release over 50 cartridges in the future. Cartridges from Piko Interactive and Mega Cat were available at launch. Evercade games usually cost $20. Arc System Works released a cartridge with beat 'em up games from Technōs. The Namco Museum Collection cartridge included the first English version of Mappy Kids. Iron Commando, previously limited, was also released. Other cartridges included Tanglewood and Atari Lynx games.

Home versions of arcade games like Asteroids and Pac-Man were released. Original arcade ROMs were not used initially because of screen ratio issues. A collection of games by the Oliver Twins was released in 2020, including Wonderland Dizzy. A Jaleco games cartridge came out in 2021, along with a Worms series cartridge. Other cartridges included indie games and Intellivision games. In 2021, Blaze began releasing cartridges with arcade ROMs, starting with games from Technōs, Data East, Gaelco, and Atari. In 2022, a cartridge with Commodore 64 games was released, the first from a home computer system. Cartridge cases are colored differently: red for console, purple for arcade, and blue for home computer. Each color group is numbered separately.

Hidden games can be unlocked using menu codes, button combinations, or specific cartridge setups on the Evercade VS.

On November 14, 2023, Full Void by OutOfTheBit became the Evercade’s first single-game cartridge. It was released in standard and limited editions, with the limited version selling out quickly. The special edition included a blue cartridge, stickers, a poster, a comic, an art book, and an exclusive inlay in a cardboard sleeve. Full Void runs directly on Evercade hardware, not through emulation.

Blaze agreed with SNK to release new products starting in 2025, including a cartridge with six Neo Geo games.

Reception

Reviewers said the console plays classic games well. Andrew Liszewski of Gizmodo wrote that the games worked perfectly: "There are no pauses, no missing frames, no screen problems, and no sound issues. The games just work, letting players focus on playing." Brendan Griffith of GamesRadar+ gave the Evercade three and a half stars out of five, calling it "a great handheld option for older gamers who want to play classic games again." He also said new players might enjoy it too. Damien McFerran of Nintendo Life said the system is "good enough to sell enough units to build a strong audience." John Linneman of Digital Foundry praised the console's size compared to smaller handhelds, saying it feels "solid and not cheap." Adam Patrick Murray of PC World gave it four and a half stars, also praising its size. Liszewski said the Evercade is easy to use. Simon Hill of Wired rated it 8 out of 10, praising the ability to save progress in games.

Andrew Webster of The Verge said the Evercade "mixes modern and retro features in a way that feels satisfying," and noted that the game cartridges include both popular and less-known games. Nick Thorpe of Retro Gamer liked the inclusion of Atari 7800 games, which are hard to find. Adam Ismail of Tom's Guide gave the console four stars, but said it lacks games from Nintendo, Sega, and Konami. Marcus Estrada of Hardcore Gamer praised the variety of games but said some arcade games, like Centipede, are home versions instead of original arcade releases. He called the console "a tribute to retro games that fans and collectors will enjoy." Will Greenwald of PC Magazine gave it 3.5 out of 5, but also criticized the home-conversion arcade games. McFerran said the cartridges include popular games but noted that players must buy all 10 cartridges to get the best titles, and some collections include games that are not very interesting. Other reviewers said some games might not appeal to many players. Some praised the console for having a limited number of downloadable games, which they saw as a positive.

Reviewers liked the controls but said the action buttons were not in the best layout. Linneman wrote, "For example, in NES games, the A and B buttons are placed where I usually expect X and A. In Mega Drive/Genesis games, the A, B, and Y buttons also don’t feel natural." Ismail said the company fixed the layout issue quickly, which showed they listened to feedback. Murray said the shoulder buttons were too sensitive, and the action buttons were too close together.

Reviewers said the games fit tightly in the cartridge slot, making them hard to remove. This was worse because the cartridges have a smooth design, making them hard to grip. Blaze said the reviewers tested an early model and that the problem was fixed before the console launched. Kyle Orland of Ars Technica criticized the use of cartridges, saying many players now prefer downloadable games.

The console's price was called reasonable. The cartridge packaging was also praised. Some critics were upset the console uses a MicroUSB port instead of USB-C, and others were disappointed there was no multiplayer option. Estrada said a few games, like Splatterhouse 3, had audio problems. Other critics also mentioned audio issues, but Blaze worked to fix them.

Reviewers said the screen quality drops when viewed from an angle. Liszewski said the screen is the largest ever on a handheld console, but "not the best," adding, "the screen starts losing color if tilted too far." He said the resolution is good for playing but "menus look pixelated unless players accept it as a retro style." Other reviewers also criticized the simple menu designs. Some said they saw a visual glitch with shimmering during scrolling. Linneman said the console had limited options for screen aspect ratios.

Subsequent systems

After the original Evercade, Blaze created and released several updated and new Evercade products.

In April 2021, Blaze introduced a home console called Evercade VS. This console can play most games made for the handheld Evercade and has a screen resolution of 1080p. Unlike the handheld version, the VS allows up to four players to play together. The handheld Evercade can also be connected to the VS and used as a controller. The VS was released in December 2021. A less expensive version called the VS-R was released in August 2024.

In May 2022, Blaze announced the Evercade EXP, an improved version of the original Evercade. It was released on December 15, 2022. The console is designed to be held horizontally but can also be turned vertically for arcade-style games. It works with all previously released Evercade games and includes 18 built-in games from Capcom. The standard version is white, and a limited black edition was also made, with 5,000 units produced. The standard console costs £130/$150, while the black version costs £180/$227.

Compared to the original Evercade, the EXP has more buttons and a slightly different button layout. The screen size is the same as the original handheld, but the EXP displays games in higher resolution (800×480). It has a mini-HDMI port to connect to a television, with a resolution of 720p. The EXP uses a 1.5 GHz processor and has 4GB of RAM. It supports Wi-Fi for updates and has a larger battery (3,000 mAh) for up to five hours of use. It recharges through a USB-C port.

The improved screen and vertical orientation of the EXP were praised, but some reviewers were disappointed that it does not have Bluetooth.

In November 2024, a redesigned version called the Evercade EXP-R was released at a lower price. The original EXP was no longer sold. The EXP-R does not include the mini-HDMI port or the 18 built-in games.

In July 2023, Blaze Entertainment launched a new line of Super Pocket handhelds under its HyperMegaTech brand. These devices have a smaller design, lower price, and include built-in games from Capcom and Taito, depending on the edition. Although not officially called an Evercade console, the Super Pocket has a cartridge slot and works with all Evercade games. Preorders began in July 2023, with shipments expected in October 2023.

In May 2024, Blaze announced the Evercade Alpha, a tabletop arcade cabinet that can play Evercade cartridges and includes built-in licensed Capcom games.