What is Evercade / Blaze Entertainment
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Evercade is a brand and retro gaming platform developed by Blaze Entertainment, based in the UK.
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The idea is to offer officially licensed retro games from classic systems (consoles, handhelds, home computers, arcades) collected into themed physical cartridges, combined with hardware that supports playing them in a modern form.
Key Hardware in the Evercade Line
Evercade’s hardware has evolved since the original handheld. Here are the major devices and what they offer.
| Device | Type | Key Features / Specs | What’s Improved or Different |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evercade (Original Handheld, 2020) | Portable handheld | 4.3-inch LCD screen, 480×272 resolution; 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU; ~2000 mAh battery; plays physical Evercade cartridges from launch with games from various retro platforms. | Entry into the Evercade world. Has basic emulation, physical media appeal. Limitations in battery life, display quality, etc. |
| Evercade VS | Home console (TV/monitor output) | Outputs at 1080p; supports up to 4 local players; dual cartridge slots so two cartridges can be loaded at once; uses same cartridges as handheld. | More suited for living room play; better for multiplayer and big-screen usage. |
| Evercade EXP | Upgraded handheld (and hybrid use) | Higher quality screen (IPS panel, 800×480 resolution), better battery life, more powerful internals; includes modern features like TATE mode (screen rotation for vertical games), more built-in storage / memory. | A refined version of the handheld, addressing many of the original’s drawbacks. More comfortable, versatile. |
| Evercade -R Series (EXP-R, VS-R) | Refreshed / simplified versions of the EXP and VS lines | Lower cost / price-adjusted packaging; one bundled “Giga Cart” (a new format cartridge) in some bundles; updated finish, some incremental improvements in usability and firmware. | Meant to make entry more accessible; simplify offerings; keep the platform fresh. |
Cartridges, Games & Licensing
A major part of what defines Evercade is how games are delivered, and what kinds of games are available.
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Physical cartridges: Each cartridge contains multiple games (often from the same publisher or themed around a particular platform or genre). They also come with full-colour manuals, packaging, etc., similar to classic consoles.
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Licensed retro content: Evercade works with publishers and owners of retro IPs (e.g. Atari, Bandai Namco, Irem, etc.) to legally provide classics for modern play on their hardware.
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Built-in games: Some devices (especially newer ones like the EXP) also include a set of built-in titles. For instance, the EXP has 18 built-in Capcom games in certain editions.
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Coverage of many platforms: Evercade cartridges include games from a broad sweep of platforms — 8, 16, 32, and 64-bit consoles, home computers (Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum), handhelds, and arcades.
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Collection size & growth: As of recent reports, Evercade has released more than 60 cartridges and has over 500 officially licensed games in its library.
Strengths & Unique Selling Points
Here are some of the things that make Evercade appealing, especially compared to purely digital or emulation-only options:
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Physical media & collectibles appeal: The cartridges, packaging, manuals, numbering etc., play into nostalgia and collector culture. Many retro gamers like the ritual of inserting a cartridge, reading a manual, etc.
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Legitimacy via licensing: Because Evercade acquires proper licenses, there are fewer legal / moral issues than grey-market or homebrew emulation setups. The quality and authenticity are often higher.
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Cross-compatibility: The same cartridges generally work across different Evercade hardware (handhelds, VS, etc.), so one cartridge collection isn’t tied to just one device.
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Modern enhancements: Improved screen tech (IPS), better resolution, better battery, newer modes (like TATE), refinements in controls, etc., address some of the issues with older retro devices.
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Community & curated collections: Themed collections, bundles by publisher or genre, and inclusion of indie retro-style games add freshness. Also, the number of official carts helps ensure a consistent user experience.
Challenges & Limitations
Of course, Evercade isn’t without trade-offs. Some of the challenges or criticisms include:
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Licensing constraints / availability: Some cartridges become “legacy” when licensing expires, meaning they can no longer be produced. That can make some carts rare or expensive once out of print.
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Hardware limits vs emulation ambition: Although the devices are decent, they have limitations — certain games or detailed graphics might not run as smoothly or faithfully as on original hardware or high-end emulators. Screen resolution and aspect ratios are sometimes compromises.
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Cost per cartridge: Buying multiple cartridges adds up; for collectors, the cost of building up a large physical library can be significant.
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Stock issues: Some cartridges go out of print and become hard to find. Also shipping / distribution can affect what’s available in specific regions.
Recent Developments & What’s Next
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Evercade has announced a partnership with SNK to bring Neo Geo-related content (Neo Geo games / history) into their ecosystem for 2025-2026.
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They launched the HyperMegaTech! brand, which produces the Super Pocket handhelds (editions themed around specific publishers like Capcom or Taito) that are compatible with Evercade cartridges.
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The introduction of the Giga Cart format and the “-R” versions of EXP and VS suggest a strategy to keep hardware fresh and appeal to both new users and collectors.
Who is the Evercade Platform Best For?
Evercade is a good match for:
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Retro gaming enthusiasts who like collecting physical cartridges and packaging (nostalgia, shelf-appeal).
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People who want an officially licensed, simpler, lower-risk way to play classic games without needing to hunt down original machines or use more complex emulation setups.
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Gamers who appreciate portable handheld retro gaming but also want the option to play on a TV (via the VS or via HDMI with handhelds).
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Collectors or fans of classic game publishers who enjoy themed collections (e.g. publisher retrospectives, arcade vs home console selections).
It might be less ideal for:
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Those who want perfect authenticity (exact hardware clones or FPGA-based devices might do better in some cases).
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Gamers who want very high resolution/graphical upgrades or ultra-high fidelity emulation.
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Budget buyers who are put off by the cumulative cost of multiple cartridges.
Find a range of Evercade products in our store by clicking here.