Evercade - Blast From The Past
I've haven’t been a huge fan of retro gaming, but when I heard about the Evercade console, I knew I had to check it out. The Evercade is a unique handheld gaming device that plays classic games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, all on physical cartridges. That's right, Evercade is bringing back cartridge-based gaming in 2024!
So why cartridges in this day and age of digital downloads? Evercade says it's all about preservation, collectibility, and capturing the authentic retro experience. Each Evercade cartridge contains multiple classic games from legendary publishers like Atari, Namco, Data East, Interplay and more. Most recently they are even launching Tomb Raider collection in cartridge form. Having the games on a physical cartridge ensures they are preserved in their “original” form. But I do think they’re taking the “original” statement a bit loosely.
The cartridges are also designed to be collectible items, with attractive artwork and colors that look great on a shelf. Evercade plans to release a new cartridge with 6-20 games every 1-2 months, so collectors will have plenty to hunt for. The cartridges are region-free and the system has an HDMI output, so you can play on your big screen TV.
But how does the Evercade actually perform?
I’ve done my fair share of digging into this topic and while I don’t have a console myself, it looks like the 4.3 inch screen is bright and sharp, and the emulation is top-notch. The games look and play just like the originals. The controls are said to feel great too, with a comfortable d-pad, responsive face buttons, and L/R shoulder buttons for extra functionality.
Performance-wise, the Evercade is powered by a 1.2GHz Cortex A7 processor and a Mali 400 GPU. That's more than enough power to perfectly emulate 8-bit and 16-bit systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, and arcade games. The rechargeable battery lasts 4-5 hours and the system charges via USB-C.
One of the best things about the Evercade is the game selection. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, Evercade is specifically targeting retro gaming enthusiasts. The initial lineup of cartridges includes classics like Earthworm Jim, Mega Man, BurgerTime, and Pac-Man. But there are also some deep cuts that I was thrilled to see, like Piko Interactive's Acclaim Collection with the NES cult classic Arch Rivals.
Evercade has managed to secure an impressive list of partners, with games from Atari, Data East, Interplay, Namco, Technos, Piko Interactive, Mega Cat Studios, and more. *hey are working with these publishers to dig into their catalogs and resurface forgotten gems in addition to the big hits.
I love that Evercade is taking this curatorial approach and introducing gamers to lost classics.
Another advantage of the cartridge format is that each collection feels like a cohesive package rather than a random assortment of ROMs. The cartridges include physical instruction manuals with historical info about the games and even some mini posters and stickers. It really captures that oldschool experience of getting a new game and eagerly reading the manual on the ride home. And I would know, I can’t even wait to get home to unbox a freaking air frier…
So what do other reviewers think of the Evercade?
Critics have praised the build quality, performance, and game selection. Retro Gamer magazine called it "a fantastic way to replay some bona fide classics" and Nintendo Life said "this is a console made by retro fans, for retro fans." Some reviewers did knock the lack of a backlight on the screen, but we all have lights at home, so can’t really see it to be an issue, maybe nice to have.
At a price of $80 for the console and $20 per cartridge, the Evercade is an affordable way to relive the golden age of gaming. It's also a great entry point for newcomers to retro gaming who want curated collections to start with. I love that Evercade is preserving these classic games and making them accessible to new audiences. One area where Evercade could improve is with some quality of life features like save states and button remapping. But the company has said they are committed to listening to fan feedback and adding new features via firmware updates. They've already improved the UI and added new visual filters since launch.
It's clear that a lot of passion and care has gone into this product. It pushes all the right nostalgia buttons while still feeling fresh and exciting. If you're a fan of classic gaming, I highly recommend checking out the Evercade. It's a lovingly crafted tribute to the 8 and 16-bit eras that will give you a newfound appreciation for gaming history.