Two handhelds, one big question: do you spend more for the Evercade Nexus, or stick with the tried-and-tested EXP-R? Here’s everything you need to make the right call.
SCREEN SIZE
This is the most immediately obvious difference. The Nexus packs a 5.89″ IPS panel running at 840×512 with over 500 nits of brightness. The EXP-R has a 4.3″ screen at 800×480.
That extra inch and a half is genuinely noticeable — especially for 3D and arcade titles where you want to see what’s actually going on. If you’re planning to play the new 32 and 64-bit Nexus-era cartridges, the bigger screen isn’t just a luxury, it’s a real upgrade.
DUAL ANALOGUE STICKS
This is the deal-breaker for a lot of people. The Nexus is the first Evercade handheld with dual analogue sticks, alongside the D-pad, face buttons, and rear bumpers and triggers.
The EXP-R has no analogue sticks at all. That’s fine for the 8 and 16-bit library, but the Nexus-era cartridges — think 64-bit titles like Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie — are designed around analogue input. Playing those on an EXP-R would be a compromised experience. Playing them on the Nexus is how they’re meant to be played.
EVERSYNC LOCAL MULTIPLAYER
EverSync is a Nexus-exclusive feature and it’s a genuine first for the Evercade ecosystem. It lets two Nexus units play together wirelessly — no internet connection, no router required.
The clever part: only one player needs to own the cartridge. EverSync shares the game with the second device wirelessly. If you’ve got a friend who’s also picking up a Nexus, this opens up co-op and versus play on the go in a way that simply wasn’t possible before.
The EXP-R has no equivalent. Multiplayer on the EXP-R means passing the device, or using an Evercade VS-R for TV-based play.
WIFI
The Nexus ships with WiFi 6 (2.4GHz and 5GHz). The EXP-R has standard WiFi. In practice, the difference matters most if you’re in a busy wireless environment or if future firmware and EverSync features take advantage of the faster standard.
Neither device is designed for online gaming — the WiFi is primarily for system updates and EverSync on the Nexus.
PRICE DIFFERENCE
The Nexus Standard Edition comes in at £169.99 | $199.99 | €199.99. The premium is real, but so is what you’re getting: bigger screen, dual analogue sticks, EverSync, WiFi 6, dual front-facing stereo speakers, and wireless headphone support.
If you’re already invested in the Evercade ecosystem and want to play the new 32/64-bit library properly, the Nexus is priced reasonably for what it delivers. If you’re mainly playing the existing 8 and 16-bit catalogue, the EXP-R remains a solid and more affordable option.
Worth noting: a limited 64 Edition was available at £189.99 | $229.99 | €229.99 — but it’s sold out. Standard Edition pre-orders are open through Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Funstock, and other retailers ahead of the October 2026 launch.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEXUS
Tate mode returns, rotating the screen for vertical arcade games with button mapping to match — great for classic shooters.
The 5,000mAh battery gives 5+ hours of gameplay, charged via USB-C (cable included, adapter not included).
There’s even an RGB logo on the front that you can customise from the system menu — a small touch, but a fun one.
One thing the Nexus doesn’t do: HDMI output. If TV play is what you’re after, that’s what the Evercade VS-R is for.
SO WHO SHOULD BUY WHICH?
Get the Nexus if: you want to play 32 and 64-bit titles the way they’re meant to be played, you want dual analogue sticks, you’re interested in EverSync multiplayer with another Nexus owner, or you simply want the best Evercade handheld available.
Stick with the EXP-R if: your focus is the existing 8 and 16-bit cartridge library, budget is a key factor, or you don’t need analogue sticks or wireless multiplayer.
Both devices play the full Evercade cartridge library — over 80 collections and 750+ games. But the Nexus-era cartridges will always be best experienced on the Nexus.
Ready to dig into the specs side by side? Check out the Evercade Nexus page and the EXP-R page on evercade.info — full specs, pricing, and everything you need to decide.