If your gaming heart belongs to the arcade, Evercade has built one of the best collections of classic coin-op games you can own on a single piece of hardware. The purple-cased arcade cartridges are a highlight of the whole library — and there are some absolute gems in there for fans of the golden age of arcades.
Here’s a rundown of the must-have arcade cartridges and why they deserve a spot in your collection. For the full list of all 22 arcade cartridges, see our Evercade Arcade Games page.
TOAPLAN ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1–4
Toaplan is one of the most celebrated names in shoot-’em-up history, and Evercade has given them four dedicated cartridges — Toaplan Arcade 1, Toaplan Arcade 2, Toaplan Arcade 3, and Toaplan Arcade 4. That’s a serious commitment to one of the finest shmup developers who ever existed.
Toaplan’s games are known for their tight mechanics, punishing difficulty, and iconic status in arcade history. If you love blasting your way through waves of enemies with pure skill and pattern recognition, these carts are essential. With four collections to work through, there’s a huge amount of content here.
DATA EAST ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1 & 2
Data East made some wonderfully weird and memorable arcade games, and Evercade has two arcade collections from them alongside a console collection. Data East Arcade Collection 1 and Data East Arcade 2 are packed with the kind of playful, inventive arcade experiences that made Data East a fan favourite.
If you grew up pumping coins into Data East cabinets, these carts will bring it all rushing back.
JALECO ARCADE 1
Jaleco brought a strong lineup of arcade titles across a range of genres, and their Evercade arcade collection delivers a solid slice of that catalogue. It sits alongside Jaleco Collection 1 on the console side, making Jaleco one of the better-represented publishers across the Evercade library.
Great for arcade fans who like variety — Jaleco wasn’t a one-trick pony.
GAELCO ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1 & 2
Gaelco is a Spanish developer with a devoted following, and their two Evercade arcade collections are a genuinely exciting inclusion. These are games that many players outside Europe will be discovering for the first time — and they’re a real treat.
Gaelco Arcade Collection 1 and Gaelco Arcade Collection 2 offer something a little different from the usual Japanese arcade fare, and that’s exactly what makes them worth picking up.
NEOGEO ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1–4
The Neo Geo needs no introduction. SNK’s legendary hardware powered some of the finest arcade games ever made, and Evercade has four Neo Geo arcade cartridges in the library: NEOGEO Arcade 1, NEOGEO Arcade 2, NEOGEO Arcade 3, and NEOGEO Arcade 4.
Neo Geo collections are a huge draw for arcade fans. Fighting games, run-and-guns, sports titles — the Neo Geo library had incredible depth, and having it on Evercade hardware is a genuine treat.
TAITO ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1, 2 & 3
Taito is one of the most iconic names in arcade history — the company behind Space Invaders and countless other classics. Evercade gives them three arcade cartridges — Taito Arcade 1, Taito Arcade 2, and Taito Arcade 3 — which means there’s a substantial chunk of Taito history to work through.
For anyone who loves classic Japanese arcade gaming, the Taito collections are an absolute must. This is the kind of software lineup that makes the Evercade platform genuinely special.
WINDJAMMERS, KARNOV & FRIENDS
This cartridge bundles together some brilliant arcade oddities. Windjammers alone is worth the price of admission — it’s one of the most beloved Neo Geo titles and a game that has only grown in reputation over the years. Pair it with Karnov and friends and you’ve got a cart full of personality.
IREM ARCADE 1 & VISCO ARCADE 1 & 2
Irem gave us R-Type. That alone earns them a place in the arcade hall of fame. Irem Arcade 1 is a must for shmup fans.
Visco is a lesser-known but well-regarded developer, and Visco Arcade 1 and Visco Arcade 2 — both confirmed by Blaze Entertainment and expected August 2026 — give fans a chance to explore a part of arcade history that doesn’t often get the spotlight it deserves.
ATARI ARCADE COLLECTIONS 1 & 2
Atari’s arcade legacy stretches back to the very beginning of the industry. Atari Arcade 1 and Atari Arcade 2 cover the coin-op side of one of gaming’s founding companies. Essential for anyone who wants a complete picture of arcade history.
TECHNOS ARCADE COLLECTION 1
Technos is the team behind Double Dragon and River City Ransom — two of the most influential beat-’em-ups ever made. Technos Arcade Collection 1 taps straight into that legacy, and for fans of the genre it’s a no-brainer addition to the shelf.
THE BEST HARDWARE FOR ARCADE GAMING: EVERCADE VS-R & ALPHA
All of these cartridges work across the Evercade range, but for the full arcade experience two pieces of hardware stand out.
The Evercade VS-R is the home console option — plug it into your TV, grab a controller, and play your arcade carts exactly as they were meant to be enjoyed. Big screen, proper controls, couch co-op where supported. It’s the closest thing to having an arcade cabinet in your living room without actually buying one.
The Evercade Alpha takes things even further. It’s a bartop arcade cabinet with a built-in screen, arcade-style controls, and a real cabinet aesthetic. If you’re serious about your arcade gaming, the Alpha is the definitive way to play this library. It also comes with built-in games, making it a fantastic package straight out of the box.
DON’T FORGET THE MANUALS
One of the great things about Evercade.info is the archive of original game manuals. If you want to dig into the history of a game before you play it — or just enjoy the nostalgia of a proper instruction booklet — the Evercade manual scans section is well worth a browse. There are scans available for a wide range of titles across the collection.
Among the most popular are the Tomb Raider Manual, the Duke Nukem 3D Manual, and the Worms Armageddon Manual — each page includes a game description, a link to the PDF, and details of which cartridge the game appears on.
Ready to build your arcade collection? Head over to the Evercade Carts & Manuals page for the full list of cartridges, game listings, and manual links — everything you need to track down your next purchase.