If fighting games are your thing, Evercade has some genuinely excellent options. From SNK’s legendary arcade brawlers to classic beat-’em-ups, there’s plenty here to keep your thumbs busy. Here’s a breakdown of the best cartridges to pick up — plus the hardware that makes the most of them.
The Neogeo Arcade Collections — The Crown Jewels
If you’re serious about fighting games, the NEOGEO Arcade collections are essential. SNK’s arcade catalogue is one of the greatest in the genre, and Evercade has done a brilliant job bringing it to cartridge.
NEOGEO Arcade 1 is arguably the best starting point. It includes iconic titles from the King of Fighters and Fatal Fury series — games that defined 90s arcade fighting culture. The pixel art still looks stunning, and the gameplay holds up remarkably well.
NEOGEO Arcade 2, NEOGEO Arcade 3, and NEOGEO Arcade 4 continue the run, adding more SNK classics including entries from the Samurai Shodown series. If you love the feel of a proper weapons-based fighter, Samurai Shodown is essential — precise, punishing, and incredibly satisfying to master.
Between these four cartridges, you’re getting a deep slice of SNK’s golden era. These are the kinds of games that built careers for competitive players and fuelled countless arcade rivalries.
Data East Arcade — Brawlers And Street Fighters
Data East Arcade Collection 1 and Data East Arcade 2 cover some brilliant brawler territory. Data East had a real knack for arcade action, and their fighting and beat-’em-up titles aged well. If you enjoy the side-scrolling brawler style alongside more traditional one-on-one fare, these carts deliver good variety.
It’s also worth checking out the Data East Collection 1 cart for more Data East goodness, even if the arcade releases are the stronger pick for fighting fans specifically.
Technos — Double Dragon And Beyond
You can’t talk fighting games on Evercade without mentioning Technos. The Technos Arcade Collection 1 cartridge brings the legendary Double Dragon arcade experience to your hands — one of the most influential brawlers ever made. The Technōs Collection 1 cart rounds things out with more from the same house, including Kunio-kun titles that defined the genre for a generation.
If you want to trace the roots of modern beat-’em-ups, Technos is where you start.
Windjammers, Karnov & Friends — A Hidden Gem
Don’t sleep on Windjammers, Karnov & Friends. While Windjammers itself is more of a competitive disc-sport game, the competitive spirit and arcade DNA make it a great fit for fighting game fans who enjoy tight, head-to-head gameplay. It’s a fun cart to pull out when you want something a bit different.
Best Hardware For Fighting Games
Fighting games are best enjoyed with other people — and on a big screen. That makes the VS-R the top recommendation here. It plugs straight into your TV, supports up to four players, and is built exactly for this kind of couch multiplayer setup. Hook up your favourite controllers and you’ve got a proper fighting game night sorted.
If you want the full arcade experience — cabinet and all — the Alpha bartop arcade cabinet is something special. Playing NEOGEO fighters on a proper bartop setup is about as authentic as it gets outside of owning original hardware. It’s a serious bit of kit for serious arcade fans.
Not sure which Evercade device is right for you overall? Our hardware comparison page breaks it all down.
Don’t Forget the Original Manuals
One of the underrated pleasures of the Evercade library is the original game manuals. Many of the games featured across these fighting and arcade carts have their original manuals preserved and available to browse. There are some great ones in the collection — including the Brawl Brothers manual — well worth a look for fans of the genre.
You can browse the full collection of scanned manuals at the Evercade Carts & Manuals page — it’s a fantastic archive for retro gaming history buffs.
Browse The Full Cartridge Library
Ready to build your fighting game collection? Head over to the full Evercade cartridge library to see every available cart, or search every game in the Evercade Games Database. If your tastes lean more towards pure arcade action than fighting games specifically, the Best Carts for Arcade Fans guide is worth a read too.