General News

Shopping for a young gamer? The Evercade is a brilliant choice — a curated library of retro titles, no internet required, and no surprise purchases. But with dozens of cartridges available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Here’s a parent-friendly guide to the best Evercade games for kids.

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WHICH EVERCADE HARDWARE IS BEST FOR KIDS?

Two hardware options stand out for younger players. The Evercade EXP-R is a handheld console — perfect for kids who want to game on the go, in the car, or curled up on the sofa. It’s sturdy, has a bright screen, and plays all Evercade cartridges.

If your child prefers playing on the TV, the Evercade VS-R is the home console option. It supports multiplayer too, which is great for siblings or family game nights.

Either way, the real magic is the cartridge format — no downloads, no microtransactions, no age-inappropriate content sneaking in through an app store.

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WHAT MAKES AN EVERCADE GAME GOOD FOR KIDS?

We’ve focused on games that are accessible to younger players — simple controls, colourful visuals, and gameplay that rewards patience rather than punishes frustration. Platformers, puzzle games, and sports titles dominate this list for good reason: they’re instantly understandable and genuinely fun for all ages.

We’ve steered clear of anything with heavy violence, horror themes, or overly complex mechanics that younger players might find off-putting.

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RECOMMENDED CARTRIDGES FOR KIDS

Atari Collection 1
Classic platforming in bite-sized chunks. These games are simple enough for younger children to get started quickly, with enough variety to keep them coming back.

Bitmap Brothers Collection 1
Includes accessible action and strategy titles with iconic visuals. A great introduction to classic PC gaming without anything too intense.

Piko Interactive Collection 4
A broad mix of retro titles including platformers and sports games. There’s something here for most ages, and the variety means kids can find their own favourites.

Jaleco Collection 1
If your child is a bit older and enjoys action games, this is more suitable — but worth mentioning as a step up when they’re ready.

Codemasters Collection 1
Racing and sports games sit alongside platformers here. The racing titles are particularly accessible for younger players who love cars and speed without anything complicated.

Data East Collection 1
Features classic arcade-style games with simple, repeatable gameplay loops — ideal for kids who love chasing high scores.

Not sure if a specific game on a cart is right for your child’s age? Check the full Evercade Games Database — you can search by title and see exactly what’s on each cartridge before you buy.

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TIPS FOR BUYING EVERCADE GAMES FOR KIDS

Start with a collection cart, not a single-game cart. Multi-game cartridges give kids more to explore and better value for money — if they don’t click with one game, there are ten more to try.

Check if a cart is legacy before you search. Some older Evercade cartridges are no longer manufactured and can only be found second-hand. The games database flags these so you know what to expect.

Play together. Many Evercade carts support two players, and the VS-R makes it a proper family experience on the big screen. Retro gaming is brilliant shared — you might find you enjoy it just as much as the kids.

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FIND THE RIGHT CART FOR YOUR CHILD

Not sure where to start? The Evercade Cart Picker is designed for exactly this — answer a few questions and get a recommendation based on age, genre preference, and what device you have. Or if you want to browse the full library yourself, the Evercade Games Database lists every game across all cartridges.

Find the Right Cart →

Father’s Day is almost here — and if your dad grew up feeding coins into arcades, blowing on cartridges, or staying up late with a Game Boy under the covers, Evercade might be the best gift you can give him. It’s a retro gaming platform built around officially licensed physical cartridges, spanning everything from arcade classics to home console favourites — and it covers every budget.

Here’s a guide to the full range, from the stocking-filler end all the way up to the ultimate splurge.

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THE BUDGET PICK — EVERCADE SUPER POCKET

If you want something that’ll genuinely surprise without breaking the bank, the Evercade Super Pocket is the one. It’s a compact handheld that comes pre-loaded with games depending on the edition — there are versions themed around Atari, Capcom, Irem, Data East, and others — and it plays the full range of Evercade cartridges too.

It’s small, it’s well-made, and it punches well above its price point. A proper retro gaming gift that won’t feel cheap.

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THE HANDHELD — EVERCADE EXP-R

The Evercade EXP-R is the main handheld in the Evercade range — a proper full-sized device with a 4.3-inch IPS screen, built-in WiFi, TATE mode for vertical arcade games, and compatibility with every Evercade cartridge ever released. It comes bundled with the Tomb Raider Collection, which alone is a brilliant bit of nostalgia for any dad who remembers the 90s.

If your dad is the type who’d want to play on the sofa, on the train, or on holiday, this is the one to go for.

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THE HOME CONSOLE — EVERCADE VS-R

For dads who’d rather play on the big screen, the Evercade VS-R is the home console version. Plug it into the TV, grab a controller, and play the full Evercade cartridge library exactly as arcade and console games were meant to be enjoyed — on a proper screen with a proper controller in hand. It supports up to four players, which makes it a genuinely social bit of kit.

The VS-R is the one if your dad would rather be on the sofa than hunched over a handheld.

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THE ULTIMATE GIFT — EVERCADE ALPHA

If you really want to go all out, the Evercade Alpha is in a category of its own. It’s a bartop arcade cabinet — a real one, with a built-in screen, arcade-style stick and buttons, and a genuine cabinet aesthetic. It plays the full Evercade library and comes loaded with built-in games. Put it on the desk or the kitchen counter and watch it become the most-used thing in the house.

It’s a proper statement piece for a dad who takes his retro gaming seriously.

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SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO — EVERCADE NEXUS

If your dad is the type who appreciates anticipation as much as the gift itself, the Evercade Nexus is worth knowing about. It’s the brand-new flagship handheld launching in October 2026 — a 5.89-inch screen, dual analogue sticks, WiFi 6, and a bundled Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack cartridge with enhanced versions of Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie. Pre-orders are open now.

Buy the pre-order now, print it out, and wrap it up. Sometimes the thing worth waiting for is the best gift of all.

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DON’T FORGET THE CARTRIDGES

Whichever device you go for, a cartridge alongside it makes the gift feel complete. The full cartridge library covers over 80 collections across arcade, console, and home computer games. If your dad loves arcade classics, our guide to the best Evercade arcade cartridges is a good place to start — and if you want a broader recommendation, the best Evercade cartridges guide covers the highlights of the whole library.

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NOT SURE WHICH TO PICK?

If you’re not sure which device suits your dad best, the Evercade hardware comparison puts every device side by side — specs, prices, and a quick guide to who each one is for. And if he’s completely new to Evercade, the Introduction to Evercade is a good read to bookmark for him.

Whatever you go for — have a great Father’s Day.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

The retro handheld market in 2026 is crowded, capable, and genuinely confusing. Miyoo, Anbernic, Retroid, Analogue, Evercade — they all play old games, but they do it in completely different ways. This is a straightforward breakdown of the best options and who each one is actually for.

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BEST BUDGET: MIYOO MINI PLUS

Price: ~£40–£50

The Miyoo Mini Plus remains the benchmark for budget retro handhelds. It’s small, pocketable, has a beautiful 3.5″ IPS screen, excellent battery life, and handles everything up to PS1 without breaking a sweat. The community support is enormous — custom firmware, themes, and game scrapers are all well-developed.

The catch: it runs emulators, which means you source your own ROMs. That’s a grey area most people navigate quietly, but it’s worth knowing before you buy.

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BEST MID-RANGE: ANBERNIC RG40XXV

Price: ~£60–£80

Anbernic makes a broad range of handhelds and the RG40XXV sits in the sweet spot. Vertical form factor, 4″ IPS screen, solid build quality, and enough power to handle PS1 and N64 comfortably. Anbernic’s devices run Linux-based firmware (typically ROCKNIX or ArkOS) and the setup experience is more polished than it used to be.

Again — emulator-based, ROM-dependent. Same grey area as Miyoo.

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BEST POWER: RETROID POCKET 5

Price: ~£150–£180

If raw emulation power is the priority, the Retroid Pocket 5 is the current leader. Android 13, a 5.5″ OLED screen, and enough processing muscle to tackle PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast. It’s as close to a proper handheld gaming PC as you’ll find at this price point.

The trade-off is setup complexity — Android means configuring emulators, scraping metadata, and managing your own library. It’s a tinkerer’s device, and a rewarding one if that’s your thing.

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BEST PREMIUM: ANALOGUE POCKET

Price: ~£200–£220

The Analogue Pocket is a different beast entirely. It uses FPGA — field-programmable gate array — rather than emulation, meaning it recreates the original hardware at a silicon level rather than simulating it in software. The result is accuracy that emulators struggle to match, particularly for games that rely on precise timing.

It plays original Game Boy, GBC, GBA, and Game Gear cartridges natively. Additional cores cover other systems. The 3.5″ screen is one of the best ever put in a handheld. It’s expensive and perpetually hard to get hold of — but for purists, there’s nothing quite like it.

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BEST FOR PHYSICAL, LICENSED GAMES: EVERCADE NEXUS

Price: £169.99 | $199.99 | €199.99

The Evercade Nexus is the only handheld on this list that plays exclusively licensed, physical cartridges — and that’s its entire point. Every game in the Evercade library has been officially licensed from the original rights holder. Each cartridge comes in a proper box with full-colour artwork, a spine label, and a printed manual — a physical product you can display on a shelf and actually own. There are no ROMs to source, no grey areas, no configuration.

The hardware is genuinely strong: 5.89″ IPS screen at 840×512, dual analogue sticks, WiFi 6, EverSync wireless local multiplayer, and a 5,000mAh battery. The new 32 and 64-bit Nexus-era cartridges — including the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack — are designed specifically for it.

The library itself is curated rather than exhaustive — Blaze works directly with publishers like Atari, Namco, Data East and Rare to produce themed collections, so every cart feels considered rather than thrown together. There’s also a genuine community around the platform — active Discord servers, Facebook groups, and dedicated fan sites like this one.

If you care about owning a proper physical collection, supporting the publishers behind the games, and playing without setup hassle, the Nexus is in a category of its own. It doesn’t try to compete with Retroid on emulation breadth — it does something none of the others do at all.

More affordable entry points into the Evercade ecosystem: the EXP-R handheld (~£80–£100) and the HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket (from £49.99) both use the same cartridge format. For TV play, the Evercade VS-R brings the full library to your living room with up to four-player local multiplayer. Not sure which Evercade device is right for you? See the Nexus vs EXP-R comparison.

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QUICK COMPARISON

Device	Price	Approach	Best for
Miyoo Mini Plus	~£45	Emulation	Budget, portability
Anbernic RG40XXV	~£70	Emulation	Mid-range, build quality
Retroid Pocket 5	~£165	Android emulation	Maximum power, PS2/GC
Analogue Pocket	~£210	FPGA	Purists, original carts
Evercade Nexus	£169.99	Licensed cartridges	Physical collection, no faff

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THE HONEST VERDICT

There’s no single “best” retro handheld — it depends entirely on what you value.

If budget is everything: Miyoo Mini Plus.
If you want power without breaking the bank: Anbernic RG40XXV.
If you want the most powerful emulation device: Retroid Pocket 5.
If accuracy matters more than anything: Analogue Pocket.
If you want physical, licensed games with zero setup: Evercade Nexus.

The Evercade sits apart from the others because it’s the only legitimate, licensed option. Every other device on this list exists to play ROMs. Evercade exists to sell you a proper physical product — and in 2026, with the Nexus launching and the cartridge library growing past 80 collections, it’s never been a stronger proposition.

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New to Evercade? Read the beginner’s guide or see how Evercade compares to Anbernic, Retroid and Miyoo in more detail. Ready to buy? See where to get Evercade.

Evercade has a reputation as a solo collector’s platform — cartridges, couch, and quiet nostalgia. That reputation isn’t wrong, but it sells the ecosystem short. Across its hardware lineup, Evercade has built out a genuinely solid set of multiplayer options, from traditional couch co-op to something genuinely new with EverSync. Here’s every option explained, so you can pick the right setup for your situation.

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THE VS-R: THE NATURAL MULTIPLAYER HUB

If you want the most straightforward Evercade multiplayer experience, the VS-R is where you start. It’s a home console with two built-in controller ports, designed from the ground up for couch co-op and head-to-head play. Plug it into your TV, load a cartridge, hand a pad to whoever’s sitting next to you, and you’re done.

The VS-R draws from a wide library of two-player arcade and home console titles. Beat-em-ups, sports games, puzzle games, platformers — the catalog covers most of the genres where multiplayer has always mattered. It’s the closest thing the Evercade lineup has to a traditional living room games console, and for families or anyone who plays with friends regularly, it earns its place easily.

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THE ALPHA: BUILT FOR TWO FROM THE START

The Evercade Alpha is an arcade-style bar-top cabinet with one set of built-in controls, but it supports multiplayer via USB controllers plugged directly into its ports. Grab a second pad, plug it in, and you’re ready for two-player play without any additional hardware setup.

The Alpha is particularly satisfying for arcade head-to-head and co-op titles. Fighting games, run-and-guns, scrolling beat-em-ups — anything that was designed for side-by-side arcade play feels at home here. It’s a more specialised piece of kit than the VS-R, but for what it does, it does it well.

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EVERSYNC ON THE NEXUS: THE BIGGEST LEAP

EverSync is the most significant development in Evercade multiplayer, and it lives on the Nexus handheld. Using WiFi 6, two Nexus units can connect directly to each other for local wireless multiplayer — no internet connection required, no router needed, no subscription. Just two handhelds in the same room.

The clever part is that only one cartridge is needed between the two players. One Nexus runs the cart, the other connects wirelessly and joins the session. For a platform built around physical media, this is a meaningful step forward. It keeps the collector appeal intact while removing the biggest practical barrier to handheld multiplayer.

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BEST CARTRIDGES FOR MULTIPLAYER

Knowing the hardware is one thing — knowing which carts to load is another. Technos Collection 1 is an easy first pick, giving you Double Dragon co-op in the way it was meant to be played. Worms Collection 1 brings Worms Armageddon, which needs no introduction as a multiplayer classic. Bitmap Brothers Collection 1 includes Speedball 2, still one of the most brutal and entertaining two-player sports games ever made.

The arcade collections are worth loading up too. Data East, Namco, Taito, and Jaleco all have strong representation on the platform, and most of those collections carry titles originally designed for two-player simultaneous or alternating play. For sports-style multiplayer, the Piko sports collections round things out with a range of options that work well in a pass-the-pad session.

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HOT-SEAT: THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED OPTION

Not every multiplayer session needs simultaneous play. Hot-seat — where players take turns with a single controller — works across virtually every VS-R and Alpha title. It’s a low-friction way to involve more people, especially with puzzle games, sports titles, and anything turn-based. Don’t overlook it as a genuine option for groups.

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EXP-R AND SUPER POCKET: SOLO ONLY

To be clear about what the lineup doesn’t offer: the EXP-R and Super Pocket handhelds are single-player devices. There’s no link cable, no wireless, no multiplayer of any kind. They’re excellent for what they are — personal, portable, cartridge-based gaming — but if multiplayer is your goal, neither of these is the answer.

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THE VERDICT

Evercade multiplayer games span a wider range than most people realise. The VS-R handles couch co-op with no fuss. The Alpha nails the arcade head-to-head experience. EverSync on the Nexus breaks new ground for the platform in a genuinely useful way. Pick your hardware based on how you actually play, load the right carts, and there’s a lot here worth sharing.

For more detail on the Nexus and EverSync, see our full Evercade Nexus guide. Trying to decide where Evercade fits against other handhelds? Our Evercade vs Anbernic, Retroid, and Miyoo comparison breaks it down.

When the Evercade launched in 2020, it arrived with 10 cartridges ready to go — a solid debut that gave players a taste of what Blaze Entertainment had in mind. Fast forward to today, and that number has exploded past 80 cartridges. That’s a remarkable amount of growth for a dedicated retro gaming platform, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

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WHERE IT ALL STARTED

The original Evercade lineup leaned heavily on established retro publishers — Atari, Namco, Interplay, Data East — and for good reason. These were names that carried instant recognition for anyone who grew up gaming in the 80s and 90s. Collections like Atari Collection 1 and Namco Museum Collection 1 gave the platform genuine credibility right out of the gate.

Those early 10 cartridges covered everything from arcade classics to home console favourites, and they made it very clear what Evercade was all about: curated, legal, physical retro gaming done properly.

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THE LIBRARY FINDS ITS FEET

Through 2021 and into 2022, the catalogue expanded at a steady pace. New publishers joined the fold — Jaleco and others — bringing with them a huge range of genres and platforms. Beat-em-ups, platformers, sports games, shooters: the Evercade was building something genuinely varied.

The introduction of the Evercade VS home console in late 2021 added extra momentum. With a home device in the mix, multi-cart support and couch co-op became part of the conversation, and the appetite for new cartridges grew alongside the expanding hardware range.

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GOING BEYOND THE CLASSICS

One of the most exciting developments in the library’s growth has been the shift toward indie and homebrew content. The Morphcat Games Collection, the Bitmap Bureau Collection, and others showed that Evercade wasn’t just a nostalgia machine — it was a platform willing to champion modern developers making games in a retro spirit.

The Evercade EXP and Evercade EXP-R handhelds pushed things further still, with built-in titles and a sharper focus on specific genres and platforms. Each new hardware launch has brought fresh cartridges with it, keeping the library moving forward.

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OVER 80 CARTRIDGES AND COUNTING

Hitting 80+ cartridges is a genuinely impressive milestone. Think about what that means in practice: hundreds of individual games, spanning multiple decades and dozens of original publishers, all available in a consistent physical format with proper manuals and artwork.

The breadth of the catalogue today is something few would have predicted back in 2021. You can jump from an Atari 2600 classic to a sharp 16-bit beat-em-up to a modern indie gem — all on the same device, all on cartridge.

And with Blaze continuing to announce new collections regularly, the library isn’t done growing yet. Every few months brings something new to track down and add to the shelf.

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EXPLORE THE FULL LIBRARY

Want to see exactly what’s available? Our Evercade games database lists every cartridge and game in the library — fully searchable and regularly updated. Whether you’re a newcomer figuring out where to start or a collector tracking down the gaps, it’s the best place to get a complete picture of just how far the Evercade catalogue has come.