Based on the official Evercade EXP FAQ, reproduced with permission and expanded with additional information.
Getting Started
How do I play games on the Evercade EXP?
- Insert an Evercade cartridge into the console.
- Hold the power button on the top of the console for two seconds to power on.
- Press Left or Right on the D-Pad to browse games, then press A to enter a game’s menu.
- Press A on the Play icon to start, or highlight Last Save to resume a previous session.
- Press Y to start in Competition Mode, which disables save and load.
How do I pause a game?
Press the Menu button during gameplay to pause. Press it again to resume. Some games also respond to Start or Select for pausing — check the game’s manual if unsure.
How do I exit a game?
Press the Menu button to open the in-game menu, then navigate to Quit Game and press A to confirm.
How do I coin up in arcade games?
Press the Select button to add credits in arcade titles.
Saving & Loading
How do I save my game?
Press Menu during gameplay to open the in-game menu, then select Save and choose a slot. For a quick save to slot 1, press A on Quick Save — it saves and returns you to the game immediately. Native (non-emulated) games use their own in-game save system.
How do I load a saved game?
Press Menu during gameplay, select Load, and choose your save slot. Select Load Last Save to jump straight back in. Native games handle loading through their own menu system.
Can I delete save states?
Yes. In the Save or Load menu, select the save slot you want to remove and press X to delete it.
Will my saves work on other Evercade devices?
Yes — saves are stored on the cartridge, so they carry across to any Evercade device. The original Evercade Handheld needs firmware 2.0 or higher to be compatible.
What is Competition Mode?
Competition Mode disables saving and loading for fair competitive play. Start a game by pressing Y instead of A on the Play screen. A gold trophy icon appears in the top-left corner while it is active. The Menu button still works for display settings and quitting.
Cartridges & Compatibility
Which cartridges work with the Evercade EXP?
All Evercade cartridges are compatible — red console cartridges, purple arcade cartridges, and blue home computer cartridges. The full library of 600+ games across 60+ cartridges works on the EXP. Browse the complete cartridge library or search the games database.
Are EXP cartridges compatible with the EXP-R?
Yes — all cartridges are cross-compatible between the EXP, EXP-R, VS, VS-R, and all other Evercade devices (with the exception of the Namco Museum collections, which are handheld-only by licence in Europe).
What are the best cartridges to start with?
See our Best Evercade Cartridges guide for community-ranked recommendations. The EXP’s TATE mode makes arcade cartridges — especially the Toaplan, Data East, and Jaleco arcade collections — particularly rewarding on this device.
Built-in Features
How do I access the built-in Capcom games?
From the main menu, move the cursor to the left-side menu and navigate to the EXP icon. Press A to open the EXP menu, which contains the Capcom Collection, Hidden Games, and Seasonal Menu. Select Capcom Collection and press A to browse the 18 built-in games.
What is the Secret Menu?
The Secret Menu is a code entry screen for unlocking hidden games and Easter eggs. Codes discovered by the community unlock extra games, which then appear permanently in your Hidden Games menu. See the Evercade Secrets & Easter Eggs page for a full list of known codes.
What is the Hidden Games menu?
Once you unlock a game via the Secret Menu or a button combination, it appears in the Hidden Games section of the EXP menu so you can replay it without re-entering the code.
What is Coin Limit?
Coin Limit caps the number of credits you can insert in an arcade game — useful for challenges or replicating the original arcade experience of limited pocket money. Set it from the game information screen before starting. Once you hit the limit, a coin icon appears in the top-right corner. Turn it off by returning to the Coin Limit setting and selecting Off.
TATE Mode
What is TATE mode?
TATE mode rotates the screen 90 degrees so vertical arcade games fill the display as originally intended. It is ideal for vertical shooters and other games designed for portrait-oriented arcade cabinets.
How do I enable TATE mode?
- Press the T button on the bottom-left of the console. The screen rotates 90 degrees clockwise.
- Turn the console 90 degrees counter-clockwise, holding it from the left with the D-pad and TATE A/B buttons accessible.
- Use Select to insert coins, Start to begin, and the D-pad as normal. The TATE A and B buttons replace the standard face buttons.
- Press T again at any time to return to normal orientation.
- When in the main menu, a TATE icon appears in the top-left corner next to the battery indicator if TATE mode is active.
TV Output
How do I play on a TV?
- Connect a Mini HDMI to HDMI cable (not included) from the EXP to your TV.
- Select the corresponding HDMI input on your TV.
- Power on the EXP — the console screen turns off and gameplay appears on the TV at 720p.
- The EXP itself acts as the controller.
- Enable Game Mode on your TV if available, as it reduces input lag.
Does TATE mode work on TV?
Yes — press the T button while connected to a TV to rotate the output. Note that when TATE mode is active the TATE buttons are used for gameplay, not the standard face buttons.
Does the EXP-R also have TV output?
No — the Mini HDMI port was removed in the EXP-R. The original EXP is the only Evercade handheld with TV output. See the EXP vs EXP-R comparison for a full breakdown of differences.
WiFi & Firmware
How do I connect to WiFi?
Go to Settings → Network → Connect to WiFi and select your network. WiFi is used for firmware updates only — there are no online multiplayer features.
How do I update the firmware?
Connect to WiFi and the EXP will notify you when an update is available. To check manually, go to Settings → System → Check for Update. To see your current firmware version, go to Settings → System.
Hardware & Charging
How do I charge the EXP?
Insert the supplied USB-C cable into the port on the bottom of the console and connect to a 5V USB charger (not included, output between 0.5A–3A). Charge fully on first use. Avoid running the battery to 0% and do not charge for more than 12 hours.
Can I play while charging?
Yes.
How do I check the battery level?
Battery level is shown in the top-left corner of the main menu screen.
What do the LED lights mean?
- Flashing green — booting up. Solid green briefly once ready.
- Off during play — normal operation.
- Solid red — charging.
- Off when charging — fully charged.
- Flashing red — low battery or insufficient charge to power on.
- Flashing purple — screen dimming mode active (battery saving). Press any button to wake the screen.
How do I adjust the volume?
Use the +/− buttons on the bottom of the console, or adjust via Settings → Audio. Insert a 3.5mm headphone jack into the port on the bottom of the console to use earphones.
Looking for the current model? See the Evercade EXP-R page, or compare all devices on the hardware comparison page.