The Evercade Nexus launches on 30 October 2026, and it’s the most capable Evercade handheld ever made. If you’re wondering whether it’s right for you — or whether the EXP-R or VS-R is a better fit — here’s everything you need to know.
THE HEADLINE SPECS
The Nexus is built around 32 and 64-bit retro gaming, and the hardware reflects that ambition. Here’s the quick-glance summary:
- Price: £169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99
- Screen: 5.89″ IPS, 840×512 resolution, 500+ nits
- Controls: Dual analogue sticks, D-pad, face buttons, rear bumpers and triggers
- Processor: Quad-core 1.5GHz
- Memory: 512MB DDR RAM
- Battery: 5,000mAh — 5+ hours gameplay
- Wireless: WiFi 6 (2.4GHz/5GHz) with EverSync local multiplayer
- Audio: Dual front-facing stereo speakers, 3.5mm jack, wireless headphone support
- Weight: 410g | Dimensions: 215mm × 111mm × 34mm
- Colour: Black
THE SCREEN
The Nexus has the largest display ever fitted to an Evercade handheld. That 5.89″ IPS panel running at 840×512 with over 500 nits of brightness is a genuine step up.
To put it in context: the EXP-R runs a 4.3″ screen at 800×480. The Super Pocket runs a 2.8″ display at 320×240. The extra screen real estate makes a real difference for 3D titles and arcade games.
DUAL ANALOGUE STICKS — A FIRST FOR EVERCADE
This is the big one. The Nexus is the first Evercade handheld to feature dual analogue sticks, alongside the traditional D-pad, face buttons, and rear bumpers and triggers.
This matters because 32 and 64-bit titles — the games the Nexus is designed around — simply couldn’t be played properly on earlier Evercade hardware. The Nexus fixes that. The body also features a textured grip for comfort during longer sessions.
EVERSYNC — LOCAL WIRELESS MULTIPLAYER
EverSync is an exclusive Nexus feature (how EverSync works) and a genuine first for the Evercade ecosystem. It enables local wireless multiplayer between two Nexus units — no internet connection, no router required.
The clever part: only one player needs to own the cartridge. EverSync shares the game wirelessly to the second device, opening up co-op and versus play on the go. This is something no other Evercade device can do.
TATE MODE & AUDIO
TATE mode returns on the Nexus, rotating the screen to a vertical orientation for arcade titles originally designed for vertical cabinets. Button mapping rotates to match, so vertical shooters play exactly as intended.
On the audio side, the Nexus upgrades to dual front-facing stereo speakers — an improvement over the single speaker on previous Evercade handhelds. There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack and support for wireless headphones.
BATTERY & CHARGING
The 5,000mAh battery delivers 5+ hours of gameplay. Charging is via USB-C at 5V/2A — a USB-C to USB-A cable is included, though a mains adapter is not. Worth picking one up separately if you don’t have a spare.
There’s also an RGB logo on the front of the device, with colour and behaviour customisable from within the system menu.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
- Evercade Nexus handheld
- Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack cartridge (Banjo-Kazooie + Banjo-Tooie, with full-colour manual)
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Quick start guide
The Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack bundles two classic 64-bit Rare titles on a single physical cartridge. The cartridge is compatible with all Evercade devices, but the Nexus — with its dual analogue sticks and large screen — is clearly the ideal way to play them. The pack can also be pre-ordered separately and releases on 30 October 2026, the same day as the Nexus.
LIMITED EDITIONS
Two limited editions were announced alongside the standard Nexus: the 64 Edition and the Nexus DOOM Edition. Both are now sold out. The 64 Edition was restricted to 2,000 units worldwide and came with an exclusive PVA hard case, glass screen protector, poster, and a numbered certificate of authenticity. If you missed them, the Standard Edition is still available.
WHO IS THE NEXUS FOR?
The Nexus is the right choice if you want the best handheld Evercade experience, particularly for 32 and 64-bit games that need analogue sticks. The larger screen, EverSync multiplayer, WiFi 6, and dual stereo speakers make it the most fully-featured option in the lineup.
It’s also worth noting: the Nexus does not have HDMI output or TV streaming. If playing on a television is your priority, the VS-R home console is the one to look at — it supports up to four players on the big screen.
If you want a more compact handheld at a lower price point, the EXP-R remains an excellent option with its 4.3″ screen, TATE mode, and built-in WiFi. And if you want something pocket-sized and pre-loaded, the Super Pocket is worth a look. Compare all models side by side on our Evercade hardware comparison page.
WHERE TO BUY & PRICING
The Standard Edition is priced at £169.99 / $199.99 / €199.99. Pre-orders are open now ahead of the 30 October 2026 launch through retailers including Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Funstock, Game.es, and 30+ international stockists across the UK, US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
Head to the Evercade Nexus page for direct links to retailers.
THE GAME LIBRARY
The Nexus plays the full Evercade cartridge library — over 80 officially licensed collections containing nearly 800 games (see the Games Database). Cartridges are colour-coded by category (red for console, blue for home computer, purple for arcade) and every one includes a numbered full-colour manual. New releases arrive every 2–3 months.
Cartridges start from £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99. Browse the full library on our Carts & Manuals page.
Want to see what reviewers are saying? Check out our round-up of every Evercade Nexus review in one place. And if you’re still weighing up which device to buy, our hardware comparison guide breaks it all down for you.