Getting into Evercade doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re dipping your toe in for the first time or picking up a second device on a tight budget, there are some smart ways to keep costs down without missing out on the fun. Here’s how to do it. New to Evercade entirely? Start with how the cartridge system works.
Start With The Super Pocket
The Super Pocket is the most affordable way into the Evercade ecosystem, starting at £49.99. That’s it. No extras required to have a great time straight out of the box.
Developed by HyperMegaTech! — the same company behind the wider Evercade range — the Super Pocket comes in publisher-themed editions, each pre-loaded with games from that publisher’s back catalogue. Depending on which edition you pick, you’re getting anywhere from 12 to 50 built-in games before you even think about buying a cartridge.
Every edition also includes a full Evercade cartridge slot, so you’re not locked into just the built-in library. The entire Evercade cart range — 80+ collections, 700+ games — works right out of the box.
For sheer built-in value, the Atari Edition is hard to beat with 50 pre-loaded games spanning arcade, Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, and Lynx titles. If you’d rather have a curated selection of bangers, the Capcom Edition packs in classics like Street Fighter II’: Hyper Fighting, Final Fight, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, and Mega Man — 12 games, but every one of them a genuine classic.
The newly released Rare Edition (launched June 2026) brings 14 games including Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, and Knight Lore — and marks the first time a 64-bit title has appeared in the Super Pocket range.
What You Give Up At The Budget End
It’s worth being upfront about the trade-offs. The Super Pocket has a 2.8-inch screen — small by modern standards. The EXP-R steps up to a 4.3-inch IPS display, and the upcoming Nexus handheld goes even bigger at 5.89 inches.
There are no analogue sticks and no WiFi on the Super Pocket either. For classic arcade and retro gaming that’s rarely a problem, but it’s worth knowing before you buy. Battery life is around 4 hours, which is fine for commutes and short sessions.
If you want a bigger screen or those extra features, check out the hardware comparison page to figure out which device suits you best.
Buy Second-Hand
The second-hand market is your friend. Evercade hardware and cartridges turn up regularly on eBay and Facebook Marketplace, often at a significant discount. Because the carts are physical and standardised, there’s no risk of a dodgy download or a missing licence — if the cart works, it works.
When buying second-hand hardware, check that the cartridge slot is in good condition and the screen has no dead pixels. Super Pockets in particular are small and light, so they travel well — used examples are often in great shape.
Head to the Where to Buy page for a full rundown of retailers and marketplace options.
Legacy Cartridges: Budget Gems on eBay
Some Evercade cartridges have been discontinued and are no longer available at retail. These are known as legacy cartridges, and they’re second-hand only — but that also means you can often pick them up for less than their original price.
They work on every current Evercade device, including the Super Pocket. So if you spot a legacy cart at a good price, it’s absolutely worth grabbing.
Check the full list on the Legacy Cartridges page so you know what to look out for.
Which Carts Offer The Most Games Per Pound?
If you’re buying new cartridges and want to maximise your game count, arcade and collection carts are generally the best value. Multi-game compilation carts pack in anywhere from 10 to 20+ titles on a single cart.
Some strong options to consider:
- Atari Collection 1 and Atari Collection 2 — deep rosters of Atari classics.
- Namco Museum Collection 1 and Namco Museum Collection 2 — NES versions of classic Namco games, great value for the game count.
- Data East Arcade 1 and Data East Arcade 2 — if you want to go beyond the Super Pocket’s built-in Data East library.
- Toaplan Arcade 1, Toaplan Arcade 2, Toaplan Arcade 3, and Toaplan Arcade 4 — a goldmine for shoot-’em-up fans.
- Activision Collection 1, Activision Collection 2, and Activision Collection 3 — classic Atari 2600 Activision titles, loads of them.
For a broader look at what’s worth buying, the Best Evercade Cartridges guide is a great starting point. Arcade fans should also check out the Best Arcade Cartridges page.
You can browse the full cartridge library — including game counts — on the Carts & Manuals page.
The Budget Route In Summary
Step 1: Grab a Super Pocket — new or second-hand — for the lowest entry price in the ecosystem.
Step 2: Pick an edition with a built-in library that appeals to you. The Atari Edition gives you the most games; the Capcom Edition gives you the most iconic ones.
Step 3: Browse legacy cartridges on eBay for discounted second-hand picks.
Step 4: When buying new carts, go for multi-game arcade and collection carts to get the most titles for your money.
You can have a brilliant Evercade setup for well under £100 if you’re smart about it. And if you ever want to upgrade, the cartridges you’ve built up work on every device in the range.
Ready to find the best prices on hardware and cartridges? Head to the Where to Buy page for all the current retailer options.