Interplay was one of the defining publishers of the 16-bit era — responsible for some genuinely weird, wonderful, and wildly ambitious games. Interplay Collection 1 brings a handpicked selection of that legacy to Evercade, and it’s a cart that rewards both nostalgia and discovery.
This is cartridge 4 in the Evercade library, and it spans three platforms — NES, SNES, and Megadrive/Genesis — giving you a real cross-section of what Interplay was about.
THE HEADLINER: EARTHWORM JIM
Let’s be honest — Earthworm Jim is the reason most people pick this cart up. The Megadrive/Genesis version of Doug TenNapel’s grotesque, hilarious platformer is still a joy to play. The animation is expressive, the levels are inventive, and the humour holds up surprisingly well. It’s a genuine 90s classic.
If you want to check out the original game documentation, the Earthworm Jim original manual is available to browse online — great for a bit of era-authentic flavour.
THE REST OF THE LINEUP
Clayfighter (SNES) is a fighting game built around claymation-style visuals — gimmicky in the best possible way. It’s no Street Fighter killer, but it’s charming and has personality to spare. The original Clayfighter manual is online if you want to read up before jumping in.
Boogerman (SNES) is exactly what it sounds like — a platform game starring a superhero whose powers are, let’s say, bodily in nature. It’s juvenile, it’s gleefully gross, and it was a minor cult hit in its day. The Boogerman original manual is available to check out too.
Incantation (SNES) is a lesser-known SNES platformer that’s genuinely worth your time. It’s a solid action platformer that flew under the radar on original release — exactly the kind of hidden gem the Evercade format is brilliant at surfacing. The original Incantation manual is available to browse too.
BattleChess (NES) is chess — but with animated combat sequences whenever a piece is captured. It’s a clever presentation twist on a timeless game, and there’s something satisfying about watching a knight dispatch a pawn in dramatic fashion. The BattleChess original manual is available if you need a refresher on the rules (or just want a read).
Titan (NES) rounds out the collection — you guide a ball with a magnetic paddle across eighty levels, dodging hazards along the way. A different pace to the rest of the lineup, and a good palate cleanser.
WHY INTERPLAY MATTERS
Interplay had a knack for doing things differently. Whether it was chess with combat animations, a fighting game made of clay, or a platformer where the hero uses flatulence as a weapon — they weren’t afraid to be weird. That spirit comes through clearly in this collection.
The mix of NES and SNES titles also makes this one of the more platform-diverse carts in the Evercade library. You get a real sense of how the studio evolved across different hardware generations.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Interplay Collection 1 plays on all current Evercade hardware — including the Super Pocket handheld, the EXP-R handheld, the VS-R home console, and the Alpha bartop cabinet.
For the full rundown of what’s in the Evercade cartridge library — including manuals and cart details — head over to the Carts & Manuals page. And if you’re trying to decide which hardware to pair it with, the hardware comparison guide is a great place to start. You can search every game across every cart in the Evercade Games Database, and if you want more Interplay weirdness, check out Interplay Collection 2 too.