Piko Interactive Collection 1 Is Back — What This Legacy Cart Return Means

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Piko Interactive Collection 1 is one of those Evercade cartridges that collectors have been quietly kicking themselves over for missing. It went out of production, earned legacy status, and became increasingly tricky to track down at a reasonable price. Now it’s coming back — and that’s genuinely great news.

WHAT IS A LEGACY CARTRIDGE?

If you’re new to Evercade, here’s a quick explainer. A legacy cartridge is one that has gone out of active production — discontinued, out of print, and no longer available through standard retail channels. You can still find them, but you’re hunting the second-hand market and often paying a premium for the privilege.

We keep a dedicated legacy cartridges page here on the site so collectors always know which carts have gone out of print. It’s a useful watch list — and Piko Interactive Collection 1 had been sitting on it for a while.

Carts go out of print for all sorts of reasons — licensing windows close, manufacturing runs end, demand shifts. It doesn’t mean the cartridge was unpopular. Sometimes it just means the stars didn’t align for a reprint. Until now.

WHAT’S ON PIKO INTERACTIVE COLLECTION 1?

This is Cartridge 9 in the Evercade library. This 2026 re-issue packs nineteen games spanning NES, SNES, and Megadrive/Genesis — a real cross-platform retrospective of titles that Piko Interactive has lovingly preserved. Worth knowing if you owned the original: this re-issue is one game short of the original 20-game release — Magic Girl didn’t make the cut. If you want the complete original lineup, that’s now a Legacy cartridge — see the original Piko Interactive Collection 1 page.

Here’s the full lineup:

  • 8-Eyes (NES)
  • Brave Battle Saga (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Canon – Legends of the New Gods (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Dorke and Ymp (SNES)
  • Dragon View (SNES)
  • Drakkhen (SNES)
  • Iron Commando (SNES)
  • Jim Power (SNES) – Original Manual
  • NightShade (NES)
  • Power Piggs of the Dark Ages (SNES)
  • Power Punch II (NES)
  • Radical Rex (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Switchblade (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • The Humans (SNES)
  • The Immortal (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Tinhead (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Top Racer (SNES)
  • Water Margin (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Way of the Exploding Fist (NES)

That’s a seriously eclectic mix. Action-RPGs, beat-em-ups, platformers, racing, puzzlers — there’s something here for almost every retro gaming taste. Titles like Drakkhen, The Immortal, and Dragon View offer meaty RPG experiences, while Switchblade, Iron Commando, and Way of the Exploding Fist bring the arcade energy.

For the full details on every game, head over to the Piko Interactive Collection 1 (Re-Issue) page.

ORIGINAL MANUALS — A NICE BONUS

One of the things that makes the Evercade community special is the attention to detail around preservation. The cartridge page pulls together original game manuals wherever they exist — and for a collection like this, that’s a real value-add.

A few highlights you can dig into right now:

Not every game has a manual available — some link out to info pages or longplay videos instead — but the effort to track them down is very much in the spirit of what Evercade is about. Physical cartridges, proper preservation, respect for the games.

WHY THIS RETURN TO PRODUCTION MATTERS

For collectors and newcomers alike, a legacy cart coming back into production is a big deal. It means you can buy it new, at a fair price, from a legitimate retailer — no second-hand lottery, no inflated prices, no worrying about the condition of the cartridge you’re buying blind.

It also signals something encouraging: that Blaze is paying attention to demand and willing to bring beloved carts back when there’s appetite for them. That’s good for the long-term health of the Evercade ecosystem.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about this one, now is the time to grab it. Legacy status can return at any point, and there’s no guarantee how long this production run will last.

Not sure which Evercade device to play it on? Check out our hardware comparison guide — every current Evercade device plays all cartridges, including this one. Whether you’re picking up the compact Super Pocket handheld, the full-sized EXP-R handheld, or hooking up the VS-R to your TV, you’re good to go.

Head over to our Where to Buy page to find current stockists, and check the full Evercade cartridge library if you want to see everything else in the collection. It’s a great time to fill the gaps.

Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition Sold Out — What Happens Now?

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The Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition bundle — console, DOOM Collection cartridge, hard case, comic and poster

The Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition was announced, went on sale, and sold out — all in the space of a single afternoon. If you missed it, here’s what happened and what you can do about it.

WHAT WAS THE NEXUS DOOM EDITION?

The Nexus DOOM Edition was a limited bundle pairing a DOOM-themed Evercade Nexus with The DOOM Collection cartridge and a set of exclusive physical extras. It was limited to just 3,000 units worldwide, sold exclusively through Funstock, and priced at £199.99 / €239.99 / $249.99.

Here’s everything that was packed in the box:

  • Evercade Nexus handheld with a DOOM-inspired design
  • The DOOM Collection cartridge
  • Exclusive DOOM EVA hard case
  • Numbered certificate of authenticity
  • DOOM keyring
  • Poster
  • Comic
  • Screen protector
  • Charging cable

That’s a genuinely strong package for DOOM fans — and it’s worth noting that The DOOM Collection features new native ports built specifically for Evercade hardware, not emulated versions of existing console releases.

HOW FAST DID IT SELL OUT?

Pre-orders opened on 7 August 2026 at 3pm UK / 10am ET / 7am PT, exclusively via Funstock. All 3,000 units were gone shortly after. There is no restock planned before the 30 October 2026 release date — and given this was a one-off limited run, a restock seems unlikely full stop.

The speed of the sell-out says something meaningful: demand for the Evercade Nexus is clearly strong even before the handheld has launched. When a limited £199.99 bundle disappears in hours, that’s not luck — that’s a fanbase paying attention.

MISSED IT? HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS

You don’t need the limited edition to play the games. The DOOM Collection cartridge is not limited — it’s a standard release available separately, launching on the same day, 30 October 2026. Pick up a standard Evercade Nexus and grab The DOOM Collection alongside it, and you’re playing exactly the same games.

What you won’t get is the DOOM-themed hardware design, the EVA hard case, the numbered certificate, the comic, the keyring, or the poster. Those extras are gone. But the actual gaming experience is identical.

If you’re new to the Evercade ecosystem and wondering where to start, our introduction to Evercade is a good first stop, and the hardware comparison page will help you figure out which device suits you best.

WHAT DOES THIS TELL US ABOUT EVERCADE?

Selling 3,000 units of a premium limited bundle — one that hadn’t even shipped yet for a handheld not yet released — in a matter of hours is a strong signal. The Nexus launches in October 2026 with some serious momentum behind it. Bundled with the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack in its standard form and sporting a 5.89-inch screen, dual analogue sticks, and WiFi 6, it’s shaping up to be the most capable Evercade handheld yet — and the market is clearly taking notice.

If you’re building out a wider Evercade collection alongside the Nexus, the official Evercade Wireless Controller (£34.99) is worth a look too — it adds dual-stick play to the VS, VS-R, and Alpha.

It also shows that physical extras still matter to this community. The EVA case, the comic, the numbered certificate — these aren’t throwaway additions. Evercade fans care about owning something tangible, and Blaze clearly knows it.

THE DOOM COLLECTION CARTRIDGE

The DOOM Collection is available as a standalone cartridge for anyone picking up any Evercade device. As mentioned, these are new native ports built for Evercade hardware — not ports of ports. That’s worth getting excited about regardless of which version of the Nexus you end up with.

And if you love the physical side of Evercade cartridges — the manuals, the packaging — don’t forget that original game manual scans are available on the site, letting you browse the included documentation for cartridges across the entire library.

Missed the DOOM Edition? Don’t write off the Nexus. Head over to the Evercade Nexus page for full specs and details — and check where to buy to secure your standard Nexus before launch.

The DOOM Collection — id Software’s Classics Arrive on Evercade

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The DOOM Collection Evercade cartridge box and cart

Nine id Software classics. One red cartridge. DOOM is coming to Evercade on 30 October 2026 — and it’s a bigger deal than almost anything else to hit the platform.

The DOOM Collection is Cartridge 11 in the Evercade Home Computer Collection, priced at £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99. These aren’t emulated ports of existing console versions. Blaze has built native ports specifically for Evercade hardware — and the lineup is seriously impressive.

WHAT’S ON THE CARTRIDGE

Blaze’s own packaging describes it as “2 games included + 7 bonus map packs” — but the full contents are considerable:

  • DOOM (1993) — the original that defined the FPS genre. 1–3 players.
  • DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994) — the direct sequel, introducing the Super Shotgun. 1–4 players.
  • Master Levels for DOOM II (1995) — the official add-on pack of extra single-player levels.
  • TNT: Evilution — one of the two Final DOOM episodes.
  • The Plutonia Experiment — the other Final DOOM episode, notorious for its difficulty.
  • No Rest for the Living (2010) — the bonus episode originally made for the Xbox Live Arcade re-release.
  • SIGIL (2019) — John Romero’s fan-made episode, released for DOOM’s 25th anniversary.
  • SIGIL II (2023) — Romero’s follow-up, made for DOOM’s 30th anniversary.
  • DOOM: Deathmatch — a dedicated set of Deathmatch-only levels. 1–4 players.

Nine pieces of content on a single cart. That’s exceptional value for the asking price.

Several of the titles also come with original manual scans — DOOM, DOOM II: Hell on Earth, TNT: Evilution, and The Plutonia Experiment all have them. You can browse all of Evercade’s original manual scans over at the Carts & Manuals page.

GAMEPLAY EXTRAS

Beyond the nine games themselves, the cartridge packs in some genuinely fun additions. There are custom gameplay modifiers — including Turbo Monsters and Vampire Mode — plus adjustable violence settings.

Multiplayer is well catered for too. Alongside standard co-op and deathmatch, you get dedicated modes: Chaosmatch, Instagib, and Tag. If you’ve got friends who want to frag each other on the sofa, this cartridge has you covered.

A LANDMARK FOR EVERCADE

DOOM isn’t Evercade’s first FPS — Duke Nukem 3D got there first on the Duke Nukem Collection — but it’s the first time id Software’s own DOOM franchise has come to the platform, and given how important DOOM is to gaming history, that’s still a genuine milestone.

Blaze first teased the collaboration on 4 February 2026, timed to id Software’s 35th anniversary. An early retailer listing leak had suggested a smaller two-game red cartridge, but the confirmed lineup turned out to be considerably bigger than anyone expected.

Speaking of red — the physical cartridge ships in a distinctive red shell rather than the usual Home Computer Collection blue, as a nod to DOOM’s colour scheme. The outer box is still standard blue. It’s a lovely little detail.

WHICH EVERCADE SHOULD YOU PLAY IT ON?

The DOOM Collection works across all current Evercade hardware — the Alpha bartop arcade cabinet, the VS-R home console, the EXP-R handheld, the Nexus handheld, and the Super Pocket.

If you want dual analogue sticks for a more modern DOOM feel, the official Evercade Wireless Controller (£34.99, releasing 28 September 2026, compatible with VS/VS-R/Alpha) is well-timed. Check the Controller Compatibility Database for the full rundown on what works with what.

And if you want the ultimate DOOM experience on Evercade, Blaze also released a limited-edition Evercade Nexus DOOM Edition bundle — a DOOM-themed Nexus handheld packaged with this cartridge and physical extras, limited to just 3,000 units worldwide. It’s already sold out, which tells you everything about the demand — the standard Nexus plus this cartridge gets you the same games.

Not sure which Evercade device is right for you? Our hardware comparison guide breaks it all down.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Honestly? Almost everyone with an Evercade. If you grew up with DOOM, this is a beautifully presented way to revisit it. If you’ve never properly played it, this is an absurd amount of content for £24.99. And if you’re a collector, a red-shelled cartridge with SIGIL and SIGIL II on it is hard to argue with.

Pre-orders are open now. Check our Where to Buy page for current retailers.

For everything else — full game listings, screenshots, and more — head to the official DOOM Collection page on evercade.info.

Piko Interactive Collection 1 Is Coming Back — Everything We Know

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One of Evercade’s retired Legacy cartridges looks set to return to production. Piko Interactive Collection 1 — out of production since it entered Legacy status, with prices climbing on the secondhand market as a result — has surfaced on an Amazon UK listing and been picked up by multiple retro gaming outlets, pointing to an official announcement from Blaze on 28 August 2026.

Update: this is now confirmed — Blaze officially announced the return on 28 August 2026. See our full write-up on what the confirmed return means for pricing, availability, and why it matters.

WHY THIS IS UNUSUAL

Evercade cartridges are retired to Legacy status fairly regularly — licensing terms and physical distribution realities mean Blaze can’t keep every cart in print forever. What’s genuinely unusual is a Legacy cart coming back into production. It’s happened rarely enough that it’s real news for collectors, and it’s a good sign for anyone who’s been priced out of the secondhand market for this specific cart.

WHAT’S ON THE CARTRIDGE

Piko Interactive Collection 1 packs 20 games spanning several 8-bit and 16-bit systems:

  • 8 Eyes
  • Brave Battle Saga
  • Canon – Legends of the New Gods
  • Dorke and Ymp
  • Dragon View
  • Drakkhen
  • Iron Commando
  • Jim Power – The Lost Dimension
  • Magic Girl
  • NightShade
  • Power Piggs of the Dark Ages
  • Power Punch II
  • Radical Rex
  • Switchblade
  • The Humans
  • The Immortal
  • Tinhead
  • Top Racer
  • Way of the Exploding Fist
  • Water Margin

See our full Piko Interactive Collection 1 guide for manuals and info links on each game.

IT’S OFFICIAL

Blaze’s 28 August 2026 announcement confirmed the return — see our updated piece for full details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Piko Interactive Collection 1 really coming back?

Yes — confirmed by Blaze on 28 August 2026, after first surfacing via an Amazon UK listing and retro gaming press coverage.

Why did it become a Legacy cartridge in the first place?

Like other Evercade Legacy carts, it was retired from production due to licensing and physical distribution constraints — not because of low demand. That’s part of why a comeback is unusual.

How many games are on it?

20, confirmed via Blaze’s own cartridge listing — see the full list above.

Which Evercade devices does it work on?

All current Evercade hardware, plus the HyperMegaTech Super Pocket.

While you wait, the rest of the Piko Interactive library is still in print — see Piko Interactive Collection 3, Collection 4, and Piko Interactive Arcade 1. Still hunting for it secondhand in the meantime? See our Legacy Cartridges guide for eBay links, or browse the full Evercade cartridge library.

NEOGEO Arcade 4 — Is This the Best Arcade Cart Yet?

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NEOGEO Arcade 4 cartridge

SNK’s Neo Geo is one of the most celebrated arcade hardware platforms ever made. The raw power, the iconic fighters, the buttery-smooth sprite work — it was in a league of its own when it launched, and it still looks and plays brilliantly today. Blaze Entertainment clearly knows this, because NEOGEO Arcade 4 — Cartridge 22 in the Evercade Arcade Collection — is now out, bringing eight more SNK classics to the platform.

WHY THE NEO GEO STILL MATTERS

When SNK released the Neo Geo MVS arcade system in 1990, it changed the game — literally. Arcade operators got a multi-game cabinet that could swap cartridges. Home players (with very deep pockets) could buy the AES version and play near-perfect arcade ports at home. The library that followed was stacked: brawlers, shooters, sports titles, and of course, some of the greatest one-on-one fighting games ever made.

That legacy is exactly why the NEOGEO Arcade carts are some of the most anticipated releases in the Evercade lineup. These aren’t watered-down ports — they’re the real thing, arcade-accurate and ready to play on modern hardware.

WHAT’S ON THE CARTRIDGE

NEOGEO Arcade 4 packs in eight games, spanning fighters, shooters, sports, and action:

  • Fatal Fury Special (1993) — an enhanced update of Fatal Fury 2, often ranked among the best entries in SNK’s foundational fighting series.
  • The King of Fighters 2002 (2002) — a fan-favourite “dream match” entry, bringing back the full roster from the series’ earlier years.
  • Metal Slug 4 (2002) — the run-and-gun series’ fourth mainline entry, co-developed with Noise Factory.
  • Blazing Star (1998) — a highly-regarded horizontal shoot-’em-up from Yumekobo, praised for its scaling and rotation effects.
  • King of the Monsters (1991) — SNK’s kaiju-wrestling brawler, giant monsters battling it out across a city.
  • Baseball Stars 2 (1992) — the celebrated baseball series’ sequel, known for deep team customisation for its era.
  • Robo Army (1991) — a cyberpunk beat-’em-up starring a cyborg protagonist, one of SNK’s lesser-known action titles.
  • 3 Count Bout (1993) — a rare SNK entry blending fighting-game mechanics with a boxing ring setting.

Full details, box art, and links for every game are on the NEOGEO Arcade 4 page. It sits alongside three earlier NEOGEO Arcade collections — NEOGEO Arcade 1, NEOGEO Arcade 2, and NEOGEO Arcade 3 — each bringing its own curated slice of SNK’s arcade vault to Evercade. It’s also worth noting the NEOGEO Arcade carts sit alongside some seriously strong arcade competition on the platform — from Toaplan and TAITO to Data East and Irem. The purple-case arcade library is genuinely impressive at this point. Check out our Best Arcade Cartridges guide if you’re looking to build out your collection.

SO, IS THIS THE BEST ARCADE CART YET?

With the full lineup confirmed, it’s a genuinely strong case. Fatal Fury Special and The King of Fighters 2002 give fighting game fans two certified classics, Metal Slug 4 continues one of Evercade’s most-loved series, and Blazing Star is a shoot-’em-up regarded as one of the Neo Geo’s technical high points. If you want the platform’s deepest one-on-one fighting roster, see our Best Evercade Cartridges for Fighting Game Fans guide — NEOGEO Arcade 4 is a serious contender for that list.

Whether it truly tops its three predecessors is a matter of taste — NEOGEO Arcade 1 leaned hard on genre-defining hits, and each cart since has had its own highlights. But on raw lineup strength alone, NEOGEO Arcade 4 holds its own. The foundation — SNK’s hardware, Blaze’s curation track record, and the Evercade platform’s commitment to accuracy — is as solid as it gets.

PLAYING YOUR NEOGEO CARTS

All Evercade cartridges — including the NEOGEO Arcade series — work across the full current hardware lineup. Whether you’re playing on the handheld EXP-R (which even supports TATE mode for vertical arcade games), the compact Super Pocket, or the living-room-ready VS-R home console, you’re getting the same great arcade experience.

If you want the full arcade cabinet feel, the Evercade Alpha bartop cabinet is worth a look too — there’s something special about playing Neo Geo titles on a proper stick setup.

Not sure which hardware is right for you? Our hardware comparison guide breaks it all down.

GOING DEEPER

Want the full story on where NEOGEO Arcade 4 fits in? Read our deep dive on NEOGEO Arcade 1 — SNK’s Greatest Hits on Evercade for how the series started, or browse the Best Evercade Cartridges for Arcade Fans and Best Evercade Cartridges for Fighting Game Fans guides to see how it stacks up against the rest of the library.

NEOGEO Arcade 4 is out now. See the full NEOGEO Arcade 4 page for pricing and where to buy, browse the complete Carts & Manuals library, or search for specific games in the Evercade Games Database.

Activision Collection 3 — What’s on the New Cartridge?

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Activision Collection 3 cartridge

Activision Collection 3 is out now on Evercade — Cartridge 52 in the Home Console Collection, following on from Activision Collection 1 and Activision Collection 2. It landed on 26 June 2026, priced at £19.99 / $29.99 / €24.99, with 13 more Atari 2600-era classics on board.

A THIRD ACTIVISION COLLECTION — WHY IT MATTERS

Activision’s back catalogue stretches across decades and dozens of platforms. The first two Evercade collections — Activision Collection 1 and Activision Collection 2 — already gave retro fans a fantastic slice of that history, covering classic home console titles that many players will have fond memories of.

A third collection is a good sign for the platform: it shows there’s clearly appetite from fans for more, and that there’s no shortage of quality games left in the Activision vault to draw from.

True to form, this one leans into the golden age of the Atari 2600 — action, sports, and a couple of genuine rarities thrown in for good measure. Activision has always had range, and Evercade’s Home Console Collection is a fitting home for this material.

WHAT’S ON THE CARTRIDGE

All 13 games are Atari 2600 titles, each with its original manual scan included:

  • Barnstorming (1982) — biplane stunt-flying action
  • Bridge (1981) — Activision’s take on the card game
  • Chopper Command (1982) — one of Activision’s best-known 2600 shooters
  • Dolphin (1983) — underwater dodge-and-collect action
  • Dragonfire (1982) — treasure-grabbing, dragon-dodging arcade action
  • Ice Hockey (1981) — an early Activision sports classic
  • Kabobber — an unreleased Atari 2600 prototype that never got a full commercial release back in the day
  • Kaboom! (1981) — one of Activision’s biggest-selling 2600 games, catching falling bombs
  • Keystone Kapers (1983) — the classic department-store chase
  • Laser Blast (1981) — vertical shoot-’em-up
  • Pressure Cooker (1983) — fast-paced fast-food arcade action
  • The Activision Decathlon (1983) — the multi-event sports showcase title
  • Thwocker — another unreleased prototype, making its first proper commercial release here

Two genuine rarities alongside the well-known hits: Kabobber and Thwocker were both unreleased Activision prototypes on the original Atari 2600, so this is one of the few ways to play them on real cartridge hardware today.

Full details, box art, and a manual link for every game are on the Activision Collection 3 page. You can also see where it sits in the wider lineup on the Evercade carts & manuals page, or search for any of these games individually on the Evercade Games Database.

GOOD NEWS FOR RETRO FANS

The continued expansion of the Activision library on Evercade is genuinely exciting. These aren’t emulation afterthoughts — they’re properly packaged physical cartridges with real cases and manuals, playable on every piece of Evercade hardware, from the compact Super Pocket to the full-sized EXP-R handheld, the living room-friendly VS-R home console, and even the Alpha bartop cabinet.

If you’re new to the platform and wondering where to start, check out our introduction to Evercade or the hardware comparison guide to find the right device for you.

And for the full picture of what’s available — including exactly where Activision Collection 3 sits in the lineup — head over to the complete Evercade cartridge library.

Evercade Collecting — How to Build a Complete Library

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People playing the full range of Evercade devices — Alpha bartop arcade, handhelds and cartridges

Building a complete Evercade cartridge library is one of the most satisfying projects in retro gaming collecting. The range is big enough to feel like a proper challenge, but manageable enough that a full collection is genuinely achievable. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

How Evercade Cartridges Are Organised

Every Evercade cartridge has a number printed on the spine of the case. That number tells you exactly where it sits in the full collection — and it’s the clearest way to track your progress as a collector.

The library is split into three distinct series, each with its own colour-coded case:

  • Console Games — Red Cases. The main series, covering licensed compilations of classic console games from publishers like Atari, Namco, Interplay, Rare, and many more.
  • Arcade Games — Purple Cases. Dedicated arcade compilations, pulling together coin-op classics from Technos, Data East, Toaplan, TAITO, NEOGEO, and others.
  • Home Computer Games — Blue Cases. A fantastic series focused on the C64, Amiga, and home computer era, featuring collections from Team17, Delphine Software, Llamasoft, and more.

Keeping track of all three series at once is much easier with the full Evercade cartridge library on Carts & Manuals — every cart, every number, all in one place.

The Console Games Series (Red Cases)

This is the biggest and most varied series. It includes heavy-hitters like Atari Collection 1 (Legacy), Namco Museum Collection 1 (Legacy), Rare Collection 1, and Tomb Raider Collection 1, alongside indie-focused releases like the Indie Heroes Collection 1 (Legacy) through Indie Heroes Collection 4.

Publisher series — Activision, Sunsoft, Gremlin, Piko, Interplay, Duke Nukem — each span multiple volumes, so if you love a particular publisher’s back catalogue, chances are there’s more than one cart to hunt down.

There are also some standout individual releases worth highlighting: Xenocrisis / Tanglewood, Full Void, Broken Sword Collection, and the upcoming Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack (bundled with the Evercade Nexus) are all must-haves for any serious collection.

The Arcade Games Series (Purple Cases)

If you’re an arcade fan, the purple cases are essential. The series covers coin-op legends from Technos Arcade 1 (Legacy) right through to multiple volumes of TAITO Arcade, NEOGEO Arcade, and Toaplan Arcade.

Highlights include Data East Arcade 1 and Data East Arcade 2, Irem Arcade 1 (Legacy), Windjammers, Karnov & Friends, and the Jaleco Arcade Collection 1. There’s genuine depth here — and more volumes keep arriving.

For recommendations on where to start, check out our guide to the best Evercade cartridges for arcade fans.

The Home Computer Series (Blue Cases)

The blue cases often fly under the radar, but they’re brilliant. The C64 Collection 1, The C64 Collection 2, and The C64 Collection 3 bring dozens of Commodore 64 classics to Evercade. Team17 Collection 1, Delphine Software Collection 1, Thalamus Collection 1, The Bitmap Brothers Collection 2, and Llamasoft Collection round out an excellent series for home computer fans.

Roguecraft DX also sits in this series — a newer indie release that fits the home computer aesthetic perfectly.

Legacy Cartridges — The Out-of-Print Ones

Some Evercade cartridges are no longer in production. When the licence to manufacture a cart expires and isn’t renewed, that cart becomes a Legacy cartridge — no new stock will ever be made. The only way to get one is second-hand.

This is one of the trickier parts of building a complete library, but it’s also part of what makes Evercade collecting genuinely interesting. The Evercade Legacy Cartridges page has the full list of discontinued carts, along with eBay links to help you track them down.

If you’re serious about completing the set, check the legacy list early. Some of these carts are harder to find than others, and prices on the second-hand market can vary significantly.

Tips for Finding Second-Hand Carts

Whether you’re hunting legacy carts or just filling gaps in your collection, here’s what works:

  • eBay is the most reliable source for second-hand Evercade carts. Search by cartridge name and check sold listings to get a sense of fair prices before you bid.
  • Facebook Marketplace and retro gaming groups can turn up bargains, especially from sellers who don’t know what they have.
  • Retro gaming fairs and car boot sales are long shots, but Evercade carts do turn up — particularly the earlier releases.
  • Retro gaming forums and Discord communities often have buy/sell/trade sections where fellow collectors offload duplicates at reasonable prices.
  • Always check the cart number on the spine matches what you expect — it’s the quickest way to confirm you’ve got the right one.

Don’t Forget — There Are Announced Carts Too

Blaze Entertainment occasionally teases cartridges before full details are confirmed. One to watch right now: DOOM x Evercade, officially teased in February 2026 to mark id Software’s 35th anniversary. No games list, price, or release date yet — but it’s one to keep an eye on.

Original Manuals — A Collector’s Bonus

One of the things that makes Evercade collecting extra rewarding is the physical packaging — each cart comes with a manual. But did you know you can also browse original game manuals for many of the games in the Evercade library?

The Evercade manual scans section has a growing collection of original PDFs. Some of the most popular include the Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain manual, the Tomb Raider manual, the Duke Nukem 3D manual, and the Worms Armageddon manual.

There are also great scans for games like Another World, Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars, Earthworm Jim 2, California Games, R.C. Pro-Am, and The Fantastic Adventures of Dizzy — perfect for diving deeper into the history of games in your collection.

Start With the Full Library List

The best first step for any Evercade collector is getting the full picture of what exists. Head to the Carts & Manuals page for the complete numbered library — console, arcade, and home computer — all in one place. From there, you’ll know exactly what you have, what you’re missing, and what to hunt for next.

Happy collecting!

Evercade Gift Guide 2026 — The Best Picks for a Retro Gaming Fan

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People playing the full range of Evercade devices — Alpha bartop arcade, handhelds and cartridges

Buying a gift for a retro gaming fan? Evercade is one of the best things in that space right now — physical cartridges, a growing library of classic games, and hardware to suit every budget. Here’s everything you need to know to get it right.

WHAT IS EVERCADE?

Evercade is a retro gaming ecosystem built around physical cartridges, each packed with multiple classic games. There are handhelds, a home console, and even a bartop arcade cabinet — all playing from the same cartridge library. If you’re new to it, our introduction to Evercade is a great place to start.

The good news for gift buyers: you don’t need to know everything. Pick a device, grab a cartridge or two, and you’ve got a genuinely great present.

THE HARDWARE — WHAT TO BUY AND WHY

Budget pick: Super Pocket — from £59.99

The Super Pocket is the smallest and most affordable Evercade device. It fits in a shirt pocket, takes all Evercade cartridges, and comes pre-loaded with 12–50 built-in games depending on the edition. Editions include Taito, Capcom, Atari, Technōs, Neo Geo, Data East, Rare, and Activision — so you can match it to whatever the recipient loves.

If you’re not sure whether the person you’re buying for will take to Evercade, this is the lowest-risk entry point. Great value, genuinely pocketable, and a full gateway into the cartridge library.

Mid-range pick: Evercade EXP-R

The EXP-R is the most well-rounded Evercade handheld. It has a 4.3-inch IPS screen, TATE mode for vertical arcade games, and plays every Evercade cartridge. It comes bundled with Tomb Raider Collection 1, so there’s something to play straight out of the box.

No built-in game library like the Super Pocket, but a bigger, brighter screen and a more premium feel. This is the sweet spot for most retro gaming fans who want the full cartridge experience on the go.

Premium pick: Evercade Nexus — £169.99 (launching October 2026)

The Nexus is the flagship handheld — a 5.89-inch screen, dual analogue sticks, WiFi 6, and EverSync for local wireless multiplayer between two Nexus units. It launches in October 2026 and comes bundled with the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack.

If budget isn’t a concern and you want to give the best possible Evercade experience, this is it. Perfect for someone who wants to play 32 and 64-bit titles as well as the classic 8-bit and 16-bit library.

Home console pick: Evercade VS-R

The VS-R is Evercade’s home console — it plugs into the TV via HDMI at 1080p, has dual cartridge slots, and supports up to four players via USB controllers. If the person you’re buying for prefers gaming on a big screen or plays with family and friends, this is the one to go for.

Statement piece: Evercade Alpha — from £229.99

The Alpha is a pre-assembled bartop arcade cabinet with an 8-inch IPS screen, competition-grade arcade controls, and dual cartridge slots. It comes in Street Fighter, Mega Man, and Taito editions, each with 6–10 built-in games.

This isn’t an everyday gaming device — it’s a desk or counter centrepiece for someone who loves arcade culture. A serious gift for a serious retro fan.

THE BEST STARTER CARTRIDGES

Evercade cartridges are where the library really shines. Here are some strong picks for someone new to the platform — all tried, tested, and well-loved by the community.

For arcade fans: Capcom Collection is packed with instant classics — Street Fighter II, Mega Man, and Final Fight among them. TAITO Arcade 1 and TAITO Arcade 2 are equally essential, and Data East Arcade 1 is also a superb choice. Check our full best arcade cartridges guide for more.

For all-round retro gaming: The Activision Collection 1 is a brilliant starting point with a huge breadth of classic titles — Pitfall! and River Raid among them. Interplay Collection 1 and Team17 Collection 1 (Worms, anyone?) are crowd-pleasers. The Turrican Collection is unmissable for action platformer fans.

For indie and modern retro: Xenocrisis / Tanglewood, Alwa’s Awakening / Cathedral, and the Indie Heroes collections are all great picks if the recipient enjoys contemporary games made in the classic style.

Browse the full library on our Carts & Manuals page, or check out our best Evercade cartridges guide for curated recommendations.

BUNDLE SUGGESTIONS BY BUDGET

Under £80 — Super Pocket starter bundle: Pick the Super Pocket edition that matches their taste (Capcom for fighting games, Taito for arcade, Atari for classics) and add one cartridge. That’s a complete, ready-to-play gift.

Around £100–£120 — EXP-R ready to play: The EXP-R comes with Tomb Raider Collection 1 included, so it’s gift-ready on its own. Add a second cartridge — Capcom Collection or Activision Collection 1 work brilliantly — and you’ve got a fantastic bundle.

£150+ — VS-R with a cartridge or two: The VS-R is a great living room gift. Pair it with a couple of cartridges (Data East Arcade 1 and Team17 Collection 1 are solid choices) and anyone who plays it will be immediately hooked.

£200+ — Nexus pre-order bundle (October 2026): The Nexus at £169.99 comes with the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack. Add an extra cartridge and you’ve got one of the most exciting retro gaming gifts of 2026. Bear in mind the October 2026 launch date if timing matters.

NOT SURE WHICH TO CHOOSE?

If you’re still weighing up the options, our hardware comparison page breaks down every device side by side with full specs. It’s the quickest way to land on the right decision.

When you’re ready to buy, head to our Where to Buy guide for UK, US, EU and worldwide retailers — including Amazon, Funstock, and second-hand options for anyone on a tighter budget.

Whatever you pick, you’re giving someone a gateway into one of the best retro gaming ecosystems around. They’ll thank you for it.

Sony Ends Physical Games in 2028 — Evercade Never Will

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Sony confirmed this month that new PlayStation games will go digital-only from January 2028 — no more discs for newly released titles, though games released before that date and existing physical copies aren’t affected. Sony framed it as simply following where most players already are, since digital purchases have outpaced physical discs for years. It’s the clearest signal yet that physical games are heading toward extinction across the mainstream console industry.

Evercade’s answer to that shift has been the same since it launched in 2020: cartridges, only cartridges, every single release.

WHAT ACTUALLY CHANGES WHEN A GAME GOES DIGITAL-ONLY

A digital game is a licence, not a possession. If a storefront closes, gets delisted, or a publisher pulls a title, your access can disappear even though you “bought” it — Sony’s own separate confirmation that the PS3 and Vita stores are closing in July 2027 is a reminder of exactly that risk (existing purchases stay re-downloadable “for the foreseeable future,” which is doing a lot of work in that sentence). A physical cartridge doesn’t have that failure mode. Once you own an Evercade cart, the games on it work forever, with no server, account, or storefront required.

EVERCADE’S CARTRIDGE LIBRARY, BY THE NUMBERS

Evercade’s physical library has grown to 750+ games across 80+ cartridges — spanning arcade, console, and home computer classics alongside a growing run of brand-new native indie titles. Every single cartridge, without exception, ships with a full manual — that’s not a nice extra, it’s part of the core Evercade experience. Browse the complete collection on the Carts & Manuals page, or search the whole line-up game-by-game in the Evercade Games Database.

PHYSICAL MEDIA HOLDS VALUE THAT DIGITAL NEVER CAN

A cartridge can be resold, traded, lent to a friend, or handed down — a digital licence tied to an account generally can’t be. Some early Evercade cartridges have already gone out of production as manufacturing licences lapse, which if anything makes the ones already in circulation more collectible over time, not less accessible. See which carts fall into that category on the Legacy Cartridges page.

NOT AFFILIATED, JUST MAKING THE COMPARISON

To be clear, none of this is a dig at Sony specifically or any claim of a rivalry — Evercade has no affiliation with PlayStation. It’s simply a useful moment to point out that while most of the industry treats physical media as legacy, Evercade has built its entire identity around it from day one.

Curious where to start? Check out our guide to the Best Evercade Cartridges, or see the full Where to Buy guide for every device and retailer.

Evercade VS-R — The Complete Buyer’s Guide

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The Evercade VS-R is the home console at the heart of the Evercade ecosystem — built to bring the cartridge library to your TV with proper multiplayer support. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the right device for you, this guide covers everything you need to know.

WHAT IS THE EVERCADE VS-R?

The VS-R is a home console — it plugs into your TV or monitor via HDMI and outputs at 1080p. It’s not a handheld. Think of it as the living room centrepiece of the Evercade family, designed for couch gaming rather than on-the-go play.

It runs the full Evercade cartridge library — 750+ games across 80+ cartridges — and comes with built-in WiFi and a refreshed user interface. It’s the most fully-featured way to play Evercade at home.

HOW IT DIFFERS FROM THE HANDHELDS

The other Evercade handhelds — the Super Pocket, the EXP-R, and the upcoming Nexus — are all portable devices with built-in screens. The VS-R has none of that. What it has instead is TV output, four controller ports, and dual cartridge slots — features the handhelds simply can’t match.

If your priority is playing Evercade on a big screen with friends, the VS-R is built exactly for that.

DUAL CARTRIDGE SLOTS

One of the VS-R’s standout features is its two simultaneous cartridge slots. You can load two different cartridges at once and switch between them without pulling either out. It’s a small thing that makes a big difference during game nights — no more swapping carts mid-session.

The retro-inspired cartridge slot lid design also gives the console a satisfying, tactile feel that fits right in with the Evercade aesthetic.

MULTIPLAYER SUPPORT

The VS-R supports up to four players simultaneously via four USB controller ports. There’s no wireless pairing to fiddle with — you plug controllers straight in and you’re ready to go.

The included controller comes with a generous 3-metre cable, so you’re not stuck right next to the console. Additional controllers can be added for multiplayer without any extra setup. If you’d rather go wireless, Blaze released an official Evercade Wireless Controller in September 2026 with dual analogue sticks and up to 15 hours of battery life.

Want to know which third-party controllers work with the VS-R? Check out the Controller Compatibility Database for a full rundown.

SPECS AT A GLANCE

Here’s what’s under the hood:

  • Video output: HDMI 1080p (cable not included)
  • Processor: 1.5GHz
  • Storage: 4GB internal
  • Cartridge slots: 2 (dual simultaneous)
  • Controller ports: 4× USB
  • Wireless: Built-in WiFi
  • Power: MicroUSB 5V/2A (cable included; power adapter not included)
  • Dimensions: 197mm (W) × 126mm (D) × 48mm (H)

Worth noting: an HDMI cable is not included and needs to be purchased separately. A power adapter is also not included, though the MicroUSB cable is in the box.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

The VS-R comes in two colour variants — NEON RETRO and CLASSIC RETRO — each with a matching controller. Here’s what’s included:

  • Evercade VS-R console
  • One controller with 3-metre cable
  • MicroUSB power cable
  • NEON RETRO bundle: includes the Tomb Raider Collection 1 cartridge (Tomb Raider, Tomb Raider II, and Tomb Raider III with full-colour manual)

The CLASSIC RETRO version is available at participating retailers. Both styles share the same specs and dual cartridge slot design.

WHO IS THE VS-R FOR?

The VS-R is the right choice if you want to:

  • Play Evercade on your TV or monitor
  • Game with friends and family — up to four players at once
  • Keep two cartridges loaded and switch between them freely
  • Build a home retro gaming setup with a proper console feel

If portability is your priority, one of the handhelds might suit you better — take a look at our Evercade hardware comparison to see every device side by side.

Ready to pick up the VS-R? Head over to our Where to Buy page to find the best place to grab one — and if you’re still building your cartridge collection, the Best Evercade Cartridges guide is a great place to start.