Evercade Cartridges — How the Library Has Grown

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When the Evercade launched in 2020, it arrived with 10 cartridges ready to go — a solid debut that gave players a taste of what Blaze Entertainment had in mind. Fast forward to today, and that number has exploded past 80 cartridges. That’s a remarkable amount of growth for a dedicated retro gaming platform, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

The original Evercade lineup leaned heavily on established retro publishers — Atari, Namco, Interplay, Data East — and for good reason. These were names that carried instant recognition for anyone who grew up gaming in the 80s and 90s. Collections like Atari Collection 1 and Namco Museum Collection 1 gave the platform genuine credibility right out of the gate.

Those early 10 cartridges covered everything from arcade classics to home console favourites, and they made it very clear what Evercade was all about: curated, legal, physical retro gaming done properly.

THE LIBRARY FINDS ITS FEET

Through 2021 and into 2022, the catalogue expanded at a steady pace. New publishers joined the fold — Jaleco and others — bringing with them a huge range of genres and platforms. Beat-em-ups, platformers, sports games, shooters: the Evercade was building something genuinely varied.

The introduction of the Evercade VS home console in late 2021 added extra momentum. With a home device in the mix, multi-cart support and couch co-op became part of the conversation, and the appetite for new cartridges grew alongside the expanding hardware range.

GOING BEYOND THE CLASSICS

One of the most exciting developments in the library’s growth has been the shift toward indie and homebrew content. The Morphcat Games Collection, the Bitmap Bureau Collection, and others showed that Evercade wasn’t just a nostalgia machine — it was a platform willing to champion modern developers making games in a retro spirit.

The Evercade EXP and Evercade EXP-R handhelds pushed things further still, with built-in titles and a sharper focus on specific genres and platforms. Each new hardware launch has brought fresh cartridges with it, keeping the library moving forward.

OVER 80 CARTRIDGES AND COUNTING

Hitting 80+ cartridges is a genuinely impressive milestone. Think about what that means in practice: hundreds of individual games, spanning multiple decades and dozens of original publishers, all available in a consistent physical format with proper manuals and artwork.

The breadth of the catalogue today is something few would have predicted back in 2021. You can jump from an Atari 2600 classic to a sharp 16-bit beat-em-up to a modern indie gem — all on the same device, all on cartridge.

And with Blaze continuing to announce new collections regularly, the library isn’t done growing yet. Every few months brings something new to track down and add to the shelf.

EXPLORE THE FULL LIBRARY

Want to see exactly what’s available? Our Evercade games database lists every cartridge and game in the library — fully searchable and regularly updated. Whether you’re a newcomer figuring out where to start or a collector tracking down the gaps, it’s the best place to get a complete picture of just how far the Evercade catalogue has come.

Super Pocket — Which Edition Should You Buy?

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Super Pocket Rare Edition handheld

Seven editions. One pocket-sized handheld. Same price. So how do you pick the right Super Pocket for you? Here’s a breakdown of every edition and who each one is best suited for.

WHAT IS THE SUPER POCKET?

The Super Pocket is a compact handheld developed by HyperMegaTech! — the same company behind the Evercade ecosystem. Each edition comes themed around a classic publisher, with a built-in game library pre-loaded and ready to go.

Every edition shares the same solid hardware: a 2.8″ IPS screen, quad-core 1.2GHz processor, full shoulder buttons, USB-C charging, and up to 4 hours of battery life. At 165g it genuinely fits in your pocket.

Crucially, every edition includes an Evercade cartridge slot — so on top of the built-in games, you get access to 80+ officially licensed Evercade collections and 700+ games. No downloads, no internet, just insert and play.

All editions are priced at £49.99 / €59.99, with the Rare Edition at $69.99 in the US.

TAITO EDITION — 18 GAMES

Best for: Fans of classic Japanese arcade games and bubble-based platformers.

The Taito Edition packs in some genuine arcade legends. Space Invaders and Space Invaders ’91 are here, alongside Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble, The NewZealand Story, Rastan, and Operation Wolf. There’s real variety — action, platformers, shoot-’em-ups, and puzzle games — making this one of the most well-rounded built-in libraries.

If you have fond memories of Taito’s golden age, or you want a handheld with broad arcade appeal, this is an excellent starting point.

CAPCOM EDITION — 12 GAMES

Best for: Action game fans and Street Fighter devotees.

Twelve games, but what a twelve. Street Fighter II’: Hyper Fighting, Final Fight, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Mega Man, Strider, Bionic Commando, and the full 194X trilogy — this is a murderers’ row of Capcom classics.

The Capcom Edition has the smallest built-in library of all seven editions, but the quality-per-game ratio is arguably the highest. If you’re a Capcom fan, you already know you want this one.

ATARI EDITION — 50 GAMES

Best for: Retro purists, Atari collectors, and anyone who wants sheer volume.

With 50 built-in games, the Atari Edition is the biggest library of any Super Pocket edition — by a long way. It spans Atari’s arcade hits, the Atari 2600, and the Atari 5200, covering decades of gaming history.

Highlights include Asteroids, Missile Command, Pong, Millipede, Berzerk, Yars’ Revenge, Adventure, Haunted House, and many more. If you want the most content out of the box, this is the one.

TECHNŌS EDITION — 15 GAMES

Best for: Beat-’em-up lovers and Double Dragon fans.

Technōs Japan gave us some of the defining beat-’em-ups of the 8 and 16-bit era. If Double Dragon, Renegade, and Kunio-kun mean anything to you, this edition was made with you in mind.

It’s a more niche pick than some of the others, but for fans of the genre it’s a genuinely exciting collection on a device you can take anywhere.

NEO GEO EDITION — 14 GAMES

Best for: Fighting game fans and SNK enthusiasts.

The Neo Geo Edition brings 14 games from SNK’s legendary Neo Geo hardware to your pocket. Neo Geo games were premium arcade-quality titles — and having them built into a handheld at this price point is genuinely impressive.

Released in July 2025, this is one of the newer editions. If you’re an SNK fan or always wanted a portable Neo Geo experience, this is your edition.

DATA EAST EDITION — 18 GAMES

Best for: Arcade game fans who love cult classics.

Data East had a knack for producing wildly creative and memorable arcade games, many of which don’t get nearly enough recognition today. With 18 built-in games, the Data East Edition is a great way to rediscover — or discover for the first time — some genuinely underrated classics.

If you want something a little different from the usual suspects, this edition rewards the curious.

RARE EDITION — 14 GAMES

Best for: Anyone who grew up with a NES, SNES, or Game Boy in the late ’80s and ’90s.

The Rare Edition is the most anticipated Super Pocket release to date — and arguably the most exciting for a generation of gamers. Rare produced some of the most beloved games of the 8 and 16-bit era, and getting 14 of them built into a Super Pocket is a big deal.

Launching in June 2026, this is the most recently announced edition. It’s priced at $69.99 in the US — a small premium that reflects just how sought-after the Rare back catalogue is.

If the Rare logo gives you a rush of nostalgia, you don’t need us to tell you to buy this one.

SO WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

  • Best overall variety: Taito Edition
  • Best quality hits: Capcom Edition
  • Most games out of the box: Atari Edition
  • Best for beat-’em-up fans: Technōs Edition
  • Best for fighting game fans: Neo Geo Edition
  • Best for cult arcade fans: Data East Edition
  • Best for ’90s nostalgia: Rare Edition

And remember — whichever edition you choose, the Evercade cartridge slot means you’re never limited to just the built-in library. Every Super Pocket can play the full range of Evercade carts, so your collection can grow with you.

Want the full specs, complete game lists, and more detail on every edition? Head over to our Super Pocket hub page for everything you need to know.

Evercade Alpha — Is a Bartop Arcade Right for You?

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The Evercade Alpha is unlike anything else in the Evercade lineup. It’s a bartop arcade cabinet — a proper upright unit you sit at a desk or counter, with a screen, joystick, buttons, and that unmistakable arcade feel. But is it the right choice for you? Let’s break it down.

WHAT IS THE EVERCADE ALPHA?

The Evercade Alpha is Blaze Entertainment’s take on a home bartop arcade cabinet. It features dual Evercade cartridge slots and plays the same Evercade cartridges you know and love, but the experience is completely different from the handheld or VS console. You’re getting an 8″ IPS screen, a proper joystick and button layout, and a cabinet design that genuinely looks the part sitting on a desk or shelf unit.

It’s designed to scratch that arcade itch without requiring a full-size cab or a dedicated games room. Think of it as the middle ground between a tabletop machine and a full standing arcade unit.

THE THREE EDITIONS

The Alpha launched in three distinct editions, each aimed at a slightly different buyer.

The Street Fighter Edition is the headline version. It features official Street Fighter branding, artwork across the cabinet, and comes bundled with the Street Fighter cartridge. If you’re a fighting game fan, this one makes an immediate statement on any surface it sits on.

The Mega Man Edition celebrates classic Capcom arcade titles — think Mega Man, Final Fight, Strider, and more. The artwork leans into Capcom’s golden-age arcade aesthetic, and it’s a great fit if you love those iconic Capcom franchises but aren’t solely a Street Fighter fan.

The Taito Edition celebrates classic Taito arcade titles — think Bubble Bobble, Elevator Action, and more golden-age gems. If your retro tastes run a little broader than just Capcom, this is the one with a different flavour of nostalgia baked in.

All three editions share the same hardware — the difference is in the cabinet artwork and the built-in games.

WHAT’S THE ARCADE EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY LIKE?

This is where the Alpha earns its place. The controls genuinely feel arcade-grade — the joystick has good resistance and accuracy, and the buttons are responsive with satisfying tactile feedback. For fighting games, shoot-’em-ups, and classic platformers, it’s a noticeable step up from a gamepad.

The screen is bright and sharp, and the slight upward angle of a bartop cabinet puts you in exactly the right position for extended play. It’s comfortable in a way that hunching over a handheld simply isn’t.

Two-player gaming is supported via the USB ports on the front of the cabinet — plug in a second USB controller and you’re good to go. Fire up a beat-’em-up or a co-op shoot-’em-up and it immediately becomes the centrepiece of any gaming session.

One honest caveat: not every Evercade cart suits the arcade format equally. Games built around a D-pad and buttons translate perfectly, but anything that leans heavily on analogue input or shoulder buttons can feel a little awkward. Stick to arcade-style games and you’ll be grinning the whole time.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE TO THE HANDHELD RANGE?

The Evercade handheld — in both its original and EXP forms — is about portability and personal play. You’re gaming on the go, in bed, on the sofa. It’s intimate and convenient, and the flip or landscape form factor suits a wide range of games beautifully.

The Alpha is the opposite in almost every way. It’s fixed, social, and immersive. You’re not taking it anywhere. But what it gives you in return is a shared experience — the kind of gaming moment that gets people gathered round, competing, cheering, and talking about it afterwards.

If you already own a handheld and want to expand your Evercade setup, the Alpha adds something genuinely different rather than duplicating what you have. Your cartridge collection works across both, which is one of the smartest things about the Evercade ecosystem.

If you’re buying your first Evercade device and you’re a solo player who games in different rooms or on the move, the handheld might serve you better day-to-day. But if you entertain, game with friends or family, or just want something that looks incredible on a desk — the Alpha is hard to argue with.

WHO IS THE EVERCADE ALPHA FOR?

It’s for you if:

  • You love arcade games and want that authentic joystick-and-buttons experience at home
  • You game with a partner, friends, or kids regularly
  • You want a display piece that also happens to be a serious gaming machine
  • You already own Evercade cartridges and want to play them in a completely new way
  • You’re a Street Fighter, Capcom or Taito Arcade fan and the themed editions speak to you

It might not be for you if:

  • You want flexibility of where you play
  • Your collection skews heavily towards RPGs, puzzle games, or console-style titles
  • Space or budget is a significant constraint

Want to dig deeper into specs, availability, and all three editions? Head over to our dedicated Evercade Alpha page for everything you need to know before you buy.

The Turrican Collection — A Legendary Series Comes to Evercade

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The Turrican Collection has arrived on Evercade, and it’s a big deal. Packing ten games across three classic platforms, this cartridge brings one of the most beloved run-and-gun series in gaming history to your handheld or home console in style.

A SERIES BUILT ON BLASTING AND EXPLORATION

Turrican was born in 1990, the brainchild of developer Manfred Trenz. Published by Rainbow Arts, the original Turrican hit the Amiga and immediately turned heads. It blended the frenetic shooting of Contra with vast, sprawling levels that rewarded exploration — a combination that felt genuinely fresh at the time.

The series was powered by Chris Hülsbeck’s legendary soundtracks, which are still celebrated to this day. If you’ve never heard the Turrican II music, you’re in for a treat. It’s the kind of score that gets stuck in your head for decades.

Turrican II: The Final Fight landed in 1991 and is widely regarded as the peak of the Amiga originals — bigger, bolder, and even more musically spectacular. Turrican 3 rounded out the Amiga trilogy, pushing the hardware further and wrapping up the story.

CONSOLE GLORY — SNES AND MEGA DRIVE

As the series moved to consoles, it evolved. The SNES entries — Super Turrican and Super Turrican 2 — were developed by Factor 5 and showed off the hardware’s capabilities beautifully. Both are fantastic games in their own right, with tight controls and that signature sense of scale.

This cartridge also includes Super Turrican Director’s Cut, a version that restores content that was cut from the original release. It’s a genuine piece of gaming history — and one that many fans will be playing for the first time here.

On the Mega Drive side, Mega Turrican is another Factor 5 gem — arguably the best-looking entry in the whole series and a showcase for what the Genesis could do. The Mega Turrican Director’s Cut similarly restores elements from the original vision of the game.

SCORE ATTACK MODES — SOMETHING EXTRA

Alongside the main games, the cartridge includes dedicated Score Attack modes for three of the titles: Super Turrican Score Attack, Mega Turrican Score Attack, and Super Turrican Score Attack (Director’s Cut variant). These stripped-back modes put the focus purely on racking up points, adding excellent replay value and a competitive edge for those who want to chase high scores.

TEN GAMES, ONE CARTRIDGE

To be crystal clear about what you’re getting, here’s the full lineup:

  • Turrican (Amiga)
  • Turrican II: The Final Fight (Amiga)
  • Turrican 3 (Amiga)
  • Super Turrican (SNES)
  • Super Turrican Director’s Cut (SNES)
  • Super Turrican 2 (SNES)
  • Super Turrican Score Attack (SNES)
  • Mega Turrican (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Mega Turrican Director’s Cut (Megadrive/Genesis)
  • Mega Turrican Score Attack (Megadrive/Genesis)

That’s three Amiga classics, four SNES entries including score attack and the Director’s Cut, and three Mega Drive titles. Tremendous value for fans of the series or anyone who missed it the first time around.

ORIGINAL MANUALS — A NICE TOUCH

One of the great things about the Evercade community is the attention paid to preserving the history around these games — not just the games themselves. We’ve got original manual scans available for several titles in this collection, and they’re well worth a look for context, nostalgia, and just the sheer retro charm of old gaming documentation.

You can check out the original Turrican Amiga manual, the Super Turrican 2 SNES manual, and the Mega Turrican Mega Drive manual. Great for reading before you dive in — or just for a trip down memory lane.

WORTH YOUR TIME?

If you have any love for classic action games, absolutely yes. The Turrican series represents some of the finest 16-bit era gaming there is. Having it all in one place on Evercade — with Director’s Cut versions, score attack modes, and original manuals to browse — makes this one of the most compelling collections the platform has offered.

Whether you grew up with an Amiga, a SNES, or a Mega Drive, there’s something here for you. And if Turrican is completely new to you? You’re about to discover something special.

Head over to our Turrican Collection page for more details, screenshots, and everything you need to know about this release.

THEC64 Handheld vs The Spectrum Handheld — Which Should You Buy?

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HyperMegaTech has given retro fans two fantastic handheld options — one for Commodore 64 devotees, and one for Spectrum die-hards. But if you’re on the fence, or new to both machines, which one deserves your money? Let’s break it down.

THE HARDWARE

Both handhelds share the same satisfying form factor. You get a 4.3-inch IPS display, a built-in rechargeable battery, a proper d-pad and face buttons, a MicroSD card slot for loading additional software, and a USB-A port for connecting an external keyboard or joystick. The build quality is solid on both — chunky in a good way, with enough heft to feel premium without being uncomfortable for long sessions.

THEC64 HANDHELD

THEC64 Handheld is the one for Commodore fans. It comes loaded with 25 built-in C64 games, covering a brilliant spread of classics — from arcade conversions to home computer originals that defined a generation of gaming in the 1980s.

If you grew up typing in listings from magazines or haunting your local computer shop for cassette tapes, this will hit hard. The C64’s library is vast and deep, with strong representation in shooters, platformers, and sports games. The built-in selection reflects that variety well.

THE SPECTRUM HANDHELD

The Spectrum Handheld is the Sinclair faithful’s dream device. It packs in 25 built-in ZX Spectrum games, pulling from the enormous library of titles that made the Speccy one of the most beloved home computers in British gaming history.

The Spectrum’s game library leans into its own identity: text adventures, quirky British originals, and some genuinely innovative design that holds up surprisingly well today.

KEY DIFFERENCES AT A GLANCE

Built-in games: Both come with 25 games apiece — it’s the quality and flavour of those titles that sets them apart.

Button feel: THEC64 has tactile plastic buttons; The Spectrum Handheld uses rubber buttons, which feels more authentic to the original hardware.

Game style: C64 titles tend to feel more arcade-adjacent. Spectrum games often have a distinct character — more experimental, more British, occasionally more obtuse (in the best possible way).

WHICH SHOULD YOU BUY?

If you grew up with a Commodore 64 — or you’ve always wanted to explore its library — THEC64 Handheld is the obvious choice. The built-in game selection is excellent, and the MicroSD slot gives it real longevity beyond the included titles.

If the ZX Spectrum holds a special place in your heart, or you want to dig into the quirky, creative side of early British gaming, The Spectrum Handheld delivers that experience beautifully.

Can’t decide? Honestly, both are worth owning if your budget allows. They complement each other perfectly, and together they cover two of the most important home computers in gaming history.

Check out the full specs and details for both devices on evercade.info: THEC64 Handheld and The Spectrum Handheld. And if you want to see everything HyperMegaTech has in the Evercade lineup, head over to our full hardware guide.

EverSync Explained — How Nexus Multiplayer Works

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The Evercade Nexus brings something genuinely exciting to the retro gaming table: local wireless multiplayer. And the system powering it — EverSync — is cleverly designed to make couch co-op as painless as possible. Here’s everything you need to know.

WHAT IS EVERSYNC?

EverSync is Blaze Entertainment’s proprietary local wireless multiplayer technology built into the Evercade Nexus. It allows multiple Nexus units to connect to each other wirelessly — no cables, no internet connection, no faff. Think of it like a modern take on the classic Game Boy Link Cable, but without the cable.

The connection is designed to be low-latency and reliable, which matters a lot when you’re playing fast-paced retro games where split-second timing makes the difference between winning and losing.

THE BIG DEAL: ONLY ONE PLAYER NEEDS THE CARTRIDGE

This is the feature that really turns heads. When playing a compatible multiplayer game over EverSync, only the host player needs to own the physical cartridge. The other players can join the session on their own Nexus units without needing their own copy of the game.

That’s a huge deal for a physical-media-first platform. It means you don’t have to convince your friends to buy the same cartridge before you can play together. One copy between a group is enough to get a multiplayer session going.

It’s a thoughtful, player-friendly approach — and it removes one of the biggest friction points that has historically held local multiplayer back on cartridge-based systems.

HOW DOES IT ACTUALLY WORK?

The host player — the one with the cartridge inserted — launches the game and starts a multiplayer session. Other Nexus owners nearby can then discover and join that session on their own devices.

The game data is effectively broadcast from the host’s cartridge to the other connected units over the local wireless link. Each player retains full control on their own screen, just as you’d expect from a handheld multiplayer experience.

The range is suited to local play — we’re talking same-room or nearby distance, not across the street. This is intentionally a local-first feature, keeping that communal, in-person gaming feel that retro gaming is all about.

WHICH GAMES SUPPORT EVERSYNC?

EverSync support isn’t automatic for every title in the Evercade library — games need to be specifically built or updated to support the feature. Blaze has confirmed that compatible titles will be clearly marked, so you’ll know before you buy whether a cartridge supports local wireless multiplayer.

As the Nexus library grows, expect to see more developers and publishers taking advantage of EverSync — especially for titles where multiplayer is a natural fit, like sports games, beat-’em-ups, and competitive arcade classics.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR THE EVERCADE COMMUNITY

Evercade has always been about sharing the love of retro gaming — showing friends old favourites, discovering hidden gems together. EverSync fits perfectly into that ethos.

Being able to say “grab your Nexus and come over, I’ve got the cartridge” lowers the barrier to multiplayer significantly. It’s the kind of feature that could genuinely bring more people into the Evercade ecosystem, because the ask is smaller: you don’t need to own the game, just the hardware.

It’s also a smart differentiator. In a market full of digital-only multiplayer, EverSync offers something tactile and immediate — plug in a cartridge, play with friends, no subscriptions required.

Want to know more about the hardware behind EverSync? Check out our full Evercade Nexus guide for specs, features, and everything else you need to know about Blaze’s latest handheld.

Evercade Nexus — Five Things We’re Most Excited About

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The Evercade Nexus is shaping up to be the most ambitious handheld Blaze has ever made. Here are the five things we simply can’t stop thinking about.

1. Dual Analogue Sticks — Finally

This is the big one. Every previous Evercade handheld has shipped without dual analogue sticks, which meant 3D-era games were always a bit of a compromise. The Nexus fixes that completely.

Proper twin sticks open the door to a much wider range of titles being playable in the way they were meant to be played. Whether that’s third-person action games, first-person shooters, or anything in between, the Nexus suddenly makes those experiences feel legitimate on an Evercade device.

2. EverSync — Local Multiplayer With One Cart

EverSync is a brand new wireless feature exclusive to the Evercade Nexus. It lets you connect two Nexus consoles together for local multiplayer — and you only need one cartridge between you. No internet connection required.

For a handheld platform, this is a genuinely clever solution. Two friends, two consoles, one cart — just host a game and play. It removes one of the traditional barriers to multiplayer on dedicated cartridge hardware and makes the Nexus a much more compelling couch co-op device.

3. WiFi 6 — Built for the Long Term

The Nexus ships with WiFi 6 (5GHz/2.4GHz) support, used for console firmware updates. It might sound like a spec-sheet detail, but it signals that Blaze is building the Nexus with longevity in mind.

WiFi 6 is current-generation standard — this isn’t hardware that will feel outdated in two years’ time. It also gives the platform a solid foundation should Blaze choose to add further connected features down the line.

4. Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack — A Landmark Moment

When Blaze announced that Banjo-Kazooie would be coming to Evercade, it sent a genuine ripple through the retro gaming community. The Nexus ships with a Double Pack cartridge containing both Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie — two of the most beloved platformers ever made, on one cart.

Getting both games onto a dedicated retro handheld in cartridge form is a remarkable achievement, and it speaks to the growing credibility of the Evercade platform that deals like this are happening. If this is just the start of what the Nexus era brings, the catalogue is about to get very interesting indeed.

5. That Screen

The Nexus sports a 5.89” IPS display running at 840×512 with 500+ nit brightness — a significant step up from previous Evercade handhelds. For a platform where you’re often playing pixel-art classics or N64-era 3D games, screen real estate and brightness genuinely matter.

Paired with the new form factor built around those dual sticks, the Nexus looks like a device that’s been designed to feel premium in your hands. Sometimes the simple things matter most, and a big, bright screen is always welcome.

These five features alone make the Evercade Nexus one of the most exciting Evercade announcements to date. Want to know everything we know about the device so far? Head over to our Evercade Nexus hub page for the full rundown.

Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 — Indie Retro at Its Best

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Mega Cat Studios has built a serious reputation in the homebrew scene — crafting brand-new games that look, feel, and play like they were pulled straight from the golden age of retro gaming. Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 brings another batch of their finest work to the Evercade, and it’s a genuine treat for anyone who loves pixel art, chiptune soundtracks, and tight, satisfying gameplay.

WHO ARE MEGA CAT STUDIOS?

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mega Cat Studios is one of the most celebrated homebrew game developers in the world. They don’t just make ROMs — they produce physical cartridges with proper labels, manuals, and boxes, designed to sit proudly on your shelf alongside original releases.

What sets them apart is their commitment to authenticity. Their games are built using the same tools and techniques as classic developers, targeting real hardware constraints. The result? Games that feel genuinely of the era rather than just inspired by it.

Their partnership with Blaze Entertainment and the Evercade platform has been a brilliant one, giving their work a new audience of retro fans who might never have encountered the homebrew scene before.

WHAT’S ON THE CARTRIDGE?

Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 packs in 11 homebrew titles spanning Game Boy, Game Boy Color, NES, Mega Drive, and SNES.

On the NES you get GunTneR (run and gun), Machine Cave, The Meating and Flap Happy (platformers and action), plus Plyuk (shooter). The portable entries are Kudzu on Game Boy — an adventure — and Gumball In Trick-or-treat Land on Game Boy Color. On 16-bit hardware: Gravibots and Super Fanger bring puzzle gameplay to the Mega Drive and SNES respectively, while Rocket Panda is a Mega Drive platformer.

These are not tech demos or curiosities — they are fully realised games with real replay value, each built to the technical standards of the original hardware they target.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR EVERCADE

One of the Evercade’s most exciting qualities is its willingness to celebrate games that exist outside the mainstream. The platform isn’t just a nostalgia machine — it’s a living archive of gaming culture, and homebrew collections like this one are a huge part of that story.

For many Evercade owners, Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 will be their first proper introduction to the homebrew world. That’s a genuinely exciting thing. These are games made out of pure passion, with no publisher pressure and no microtransactions — just developers who love retro gaming and want to push it forward.

Having them on a proper cartridge, playable on your VS, EXP, or handheld, feels exactly right. It’s the format these games deserve.

THE HOMEBREW DIFFERENCE

It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate what Mega Cat Studios actually does. Making a game that runs correctly on a real NES or Mega Drive — respecting the original hardware’s limitations, palette restrictions, and processing constraints — is genuinely difficult. It requires deep technical knowledge and a love of the craft.

The games on this collection aren’t just stylistically retro. Many of them were designed to run on original hardware. That means when you’re playing them on your Evercade, you’re experiencing something that has been held to an incredibly high technical standard.

That attention to detail shows. The sprite work is crisp, the music hits those satisfying chiptune notes, and the controls have that snappy, immediate feel that classic games are remembered for.

SHOULD YOU BUY IT?

If you have any interest in where retro gaming is heading — not just where it’s been — then yes, absolutely. Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 is the kind of cartridge that reminds you why the Evercade ecosystem is so special.

It’s new games that feel old, made by people who genuinely care. There’s nothing quite like it in the mainstream gaming space, and having a physical collection of this work is something worth appreciating.

Whether you love platformers, shooters, puzzlers, or adventures — and whether your heart belongs to the NES, Mega Drive, or Game Boy — there is something here for you.

Want the full game-by-game breakdown? Head over to our dedicated page for Mega Cat Studios Collection 3 for the complete details, tracklist, and more.

Rare Collection 1 — Rare’s Greatest Hits on Evercade

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The Rare Collection 1 cartridge is one of those releases that makes you stop and think about just how good Evercade has become at preserving gaming history. Rare — the studio behind some of the most beloved games of the 8-bit and 16-bit era — has a back catalogue that deserves to be celebrated, and this cart does exactly that.

WHY RARE’S BACK CATALOGUE MATTERS

Before Rare became synonymous with Donkey Kong Country and GoldenEye, the studio spent years crafting some genuinely excellent games for the NES. Working under the name Ultimate Play the Game before that, and then pushing the NES further than most thought possible, Rare built a reputation for quality and technical ambition that few studios could match.

These are games that shaped a generation of players — many of whom may never have had the chance to experience them on original hardware. Getting them onto a single Evercade cartridge is a big deal.

WHAT’S ON THE CART

Rare Collection 1 brings together a selection of NES classics that showcase the breadth of what the studio could do. You’re getting action, adventure, and arcade-style gameplay all in one place.

Battletoads is the obvious headline act. Notoriously tough, endlessly entertaining, and still looking sharp today — it’s a must-play for anyone who hasn’t tackled it before. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you about the Turbo Tunnel.

R.C. Pro-Am is a genuine classic. The isometric racing was ahead of its time on the NES, and it holds up remarkably well. Collecting letters, upgrading your vehicle, and battling rival racers still feels satisfying decades later.

Cobra Triangle doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. This overhead water-based shooter asks a lot of you — defending bases, fighting bosses, managing multiple threats at once — and the payoff is hugely satisfying when it clicks.

Slalom takes things in a very different direction with its skiing gameplay, while Snake Rattle ‘n’ Roll offers a quirky isometric platformer that showed just how creative Rare’s design teams could be.

THE EVERCADE EXPERIENCE

Playing these games on Evercade — whether on the VS, the EXP, or one of the handheld units — feels completely natural. The cartridge format suits retro collections like this perfectly, and having a physical product to put on your shelf alongside the original era of gaming it represents is something digital storefronts simply can’t replicate.

The games run well, and the convenience of having them all in one place without hunting down original NES carts (or relying on emulation) is genuinely appreciated. This is exactly the kind of preservation work Evercade was built for.

SHOULD YOU PICK IT UP?

If you have any affection for the NES era — or if you’re a retro gaming fan who wants to understand why Rare became such a legendary studio — Rare Collection 1 is an easy recommendation. The quality is consistently high, the variety keeps things interesting, and Battletoads alone is worth the price of admission for newcomers.

For long-time fans, it’s a wonderful piece of nostalgia packaged in exactly the right way.

Want the full game list, more details, and the latest availability information? Head over to our dedicated Rare Collection 1 page for everything you need to know before you add this one to your collection.

Activision Collection 2 — What’s on the Cartridge?

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The second Activision collection for Evercade is packed with Atari 2600 classics, and if you grew up pumping coins into arcade machines or glued to a CRT in the early 80s, there’s a very good chance something on this cart will hit you right in the nostalgia.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s on the cartridge.

THE FULL GAME LIST

Activision Collection 2 brings together 12 games from Activision’s golden era of Atari 2600 publishing. Here’s the complete lineup:

  • Barnstorming
  • Boxing
  • Chopper Command
  • Dragster
  • Enduro
  • Fishing Derby
  • Freeway
  • Kaboom!
  • Pitfall!
  • River Raid
  • Seaquest
  • Sky Jinks

A solid collection of some of the most recognisable titles from Activision’s early catalogue — and a few gems that don’t always get the attention they deserve.

THE STANDOUT GAMES

River Raid is arguably the crown jewel here. Carol Shaw’s vertically scrolling shooter is still genuinely compelling — managing fuel while weaving through increasingly tight river sections holds up remarkably well. It’s one of the finest games ever made for the Atari 2600, full stop.

Pitfall! needs little introduction. David Crane’s side-scrolling adventure was a landmark title in 1982, and swinging across those crocodile pits still feels satisfying. If you’ve never played it, this is a great excuse.

Kaboom! is the kind of game that starts gentle and becomes utterly frantic within minutes. Catching bombs dropped by the Mad Bomber using your paddles — or in this case the analogue stick — is addictive in that one-more-go way that only the best arcade-style games manage.

Enduro is a surprisingly deep racing game for the hardware. Surviving each day by overtaking the required number of cars while visibility shifts through dawn, dusk, and snow is quietly brilliant. It’s one that rewards repeated play.

Chopper Command draws obvious comparisons to Defender, and that’s no bad thing. Protecting your convoy from waves of enemy aircraft while managing limited lives is tense and fun in equal measure.

THE HIDDEN GEMS

Not every game on the cart is a household name, but that doesn’t mean they’re worth skipping.

Seaquest is an underwater shooter with a clever twist — you need to surface periodically to refuel your oxygen, while also rescuing divers before they drift off screen. It’s more strategic than it first appears.

Barnstorming is a simple but breezy stunt-flying game where you guide a biplane through a series of barns as quickly as possible. It’s not deep, but it’s fun in short bursts and works well for chasing your own best times.

Sky Jinks follows a similar time-trial formula — slalom flying around pylons — and is another one that’s light on complexity but satisfying when you’re going for a clean run.

Dragster is pure reflex gaming. Get your gear changes right, beat the clock. Simple, fast, and surprisingly replayable once you’re chasing a perfect run.

IS IT WORTH PICKING UP?

If you already own Activision Collection 1, you’ll know the format well — faithful ports of Atari 2600 classics presented cleanly on Evercade hardware. Collection 2 continues that trend with a strong lineup that’s heavy on quality.

Even if some of the titles feel short by modern standards, that’s rather the point. These are score-chasing, reflex-testing games built for repeat play. On a handheld like the Evercade EXP or VS, they’re perfect for quick sessions or competitive play with friends.

With River Raid, Pitfall!, Kaboom!, and Enduro alone, this cart more than justifies its place in any Evercade collection.

You can find full details, including where to buy, over on the Activision Collection 2 cartridge page here on evercade.info.