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.

Best Evercade Indie and Homebrew Games

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The Evercade library is packed with licensed retro classics, but some of the most exciting cartridges in the collection are the indie and homebrew titles — games made by small studios and passionate developers, designed in the spirit of the retro era but built for modern audiences. These carts aren’t just nostalgia trips; they’re brand new experiences wrapped in that unmistakable retro feel.

Here’s a look at the best indie and homebrew cartridges the Evercade has to offer, and why they deserve a place in your collection.

What Makes Indie and Homebrew Carts Different?

Most Evercade cartridges are licensed collections — beloved games from publishers like Namco, Atari, Capcom, and Taito, ported and packaged for the format. They’re brilliant for revisiting the classics.

Indie and homebrew carts are something different. These are original games, often created by small teams or solo developers, built specifically for older hardware or in homage to it. Many never had a physical release before Evercade came along. Owning one feels like discovering a hidden gem that deserved a proper cartridge all along.

Every Evercade cartridge — indie and homebrew included — ships with a full physical manual, part of what makes the whole format work. You can browse the full cartridge library on the Evercade Carts & Manuals page — it’s a great way to appreciate the care that goes into these releases.

Mega Cat Studios Collections

Mega Cat Studios are one of the most prolific homebrew developers working today, and Evercade has given their work the physical release it deserves across three cartridges: Mega Cat Studios Collection 1, Mega Cat Studios Collection 2 (Legacy), and Mega Cat Studios Collection 3.

Mega Cat specialise in creating games for genuine retro hardware — think Mega Drive, NES, and Game Boy style titles made with pixel-perfect authenticity. Their games aren’t emulating a retro aesthetic; they’re actually built for the constraints and quirks of original hardware. The result is something that feels genuinely of the era, not just styled to look like it.

Spread across three carts, there’s a huge amount of variety here — action games, RPGs, sports titles, beat-em-ups. If you want to understand what modern homebrew development looks like at its best, these collections are essential.

Morphcat Games Collection 1

Morphcat Games Collection 1 is a standout cart for anyone who appreciates genuine technical craft. Morphcat are famous in homebrew circles for pushing hardware way beyond what anyone thought possible — their NES work in particular has attracted attention from the wider retro gaming community.

This collection brings their best work to Evercade in physical form — including Micro Mages, whose original manual is available to browse — making it far more accessible than hunting down ROM files or limited homebrew runs. It’s the kind of cart that reminds you why the homebrew scene exists: pure love of the craft.

The Llamasoft Collection

Jeff Minter is a legend of British gaming, and Llamasoft Collection is his Evercade showcase. Available as a Home Computer (blue case) cartridge, it brings together some of the most wonderfully strange and psychedelic games ever made — titles that defined a certain flavour of 80s British gaming culture.

Minter’s games are unlike anything else in the Evercade library. Frenetic, abstract, deeply personal — they’re an experience more than just a game. If you’ve never played Llamasoft titles before, this is a brilliant (and slightly mind-bending) introduction.

Indie Heroes Collections

The Indie Heroes series — spanning Indie Heroes Collection 1 (Legacy), Indie Heroes Collection 2, Indie Heroes Collection 3, and Indie Heroes Collection 4 — is exactly what the name suggests: a celebration of indie game development across four packed cartridges.

These carts pull together original titles from a variety of small developers, giving physical life to games that previously existed only in digital spaces. Each collection has its own personality, and across all four there’s a genuinely impressive range of genres and styles.

They’re also a great entry point for anyone new to the indie side of Evercade — good value, broad variety, and some real hidden gems tucked away inside.

Other Indie Highlights

Beyond the big collections, there are several standalone indie titles worth highlighting:

Alwa’s Awakening / Cathedral pairs two excellent modern retro platformers on a single cart. Both games are genuine love letters to the NES era, with Cathedral in particular drawing comparisons to Metroid and Castlevania. Beautifully crafted stuff.

Goodboy Galaxy/Witch n’ Wiz is another strong double-bill. Goodboy Galaxy is a Game Boy Advance-style adventure that wowed audiences when it first appeared, while Witch n’ Wiz is actually the NES game on this cart — a puzzle game about rescuing a childhood friend from a magical curse. Together they make for a brilliant cart.

Demons of Asteborg/Astebros leans hard into the Mega Drive aesthetic, with Demons of Asteborg being a gorgeous action platformer that could genuinely pass for a lost 16-bit classic. Astebros adds a co-op dungeon crawler into the mix. Great stuff for fans of the era.

Full Void is a solo release — a cinematic platformer in the vein of Another World and Flashback, built for the Evercade. If you’re a fan of that style of game, it’s well worth seeking out.

Xeno Crisis/Tanglewood is arguably one of the most celebrated indie carts in the entire Evercade library. Xeno Crisis is a superb, widely-acclaimed run-and-gun that put modern Mega Drive homebrew on the map, and Tanglewood — a Mega Drive game built on authentic hardware — is every bit as stunning, with a full physical release giving both games the treatment they always deserved.

Home Computer Heroes Collection 1 brings the same indie spirit to classic 8-bit computers — seven modern homebrew games including Attack of the PETSCII Robots and Planet X2, built for C64, VIC-20, and PET. A great pick if Commodore machines are more your era than consoles.

Roguecraft DX also belongs on this list — a modern Amiga roguelike dungeon-crawler, expanded and enhanced for its Evercade release, with three playable classes and procedurally generated levels. It won the Retro World award at the 2025 Debug Indie Game Awards, and it’s a great example of Evercade bringing a genuinely new indie release to physical cartridge.

The Physical Experience Matters

One thing that sets Evercade’s indie releases apart from buying the same games digitally is the physical package. A cartridge. A full-colour manual. A case on your shelf. For games that often started as passion projects with no physical release at all, that matters.

The full cartridge library — including every console, arcade, and home computer release — is listed on the Evercade Carts & Manuals page, where you can browse everything available, check what games are on each cart, and explore the library in full.

Where to Find the Full Cartridge List

The indie and homebrew carts covered here are just the highlights. The full Evercade cartridge library — including every console, arcade, and home computer release — is listed on the Evercade Carts & Manuals page. It’s the best place to browse everything available, check what games are on each cart, and find links to available manual scans.

If you’re trying to decide which indie carts to pick up first, the Best Evercade Cartridges guide is also well worth a read — it covers the strongest picks across the entire library, not just the indie side.

The Pixel Art Renaissance? Evercade Got There First

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Gaming media is calling 2026 a pixel art renaissance — modern titles like REPLACED, Witchbrook, and Mina the Hollower are getting serious coverage, and outlets are writing entire pieces about why small teams keep choosing the pixel art look. It’s treated as a fresh trend. On Evercade, it’s been the plan since day one.

THE FIRST-EVER NATIVE EVERCADE GAME

Back in 2021, Cathedral — included on the Alwa’s Awakening/Cathedral cartridge (cart 27) — became the first brand-new game ever made specifically for Evercade. It’s a Metroidvania built entirely in a lovingly authentic pixel art style, paired on the same cart with Alwa’s Awakening, an NES-style platformer with its own original manual scan available on the site.

That’s five years of native pixel art games on physical Evercade cartridges — well before “pixel art renaissance” became a headline anywhere else.

GOODBOY GALAXY / WITCH N’ WIZ

Goodboy Galaxy/Witch n’ Wiz (cart 35) is arguably the high point of Evercade’s native indie output. Goodboy Galaxy casts you as Maxwell the dog, repairing a broken hyperdrive across the stars in a Game Boy Advance-style adventure with genuinely impressive pixel work. It’s paired with Witch n’ Wiz, a puzzle game about rescuing a childhood friend from a magical curse. Both are built from the ground up for Evercade — not ports, not remasters.

THE INDIE HEROES COLLECTION — FOUR VOLUMES AND COUNTING

This is the series that shows just how committed Evercade is to the indie pixel art space. Indie Heroes Collection 1 (cart 17) launched in 2021, and Blaze has kept going ever since:

  • Indie Heroes Collection 2 (cart 28, January 2023) — NES-style games including Tapeworm Disco Puzzle, Nessy the Robot, and Reknum Souls Adventure.
  • Indie Heroes Collection 3 (cart 37) — 13 games from modern creators working in vintage styles, including Donut Dodo, Thunder Paw, and Magic and Legend: Time Knights.
  • Indie Heroes Collection 4 (cart 43) — the latest volume, including Murtop and Flea!2.

Four cartridges, spanning 2021 to today, all built around the same idea: give modern indie developers working in retro pixel art styles a real physical release, on real hardware, with a place on your shelf next to Sensible Soccer and R-Type.

WORTH WATCHING

A brand-new showcase called Pixel Arcadia, dedicated exclusively to retro games, is set to debut on 24 August 2026. Given how much of the current pixel art conversation Evercade’s own native library already anticipated, it’s one to keep an eye on.

Want to see everything Evercade’s indie scene has to offer? Browse the full Carts & Manuals library, or search every game — native and licensed — in the Evercade Games Database.

Best Evercade Cartridges for Shoot-em-up Fans

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If you love shoot-em-ups, Evercade has quietly built one of the best curated shmup libraries in the retro gaming space. From golden-age arcade blasters to obscure gems, there’s plenty to keep your trigger finger busy. Here’s where to start.

THE TOAPLAN COLLECTIONS — THE CROWN JEWELS

Toaplan is one of the most beloved names in shoot-em-up history, and Evercade has given the studio serious respect with four dedicated arcade cartridges.

Toaplan Arcade 1 is the essential starting point. It includes Tiger-Heli and Truxton (known as Tatsujin in Japan) — Tiger-Heli is deceptively simple, while Truxton is fast, punishing, and arguably Toaplan’s finest hour. If you only play one Toaplan game, make it this one.

Toaplan Arcade 2 brings Twin Cobra into the mix — a vertically scrolling helicopter blaster that cranks up the chaos considerably compared to Tiger-Heli. It’s paired with Demon’s World, Fireshark, Hellfire, and Rally Bike.

Toaplan Arcade 3 continues the run with more genuine shmups — Batsugun, Batsugun Special Version, Truxton II, Vimana, plus the run-and-gun Out Zone and FixEight, and the puzzle-shooter Ghox. Toaplan Arcade 4 is more of a mixed bag — Dogyuun and Grind Stormer are solid shmups, but the cart also includes the platformers Snow Bros. 2 and Pipi and Bibi’s, and the beat-’em-up Knuckle Bash, so it’s less essential if you’re after shooters specifically.

Browsing the full Evercade cartridge library is the easiest way to see exactly which games appear on each cart before you buy.

JALECO ARCADE COLLECTION 1 — SAINT DRAGON AND MORE

Jaleco Arcade Collection 1 is an easy recommendation for shmup fans. Saint Dragon is a genuine hidden-gem horizontal shooter, and P-47 brings solid vertical shmup action too — both hold up brilliantly today. Rice Digital called the whole collection “one of the absolute best Evercade cartridges available.”

Rod Land and Bases Loaded round out the cart, adding some welcome variety alongside the shooting action.

VISCO ARCADE 1 — MORE SCROLLING SHOOTERS

Visco Arcade 1 is dominated by scrolling shooters, and it deserves a spot on this list. Andro Dunos is the standout — a horizontal shooter with four switchable, independently upgradable weapon types and two-player co-op. Ashura Blaster, Earth Joker: U.N. Defence Force, and Galmedes round out the shooter side of the cart.

RENOVATION COLLECTION 1 — HIDDEN MEGA DRIVE GEMS

Renovation Collection 1 packs two outstanding Mega Drive shmups: Gaiares, famous for its TAS Shot weapon-stealing mechanic, and Sol Deace. Both are genuinely hard to find outside of Evercade, and both hold up brilliantly today.

WHICH EVERCADE DEVICE IS BEST FOR SHMUPS?

This is worth thinking about, because the device really does affect the experience.

For vertical scrolling shooters like Tiger-Heli, Twin Cobra, and Truxton, playing on a big screen is ideal. The VS-R home console is the natural choice here — plug it into your TV, sit back, and enjoy the full arcade experience with a proper controller in hand. Up to four players are supported too, if you fancy some co-op chaos.

The Evercade Alpha bartop arcade cabinet takes things even further. There’s something genuinely special about playing Truxton or Twin Cobra on a proper arcade-style setup with a joystick. If you’re serious about the arcade experience, the Alpha delivers it.

The EXP-R handheld is also worth a mention — it features TATE mode, which rotates the screen to portrait orientation. That makes it arguably the best handheld option for vertical shooters, letting you hold the device sideways for a proper tate display just like the original arcade cabinets. Clever stuff.

Not sure which device is right for you overall? The hardware comparison page breaks it all down.

WHERE TO GO FROM HERE

The Toaplan, Jaleco, Visco, and Renovation cartridges give shmup fans a genuinely strong foundation. Add in TATE mode on the EXP-R or a big-screen setup via the VS-R, and Evercade becomes a seriously compelling way to play classic shooters.

Browse the full Evercade cartridge library to dig into exactly what’s on each cart — and check out our Best Evercade Cartridges for Arcade Fans guide for even more recommendations.

Bitmap Brothers Collection 1 — Speedball 2 and Amiga Classics on Evercade

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The Bitmap Brothers were one of the most iconic developers of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their games were slick, stylish, and brutal in the best possible way — and Bitmap Brothers Collection 1 brings five of their classics together on a single Evercade cartridge.

This is cartridge 22 in the Evercade library, and it’s a must-have for anyone who grew up with an Amiga, a Mega Drive, or a SNES. Here’s what’s on it.

THE GAMES ON BITMAP BROTHERS COLLECTION 1

Speedball (Sega Master System) — the one that started it all. A brutal futuristic sport where passing, tackling, and sheer aggression rule the arena. This Master System version is a great way to see where the series began — the original manual is available too.

Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe (Mega Drive/Genesis) — the standout of the entire cartridge, and honestly one of the greatest games of the 16-bit era. Faster, deeper, and more satisfying than its predecessor, Speedball 2 is a sport that never existed but feels like it always should have. Upgrading your team, battering opponents into the walls, and chasing that high score never gets old. An original game manual is available if you want to dive into the rules and controls properly.

Xenon 2: Megablast (Mega Drive/Genesis) — a vertical shoot-’em-up with a thumping Bomb the Bass soundtrack and some genuinely demanding shooting action. The weapon shop between levels adds a layer of strategy that sets it apart from other scrolling shooters of the time. You can grab the original Xenon 2: Megablast manual to brush up on the details.

The Chaos Engine (SNES) — a top-down run-and-gun set in a steampunk Victorian world overrun by a rogue machine. Choosing your mercenary pair wisely and working through each stage methodically is enormously satisfying. It’s atmospheric, tough, and brilliantly designed. The original manual — released in the US as Soldiers of Fortune — is available too.

Speedball 2100 (PlayStation 1) — a 3D reimagining of Speedball 2 from the turn of the millennium. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of Brutal Deluxe, but having it here alongside the originals makes for a fascinating comparison and a solid extra.

WHY THE BITMAP BROTHERS MATTER

The Bitmap Brothers had a reputation that went beyond just making good games. Their visual style was unmistakable — dark, detailed, and cinematic at a time when most games were anything but. They understood that presentation mattered, and their releases always felt like events.

On the Amiga especially, titles like Speedball 2 and Xenon 2 were the kind of games you showed people to prove what the hardware could do. The fact that these ports hold up so well on their respective consoles is a testament to how strong the underlying game design really was.

Getting five of their games on one cartridge — spanning three different consoles — is a genuinely good deal, and the quality across the collection is high.

WHICH EVERCADE HARDWARE SHOULD YOU PLAY IT ON?

Bitmap Brothers Collection 1 plays on all current Evercade hardware. If you want the full couch experience, the VS-R is ideal — plug it into your TV and enjoy Speedball 2 on a big screen exactly as it deserves. For handheld play, both the EXP-R and the compact Super Pocket handle it brilliantly. Not sure which device is right for you? The hardware comparison page will point you in the right direction.

Want to see the full cartridge details and manual scans? Head over to the Bitmap Brothers Collection 1 page, or search every game across every cart in the Evercade Games Database. There’s more where this came from, too — check out Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 for further classics from the studio.

NEOGEO Arcade 1 — SNK’s Greatest Hits on Evercade

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The Neo Geo is the stuff of legend. SNK’s arcade powerhouse delivered some of the most visually stunning and mechanically rich games of its era — and NEOGEO Arcade 1 brings six of those classics straight to your Evercade cart slot. Whether you’re a longtime SNK devotee or just starting to explore the platform, this is a collection worth knowing about.

A LEGENDARY SYSTEM, IN YOUR HANDS

The Neo Geo arcade hardware was genuinely in a league of its own. The games looked and played like nothing else available at the time, and titles on the platform have aged remarkably well. Getting authentic Neo Geo arcade action on a portable Evercade device — or through your TV via the VS-R — still feels like a bit of a treat.

NEOGEO Arcade 1 is cartridge 16 in the Evercade Arcade Collection, and it packs six games across a solid range of genres. There’s something here for fans of run-and-gun, fighting, beat-’em-up, and action-platformers alike.

THE GAMES

METAL SLUG is the headline act, and rightly so. SNK’s iconic run-and-gun is bursting with personality — hand-drawn sprites, frantic action, and a level of polish that still impresses. If you’ve never played it, prepare to be won over fast.

SHOCK TROOPERS is a top-down military shooter with a surprisingly deep game loop. You choose your path through the stages and pick from a roster of characters — it’s got more replay value than it might initially appear.

SENGOKU takes things into beat-’em-up territory with a feudal Japan setting, supernatural enemies, and the ability to transform into different warrior forms. It’s an underrated gem that deserves more attention.

THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2000 represents SNK’s legendary fighting game series at a strong point in its run. Team-based fighting, a huge roster of characters, and tight mechanics — this is the cart’s fighting game centrepiece.

MAGICIAN LORD was a launch title for the original Neo Geo hardware, and it shows off just how ambitious SNK’s vision was from day one. An action-platformer with transformation mechanics and a striking fantasy aesthetic.

IRONCLAD rounds out the collection as a horizontal shoot-’em-up. It’s one of the rarer and more sought-after Neo Geo titles, so having it included here is a genuine bonus for shmup fans.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

If you’re a fan of SNK, arcade history, or run-and-gun games, this cart is an easy recommendation. Metal Slug alone is worth the price of entry for many players, but the supporting lineup is genuinely strong rather than just filler.

Fighting game fans will gravitate toward The King of Fighters 2000, while shoot-’em-up players will appreciate having Ironclad accessible without tracking down original hardware. It’s a well-rounded package that covers a lot of ground.

It plays beautifully on the EXP-R handheld, and the VS-R‘s multiplayer support makes The King of Fighters 2000 especially fun with friends on the big screen.

FIND OUT MORE

You can browse the full cartridge details — including box art and the official cartridge page — on our NEOGEO Arcade 1 page, or search every game across every cart in the Evercade Games Database. NEOGEO Arcade 1 isn’t the only Neo Geo cart in the library either — check out NEOGEO Arcade 2, NEOGEO Arcade 3, and NEOGEO Arcade 4 for more SNK classics. And if you’re looking for more great arcade picks generally, check out our Best Arcade Cartridges guide for the full rundown of what the Evercade library has to offer arcade fans.

Interplay Collection 1 — Earthworm Jim and Friends Come to Evercade

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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.

Sunsoft Collection 1 — Hidden Gems from the NES Golden Age

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Sunsoft might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think of classic NES publishers, but among retro gaming enthusiasts it’s spoken with real reverence. Bold soundtracks, tight gameplay, and a knack for pushing hardware beyond expectations — Sunsoft Collection 1 brings together some of the finest examples of that legacy in a single Evercade cartridge.

This is cartridge 31 in the Evercade library, and it spans three platforms: NES, SNES, and Game Boy. That variety alone makes it stand out.

THE GAMES

Blaster Master (NES) is the headline act, and rightly so. A brilliant blend of overhead exploration and side-scrolling action, it’s one of those games that genuinely surprised people when it launched. The mix of gameplay styles felt fresh then and still holds up today. You can even download a scan of the original Blaster Master NES manual — a lovely touch for collectors and curious players alike.

Journey to Silius (NES) is one of the most underrated action-platformers on the system. It was originally developed as a Terminator tie-in, and while it lost the licence, it kept everything that made it great — punishing but fair gameplay, and a legendary soundtrack that regularly tops lists of the best NES music ever composed. The original Journey to Silius manual is also available to browse.

Mr. Gimmick (NES) is the real hidden gem here. Originally released in limited regions, it’s a late-era NES title that pushed the console’s audio and visual capabilities to extraordinary lengths. It’s notoriously difficult to find physically, which makes its inclusion on Evercade genuinely exciting.

Arabian (NES) is the collection’s wildcard — a port of the 1983 arcade game that’s full of charm and presents an interesting window into early NES-era game design.

Aero the Acro-Bat (SNES) rounds out the 16-bit side of things. A colourful, energetic platformer that gave Sunsoft a mascot for the early 1990s — think of it as Sunsoft’s answer to the mascot platformer boom of that era. The original Aero the Acro-Bat manual is available to browse too.

Blaster Master Boy (Game Boy) completes the set with a handheld spin-off of the NES classic. It repackages the Blaster Master concept for Nintendo’s portable hardware and is a solid addition for fans of the original. The original Blaster Master Boy manual is available too.

WHY SUNSOFT DESERVES MORE CREDIT

Sunsoft sat in the shadow of giants like Capcom and Konami during the NES era, but the quality of their output was remarkable. They had a particular talent for audio — the Sunsoft bass line became something of a signature sound — and their games consistently showed technical ambition.

What makes Sunsoft Collection 1 special is that it doesn’t just collect the obvious titles. Mr. Gimmick and Journey to Silius in particular are games that many NES fans have heard are brilliant but have never had an easy, affordable way to play. This cart fixes that.

PLAYS GREAT ON ANY EVERCADE HARDWARE

Whether you’re playing on the EXP-R handheld, the VS-R home console, or the compact Super Pocket, Sunsoft Collection 1 slots right in. The cross-platform nature of the collection — NES, SNES, and Game Boy all in one cart — means there’s genuine variety to dig into regardless of your session length.

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

For the full cartridge listing, head over to the Sunsoft Collection 1 page, or browse the Evercade Carts & Manuals page — it’s the best place to explore everything in the Evercade library. You can search every game across every cart in the Evercade Games Database, and if you want more Sunsoft, check out Sunsoft Collection 2 too.

Best Evercade Cartridges for Fighting Game Fans

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If fighting games are your thing, Evercade has some genuinely excellent options. From SNK’s legendary arcade brawlers to classic beat-’em-ups, there’s plenty here to keep your thumbs busy. Here’s a breakdown of the best cartridges to pick up — plus the hardware that makes the most of them.

The Neogeo Arcade Collections — The Crown Jewels

If you’re serious about fighting games, the NEOGEO Arcade collections are essential. SNK’s arcade catalogue is one of the greatest in the genre, and Evercade has done a brilliant job bringing it to cartridge.

NEOGEO Arcade 1 is arguably the best starting point. It includes iconic titles from the King of Fighters and Fatal Fury series — games that defined 90s arcade fighting culture. The pixel art still looks stunning, and the gameplay holds up remarkably well.

NEOGEO Arcade 2, NEOGEO Arcade 3, and NEOGEO Arcade 4 continue the run, adding more SNK classics including entries from the Samurai Shodown series. If you love the feel of a proper weapons-based fighter, Samurai Shodown is essential — precise, punishing, and incredibly satisfying to master.

Between these four cartridges, you’re getting a deep slice of SNK’s golden era. These are the kinds of games that built careers for competitive players and fuelled countless arcade rivalries.

Data East Arcade — Brawlers And Street Fighters

Data East Arcade Collection 1 and Data East Arcade 2 cover some brilliant brawler territory. Data East had a real knack for arcade action, and their fighting and beat-’em-up titles aged well. If you enjoy the side-scrolling brawler style alongside more traditional one-on-one fare, these carts deliver good variety.

It’s also worth checking out the Data East Collection 1 cart for more Data East goodness, even if the arcade releases are the stronger pick for fighting fans specifically.

Technos — Double Dragon And Beyond

You can’t talk fighting games on Evercade without mentioning Technos. The Technos Arcade Collection 1 cartridge brings the legendary Double Dragon arcade experience to your hands — one of the most influential brawlers ever made. The Technōs Collection 1 cart rounds things out with more from the same house, including Kunio-kun titles that defined the genre for a generation.

If you want to trace the roots of modern beat-’em-ups, Technos is where you start.

Windjammers, Karnov & Friends — A Hidden Gem

Don’t sleep on Windjammers, Karnov & Friends. While Windjammers itself is more of a competitive disc-sport game, the competitive spirit and arcade DNA make it a great fit for fighting game fans who enjoy tight, head-to-head gameplay. It’s a fun cart to pull out when you want something a bit different.

Best Hardware For Fighting Games

Fighting games are best enjoyed with other people — and on a big screen. That makes the VS-R the top recommendation here. It plugs straight into your TV, supports up to four players, and is built exactly for this kind of couch multiplayer setup. Hook up your favourite controllers and you’ve got a proper fighting game night sorted.

If you want the full arcade experience — cabinet and all — the Alpha bartop arcade cabinet is something special. Playing NEOGEO fighters on a proper bartop setup is about as authentic as it gets outside of owning original hardware. It’s a serious bit of kit for serious arcade fans.

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

Don’t Forget the Original Manuals

One of the underrated pleasures of the Evercade library is the original game manuals. Many of the games featured across these fighting and arcade carts have their original manuals preserved and available to browse. There are some great ones in the collection — including the Brawl Brothers manual — well worth a look for fans of the genre.

You can browse the full collection of scanned manuals at the Evercade Carts & Manuals page — it’s a fantastic archive for retro gaming history buffs.

Browse The Full Cartridge Library

Ready to build your fighting game collection? Head over to the full Evercade cartridge library to see every available cart, or search every game in the Evercade Games Database. If your tastes lean more towards pure arcade action than fighting games specifically, the Best Carts for Arcade Fans guide is worth a read too.