Blaze Entertainment has revealed a follow-up to the original Evercade handheld, the Evercade Exp.
The new handheld, due winter 2022, is set to refresh the original hardware seen in the Evercade. And, of course, with a new console comes new carts to play.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about this new handheld.
What’s New
The new Evercade Exp handheld boasts a high-resolution 4.3-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 800×480. On the inside, the Exp is comparable with the Evercade VS – Evercade’s home console – so expect a slick UI and Wi-FI compatibility.
The biggest new addition? That’d be the introduction of the TATE mode.
One of the big crazes of late is the ability to rotate a device by 90 degrees and play the console vertically. We’ve seen it in the past, with some Anbernic consoles offering vertical support to varying degrees of success.
The Exp is designed in such a way that when using the TATE mode, the screen isn’t stretched nor made smaller. Instead, the screen works as the original developers would have intended it.
On top of that, the Evercade Exp also adds in L2 and R2 triggers.
“It has been a huge two years for Blaze. Two years into our journey with Evercade we have
published 28 cartridges of iconic retro titles and launched a handheld and home console,” says Andrew Byatt, Managing Director of Blaze Entertainment.
“Now we are excited to show people the Evercade EXP which is the result of all the feedback we received on our original, successful handheld. With this new product we are giving existing Evercade fans a better way to play on the move and new customers a more premium experience.”
What Comes with the Evercade Exp?
Alongside the white console, players also get the IREM Arcade 1 cart, which includes six games – R-Type, In The Hunt, Moon Patrol, 10 Yard Fight, Battle Chopper, and Lightning Swords.
Alternatively, there’s also a limited edition black Exp console available through Funstock for £179.99. That version comes with the Toaplan Aracde 1 cartridge featuring Flying Shark, Alcon (Slap Shot), Tiger-Heli, Truxton, Zero Wing, Guardian, Snow Bros, and Teki-Paki.
Price
Coming winter 2022, the Exp handheld set to retail for £129/$149/€149.99.
In terms of pricing, this puts the Exp well into the affordable category alongside the likes of the Anbernic 503, and a little higher than the Miyoo Mini.
These devices are directly comparable and it’s worth noting Evercade hardware is of a much higher quality than the Anbernics or Powkiddys of this world. Evercade devices feel premium, offer up a stylish and clear UI, and let users play games without needing to worry about ROM-hunting cops breaking down the door.
Release Date
Due Winter, 2022, pre-orders are set to open on September 2022. Meanwhile, the limited-edition black bundle will be available via Funstock from June 1, 2022.
Specifications
As with previous generations, the Evercade isn’t the most powerful system on the market. That said, for what it can do, and for the price, it’s more than capable.
- CPU: 1.5Ghz Processor
- RAM: 4GB
- Screen: 4.3-inch IPS display -800×480
- Charging: USB-C
- Output: 720p via mini-HDMI
- Battery: 3000mA – around four to five hours
Emulation
Blaze Entertainment makes a point of saying the Evercade is designated into eras rather than systems due to legal reasons, which makes sense given the Evercade is one of a handful of systems that plays games legally.
Below you’ll find all the “eras” the Evercade is capable of running titles from.
- Arcade
- Atari 2600,
- Atari 7800
- Atari Lynx, Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance
- NES
- SNES
- Intellivision
- Mega Drive/Genesis
- Master System
- PS1
Which Evercade Games Support TATE Mode?
Right out the box, 15 games will support the vertical TATE mode. Though it’s worth mentioning the Evercade gets new carts regularly, so expect that figure to rise as time goes on.
- Technos Arcade 1: Battle Lane Vol 5, Mania Challenge, Minky Monkey, Mysterious Stones.
- Data East Arcade 1: Burger Time, Darwin 4078, Lock ‘n’ Chase
- Atari Arcade 1: Centipede, Millipede, Super Breakout
- Jaleco Arcade 1: Cybattler
- Toaplan Arcade 1: Alcon (Slap Fight), Flying Shark, Tiger-Heli, Truxton
What Happens to the Orignal Evercade Moving Forward?
I reviewed the original Evercade over at Heavy. At the time, I said the Evercade “simply ticks all the boxes retro fans care about,” before praising its killer screen and on-point emulation.
But what happens to the original console now a new version is set to take over the space? Simply put, the original Evercade is getting laid to rest, and will cease production. Goodnight sweet prince and all that.
What does this mean for owners? Well, Blaze will still continue to honor warranties should any problems arise. That’s good. There’s also one final update coming, and Blaze will no longer support cartridge releases for firmware 1.3.X and below. Blaze does go on to note games will be guaranteed to run on version 2.X or above, though.
