Courtesy of Gamespot

The Evercade is an interesting little device. The Evercade seems like an incredibly limited mobile console compared to its competitors. Unlike the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, its functionality is limited, and its line-up of games can dissuade the average buyer looking to play more recent offerings.

Courtesy of IGN

However, underneath a seemingly limited surface lies a mobile console that offers far more than it seems. Let’s look at Evercade and what it can do and see just how well it compares to its competitors.

The Brass Tacks About the Evercade

For starters, the Evercade is a gaming system designed to give its buyers an authentic retro experience on the go. This doesn’t just extend to the games itself but to the experiences of the collection. Games come not in single disks but in cartridges, bundled by collections. Each cartridge is filled to the brim with old titles, sorted by publisher, console, and series, and comes in boxes that can easily be displayed on shelves.

Courtesy of Reddit

With the Evercade, you pretty much get exactly what you pay for. A portable console that you can play on the go, with a catalog of exclusively retro and retro-themed games. 

This might not seem like much, but it's enough for a small group of people. While other portable consoles like the Steam Deck have more functionality, buyers of the Evercade see it as more than a gaming console. To this niche group, its position as both a portable gaming device and a collector’s item gives it a unique draw for anyone looking to expand their retro collection.

Courtesy of Reddit

This exclusivity is enough for retro collectors to warrant a place on their shelves. But how about gamers? How can the Evercade appeal to people who want actually to play?

Gaming on the Go

For people looking on the Evercade, they’re in luck. Not only are games priced at an affordable cost, but the cartridge collection style releases mean you have access to a limited but strong library of enjoyable games to play. Only the best retro games find their way to the Evercade (after all, if you’re porting games for it, why not port the games people want to play?), and you’re sure to come across various fan favorites games and retro-inspired classics. 

Courtesy of Evercade

For instance, THEC64Classic sources its games from the Commodore 64, incorporating classics like Boulder Dash and Cyberdone Warrior. Tomb Raider Collection focuses on the 1996 PS1 versions of Tomb Raider 1, 2, and 3. The Duke Nukem Collection does the same, porting over Duke Nukem games like Land of the Babes and Time to Kill, only released on the PS1. At the same time, here at Mega Cat Studios, our own offerings for the Evercade Mega Cat Collection are all inspired by NES, SNES, and Sega Genesis classics.

Mega Cat Collection 1

While you won’t have the advantage of playing modern games on your Evercade system, you’re guaranteed to be able to play some old time classics.

Minor Annoyances

Keep in mind that this does come with some minor drawbacks. The Evercade is a pretty accessible gaming device, but it is by no means perfect. As already noted, its selective library of retro games does it no favors. While Evercade cartridges do tend to be cheaper than a triple A priced Switch or Steam game, the lack of variety can hurt if you’re looking to play something more modern. 

The Evercade’s battery tends to be on the lower side and can interrupt longer game sessions, necessitating more frequent battery charges. Its portability is an advantage, but its relatively small size also gives it some frailty. The buttons do feel pretty nice, at least, and the gameplay experience you get, coupled with its accessible console price, shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Final Verdict

All in all, the Evercade is a pretty decent system if you’re looking only to play retro. It's got a decent library of (old-but-gold) games, a battery life that can last you an afternoon, and an accessible price point. It won’t blow you away with its features, but it’s a great way to experience some games that are no longer easy to find. It’s an okay console, and one that I can hope only gets better in time.

If you’re wanting to buy an Evercade for yourself, check out their website, and give it a look. Who knows? Maybe a few of their games will catch your eye. From platformers to beat-em-ups, there’s bound to be something that can catch your eye!