It’s mid-February 2023 and, thanks to some organised thievery, I still don’t have my limited edition, black Evercade EXP console.

I’m not bitter though. Well, maybe just a little.

In other bad news that will affect plenty of current and new Evercade owners, there’s a number of cartridges being removed from the console’s line up.

This has been really disappointing, especially as someone who’s been fully on board with the Evercade ecosystem as a way to preserve and spotlight old games that deserved another chance.

The dream of preservation is once again faltering in the face of the reality of, presumably, costly licensing and restrictions.

So the current list of collections in the Evercade range that are now classed as ‘Legacy’ (ie discontinued) is as follows:

Namco Museum Collection 1 (02)
Namco Museum Colllection 2 (06)
Piko Interactive Collection 1 (09)
Technos Collection 1 (10)
The Oliver Twins Collection (12)

What’s especially irritating to myself, as a collector, is the fact that cartridges are numbered. What happens when a new Evercade owner seeks to complete their collection and finds that numerous numbered cartridges are impossible to get hold of?

It’s an irritation that I may well be placing too much importance on, but it does seem as if it’s a situation that shouldn’t be happening.

It’s especially annoying for genuinely brilliant collections such as Piko Interactive Collection 1 and The Oliver Twins Collection, both of which are absolutely essential for any Evercade owner.

Of less importance is that the original Evercade handheld is now also a Legacy product, but given the improved functionality of both the Evercade VS and Evercade EXP, I’m only a little bit sad to see the original, much cheaper handheld disappear.

It does – or did – provide a really cost effective way of getting on board the Evercade train, but with much improved consoles on sale, it’s not a great loss. I tend to play on the Evercade VS much more these days in any case.

Better news is here too, thankfully; with the superb Game of the Month feature making a return in April 2023, with each month’s game being pulled from the upcoming Indie Heroes Collection 3 cartridge.

With the Evercade EXP having WiFi connectivity, the Game of the Month will no longer just be available to Evercade VS users either. So that’s good too!

Over the next year, the plan from Blaze is to release at least 14 new collections for the Evercade; we only have details of a few – April’s The C64 Collection 2 and Toaplan Collection 2, plus the aforementioned third Indie Heroes in Feb 2024 – but exciting things are promised with at least two arcade cartridges, two more indie focused collections and even collections from publishers who’ve not been part of the Evercade range so far. Oh, plus an Amiga collection too!

So despite the negatives, there’s a lot to look forward to if you’re an Evercade owner. Those aforementioned Legacy cartridges do still seem to be available at retail too, so if you’re new and thinking of jumping on board, do get your hands on those discontinued collections as soon as you can!

Update: June 1st 2023

So last night was the very first Evercade Showcase – and it was fantastic! What was announced though?

Let’s take a look!

Delphine Software Collection 1

Though they could sometimes feel a bit style-over-substance for my liking, there’s no denying the impact that Delphine Software’s games had on a generation of gamers in the late 80s and early 90s.

In particular, their impressive rotoscoping and film-style cutscenes brought a truly cinematic flair to their games, which was particularly evident in titles Another World and Flashback.

Both of those titles feature in this great collection, which also contains point and click adventures Future Wars and Operation Stealth.

Though lesser known, the latter two titles will be a welcome addition to the Evercade’s library – with the point and click genre severely underrepresented on the console thus far.

The Delphine Software Collection 1 is due for release in September 2023.

Sunsoft Collection 1

Japanese developer/publisher Sunsoft were a beloved mainstay during the 8 and 16-bit years – and they have a rich history of titles begging to be brought to the Evercade.

Taking the hits vs hidden gems approach once more, this collection features mascot platformer Aero the Acrobat (arguably its most high profile title), classic NES masterpiece Blaster Master, Game Boy spin-off Blaster Master Boy, plus the lesser known games Journey to Silius, Mr. Gimmick! and early Sunsoft arcade port, Arabian.

Sunsoft Collection 1 is also due in September 2023.

The Sydney Hunter Collection

Four games are featured on this collection of new retro indie titles from CollectorVision Games.

Three Sydney Hunter titles are included, alongside a brand new game, a dungeon crawler named Jester.

I’d never heard of the Sydney Hunter games, but they’re apparently incredibly popular and have been requested for the Evercade by plenty of fans, so we’re getting adventure platformers Sydney Hunter and the Caverns of Death, Sydney Hunter and the Sacred Tribe and, finally, Sydney Hunter and the Shrines of Peril.

This cartridge will be released in August 2023.

PIKO Interactive Arcade 1

With three PIKO collections already available on Evercade – and, at least for the first and third cartridges, two of the strongest compilations in the entire library – it’s perhaps a surprise to see another PIKO collection announced.

However, it’s certainly not an unwelcome one – and here, Evercade are tapping into the previously ignored arcade side of PIKO’s oeuvre.

Single screen, Bubble Bobble-style platformers Magic Purple and the awkwardly named Fancy World: Earth of Crisis both feature, as do fighting games Dragon Master and Master’s Fury.

Scrolling beat ’em up The Legend of Silkroad, maze game Burglar X, sports title Ultimate Tennis, top down actioner Steel Force and sub-aquatic adventure Diver Boy round out the collection of hidden gems on this cartridge.

PIKO Interactive Arcade 1 is due for release in August 2023.

Duke Nukem Collection 1 & 2

Perhaps the most exciting announcement of all, these two collections bring the classic, satirical action hero Duke Nukem to the Evercade.

The first collection features not only Duke’s finest hour with the iconic Duke Nukem 3D, but also exclusive remasters of the first two Duke Nukem titles, platform games Duke Nukem 1&2, featuring 60fps gameplay and other new updates.

Collection 2 features lesser known third person adventures Duke Nukem: Time to Kill and Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes, as well as the excellent GBA update of Duke Nukem 3D, Duke Nukem Advance.

Due in November 2023, the Duke Nukem cartridges are releasing alongside another exciting product…

Evercade VS Atomic Edition

Exclusive to Funstock and limited to just 2000 units, the Evercade VS Atomic Edition is a gorgeous upgrade to one of my most played consoles in recent years.

Along with the superb, Duke Nukem inspired design elements, the console features an exclusive theme and LED light mode, setting it apart from the basic console.

Pre-ordering the Evercade VS Atomic Edition not only nets you the console, but also a Certificate of Authenticity and the two Duke Nukem cartridge collections too!

You can pre-order the Evercade VS Atomic Edition here, while stocks last.

What’s next for Evercade?

Was that not enough excitement for you? Well, you’re in luck – because Evercade also announced an indie focused Showcase for July!

So there’s plenty more to come for the plucky little retro underdog – the retro future has never looked so bright!