When the Evercade VS was announced back in March of 2021, I must admit that I struggled to see the point of it.

With the Evercade ecosystem being based around its handheld, the concept of a home system that played the same cartridges – while, admittedly, ensuring that games could finally be played in multiplayer modes – seemed almost fruitless.

Yet despite this initial scepticism, numerous clever design features and a very affordable price point won me over so completely that the VS is now, without doubt, my favourite way to play Evercade games.

In fact, despite the numerous other devices I also own, the Evercade VS has become my go to console for retro gaming altogether. It’s a wonderful console to game on.

One of the best features – which, again, I initially failed to see the benefit of – the Evercade VS has is the dual cartridge slots.

Not only does this allow you to have access to a much bigger and, if you want, very varied (perhaps even mismatched) collections of games to play from at any time – but also, it can unlock hidden games too.

That’s right – certain combinations of cartridges, inserted into the Evercade at the same time, will unlock otherwise completely inaccessible, unavailable and, importantly, full games to play!

Though not the only way to unlock free, secret games on the VS, it is definitely the most fun way to find these hidden titles.

Usually, the combination of a first and second collection by the same publisher will do the trick, as you’ll see.

Some games unlock by entering a code on the Secret menu option, accessed via the Settings screen on your console. Still more can unlock with button and/or d-pad combinations.

Make sure that you’re updated to the latest firmware, or some of the below games may not be available.

Let’s take a look at all of the secret games you can unlock via different means on the Evercade VS – and how you can get them!

Cartridge Combo Unlocks

Dark Chambers (Atari 7800)

Gauntlet-esque Dark Chambers is a fun game on the Atari 2600 – but the Atari 7800 version absolutely blows it out of the water. The way to access the superior version is simple: it’ll unlock automatically if you have Atari Collection 1 and Atari Collection 2 inserted at the same time!

Raid on Tricity: Second Wave (Atari Lynx)

Just as with Dark Chambers, the way to unlock Lynx title Raid on Tricity: Second Wave is to insert two Atari collections at the same time – in this instance, of course, it’s Atari Lynx Collection 1 and Atari Lynx Collection 2 that you’ll need to insert.

Pyramids of Ra (Game Boy)

Underrated, forgotten Game Boy puzzler Pyramids of Ra is unlocked when you insert Piko Interactive Collection 1 and Piko Interactive Collection 2 into your Evercade VS.

Zombie Madness (Intellivision)

Modern ‘retro’ title Zombie Madness – which I’ve found to be ridiculously challenging – is available when you have Intellivision Collection 1 and Intellivision Collection 2 in the Evercade VS.

Bang! (Arcade)

Though hardly the ideal format for it, given that it’s an arcade lightgun game, we’re not going to complain about getting Bang! for free, right? All you need to do is have Gaelco Arcade 1 and Gaelco Arcade 2 inserted in your Evercade VS!

Twin Brats (Arcade)

Weirdly old school when it was released in 1995, Twin Brats is an arcade game that felt incredibly dated back then – but it’s right at home amongst a selection of retro games in the current era! To gain access to Twin Brats, just make sure you have Piko Collection 1 and Gaelco Arcade 1 in the console!

Arkade Rush (NES)

Another modern title, Arkade Rush is a four player simultaneous game originally released for the NES. You can play it yourself by using the combination of Gaelco Arcade 1 and Indie Heroes Collection 1 in your Evercade VS.

Gyroscope (C64)

How about a heavily Marble Madness-inspired, somewhat infuriating title for the C64? To unlock 1985 Melbourne House game Gyroscope, make sure to have THEC64 Collection 1 and THEC64 Collection 2 in your Evercade VS simultaneously.

Twin Hawk (Mega Drive/Genesis)

A vertically scrolling shoot ’em up from Toaplan – one of the master devs of the genre – the arcade version of Twin Hawk appears on Toaplan Arcade 2. However, if you insert the Toaplan Arcade 1 and Toaplan Arcade 2 cartridges into your Evercade VS at the same time, it’ll unlock the 16-bit, Mega Drive/Genesis version of the game too!

Tiger-Heli (NES)

Another hidden Toaplan game? Yes please! This time, it’s the NES port of Tiger-Heli, which can be unlocked by having Toaplan Arcade 2 and 3 in your console at the same time.

Snow Bros. (NES)

Even more Toaplan goodness! You’ll find the arcade version of single screen platform classic, Snow Bros., on Toaplan Arcade 1, and its bizarre sequel on Toaplan Arcade 4. If you want to check out the NES version of the original game, just insert Toaplan Arcade 3 and Toaplan Arcade 4 into your Evercade VS at the same time.

Worms Director’s Cut (Amiga)

An enhanced version of the original Worms, you can gain access to the Worms Director’s Cut by inserting Worms Collection and Team 17 Collection into your VS console at the same time.

Zynaps (C64)

Tough as nails C64 shmup, Zynaps, is accessed by having The C64 Collection 2 and The C64 Collection 3 in your VS simultaneously.

Secret Menu Code Unlocks

Gribbly’s Day Out (C64)

Just type in GRIBBLYGROBBLY on the Secret menu option, accessed via the Settings on the Evercade VS.

Kubo 1&2 (NES)

Minimalist homebrew titles Kubo 1&2 can be found by entering SEIJIWASHERE on the Secret menu.

Rogue64

Great little roguelite Rogue64 can be unlocked by typing STONE on the Secret menu.

The Lost Mines

Excellent maze game The Lost Mines is unlocked when you enter the word BLOP on the Secret menu.

Juggling Balls

An homage to a classic Game and Watch title (Ball), Juggling Balls stars Evercade mascot Cadey, and can be unlocked by typing in the word juggle on the Secret Menu.

Button Combo Code Unlocks

Hummingz (Evercade)

A Centipede-esque game, this is playing natively on the Evercade, bypassing emulation entirely! To unlock Hummingz, press buttons in the following sequence on the main screen: L2, L2, R2, R2, L1, L1, R1, R1.

Fairy Fire – Defender of the Fairies

This modern, Defender-influenced title is incredibly easy to unlock: just press the Menu button ten times when on the main menu, with no cartridge inserted.

Spacey McRacey (NES)

Just press L1+R1+d-pad down on the main screen simultaneously (with no cartridge inserted) to unlock this 8-bit title!

NNNNNN (NES)

For this NES title, with no cartridge inserted just press L1+R1+d-pad up on the main screen simultaneously!

Gotris (Sega Master System)

Is this the only Master System game available on Evercade? It just might currently be! With one cartridge inserted, press L2, R2 and Select simultaneously to unlock this Go/Tetris mashup!

Maniac Square Prototype (Arcade/Prototype)

Select Maniac Square from the Gaelco Arcade 2 game selection menu – then hold L1, L2, R1 and R2 simultaneously to unlock a prototype version.

Showdown

Wild West shootout game, Showdown, is a loving tribute to the classic Atari title, Outlaw. You can unlock it by typing PEWPEW on the Secret Menu screen.

The Sword of Stone

RPG fans rejoice; this unlockable game is a pretty hefty experience, particularly for a free game! It has a so-far unique unlocking method too; though you’ll need to enter a code on the Secret Menu screen, the code will be entirely unique to you, and to get the code, you need to sign up for the Evercade newsletter. You’ll be emailed your unique code, which can be used on 5 different Evercade devices before expiring.

Are there more secrets?

There are – but the above is the currently complete list of actual games, whereas other secrets you may stumble upon are odd extras such as messages or pictures.

Have fun – and do let me know if you happen to find any other games hidden on your Evercade console!