In my humble opinion, the Evercade Showcase Vol. 1 featured a hit rate for exciting announcements that the big boys of the console world rarely hit.

In the wake of disappointing reveals from companies such as Sony, it’s so refreshing to see a console platform holder tapping into exactly what their audience wants and delivering it in a way that generates amazing buzz and goodwill.

The Evercade family of consoles have gone from strength to strength since the very first handheld was released in 2020 – and its software library has impressively widened in scope way beyond the initial range of emulated, curated console collections on cartridge.

Now, the console not only plays host to collections of retro games and ‘new retro’ indie titles – characterised by dark red cases – but also classic computer games (in blue boxes) and collections of arcade titles too (in purple packaging).

There’s always been a tendency to include lesser known, more obscure titles alongside the more fondly remembered blockbusters of the 8, 16 and 32-bit eras – which has made it an absolutely superb console not just for revisiting old classics, but for discovering hidden gems too.

This approach – coupled with thoughtful, evolving hardware design, official licensing and a commitment to physical game collections, wherever possible, has seen the Evercade more than hold its own against illicit, yet widely available emulation consoles.

The first Evercade Showcase event reinforced the passion for – and understanding of – retro gaming that the team at Blaze clearly have.

So what was announced? 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!