The Evercade EXP has proven itself to be a worthy, fully featured and much improved successor to the original handheld.

Beginning with the Evercade VS – the ‘full size’, multiplayer capable version of the console – Blaze introduced the ability to enter secret codes or combine cartridges to unlock hidden games and other fun surprises.

You can find the full list of secrets for the Evercade VS here.

Though of course it’s not possible to unlock games on the handheld Evercade EXP by entering multiple cartridges, which you can do when using the Evercade VS, it does still have the ability to unlock hidden games via the usage of codes.

How is this done – and what can you unlock? Let’s take a look!

How to Unlock Hidden Games on the Evercade EXP

Firstly, turn on your Evercade EXP without a cartridge in the slot. If you want to unlock all five game codes, the easiest and quickest way to do this is with no cartridge inserted!

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

Note: 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 hidden games you can unlock via different means on the Evercade EXP – and how you can get them!

Secret Menu Code Unlocks

Choose the Settings option (as shown below) on the main screen of the Evercade EXP. Then head all the way to the bottom to the ‘Secret’ option.

This will then bring up a virtual keyboard – enter the codes as below to unlock the hidden games!

Gribbly’s Day Out (C64)

Just type GRIBBLYGROBBLY on the keyboard, accessed via the Secret menu option.

Kubo 1&2 (NES)

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

Rogue64

Unsurprisingly a roguelite game, Rogue64 is a fantastic hidden bonus – which you can add to your Evercade EXP by typing in the word STONE on the Secret menu.

The Lost Mines

A gorgeous maze game that appears to be running natively on the Evercade, The Lost Mines can be unlocked by typing in 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.

Showdown

A beautiful, addictive tribute to the ancient Atari Wild West duel classic, Outlaw, Showdown can be unlocked by typing PEWPEW when in the Secret Menu.

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.

Button Combo Code Unlocks

Head to the Evercade cartridge symbol on the console’s main screen; it’s two options above the Settings option. Press this, then – providing you don’t have a cartridge inserted – you can use the button combos listed below to unlock more hidden games!

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!

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.

Can I keep these games on the Evercade EXP?

Yes! Initially, the Evercade VS hidden games required unlocking every time you load the console – however that’s no longer necessary; nor is that required on the Evercade EXP, which stores your unlocked hidden games in a new section on the EXP menu.

Just below your built-in selection of Capcom games, there’s a ‘Hidden Games’ option. This will tell you how many hidden games you’ve unlocked out of 5; if you’ve followed the above instructions, you should have five entirely new (and secret!) games to play on your Evercade EXP, adding to the 18 already built-in!

Are there more secrets?

There could be – 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.

Once you have unlocked all of the games listed above, your Hidden Games option will show ‘8 out of 8 Games Unlocked’ – so this is the complete list of hidden games available on the Evercade EXP for now.

Have fun – and do let me know if you happen to find anything else hidden on your Evercade console(s)!