It might be a little weird to admit it, but one of my most played Evercade games, across my VS, EXP and Alpha, is a game called Rogue64.

Rogue64 is a free, hidden game on the aforementioned consoles (if you want to know how to unlock it, check out my guides for the VS, EXP and Alpha); it’s also, despite looking extremely primitive, incredibly addictive and brilliantly designed.

A tribute to the classic computer game Rogue (which is where the term ‘Roguelike’ originated; check out the explanatory article I wrote for Card Gamer), Rogue64 sees you exploring randomly generated dungeons, picking up potions, defeating monsters and collecting keys to unlock the door to the level below. It’s turn based, although it doesn’t obviously look that way; you move, then the monsters and traps move; the same goes for attacks, which have a chance of failing for both you and the monsters in the dungeon.

Roguecraft DX, the latest in the home computer range for the Evercade (characterized by their blue boxes), is an update to Rogue64 by the same developers, Badger Punch.

Originally appearing as a ‘new retro’ title for the Commodore Amiga, Roguecraft DX for the Evercade includes enhancements over the original Roguecraft, such as extra stages and new monsters to defeat.

It’s a brilliant update of Rogue64, with gorgeous pixel art visuals and a superb soundtrack too.

The game plays just like Rogue64, albeit from an isometric rather than top down viewpoint, and of course from an audiovisual point of view, it’s streets ahead of the original game too.

Three playable characters, achievements and a high score board are also welcome additions, and it’s incredibly addictive to wander around the levels, trying to balance the need to survive with the ever present itch to explore (and uncover hidden rooms, of which there are a number on each randomly generated stage).

My only issue is that there’s no way to save a run; once you start, you have to either quit or see it through to the end (which of course can also include failing!) in one sitting. Though not the biggest issue, given that it’s not exactly that time-consuming, I think many Evercade players tend to use their consoles in bite-sized chunks of time, myself included, and it feels weird to be locked in for longer sessions. Luckily, Roguecraft DX is a very good game in any case!

Though single game cartridges for the Evercade are, thankfully, few and far between (Full Void is the only other one so far), but at least the two we’ve had have been superb experiences. Roguecraft DX is a very compelling game, and it’s a testament to its strength as an experience that it absolutely feels like it’s worth the cost as an Evercade release, despite being the only game on the cartridge.

With this releasing on the very same day as Neo Geo Arcade 1, it’s tempting to argue that Evercade fans have never had it so good. The thing is, the platform has been quietly knocking out unmissable experiences on reliable, great value hardware for some time now (and with more on the way!).

It’s no wonder that the Evercade continues to be the only console platform I play every single day, even if only for a few minutes; it never feels like time wasted, and I always enjoy it. Roguecraft DX is another great excuse to get on board with the Evercade platform if you haven’t already. If you’re already a part of the ecosystem, you won’t want to miss Roguecraft DX.

You can buy Roguecraft DX from Amazon.

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