Evercade Nexus Launches
Blaze’s Evercade Nexus handheld launches today, priced at $199.99 on Amazon. It builds on the Evercade formula that started with the Super Pocket and the Evercade Alpha, offering over 700 games offline. The bundle includes Banjo‑Kazooie and Banjo‑Tooie, making it an attractive option for retro fans.
While some may question its novelty, the Nexus is a full console platform that runs its own library of physical cartridges, native ports, and requires no internet connection, a stance that supports preserving physical gaming in an increasingly digital world.(Image credit: Phil Hayton)
The device appeals to three types of players. The first group consists of gamers who want classic titles without owning original cartridges; the Nexus lets them purchase a legal library of Evercade cartridges, avoiding piracy and ensuring permanent ownership.
Collectors are drawn to the numbered cases that include full‑color manuals, turning the system into a tangible collection rather than a collection of codes or digital data. (Image credit: Phil Hayton)
Performance-wise, the Nexus runs at 60 fps with a 840×512 resolution and uses a dual‑stick layout for modern controls. However, its $200 price omits an AMOLED display and Hall‑effect joysticks, and the operating system lacks a sleep feature, though a patch is promised. It also lacks HDMI output, deep CRT scanline emulation, and save‑state support, but it remains a milestone that introduces 3D gaming and a fully licensed physical ecosystem. (Image credit: Phil Hayton)
For true retro enthusiasts, an Android or Linux handheld may be cheaper, but the Evercade Nexus reinforces the value of physical media and resists the industry’s push toward all‑digital distribution. If you care about keeping games tangible, this is a solid choice, especially when paired with quality retro controllers.
