Evercade by Blaze

[Nz17]

I'm posting this thread in Classic Gaming as while the Evercade by Blaze is new hardware it is (so far) designed to run old games made for NES, SNES, Genesis, and Atari 2600 consoles, retro arcade hardware, and eventually Atari Lynx as well as new homebrews for said same old platforms.

I think this thing will make more of a profit and make more of a positive impression upon retro gamers than the Intellivision Amico will. Part of that is the design and aesthetic of the games, part of it is the controllers and hardware, and part of it is the price of the console and games.

Evercade:

1. Old, proven 2D classic games and "neo retro" indie games with similar aspirations
2. Portable console with a proven button layout and an included screen plus HDMI output
3. $80 for the console plus 1 game compilation on cartridge or $100 for the console plus 3 game compilations on cartridge
4. $20 for each additional game compilation on a cart which includes a case and full-color, printed paper manuals

Amico:

1. New, 3D remakes of classic games plus the good old originals from Intellivision, Atari, Imagic, etc.
2. Odd touch-screen motion controllers that are a mix of Intellivision controller, Wii-mote, and classic iPod
3. $249 for the console
4. $3 - $10 for digital game downloads; physical games with RFID chips will be available at retail for $30

But enough about the Amico (cool though it might eventually be). Let's hear more about the just-about-ready Evercade from someone who has actually spent some time playing games with one:

DF Retro Hardware - Evercade Review: The Cartridge-Based Retro Handheld That Works by Digital Foundry
We've had a ton of requests to take a look at Blaze's Evercade - a cartridge-based retro handheld. It's certainly a fascinating device with a unique game delivery mechanism, and...

What are everyone's thoughts about the Evercade by Blaze? Have you pre-ordered one? Will you be buying one later if it proves itself?

[gbpxl]

apples to oranges

[Aussie2B]

Isn't the Amico fully licensed in every way? I don't see how this could be, unless the library is severely limited (and probably thus not that great). Part of the reason clones and such can skirt around copyright law is because the consumer acquires the carts (be they legit or bootleg) or ROMs themselves. If this thing uses proprietary carts that Blaze loads with games and sells, what could they actually offer for retro systems like NES, SNES, and Genesis? They could in theory get the license on the developer/publisher's end, like some other publishers have done to re-release retro games, but you're sure as hell not going to get the big-name stuff like Mario and Zelda that way, and if they include those games without permission, this thing is gonna get shut down before it would even go on sale.

[gbpxl]

The elephant in the room here is this: Most retro gamers own full ROM sets for everything made between 1985 and 1994 minus some of the less popular consoles like 3DO and Jaguar- and they already have the ability to play these games on their PSP, nVidia Shield, Switch, Xbox, etc.

Even for someone like me who doesnt support piracy... if I eant to play Earthworm Jim, I am going to play it on a cartridge... on a Super Nintendo. point is, very limited audience here

Im glad they are going their legal route with licensing and what not but most gamers think everything should be free if its more than 20 years old

[drludos]

On my end, I love that they included cart with homebrew games on it!
That's a brilliant move to offer more than just games that we might already have in our collection.

The cart format is lovely, and the idea to group games is great for a reasonable price (considering the packaging).
I really hope the console finds success so they can release loads of carts with both retro games and homebrew titles!

[jb143]

The elephant in the room here is this: Most retro gamers own full ROM sets for everything made between 1985 and 1994 minus some of the less popular consoles like 3DO and Jaguar- and they already have the ability to play these games on their PSP, nVidia Shield, Switch, Xbox, etc.

Even for someone like me who doesnt support piracy... if I eant to play Earthworm Jim, I am going to play it on a cartridge... on a Super Nintendo. point is, very limited audience here

Im glad they are going their legal route with licensing and what not but most gamers think everything should be free if its more than 20 years old

Everyone knows that roms and emulators exist. And like you point out, most retro gamers already have and use them. But there are still a lot of retro game stores around and games are still selling on eBay. Just for fun, I checked a few of my go to games from when I used to sell online a lot like maybe 15 years ago and they are still selling for about the same price(not factoring in inflation). The point is, the audience may not quite be a limited as you think it is.

Now, having said that, I'm not really in the market for either, but that's mainly because I'm usually not in the market for spending money on such things in general unless I find at a thrift store for cheap. I don't think I've ever bought a game system new before.

[Nz17]

Yes, the games included on the carts for the Evercade are licensed by Blaze from the copyright holders of the software in question. So no, you are not going to find Mario and Zelda games for it, but here are the games that are currently available for purchase:

# - Title - Cartridge
1 - 8-Eyes - Piko Interactive Collection 1
2 - Adventure (2600) - Atari Collection 1
3 - Air Sea Battle (2600) - Atari Collection 2
4 - Alien Brigade (7800) - Atari Collection 1
5 - Almost Hero - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
6 - Aquaventure (2600) - Atari Collection 1
7 - Asteroids (2600) - Atari Collection 1
8 - Asteroids (7800) - Atari Collection 2
9 - Awesome Golf - Atari Lynx Collection 1
10 - Bad Dudes - Data East Collection
11 - Basketbrawl - Atari Lynx Collection 1
12 - Basketbrawl (7800) - Atari Collection 2
13 - Battle Cars - Namco Collection 1
14 - BattleChess - Interplay Collection 1
15 - Boogerman - Interplay Collection 1
16 - Bowling (2600) - Atari Collection 2
17 - Brave Battle Saga - Piko Interactive Collection 1
18 - Burger Time - Data East Collection
19 - Burnin’ Rubber (Bump & Jump) - Data East Collection
20 - Burning Force - Namco Collection 2
21 - Canon – Legends of the New Gods - Piko Interactive Collection 1
22 - Canyon Bomber (2600) - Atari Collection 1
23 - Centipede (2600) - Atari Collection 1
24 - Centipede (7800) - Atari Collection 2
25 - Clayfighter - Interplay Collection 1
26 - Clayfighter 2 - Interplay Collection 2
27 - Claymates - Interplay Collection 2
28 - Coffee Crisis - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
29 - Crash ‘N’ The Boys: Street Challenge - Technos Collection 1
30 - Creepy Brawlers - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
31 - Crystal Castles (2600) - Atari Collection 1
32 - Crystal Mines II: Buried Treasure - Atari Lynx Collection 1
33 - CyberVirus - Atari Lynx Collection 1
34 - Dark Chambers (2600) - Atari Collection 2
35 - Demons to Diamonds (2600) - Atari Collection 2
36 - Desert Falcon (2600) - Atari Collection 1
37 - Desert Falcon (7800) - Atari Collection 2
38 - Dig Dug - Namco Collection 1
39 - Dig Dug 2 - Namco Collection 2
40 - Dorke and Ymp - Piko Interactive Collection 1
41 - Double Dragon - Technos Collection 1
42 - Double Dragon II: The Revenge™ - Technos Collection 1
43 - Double Dunk (2600) - Atari Collection 1
44 - Dracula the Undead - Atari Lynx Collection 1
45 - Dragon Spirit - Namco Collection 2
46 - Dragon View - Piko Interactive Collection 1
47 - Drakkhen - Piko Interactive Collection 1
48 - Earthworm Jim - Interplay Collection 1
49 - Earthworm Jim 2 - Interplay Collection 2
50 - Fighter’s History - Data East Collection
51 - Food Fight (7800) - Atari Collection 1
52 - Galaga - Namco Collection 2
53 - Galaxian - Namco Collection 1
54 - Gordo 106 - Atari Lynx Collection 1
55 - Gravitar (2600) - Atari Collection 1
56 - Haunted House (2600) - Atari Collection 2
57 - Human Canonball (2600) - Atari Collection 2
58 - Incantation - Interplay Collection 1
59 - Iron Commando - Piko Interactive Collection 1
60 - Ishido: The Way of Stones - Atari Lynx Collection 1
61 - Jim Power – The Lost Dimension - Piko Interactive Collection 1
62 - Jimmy Connors Tennis - Atari Lynx Collection 1
63 - Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the tropics - Data East Collection
64 - Justice Duel - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
65 - Karate Champ - Data East Collection
66 - Libble Rabble - Namco Collection 1
67 - Little Medusa - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
68 - Log Jammers - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
69 - Loopz - Atari Lynx Collection 1
70 - Magic Girl - Piko Interactive Collection 1
71 - Magical Drop 2 - Data East Collection
72 - Malibu Bikini Volleyball - Atari Lynx Collection 1
73 - Mappy - Namco Collection 1
74 - Mappy Kids - Namco Collection 1
75 - MegaPak - Atari Lynx Collection 1
76 - Metal Marines - Namco Collection 1
77 - Midnight Resistance - Data East Collection
78 - Millipede (2600) - Atari Collection 2
79 - Missile Command (2600) - Atari Collection 1
80 - Motor Psycho (7800) - Atari Collection 1
81 - Multidude - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
82 - Night Driver (2600) - Atari Collection 1
83 - NightShade - Piko Interactive Collection 1
84 - Ninja Golf (7800) - Atari Collection 1
85 - Old Towers - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
86 - Pac Man - Namco Collection 1
87 - Pac-Attack - Namco Collection 2
88 - Phelios - Namco Collection 2
89 - Planet Smashers (7800) - Atari Collection 2
90 - Power Factor - Atari Lynx Collection 1
91 - Power Piggs of the Dark Ages - Piko Interactive Collection 1
92 - Power Punch II - Piko Interactive Collection 1
93 - Prehistoric Man - Interplay Collection 2
94 - Quad Challenge - Namco Collection 1
95 - Radar Lock (2600) - Atari Collection 2
96 - Radical Rex - Piko Interactive Collection 1
97 - Realsports Tennis (2600) - Atari Collection 2
98 - Remnant - Atari Lynx Collection 1
99 - River City Ransom - Technos Collection 1
100 - Scrapyard Dog - Atari Lynx Collection 1
101 - Side Pocket - Data East Collection
102 - Solaris (2600) - Atari Collection 2
103 - Splatterhouse 2 - Namco Collection 2
104 - Splatterhouse 3 - Namco Collection 2
105 - Sprintmaster (2600) - Atari Collection 2
106 - Star Luster - Namco Collection 1
107 - Steeplechase (2600) - Atari Collection 1
108 - Street Racer (2600) - Atari Collection 2
109 - Submarine Commander (2600) - Atari Collection 2
110 - Super Asteroids/Missile Command - Atari Lynx Collection 1
111 - Super Dodge Ball™ - Technos Collection 1
112 - Super Double Dragon™ - Technos Collection 1
113 - Super Painter - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
114 - Super Spike V’ball™ - Technos Collection 1
115 - Super Sqweek - Atari Lynx Collection 1
116 - Switchblade - Piko Interactive Collection 1
117 - Swordquest Earthworld (2600) - Atari Collection 1
118 - Tanglewood - Xeno Crisis & Tanglewood Dual Game Cartridge
119 - Tänzer - Mega Cat Studios Collection 1
120 - Tempest (2600) - Atari Collection 1
121 - The Adventures of Rad Gravity - Interplay Collection 2
122 - The Brainies - Interplay Collection 2
123 - The Humans - Piko Interactive Collection 1
124 - The Immortal - Piko Interactive Collection 1
125 - Tinhead - Piko Interactive Collection 1
126 - Titan - Interplay Collection 1
127 - Top Racer - Piko Interactive Collection 1
128 - Tower of Druaga - Namco Collection 2
129 - Two Crude Dudes - Data East Collection
130 - Video Pinball (2600) - Atari Collection 1
131 - Warp Man - Namco Collection 2
132 - Water Margin - Piko Interactive Collection 1
133 - Way of the exploding fist - Piko Interactive Collection 1
134 - Weapon Lord - Namco Collection 2
135 - Wizard (2600) - Atari Collection 2
136 - Xeno Crisis - Xeno Crisis & Tanglewood Dual Game Cartridge
137 - Xevious - Namco Collection 1
138 - Xump - Atari Lynx Collection 1
139 - Yars Return (2600) - Atari Collection 1
140 - Yars’ Revenge (2600) - Atari Collection 2

The Evercade launches during the 22nd of May 2020.

[Aussie2B]

Hmm, it's nice that they have the likes of Namco and Technos onboard, but as I predicted, it seems like it's going to be very limited in terms of what NES, SNES, and Genesis games it'll have, and it seems like it's mostly the same stuff that's already been re-released via various recent compilations. Doesn't really seem worth buying a new piece of hardware for to me, especially when the D-pad looks lackluster, making me wonder how well these games would control. That said, I'm not interested in the Amico either.

[7th lutz]

Hmm, it's nice that they have the likes of Namco and Technos onboard, but as I predicted, it seems like it's going to be very limited in terms of what NES, SNES, and Genesis games it'll have, and it seems like it's mostly the same stuff that's already been re-released via various recent compilations. Doesn't really seem worth buying a new piece of hardware for to me, especially when the D-pad looks lackluster, making me wonder how well these games would control. That said, I'm not interested in the Amico either.

They are not done announcing publishers yet. They only announce them when they announced a new compilation.

Blaze is going to announce a new compilation in May and announce another new Compilation in June. Those are the final 2 compilations that will be released this year.

[7th lutz]

The Evercade launches during the 22nd of May 2020.

That is not entirely accurate. They gave an update on April 23rd. The release window is May 22 to June 5th.

I am referring to this: https://evercade.co.uk/release-date-update/

[7th lutz]

Blaze had a question and Answer session on Twitter and and Facebook on Saturday. I am not a member of either. I am able to read posts without being a member.

Arcade releases on Evercade are not happening before 2021 based on what they mentioned on Saturday. They mention that they have a lot of arcade game rights. I know they mention Namco arcade games on Saturday, but I'm under the impression that they would be releasing more arcade games that are not Namco.

Blaze's response to a question some type of an RPG collection or RPG pack points they want to do one. That means there has to be a publisher or developer not mentioned yet. Unless it is Bard's Tale series by Interplay, there has be a different developer or publisher that Blaze did not list yet.

[Aussie2B]

I wouldn't really take "wanting to do one" as indicative as confirmation they will. To me, it reads more like PR speak that they don't yet have deals with publishers with many RPGs in their catalogs and are hoping somebody will sign on with them. I imagine a lot of publishers would want to first see how the initial release goes. If it's not a big success, this could peter out fast. I'm sure there could be more publishers signing on for the future compilations, but when they've got 140 games all coming from, what, fewer than 10 different publishers, with a number of those having little to no history with retro consoles like the NES, SNES, and Genesis, I don't picture this ever having many games from those libraries.

[T]

I am scheduled to recieve my unit on Monday. I know that i already have access to
all the games i ordered but i love the idea of having another handheld.
Plus, i have been reading good reviews from so many people on facebook.

[ArcadePerfect]

I've been reading about it primarily because of Clay Fighter. Series really needs a digital re-release on modern consoles.

[Nz17]

That is not entirely accurate. They gave an update on April 23rd. The release window is May 22 to June 5th.

I am referring to this: https://evercade.co.uk/release-date-update/

Sorry if that wasn't entirely accurate, but in all fairness, that is what https://evercade.co.uk/ had on its homepage when I posted that during 04-27-2020 at 12:00 A.M. local time. You can see that it was so in this snapshot of the page from May 1st, 2020.

[7th lutz]

Sorry if that wasn't entirely accurate, but in all fairness, that is what https://evercade.co.uk/ had on its homepage when I posted that during 04-27-2020 at 12:00 A.M. local time. You can see that it was so in this snapshot of the page from May 1st, 2020.

Fair Enough and that is not on you. The problem is Blaze Entertainment does not always update their front page in a timely matter for Evercade even before than. While they both links had May 22nd, your link did not give the entire time frame at all for receiving it. That link I gave had a May to June time length date. That is an issue considering Evercade only was shipping to businesses on May 22nd not to customers. Some of the people in Europe got their evercade before June though. This is a handheld that had Amazon problems for sending to customers including my younger brother.

Even before Evercade even make that announcement that I linked, they were slow in changing the release date of the system. When Blaze announcement the system was going to be delayed due to the coronavirus, their front page on their website still had their original release date over a week.

I went back to the link I had and they changed their date even after the date I posted on April 27th. I started following Evercade back in February.

I saw the change originally on their Twitter account and I believe their facebook account also. I do not own a facebook account or a twitter account, but I am allowed to read stuff the Evercade accounts they have. They first announce their news on Twitter and Facebook.

[7th lutz]

The Information the OP did is now a bit outdated concerning Evercade. There is more information known about Evercade now than back on April 26th. What I am referring to is the capabilities of Evercade.

Blaze announced last week that 2 of the games on Piko Interactive Collection 2 for Evercade are 32 bit games. Football Madness is a original Playstation release that released in Europe in 2003. Racing Fever is a Game Boy Advance Game that was released in Europe back in 2005.

Of the 2 systems, the original Playstation tells the possible 3d capabilities Evercade can handle. I know the 3d is dated on the original Playstation.

[Nz17]

What's been happening with the Evercade? I haven't read anything by anyone about it for some time; however, I usually don't visit their official site.

[7th lutz]

What's been happening with the Evercade? I haven't read anything by anyone about it for some time; however, I usually don't visit their official site.

There is information since than. It is late and I am only sharing a couple things. I will share more later today.

It was announced that People are able to start pre-ordering Jaleco Collection 1 and Piko Interactive Collection 2 cartridges on November 2nd. The games are not coming till early January 2021.

Oliver Twins Collection 1 and Xeno Crisis/Tanglewood cartridges are now out. I received mine earlier this week.

[7th lutz]

Firmware 1.3 is now available. This was a big firmware update. It fixed different HDMI issues, Audio glitches and resolution bugs in games. Evercade's emulator is now able to handle large title games such as PS1 games.

The firmware does get a rid of the well known Top Racer Glitch. The emulator was fixed from this update for handling large game files such as PS1 games. The firmware update added new features such as critical battery alert, fixes bad save states, better handling of vertical overscan cropping on handheld mode for all games, added new max brightness setting and other features I didn't mention.