Blaze Entertainment has officially lifted the curtain on the Evercade Nexus, a brand-new handheld that signals a major leap forward for the company’s retro-focused ecosystem. Building on the foundations laid by the Evercade EXP and Evercade VS
The Nexus introduces a range of long-requested features, including dual analogue controls, a larger widescreen display, and enhanced performance aimed squarely at more demanding retro platforms such as the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64. This announcement positions the Nexus not as a simple upgrade, but as a generational leap that expands the scope of what Evercade hardware is capable of delivering.
Changes for a ‘Modern’ Retro Experience
As Blaze has expanded the range of Evercade cartridges to cover not just the 8-bit and 16-bit systems but pushing into the 32-bit generation. We have seen this with titles such as the Tomb Raider Collection and Legacy of Kain Collection. It was clear that soon the humble Evercade would need an upgrade to handle these more demanding titles.
Firstly there’s the changes you can’t see, the ones lying just under the hood. The Evercade Nexus delivers a noticeable boost in power with a more powerful quad-core processor. There is also new wireless connectivity options, including the ability for two Evercade Nexus devices to play local multiplayer titles with only a single cartridge using EverSync. A feature reminiscent of the Game Boy Advance’s Single-Pak linking, but without the cables!
Moving onto the more noticeable changes, the one to most likely catch your eye is the new 5.89″ widescreen display. A significant step up from the 4.3″ screen found on the current Evercade EXP. This change reflects a broader shift in focus. While previous devices were tailored primarily for 8-bit and 16-bit titles, the Nexus is clearly designed with later generations in mind. PlayStation-era games and widescreen titles all stand to benefit from the increased screen real estate.
Controls that Matter
Then we move on to what could be the most significant addition to the Nexus – the inclusion of dual analogue sticks. A first for any Evercade device. Their absence on the EXP was one of the most common criticisms, particularly as the Evercade library began to expand beyond strictly 2D titles into the PlayStation generation.
The Nexus addresses that limitation directly. With dual sticks in place, the system is now better equipped to handle 3D games from the late 1990s and early 2000s, offering more intuitive control schemes and improved compatibility across a wider range of titles – which brings us onto another announcement almost as exciting as the new hardware…
Full Compatibility with Existing Cartridges
Despite its many upgrades, the Evercade Nexus remains fully compatible with the existing Evercade cartridge library. This includes hundreds of officially licensed games spanning arcade classics, home console releases, and modern retro-inspired titles. But to get your new retro cartridge collection off to a great start the Evercade Nexus comes with the N64 classics Banzo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie on a dual game cartridge.
For existing users, this full backwards compatibility ensures you can continue to enjoy the titles you already own. For newcomers, it provides immediate access to a substantial and growing catalogue.
Nexus vs EXP vs VS: A Clear Evolution
The Evercade EXP, released in 2022, refined the original handheld formula but remained focused on 2D gaming and traditional controls. The Evercade VS, launched in 2021, expanded the ecosystem into the living room with a home console built for multiplayer.
The Nexus, by comparison, brings those ideas together while pushing the platform forward. With its enhanced controls, improved hardware, and broader design ambitions, it represents a clear evolution rather than a simple iteration.
Blaze has positioned the Evercade Nexus as a premium handheld, with a launch price of £169.99 in the UK. While this places it above the Evercade EXP, the additional features and improvements reflect its expanded role within the lineup. There will also be a special ’64 Edition’ with an exclusive N64 inspired colour way. This version also includes a protective hard shell case and A3 poster for £189.99. Although like past versions of Evercade’s limited edition consoles this is limited to only 2,000 units and is likely to sell out extremely quickly.
We’ll continue to cover the Evercade Nexus as we approach its October release date. If you wish to pre-order you can do from Amazon using the link below. This is an affiliate link and using it may result in a commission being paid to us. This helps keep Retro Ages independent and doesn’t cost you a penny.
