Even when a product isn’t for me-as this one is not-I always enjoy hearing your comprehensive, considerate perspective. Your extensive efforts are always appreciated!
Yeah, right guy You say everyone has moved now. From retro game. Not me Person Speaker. I think it's a fine piece of video game hardware. Better than anything out right now. And then includes the PlayStation 5 and Xbox x And it's much better than the switch. Cause this was bogged at me about the newer game systems. They were not retro enough. They were not old school enough. And then dumb analog sticks really got on my nerves. I prefer joysticks, 8 weight digital and 4 way digital D pads. Edwin gained without his goal damage That 1 game was out of gold in age. But I can see your problem. Not that old, so you wouldn't know anything about that. 🤩🤔😏😏😏🙂↕️🙂↕️👺🥷by mega gamer
You hit the nail on the head with the observation of fewer games and getting more from those actual games you have and interested in the most!. It's the approach I took with the miyoo mini, as soon as I set up a new SD card with onion OS and added original selected Box art for every individual game from Launch box database. It's allowed me to complete Crash Bandicoot, Sonic CD, Rayman, Sonic 1, Lords of Thunder, To name a few, I Recommend anyone reading this try it too if nothing's getting completed or mastered. :)
Love the review. Got this off my kids for Christmas. I have enjoyed it they got me a couple of carts with it too. (Interplay 1 and Gremlin) playing actua soccer again was a blast from the past. All the games run well without any lag.
The Game Gear was my first gaming device as well and it was amazing to have a backlit color screen at that time :) I really hope Evercade will do a Sega Game Gear game collection in the future though I am not sure there is a high chance for that...
I've been keeping an eye on this thing for a couple years now. The concept has always been intriguing to me. I love the idea of a retro console with physical cartridges. I have a ton of digital emulation devices loaded with ROMs on SD cards. But I'm also someone who loves physical games, having a collection, and that feel of what gaming on a handheld with physical games used to feel like. So it's super appealing. I've just not yet been able to justify the high cost of the console for what you get. $150 is kinda steep for what you get with its old hardware and sub-par display. Though I do think the carts are appropriately priced.
This family LOVES the Evercade ecosystem. We have 3 of the original portables and the VS console, along with the entire library so far. They release at $20 a cartridge so ignore the amazon shopping experience where people jack the prices up and buy it from one of the other retailers they recommend. I use Castlemania Games. There is a good amount of time between releases as well so it doesn't break the bank to collect for it like a Switch does. I like it because they support a lot of Indie developers and the games library so far is excellent. I have played games I heard of but never thought I would like... and ended up loving them. I give the experience a 10/10 honestly. I'm a fan. I don't think I will purchase the EXP however, I prefer the original portable. Thanks for the honest video!!!
On the carts side, those I’ve found the most interesting are the indie ones. Mega Cat for £15 (~$19) seems pretty solid. Some of the other stuff is variable, but I appreciate a company going down the licensed route. Pretty rare these days, especially for a fully expandable system (rather than a one-and-done retro TV games console).
Like the previous model, the screen is the biggest let down. No OCA laminated display is quite a deal breaker and 5:3 4.3” doesn’t seem like a great experience in 2023. They did it to keep costs down in my opinion. So the point of this is physical carts but as they contain nothing more than flash cards I’d worry about collecting and long term reliability. There has already been stories of cards failing. The whole Evercade investment is one I just don’t see as viable and better experiences can be had elsewhere.
I agree. I have seen fewer releases since the release of this system. I feel like there are a lot more games out there that could be ported that are even better then the current library. I didn’t like that they started putting digital games on the system but they had to play ball with Capcom for their games. I sold my original Evercade and they have nothing that worth the cost.
Quite liked this review. Showing the ups and downs of the handheld. Other videos that has shown the Exp only did a "features" video, while this one took a more critical view of it.
I love the idea of this thing, and I think its a beautiful piece of hardware. Despite owning several powerful emulation handhelds, Id still be open to paying for the experience of collecting carts and especially those beautiful manuals (still the biggest loss of the last decade in gaming imo). The library just isn't yet tailored to my particular era of nostalgia and taste. I love Capcom fighters, but beyond that I really would like to see this thing get some classic JRPGs (a Square cart would be amazing), and potentially some PS1 classics. Either way, I hope the company is doing well and continues to grow the catalog. Ill likely end up buying one if the kind of games I'm more into start coming to it.
It's a curious device. I've recently upgraded to an EXP, and I've got a VS, and I've also kept the original so I could hypothetically play 4 player games using the handheld consoles as controllers. So I do like it, quite a lot! But I've got an Anbernic RG351MP too, and I'd say that is, objectively speaking, a VASTLY better value investment. But having cartridges to choose from is a different experience. For me the benefit is mostly from more thoughtfully playing somewhat obscure games I'd be unlikely to try otherwise. The manuals help with that too, giving the background on the game and devs/publisher. It's nice to have officially licenced stuff of course, but for me it's the extra 'packaging' that's fun. I see it as a nice (albeit expensive!) compliment to the usual emulation stuff. It's not for everyone by any means, you obviously don't need to do this to enjoy playing obscure games, but it does have a certain charm to it. Also: the EXP is a very worthwhile upgrade on the original, imo. I find I actually want to use it a lot more now it has a pretty nice screen.
I got one because the carts are officially licensed and I like playing retro games legally. Also the dpad is sublime. Worth it for Renovation, Toaplan, and Irem. I love it
@@lloyd011721 I said what I like about it and where my conviction lies. When legal ways to play a game exist, I prefer those ways. This is a fun way to play them as well.
@@lloyd011721 That at best depends on territory and shifting law. In the UK, there is law that afford you the right to make a backup of software, because tapes and disks back in the day were fragile. But you also have no right to breach DRM. Legally, format shifting has no basis bar in very specific circumstances relating to accessibility. So as a blanket statement, the notion it’s legal to emulate games is fuzzy at best.
I've been waiting for Russ to review this. A few minor issues are the light bleed, audio is cheap in that it's not loud enough, the audio jack is cheap and outdated too, not compatible with all wired headphones, also no Bluetooth, only other color is black if you buy the limited edition. Hopefully they iron out these issues with the next iteration.
Instruction manuals rock. And in color! I'm in love. First time viewer opinion: your video is very in-depth and covers many important details. You appear to know what you are talking about re: retro gaming, and to be familiar with the retro gaming market (it's ups and downs) Bottom line: I trust you to provide accurate information. I usually have trust issues during first impressions. Very good presentation.
I'm sure this advice is perfect for certain people. It's definitely not for me as there are a lot of downsides to this compared to other products in this price range, but I'm still glad it exists.
From a console collecting perspective I can see how this makes sense albeit expensive this would look sleek on a shelf with the game cases near it. That being said there are so many better ways to do this via emulation (I know this isn't the licensed way, but these games are over 20 plus years old or older which means that emulation isn't necessarily taboo with games this old). Still if I had money to burn I would buy this and all the cartridges as a collection piece. Great review and cool little niche unit that can just boot up and simply play games!
I loved your review of this device, you are always so thorough and your videos are just so well done. I automatically don't like this device because the screen is just too small for my older eyes, but I like the concept.
I love the idea of keeping physical cartridge base gaming alive I love the fact that channels like this cover this product I think it’s great and it definitely has its place however for myself I can do any of this stuff to the degree of my interest on the Nintendo switch and I would just rather order a base model steam deck next over anything else as my PC died in December ✊💫 Keep up the good work Russ! 134 days no alcohol thank God for Andrew Huberman! 🏆🥇❤️🏅
I remember reading it has this aspect ratio to play Lynx games well, but I personally believe that was a cop out and it was actually cheaper to mass purchase these 5:3 screens than 4:3 screens would’ve cost. Especially strange since Lynx games on a 4:3 screen (640x480) with black bars honestly don’t look bad because they are already so low res. And yeah, I considered this, but the lack of a 4:3 screen just put me off. I could definitely see some people who would enjoy such a handheld, but this isn’t for me.
I really like this device, especially the Tate mode option, but while I like having a physical collection, I just don't have the space for a new system of large game cases and don't want to carry around large cartridges when traveling. I'd probably pick this up if they had digital version, which is a bit ironic considering it goes against their primary ethos
They are actually releasing 2 new handhelds under a different name that have capcom or taito games depending on the model you pick. Both will be only $60 each. They can also play the evercade cartriges as well.
This does look pretty nice. It’s hard to beat that switch screen and the steam deck screen. But still, I’m tempted to get this for some of the games that aren’t easily available in other digital l stores. Definitely want that duke collection coming up.
@@Mister_Phafanapolis obviously. Reason I was thinking about it was for the Duke collections which are out now, and only available for this. But who knows; maybe there’s a chance for a switch release.
That screen makes it look like a retro handheld from 5 years ago. I have a million handhelds, but if none of those existed I would have been into this. It would actually be fun to collect all the carts, ya know, if all the other handhelds didn’t exist.
Will you be getting the new version when it’s released soon? Never got this one but thinking about getting the newer one and wondering if they’ve fixed some of the problems you mentioned.
I have been waiting on the sidelines watching evercade. I have even purchased the discontinued carts while I wait to jump in. I really appreciate the company and what they are doing, but I am just waiting until they get everything smoothed out before I get a console. There seems to be key features missing and hiccups with each iteration. I have faith they will sort things out, but they are rushing to do a lot in a short time. I am fine with all the price points assuming all the hiccups are smoothed out. One thing I would like to know for the EXP. I have never really gamed on s handheld and I am wondering if the small screen size will dimish the enjoyment. I am 50 and so are my eyes lol. I imagine many of the people intetested in evercade would be my age as well.
I love the idea behind Evercade, I really do support it and wish them great, I like cartridge system idea, but to be honest, the game selection is mostly rather average :( I mean, I understand that licensing games that may have almost 40 years, trying to find out who owns the rights, or whether some company still exists must be difficult but still, my view is from consumer perspective. For example I owned C64 as a kid and then when I compare my favourite games with what C64 cartridge gives then ... most of these games are unfortunately pretty anonymous. Sure, I recognize Bruce Lee, Impossible Mission, I remember Winter Games but that's pretty much it (ok, Marauder is a decent game too). I know it's hard to compete with roms, I know that it's not about quantity (on my RG552 I have probably around 2000 games selected and I don't use it because ... there selection is too big ;p) but still, some part of me would love to see some real good games. When you think C64, you think Commando, Green Beret, The Last Ninja 2, all with fantastic music, or / and interesting graphics. I remember some other youTuber reviewed this cart and C64 looked there like some ... Atari 2600 (because most of these games didn't show anything that C64 was recognized for). I love the concept of collecting carts, like you said - you can buy some for birthday or any other occasion, but still I would really love to see some ... better games that define platform or genre. That would be truly great.
Just got my black Founders edition in today and first impressions were very good. It definitely feels like a quality device. Tate mode takes some getting use to, but fun. I would have liked Bluetooth audio option and turbo functions. The schmups are hard and turbo helps even out the playing field. Overall I love it.
I just got an EXP and had to return it to Amazon. It kept freezing and crashing over and over. Other Amazon reviewers reported the same issue so I felt safer returning it. I will try to purchase one again in a couple months. It was nice while it functioned correctly. Luckily I still have my original Evercade and it plays everything just fine.
The key mapping feature is already present in the VS and they are planning to introduce it in the EXP as well. About the HDMI problems: did you update the firmware on the device to the latest version (3.0.3 I think)? It also needs to be emphasized that these games are legal (licensed) unlike in the other solutions where you have to "provide" your own ROMs...
Still find that Mega Drive and Saturn pads have the best D-Pads (depending on the controller model as some MD ones are bad) and for fighting games the 6 button layout is just perfect. That's why I love my 8bit.do M30s and wish they would make a handheld with 6 button layout, especially for my Saturn games. Also I don't play these old games with analogue sticks. Arcade and the better C64/Amiga ones were digital, micro-switch sticks (e.g. Competition Pro joysticks).
I’d love to see an Anbernic or Retroid with 6 buttons on the front. I know they’re not lacking in buttons but Saturn games would benefit from it but that’s not enough to justify the change I guess.
Only good thing about this is to buy the cartridges so you can emulate the games. If I purchased one of these I open it to check it worked and keep it to sell in 20 years time.
If my friend never gave me a handheld emulator and showed me how to do everything, I would pick this up. Now, I may pick it up for the collection aspect.
Sadly, mine disappeared in shipping. I lost not only the console but that discount coupon that was included in it for the stolen shipment delay. After all that, I couldn’t bring myself to buy about her Evercade product after having bought them all up to that point.
Hi, been following your channel for a while :) and I've recently bought the evercade exp. Although I was wondering what HDMI cable do you recommend? I don't seem to get it to work with a HDMI mini to HDMI adapter. I also tried to off it plug the HDMI and on it again.
Did you try plugging in an OTG hub into the USB C port? You might be able to use wired pads when you have it hooked up HDMI like a switch-ish mini console.
Good to know. I may have to do this and sell the exp. I actually don't like the way the Evercade exp sits in my hands vs the original. The extra shoulder buttons are pretty useless overall with the games available.
Why the hell would they not use a 4:3 screen? Makes like no sense at all... Also the cartridge is just a SD-card cover and SD-card have a short life span.
Hi i just ordered it, i have RG350, Miyoo mini, Pi... Great machines but i want something plug and play, and licensed and legal is in my opinion the right way how a company should do something like this. The library od games is decent for me and some great titles are announced, prices of the games are ok... Yeah this is a handheld (and with VS system the console also) for me.
The approach blaze took is definitely ideal for the world itself, not China or emulation enthusiasts. The only thing I really wasn't fond of on the original, was that HDMI mini port and the screen. everything else was acceptable, except for well... upgrading firmware. which, they did seem to fix apparently with this one
Nice video... I like both: cartridge/disc (as psp or vita) and emulation console, like anbernic or retroid. But my next step i thing will be ayn Odin ... to can play ps2 and gcube.
There are a few PSx games available now. 40 Winks (Piko Interactive 3) Actua Soccer (Gremlin 1) Speedball 2100 (Bitmap Brothers 1) Football Madness (Piko Interactive 2) And finally, Worms Armageddon (Worms Collection 1)
What a wasted opportunity. The screen aspect ratio is completely unsuitable for retro gaming and bundling game collections by publisher on a cartridge was a terrible move.
Aspect Ratio is the thing that drove me away from this console - it seems so lazy and cheap to me that they put a 5/3 screen on a console that can run games up to ps1! Most of other companies learned that lesson a long time ago and are releasing devices with a proper 4/3 aspect ratio, if device can only run older games until ps1
@@CSHummer no man. The reason is that 5/4 and 16/9 are super cheap screens from old smartphones and other devices (left in stock at warehouses)! It has nothing to do with their selection, but only with the price. 4/3 are much less used and therefore more expensive - _easy to check on AliExpress (even now, but especially 3 years ago, before all this new 4/3 handhelds)_ p.s. this is not a cheap device, and considering that they make money from selling games, they could have made an effort to make the console with a better quality 4/3 screen, analog sticks, etc.
No SD-card possability? then it is a nogo for me...or can one load games into it via Usb? - costs 180$ here in Sweden, so to expensive also, but nice machine otherwise! Levi in Sweden
Love the concept but the odd screen size, huge bezel and length of the handheld kill it for me... If you combined the area of the bezel along with the bars that you're forced to play with I'd bet that it would equate to just about the area of the screen itself. Very bizarre.
I have the original Evercade handheld and was disappointed with the non-laminated screen and the glare often made it unplayable. It's frustrating to hear the EXP has the same issue as I really want to back a company that is doing right by the original game publishers.
Have a look at some of the videos directly comparing the previous versions screen with the EXP's screen. The new screen is a proper IPS, and is higher resolution. The viewing angles are substantially improved. Don't take my word for it find the videos, or compare it for real. The difference is easy to see. I've noticed no circumstance in which this screen is any worse than any of my other handhelds. And it's never been 'unplayable' so to speak. edit: spelling
Disclaimer: If you receive the console by free, you have incentive to rated well. This is done to make sure to continue receive free items in the future.
Well, at the end he had more cons than pros, so what do you mean? Russ isn't the one to hide the cons and only talk about the pros like some other reviewers.
The switch is massively under powered vs price. They are trying to legit give experience and pay their way to developers vs the $50 handheld and majority people just play roms they don’t own..
The "just get roms" crowd are such zealots. A lot of the replies here go beyond criticism and into a kind of touchy, passive aggressive mode, like somehow this device threatens their collection of "legally grey" roms. It's okay, evercade aren't going to take your toys away! No one is saying you have to buy this console! For those of us who like this console, it has a lot of elements that raise it above the standard emulator, not least of which is the curation of lost or overlooked software. Because of evercade, I've played and replayed games I'd never heard of or had more or less forgotten. Meanwhile my anbernic devices are loaded with shady roms, some of which work, some of which don't, and the vast majority of which I will never play. They're two different experiences, and if you don't like the look of this one, there's no law that says you have to buy it. So calm down, because your insecurities are showing.
And the review - which was otherwise comprehensive and fair - has led a lot of people to assume that "all" the carts" are 35 bucks. They're not, most retail at about 20 bucks. Most contain between six and eight games (some contain more, some less), meaning each game is retailing for under 2 dollars a pop. Which, sure, is not as cheap as "completely free and stolen", but is still good value. Now if you'll excuse me, Cathedral isn't going to complete itself.
The problem I've always had with Evercade stuff is it always feels incredibly cheap for how much it costs. The Evercade VS especially is disconcertingly light and the cables on the controllers are pointlessly short. If they were FPGA devices I'd be able to forgive that much more easily but as it is it just feels overpriced. Plus not all the carts work on all Evercade devices, the Irem cart I think that's packed in with the EXP won't work with the VS for example. It's a real shame because they do pick some great lesser known stuff for their publisher carts, like having a Gremlin collection with Actua Soccer and Hardcore 4x4 on or the modern indie games they've published as well like Tanglewood.
I have no clue to what you are talking about. The cords on the controllers are very long and the Item cart does work on the VS. I have been playing it the last couple days.
These are nice and all but I just can't see paying so much for something that does so little. If it was FPGA I'd consider it but with cell phones and the abundance of handhelds that you can put emulators on, this just doesn't make sense. Then there's the fact you can get these games in many compilations for many systems for less money.
I think the point is that if you are old enough to appreciate these games you’ll appreciate having a physical cart cases manuals etc and stuff to collect (All officially curated and licensed)
I still don't get this guy talking about analog stick for arcade games. Arcade joysticks are digital and therefore a D-pad is more accurate input to the original. I'd rather not play an oldschool 2D game at all if I had to play it with an analog stick, just me I guess lol.
Even when a product isn’t for me-as this one is not-I always enjoy hearing your comprehensive, considerate perspective. Your extensive efforts are always appreciated!
Yeah me too! So much fun to watch or just hear in the background
Right. I like just to keep up on the market
Yeah, right guy You say everyone has moved now. From retro game. Not me Person Speaker. I think it's a fine piece of video game hardware. Better than anything out right now. And then includes the PlayStation 5 and Xbox x And it's much better than the switch. Cause this was bogged at me about the newer game systems. They were not retro enough. They were not old school enough. And then dumb analog sticks really got on my nerves. I prefer joysticks, 8 weight digital and 4 way digital D pads. Edwin gained without his goal damage That 1 game was out of gold in age. But I can see your problem. Not that old, so you wouldn't know anything about that. 🤩🤔😏😏😏🙂↕️🙂↕️👺🥷by mega gamer
You hit the nail on the head with the observation of fewer games and getting more from those actual games you have and interested in the most!. It's the approach I took with the miyoo mini, as soon as I set up a new SD card with onion OS and added original selected Box art for every individual game from Launch box database.
It's allowed me to complete Crash Bandicoot, Sonic CD, Rayman, Sonic 1, Lords of Thunder, To name a few, I Recommend anyone reading this try it too if nothing's getting completed or mastered. :)
I limited myself to only 800 games on my Batocera arcade build LOL
"Sonic CD IS LAME!" every kid who got Nintendo
Love the review. Got this off my kids for Christmas. I have enjoyed it they got me a couple of carts with it too. (Interplay 1 and Gremlin) playing actua soccer again was a blast from the past. All the games run well without any lag.
As someone who started gaming on a Game Gear, the device seems pretty intriguing.
The Game Gear was my first gaming device as well and it was amazing to have a backlit color screen at that time :) I really hope Evercade will do a Sega Game Gear game collection in the future though I am not sure there is a high chance for that...
I've been keeping an eye on this thing for a couple years now. The concept has always been intriguing to me. I love the idea of a retro console with physical cartridges. I have a ton of digital emulation devices loaded with ROMs on SD cards. But I'm also someone who loves physical games, having a collection, and that feel of what gaming on a handheld with physical games used to feel like. So it's super appealing. I've just not yet been able to justify the high cost of the console for what you get. $150 is kinda steep for what you get with its old hardware and sub-par display. Though I do think the carts are appropriately priced.
Did you get it?
No. I have the Capcom Super Pocket preordered, which plays these carts.
@@RFNY315
This family LOVES the Evercade ecosystem. We have 3 of the original portables and the VS console, along with the entire library so far. They release at $20 a cartridge so ignore the amazon shopping experience where people jack the prices up and buy it from one of the other retailers they recommend. I use Castlemania Games. There is a good amount of time between releases as well so it doesn't break the bank to collect for it like a Switch does. I like it because they support a lot of Indie developers and the games library so far is excellent. I have played games I heard of but never thought I would like... and ended up loving them. I give the experience a 10/10 honestly. I'm a fan. I don't think I will purchase the EXP however, I prefer the original portable. Thanks for the honest video!!!
I wanted to mention that the price should be $20 as well. The amazon prices shown were the aftermarket prices.
Was watching another hardware review on a different channel. Stopped it and switched over here as soon as TH-cam showed me you had a new video out.
On the carts side, those I’ve found the most interesting are the indie ones. Mega Cat for £15 (~$19) seems pretty solid. Some of the other stuff is variable, but I appreciate a company going down the licensed route. Pretty rare these days, especially for a fully expandable system (rather than a one-and-done retro TV games console).
Like the previous model, the screen is the biggest let down. No OCA laminated display is quite a deal breaker and 5:3 4.3” doesn’t seem like a great experience in 2023. They did it to keep costs down in my opinion. So the point of this is physical carts but as they contain nothing more than flash cards I’d worry about collecting and long term reliability. There has already been stories of cards failing. The whole Evercade investment is one I just don’t see as viable and better experiences can be had elsewhere.
I agree. I have seen fewer releases since the release of this system. I feel like there are a lot more games out there that could be ported that are even better then the current library. I didn’t like that they started putting digital games on the system but they had to play ball with Capcom for their games. I sold my original Evercade and they have nothing that worth the cost.
Quite liked this review. Showing the ups and downs of the handheld. Other videos that has shown the Exp only did a "features" video, while this one took a more critical view of it.
I love the idea of this thing, and I think its a beautiful piece of hardware. Despite owning several powerful emulation handhelds, Id still be open to paying for the experience of collecting carts and especially those beautiful manuals (still the biggest loss of the last decade in gaming imo). The library just isn't yet tailored to my particular era of nostalgia and taste. I love Capcom fighters, but beyond that I really would like to see this thing get some classic JRPGs (a Square cart would be amazing), and potentially some PS1 classics.
Either way, I hope the company is doing well and continues to grow the catalog. Ill likely end up buying one if the kind of games I'm more into start coming to it.
It's a curious device. I've recently upgraded to an EXP, and I've got a VS, and I've also kept the original so I could hypothetically play 4 player games using the handheld consoles as controllers.
So I do like it, quite a lot! But I've got an Anbernic RG351MP too, and I'd say that is, objectively speaking, a VASTLY better value investment. But having cartridges to choose from is a different experience.
For me the benefit is mostly from more thoughtfully playing somewhat obscure games I'd be unlikely to try otherwise. The manuals help with that too, giving the background on the game and devs/publisher. It's nice to have officially licenced stuff of course, but for me it's the extra 'packaging' that's fun. I see it as a nice (albeit expensive!) compliment to the usual emulation stuff. It's not for everyone by any means, you obviously don't need to do this to enjoy playing obscure games, but it does have a certain charm to it.
Also: the EXP is a very worthwhile upgrade on the original, imo. I find I actually want to use it a lot more now it has a pretty nice screen.
I got one because the carts are officially licensed and I like playing retro games legally. Also the dpad is sublime.
Worth it for Renovation, Toaplan, and Irem. I love it
it is legal to emulate any game. the only gray area is hosting a rom distribution website.
@@lloyd011721 I said what I like about it and where my conviction lies. When legal ways to play a game exist, I prefer those ways. This is a fun way to play them as well.
Were you also the f'in hall monitor at school?
@@lloyd011721 That at best depends on territory and shifting law. In the UK, there is law that afford you the right to make a backup of software, because tapes and disks back in the day were fragile. But you also have no right to breach DRM. Legally, format shifting has no basis bar in very specific circumstances relating to accessibility. So as a blanket statement, the notion it’s legal to emulate games is fuzzy at best.
@@lloyd011721downloading a Rom from a website is an illegal act too
A very cool concept, and definitely one I am glad has had enough support to get this far, but one I am not sure if is for me, exactly.
Wow Russ! I didn't expect this video, love the Evercade! Thank you!
I've been waiting for Russ to review this. A few minor issues are the light bleed, audio is cheap in that it's not loud enough, the audio jack is cheap and outdated too, not compatible with all wired headphones, also no Bluetooth, only other color is black if you buy the limited edition. Hopefully they iron out these issues with the next iteration.
I really enjoy the Evercade and I'm hoping for more releases that utilize the TATE mode.
What is tate mode?
@@BeastCake1349 Basically it's "rotate" mode, so a game like Ghosts and Goblins is a 4:3 Landscape game, 194x will be a 3:4 or Portrait game.
@@brianjones8107I see. Cool. Thanks!
Instruction manuals rock. And in color! I'm in love.
First time viewer opinion: your video is very in-depth and covers many important details. You appear to know what you are talking about re: retro gaming, and to be familiar with the retro gaming market (it's ups and downs)
Bottom line: I trust you to provide accurate information. I usually have trust issues during first impressions.
Very good presentation.
I'm sure this advice is perfect for certain people. It's definitely not for me as there are a lot of downsides to this compared to other products in this price range, but I'm still glad it exists.
This has got to be one of the coolest emulator handheld I've ever seen thank you retro gaming corps for keeping the spirit of gaming alive!
From a console collecting perspective I can see how this makes sense albeit expensive this would look sleek on a shelf with the game cases near it. That being said there are so many better ways to do this via emulation (I know this isn't the licensed way, but these games are over 20 plus years old or older which means that emulation isn't necessarily taboo with games this old). Still if I had money to burn I would buy this and all the cartridges as a collection piece. Great review and cool little niche unit that can just boot up and simply play games!
I like the physical instruction manuals. I miss those.
I loved your review of this device, you are always so thorough and your videos are just so well done. I automatically don't like this device because the screen is just too small for my older eyes, but I like the concept.
I love the idea of keeping physical cartridge base gaming alive I love the fact that channels like this cover this product I think it’s great and it definitely has its place however for myself I can do any of this stuff to the degree of my interest on the Nintendo switch and I would just rather order a base model steam deck next over anything else as my PC died in December ✊💫
Keep up the good work Russ!
134 days no alcohol thank God for Andrew Huberman! 🏆🥇❤️🏅
I was on the fence, but then I saw the interplay collection featuring boogerman and clay fighter?!?! Holy sweetness!
I remember reading it has this aspect ratio to play Lynx games well, but I personally believe that was a cop out and it was actually cheaper to mass purchase these 5:3 screens than 4:3 screens would’ve cost. Especially strange since Lynx games on a 4:3 screen (640x480) with black bars honestly don’t look bad because they are already so low res. And yeah, I considered this, but the lack of a 4:3 screen just put me off. I could definitely see some people who would enjoy such a handheld, but this isn’t for me.
Another reason is Native games. Cathedral and Donut dodo make use of the screen real estate.
Thank you for your honest review.
Been wanting a evercade for years this looks great and love the pockets just havent picked one up yet!
I really like this device, especially the Tate mode option, but while I like having a physical collection, I just don't have the space for a new system of large game cases and don't want to carry around large cartridges when traveling. I'd probably pick this up if they had digital version, which is a bit ironic considering it goes against their primary ethos
They are actually releasing 2 new handhelds under a different name that have capcom or taito games depending on the model you pick. Both will be only $60 each. They can also play the evercade cartriges as well.
This does look pretty nice. It’s hard to beat that switch screen and the steam deck screen. But still, I’m tempted to get this for some of the games that aren’t easily available in other digital l stores.
Definitely want that duke collection coming up.
Good boy galaxy looks good too
@@Sir.YeetusIIII’ll have to give it a look
Yeah no duh a 5”, 7” or 8” Hd Screen is going to look better than a 4” 480p screen.
@@Mister_Phafanapolis obviously. Reason I was thinking about it was for the Duke collections which are out now, and only available for this. But who knows; maybe there’s a chance for a switch release.
I wonder if the wider screen and L2/R2 buttons are to "future-proof" it for original titles or maybe some indie games.
That screen makes it look like a retro handheld from 5 years ago. I have a million handhelds, but if none of those existed I would have been into this. It would actually be fun to collect all the carts, ya know, if all the other handhelds didn’t exist.
Will you be getting the new version when it’s released soon?
Never got this one but thinking about getting the newer one and wondering if they’ve fixed some of the problems you mentioned.
I have been waiting on the sidelines watching evercade. I have even purchased the discontinued carts while I wait to jump in. I really appreciate the company and what they are doing, but I am just waiting until they get everything smoothed out before I get a console. There seems to be key features missing and hiccups with each iteration. I have faith they will sort things out, but they are rushing to do a lot in a short time. I am fine with all the price points assuming all the hiccups are smoothed out. One thing I would like to know for the EXP. I have never really gamed on s handheld and I am wondering if the small screen size will dimish the enjoyment. I am 50 and so are my eyes lol. I imagine many of the people intetested in evercade would be my age as well.
I practiced SFII a lot on SNES also! Not being able to change R1 & L1 is a deal breaker for me. Great video, btw 👍
There's an update out for it that adds Button Mapping
My Nintendo switch broke so I will get this as a replacement
Seems nicer than I visualized. Might just pick one up now..
this is really great review - thank you!!!
I love the idea behind Evercade, I really do support it and wish them great, I like cartridge system idea, but to be honest, the game selection is mostly rather average :(
I mean, I understand that licensing games that may have almost 40 years, trying to find out who owns the rights, or whether some company still exists must be difficult but still, my view is from consumer perspective. For example I owned C64 as a kid and then when I compare my favourite games with what C64 cartridge gives then ... most of these games are unfortunately pretty anonymous. Sure, I recognize Bruce Lee, Impossible Mission, I remember Winter Games but that's pretty much it (ok, Marauder is a decent game too).
I know it's hard to compete with roms, I know that it's not about quantity (on my RG552 I have probably around 2000 games selected and I don't use it because ... there selection is too big ;p) but still, some part of me would love to see some real good games. When you think C64, you think Commando, Green Beret, The Last Ninja 2, all with fantastic music, or / and interesting graphics. I remember some other youTuber reviewed this cart and C64 looked there like some ... Atari 2600 (because most of these games didn't show anything that C64 was recognized for).
I love the concept of collecting carts, like you said - you can buy some for birthday or any other occasion, but still I would really love to see some ... better games that define platform or genre. That would be truly great.
Just got my black Founders edition in today and first impressions were very good. It definitely feels like a quality device.
Tate mode takes some getting use to, but fun.
I would have liked Bluetooth audio option and turbo functions. The schmups are hard and turbo helps even out the playing field.
Overall I love it.
a couple games have turbo, namely the ones on Namco collection 2.
I just got an EXP and had to return it to Amazon. It kept freezing and crashing over and over. Other Amazon reviewers reported the same issue so I felt safer returning it. I will try to purchase one again in a couple months. It was nice while it functioned correctly. Luckily I still have my original Evercade and it plays everything just fine.
The key mapping feature is already present in the VS and they are planning to introduce it in the EXP as well. About the HDMI problems: did you update the firmware on the device to the latest version (3.0.3 I think)? It also needs to be emphasized that these games are legal (licensed) unlike in the other solutions where you have to "provide" your own ROMs...
Planning to introduce is not good enough, should be there straight out of the box, no excuses, that's just being lazy.
Still find that Mega Drive and Saturn pads have the best D-Pads (depending on the controller model as some MD ones are bad) and for fighting games the 6 button layout is just perfect. That's why I love my 8bit.do M30s and wish they would make a handheld with 6 button layout, especially for my Saturn games.
Also I don't play these old games with analogue sticks. Arcade and the better C64/Amiga ones were digital, micro-switch sticks (e.g. Competition Pro joysticks).
I’d love to see an Anbernic or Retroid with 6 buttons on the front. I know they’re not lacking in buttons but Saturn games would benefit from it but that’s not enough to justify the change I guess.
If they make a virtual online store it would be kick ass
Think I heard an update soon will let you change the buttons around for all games
You were right, that update is out now for this and the VS.
Only good thing about this is to buy the cartridges so you can emulate the games. If I purchased one of these I open it to check it worked and keep it to sell in 20 years time.
Yep exactly what it was built for
Oh man, I can't wait to see these in 5 years on Crowbat, Ashens and Techmoan's channels!
If my friend never gave me a handheld emulator and showed me how to do everything, I would pick this up. Now, I may pick it up for the collection aspect.
Omg i love this so much!! I just wish there were more rpg games (rather than arcade games)
I am only here to say one thing
The idea of wanting an analog stick to play an arcade game instead of a Saturn style D Pad is actually insane to me
I could see wanting a clicky joystick but an analog stick wouldn't feel right.
Sadly, mine disappeared in shipping. I lost not only the console but that discount coupon that was included in it for the stolen shipment delay. After all that, I couldn’t bring myself to buy about her Evercade product after having bought them all up to that point.
Thanks for the video.
Here's hoping we get a Super Pocket review from you.
I have the same problem when playing games. I spend too much time scrolling spoilt for choice and end up playing nothing.
Did you check for a firmware update? I've watched other reviews and they don't have those HDMI video or audio issues.
Yes, I checked and it’s on the latest firmware.
@@RetroGameCorps weird
Hi, been following your channel for a while :) and I've recently bought the evercade exp. Although I was wondering what HDMI cable do you recommend? I don't seem to get it to work with a HDMI mini to HDMI adapter. I also tried to off it plug the HDMI and on it again.
I’ve been collecting Evercade since it launched, some brilliant stuff on there , can’t believe they didn’t send you the Cathedral cartridge for free?
Did you try plugging in an OTG hub into the USB C port?
You might be able to use wired pads when you have it hooked up HDMI like a switch-ish mini console.
Glad to see Evercade in here :)
i upgraded my original evercade with a psp ips screen and that looks way better than the "new and improved" screen on my EXP .
Good to know. I may have to do this and sell the exp. I actually don't like the way the Evercade exp sits in my hands vs the original. The extra shoulder buttons are pretty useless overall with the games available.
@@richardg5301 There are a few PS1 games which use the L2 and R2 triggers.
Awesome!
There's a company called Eversd that sells a cartridge that you can provide your own micro sd card with your own roms
😊😊❤❤
9:11 I think one reason could be that they could buy this type of screen for really cheap in comparison to an ideal size
Final Fight isn't isometric.
Diablo is isometric.
That glare concern is a dealbreaker, for me at least.
Why the hell would they not use a 4:3 screen? Makes like no sense at all... Also the cartridge is just a SD-card cover and SD-card have a short life span.
Hi i just ordered it, i have RG350, Miyoo mini, Pi... Great machines but i want something plug and play, and licensed and legal is in my opinion the right way how a company should do something like this. The library od games is decent for me and some great titles are announced, prices of the games are ok... Yeah this is a handheld (and with VS system the console also) for me.
I really want to review this on my channel to but as a newly made channel its hard to get the stuffs
The approach blaze took is definitely ideal for the world itself, not China or emulation enthusiasts.
The only thing I really wasn't fond of on the original, was that HDMI mini port and the screen. everything else was acceptable, except for well... upgrading firmware. which, they did seem to fix apparently with this one
i wonder which is the best emulator to open all the old games
Nice video...
I like both: cartridge/disc (as psp or vita) and emulation console, like anbernic or retroid. But my next step i thing will be ayn Odin ... to can play ps2 and gcube.
If they make PSx, N64, and PS2 games for this console, then I'd be pretty interested.
There are a few PSx games available now.
40 Winks (Piko Interactive 3)
Actua Soccer (Gremlin 1)
Speedball 2100 (Bitmap Brothers 1)
Football Madness (Piko Interactive 2)
And finally,
Worms Armageddon (Worms Collection 1)
Isn't every video you make tecnically a unique video? :P
Cool
The d-pad and the screen aspect ratio presumably being good for Atari Lynx games are about the only positives I'm seeing.
will u make a pico 8 tutorial for anbernic rg35xx?
What a wasted opportunity. The screen aspect ratio is completely unsuitable for retro gaming and bundling game collections by publisher on a cartridge was a terrible move.
Aspect Ratio is the thing that drove me away from this console - it seems so lazy and cheap to me that they put a 5/3 screen on a console that can run games up to ps1!
Most of other companies learned that lesson a long time ago and are releasing devices with a proper 4/3 aspect ratio, if device can only run older games until ps1
Agreed!!! I don't get that, why so wide? Like that new Razer device, why so wide?
I wonder if it's so the vertical arcade games have a better aspect ratio
@@CSHummer no man. The reason is that 5/4 and 16/9 are super cheap screens from old smartphones and other devices (left in stock at warehouses)! It has nothing to do with their selection, but only with the price. 4/3 are much less used and therefore more expensive - _easy to check on AliExpress (even now, but especially 3 years ago, before all this new 4/3 handhelds)_
p.s. this is not a cheap device, and considering that they make money from selling games, they could have made an effort to make the console with a better quality 4/3 screen, analog sticks, etc.
I understand for original evercade but for new upgraded evercade really should have gone with 4:3 screen
Does it have a permanent PEGI 12 rating on the back?
I can't say as I don't have one, but it seems like it might be a sticker like the identical one on the mini SNES.
I suspect a 4:3 screen would have been more expensive stock part availability-wise... the only reason I can think of.
No SD-card possability? then it is a nogo for me...or can one load games into it via Usb? - costs 180$ here in Sweden, so to expensive also, but nice machine otherwise! Levi in Sweden
What is the game title of the submrine game? Thanks
Love the concept but the odd screen size, huge bezel and length of the handheld kill it for me...
If you combined the area of the bezel along with the bars that you're forced to play with I'd bet that it would equate to just about the area of the screen itself.
Very bizarre.
Rg405v is the best. Wish the rg353v and rg405v had a super powerful cousin that was a little smaller than the rg405v
11:09 Aren't there mapping options built right into the game?
Nope. It’s coming in a firmware upgrade soon, but it’s not on the EXP yet.
I’ve 3d printed a handle for Tate mode, much better
I have the original Evercade handheld and was disappointed with the non-laminated screen and the glare often made it unplayable. It's frustrating to hear the EXP has the same issue as I really want to back a company that is doing right by the original game publishers.
Have a look at some of the videos directly comparing the previous versions screen with the EXP's screen. The new screen is a proper IPS, and is higher resolution. The viewing angles are substantially improved. Don't take my word for it find the videos, or compare it for real. The difference is easy to see. I've noticed no circumstance in which this screen is any worse than any of my other handhelds. And it's never been 'unplayable' so to speak.
edit: spelling
@@isaidgooddaysir2585 That's encouraging to hear. I'll check out the comparisons. 👍
I don't really get the point of emulated repro cartridges but it's cool it exists I guess
Disclaimer: If you receive the console by free, you have incentive to rated well. This is done to make sure to continue receive free items in the future.
Well, at the end he had more cons than pros, so what do you mean? Russ isn't the one to hide the cons and only talk about the pros like some other reviewers.
150$ for 50$ perfomance
The switch is massively under powered vs price.
They are trying to legit give experience and pay their way to developers vs the $50 handheld and majority people just play roms they don’t own..
The "just get roms" crowd are such zealots. A lot of the replies here go beyond criticism and into a kind of touchy, passive aggressive mode, like somehow this device threatens their collection of "legally grey" roms. It's okay, evercade aren't going to take your toys away! No one is saying you have to buy this console! For those of us who like this console, it has a lot of elements that raise it above the standard emulator, not least of which is the curation of lost or overlooked software. Because of evercade, I've played and replayed games I'd never heard of or had more or less forgotten. Meanwhile my anbernic devices are loaded with shady roms, some of which work, some of which don't, and the vast majority of which I will never play. They're two different experiences, and if you don't like the look of this one, there's no law that says you have to buy it. So calm down, because your insecurities are showing.
And the review - which was otherwise comprehensive and fair - has led a lot of people to assume that "all" the carts" are 35 bucks. They're not, most retail at about 20 bucks. Most contain between six and eight games (some contain more, some less), meaning each game is retailing for under 2 dollars a pop. Which, sure, is not as cheap as "completely free and stolen", but is still good value. Now if you'll excuse me, Cathedral isn't going to complete itself.
The problem I've always had with Evercade stuff is it always feels incredibly cheap for how much it costs. The Evercade VS especially is disconcertingly light and the cables on the controllers are pointlessly short. If they were FPGA devices I'd be able to forgive that much more easily but as it is it just feels overpriced. Plus not all the carts work on all Evercade devices, the Irem cart I think that's packed in with the EXP won't work with the VS for example. It's a real shame because they do pick some great lesser known stuff for their publisher carts, like having a Gremlin collection with Actua Soccer and Hardcore 4x4 on or the modern indie games they've published as well like Tanglewood.
I have no clue to what you are talking about. The cords on the controllers are very long and the Item cart does work on the VS. I have been playing it the last couple days.
I have to agree with Mr Todd here. The cables are freaking long on the controllers and the Irem cart works just fine. Maybe your cart is defective.
The only carts that don't work on vs are namco
Great video I watched it 5 times
Really? At what speed?
You can time travel? Jealous lol
Lack of button mapping is a massive detriment to this system. Surely they can patch this feature in right?
They have indeed.
the screen be mad small for the size of the unit
These are nice and all but I just can't see paying so much for something that does so little. If it was FPGA I'd consider it but with cell phones and the abundance of handhelds that you can put emulators on, this just doesn't make sense. Then there's the fact you can get these games in many compilations for many systems for less money.
Legal
@@green929392 i care about a companies bottom line exactly as much as they care about mine. Gimme my 50,000 games plz.
The officially licensed and collectible cartridges.
‘So much’, isn’t this like a 100 bucks?
I think the point is that if you are old enough to appreciate these games you’ll appreciate having a physical cart cases manuals etc and stuff to collect (All officially curated and
licensed)
Can,t user Nintendo 64 PlayStation download now on evercade Exp 🤔
Where is cartridge 03, 04, and 06?
I still don't get this guy talking about analog stick for arcade games. Arcade joysticks are digital and therefore a D-pad is more accurate input to the original. I'd rather not play an oldschool 2D game at all if I had to play it with an analog stick, just me I guess lol.