Evercade bartop arcade machine is inbound, comes in Mega Man and Street Fighter flavors
(Image credit: Blaze)
Blaze, the company behind the Evercade and Super Pocket, just unveiled a new bartop arcade machine that uses the platformâs cartridges. Dubbed the Evercade Alpha, the handheld makerâs latest device is officially licensed, comes with six classic Capcom capers built-in, and pays homage to the publisher with Street Fighter and Mega Man designs.Â
Available to pre-order from June 4 for $229.99 / $199.99, the Evercade Alpha isnât just a chonky version of the companyâs best gaming handheld contenders. Sure, it holds the same values as portables like the Super Pocket in that it offers up a way to play retro console classics without downloads or ROMs, but itâs clear that Blaze is looking to go the extra mile for arcade cabinet enthusiasts this time around. Put it this way, if youâve been longing for an authentic bartop machine but canât be bothered forking out for an original in need of restoration, the Alpha may scratch your itch.Â
For starters, the Evercade Alpha comes armed with âcompetition arcade-grade controlsâ that should help you pull off slick Hadoukens in Street Figher 2. Extra USB ports mean you can invite your friends over for a beat down using Evercade VS or supported third-party PC controllers, which will come in handy when exploring the massive 500+ catalog of cartridge games using the machineâs dual slots.
(Image credit: Blaze)On the visual side of things, the Alpha has you covered with an 8-inch high-res IPS screen. Those of you who are looking to maintain that 80s amusement center vibe will perhaps be more interested in the machineâs bezel artwork, side panels, and light-up marquee, all of which help the new device look like cabinets of old. The marquees are also removable, giving you a bit of choice when it comes to the bartopâs overall vibe. Â
As for the games, here’s a handy list of every built-in game included with the Street Fighter and Mega Man versions of the Evercade Alpha:
Evercade Alpha Street Fighter 2 Edition gamesSuper Puzzle Fighter 2 TurboSuper Street Fighter 2 TurboStreet Fighter 2: Champion EditionStreet Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ DreamsStreet Fighter Alpha 2Street Fighter Alpha 3Evercade Alpha Mega Man Edition gamesFinal FightCarrier AirwingMega Man: The Power BattleMega Man 2: The Power FightersStriderKnights of the RoundShould you pre-order the Evercade Alpha?Â
(Image credit: Blaze)Iâve restored more than one authentic arcade machine in my time, and while I prefer the real deal, the Evercade Alpha could make for a compelling substitute. Not only will it require no assembly and run a multitude of classics using carts, but $229.99 / $199.99 is a pretty great pre-order price. Alternatives by the likes of Arcade1UP do bark up a similar bartop tree, but Blaze may have the edge thanks to its ever-growing cartridge ecosystem.Â
For example, you can pick up this Mortal Kombat 3 version at Amazon right now, and itâs down from $179.99 to $155.50. However, youâll only be able to play the MK Trilogy on this cab, whereas the Evercade Alpha will keep itself fresh using compatible cartridges. In a sense, youâre getting more than just a bartop machine with Blazeâs version, as you could easily plug in a gamepad and even use it for playing upcoming 3D releases like the Tomb Raider Trilogy.Â
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Ultimately, if you do pick up an Evercade Alpha, youâll be investing in an ecosystem of retro games you can play at home and on the go. The new bartop isnât cheap, but for under $250, youâre getting a machine thatâll serve as its own platform without needing to be online or receive updates. Iâm sure there are a few of you out there who long for the simplicity of â90s gaming, and thatâs exactly who these new machines are for. Just try to keep your head when your opponent spams you with moves in Street Fighter 2, as unlike old cabinets, these devices are probably throwable.Â
Looking for something beefier? Check out the best gaming PCs and best gaming laptops for powerhouse rigs. Alternatively, Swing by the best Steam Deck accessories and best Steam Deck dock if you want to get the most out of Valveâs portable.Â
Iâve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Donât get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parentâs VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyerâs guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, Iâm your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and itâs my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether youâre a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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