Evercade Alpha review: “an excellent cartridge solution to my arcade problems”

GamesRadar+ VerdictThe Evercade Alpha is a fantastic mini arcade machine that benefits from the platform’s expansive cartridge library. Its sharp 8-inch screen, punchy speakers, and superb arcade controls all make for a perfect at-home homage to the coin-ops era of gaming, and being able to use a wide variety of USB controllers adds a layer of console versatility. Skipping on HDMI output is a bit of a shame, but it’s not enough to keep this adorable cabinet from greatness.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$249.99at Amazon$249.99at AmazonPros+Compatible with Evercade cartridges+Slick built-in arcade controls+Authentic design with a modern twist+Fantastic screen quality+Punchy built-in speakersCons-No HDMI output GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict The Evercade Alpha is a fantastic mini arcade machine that benefits from the platform’s expansive cartridge library. Its sharp 8-inch screen, punchy speakers, and superb arcade controls all make for a perfect at-home homage to the coin-ops era of gaming, and being able to use a wide variety of USB controllers adds a layer of console versatility. Skipping on HDMI output is a bit of a shame, but it’s not enough to keep this adorable cabinet from greatness.TODAY’S BEST DEALS$249.99at Amazon$249.99at Amazon The Evercade Alpha is a fantastic mini arcade machine that benefits from the platform’s expansive cartridge library. Its sharp 8-inch screen, punchy speakers, and superb arcade controls all make for a perfect at-home homage to the coin-ops era of gaming, and being able to use a wide variety of USB controllers adds a layer of console versatility. Skipping on HDMI output is a bit of a shame, but it’s not enough to keep this adorable cabinet from greatness. TODAY’S BEST DEALS$249.99at Amazon$249.99at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$249.99at Amazon$249.99at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS$249.99at Amazon$249.99at Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS $249.99at Amazon$249.99at Amazon $249.99at Amazon $249.99at Amazon $249.99at Amazon $249.99at Amazon Pros+Compatible with Evercade cartridges+Slick built-in arcade controls+Authentic design with a modern twist+Fantastic screen quality+Punchy built-in speakers Compatible with Evercade cartridges Slick built-in arcade controls Authentic design with a modern twist Fantastic screen quality Punchy built-in speakers Cons-No HDMI output No HDMI output Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. As soon as I caught wind of the Evercade Alpha, I was pretty convinced I was going to adore the mini arcade machine. That’s not just because it takes one of my favorite gaming handhelds from last year and scales it up into an all-in-oneretro consolebattle station. In fact, it’s not even down to the pure love that’s gone into the bartop unit’s design. Ultimately, it’s the fact that this cabinet doesn’t force me to invest in something with just a few games installed, allowing me to treat it like a full blown platform. Of course, if you’re savvy with other Evercade devices like theSuper Pocket, you’ll know that it is just as much of a platform as the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Coming in at $249.99 / £229.99, it’s safe to say the Evercade Alpha is almost as much of an investment too. But, unlikeSony’s expensive adventure box, this arcade machine makes me feel like I’m standing on the sticky carpet of my local amusement park, clutching a bundle of prize tickets, waiting for a go on Street Fighter 2. I’ve been testing the Evercade Alpha Street Fighter 2 edition, but it’s worth noting there’s a Mega Man version too. The only difference between the two is their get-up and built-in games, and I’ve no doubt we’ll see more flavors in the future. However, getting hands-on with the formerCapcomtribute feels more appropriate since we’re talking about a system that embodies arcade gaming, and Blaze has pretty much nailed squeezing that vibe into a compact package. Design Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2 (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Measuring 16.5 inches tall, the Evercade Alpha is firmly what I’d call a bartop cabinet. This is, understandably, a popular format with now-adults looking to fulfill their dream of having a full-blown arcade machine in their home, and I’m certainly one of them. Naturally, I’d love to have an authentic full-sized unit in my kitchen, but Blaze’s mini system goes the extra mile to provide the same experience without replacing my refrigerator. I live in a small two-bedroom house and compromises always have to be made. The part that really has me excited is that the Evercade Alpha’s top banner is swappable. I love the idea of being able to dress up the cabinet like any retro game that takes my fancy.For most people that’ll mean using one of the three included banners, but I could see myself going the extra mile. Put it this way, if Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder ever makes its way to the platform, I can’t promise I won’t turn this unit into an homage. (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Moving down the system, you’ll also find a glowing faux coin slot that serves as the machine’s power button. This is a pretty nifty touch that’ll be lost on anyone who wasn’t around for the coin-ops era, and it’s the exact kind of subtle design I want to see in a premium arcade replica. It also helps prevent other modern inclusions, like the dual Evercade cart slots, volume rocker, and USB ports at the front, from sticking out, preserving the vibe that thiscouldbe an original piece of kit. The back and sizes of the Alpha aren’t exactly riveting, as the side panels use subtle blue decals with the Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition logo on each side. This is somewhat true to the original design, although most of the versions I’ve come across are actually black. Still, the Evercade unit is going with authenticity over wow-factor for this version specifically, and I can respect that. Would I have enjoyed some more cursed Street Fighter artwork? Probably, but it’s too easy to cramp the style of a nostalgia piece like this withtoo muchto look at. The Alpha uses a nice blend of wood and plastic, resulting in something that feels surprisingly like an OG machine to the touch. That’s more important than you’d think since you’ll be spending a lot of time with your wrists and hands resting on its surface, and going with an all-plastic body would hit the wrong notes in terms of physical experience. Sure, it might have brought the price of the Evercade machine down a tad, but this system’s target audience would rather pay extra for the right materials. Features (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) The Alpha isn’t remotely the first modern arcade machine on the block, meaning it has to go the extra mile to justify its existence. And oh boy, Blaze has certainly done that with this tabletop menace, making sure to squeeze almost every element you’d want in something aiming to fool your retro senses. Out of everything, controls are the one aspect that can make or break an arcade machine replica. Understandably, the fighting game community looks for an extremely high standard of buttons and sticks, and while I’d be lying if I said I was just as fussy, the “competition grade” switches in this unit feel pretty close to Sanwa parts to me. I’ll circle back to how they actually play when talking about performance, but including quality parts like this is a strong selling point. I’ve already touched on the glowing marquee, but it’s a feature that would actually push me to buy an Alpha if I spotted one on display. The subtle glow is well diffused and serves to highlight the gorgeous artwork on top rather than blind you with LEDs, and while it doesn’t quite replicate the often uneven glow of an old fluorescent tube, I don’t think I’d want it to. You’ll notice a pattern throughout my Alpha discussion in regards to blending old elements with elevated modern tech, and even the machine’s illumination is part of that. (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) One of the more prominent parts of the Alpha is undeniably its 8-inch IPS display, serving in place of the old CRT in an original machine. It’s 4:3, meaning it’s suited to most retro games and Evercade releases, and it’s sharp enough to provide the pixelated punch you’ll want from arcade games. Part of me would have liked to see Blaze replicate the curve of an old screen in some way, but that’s more me being a nerd than a dealbreaker. Before I get too caught up on the arcade side of things, I should emphasize that this is an Evercade console. That effectively means it’s designed around running the system’s expansive collection of cartridges, and this machine can take two at a time. The Alpha effectively mimics the setup of the Evercade VS, making use of a similar operating system and settings. Some of the usual suspects within an Evercade settings menu include a range of visual filters like scanlines, aspect ratio adjustments, and bezels for anything not in 4:3. There’s nothing too heavy to choose from on the system, which helps keep the process of playing more streamlined and approachable for those not into manual emulation. Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2 (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) One extra that has thankfully made it to the Alpha is the ability to map USB controllers, meaning you can use virtually any modern gamepad you like. This will naturally save you from forking out for other Evercade pads, but it also just makes the experience of playing classics on the mini arcade feel that bit more authentic. I’ll be testing a bunch of my favorites using a wirelessSegaGenesis pad and my wired PC Engine mini controller since both work wonderfully with this system. The Alpha has built-in Wi-Fi, just like many other modern mini arcade systems, but it’s not quite used in the same way as Arcade1Up machines. Rather than using the power of the internet for online multiplayer, connectivity is simply used to fetch OS updates and keep tabs on upcoming Evercade releases. You won’t be able to download any games since that’d defeat the whole ethos of maintaining a physical cartridge library in 2024, but it’s still a way to bring some of the digital convenience of modern console gaming.As well stacked as the Evercade Alpha is in terms of features, there’s one thing missing that would have helped to achieve perfection in my eyes – HDMI output. Yes, I know it’s meant to be used as a standalone machine rather than a home console, but it could have been both. Being able to hook up to an externalgaming TVor monitor would have rounded out this system’s versatility and helped it sit at the top of the Evercade food chain. Even Blaze’s firstgaming handheldhad mini-HDMI out, and including it with the Alpha would have helped protect its lofty price tag from potential scrutiny. Performance Image1of1(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of1(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of1 (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) It’s not just the screen that puts many other modern arcade cabinets to shame – those controls slap too. Perhaps it’d be fairer to sit the Alpha in a busy toyshop for a year and let children decimate its switches with aggressive button bashing, but I’m still convinced Blaze’s choice of switches is top-notch. Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) Image1of2 (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) In Street Fighter Alpha 3, I was able to pull off Cammy’s Spiral Arrow and Cannon Spike attacks just like I would with any other fight stick, further cementing the feeling of authenticity. I’d even go as far to say that I prefer using the mini arcade to a proper standalone set of buttons since the inherent weight of the machine helps keep things stable. It really helps that the buttons and sticks are light, tactile, and clearly designed with fighting games in mind, which isn’t always a given with arcade replicas like this. I started to realize how much of a versatile monster the Alpha actually is when I moved on to external cartridges. There are over 500 games available for the system across numerous releases, and exploring different genres on this arcade machine helps all of its elements shine. Should you buy the Evercade Alpha? (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton) It’s safe to say the Evercade Alpha is a mini arcade scene disruptor, and that’s before you even get to its cartridge support. Its fantastic controls and robust build quality help make the bar top cabinet more than just a talking piece for your gaming room, one that manages to capture the essence of coin-ops hardware using modern tech. Add in the fact that you can play over 500 games on this arcade machine and you’ve got a system that’ll cater to more than just retro enthusiasts. It’s just a shame that it isn’t armed with HDMI output, as being able to hook the Evercade Alpha up to your living room TV would actually make it a true console challenger. Perhaps we’ll be treated to an enhanced version that can serve as an all-inclusive Evercade option down the road, but in its current form, the Alpha is still a fantastic arcade machine that goes above and beyond simply serving up nostalgia. I’m honestly hyped to cozy up next to this machine and re-play Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for the millionth time, which hammers home its broad appeal and versatility. Evercade Alpha Street Fighter Edition games How I tested the Evercade Alpha I used the Evercade Alpha as a standalone arcade machine and a way to play Blaze’s separate cartridge releases for two weeks. During that time, I used the machine’s built-in collection of Street Fighter titles and individual games like Truxton 2 to test the unit’s controls, screen quality, and emulation accuracy, comparing the results to original hardware where possible. 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Carrey steals the show” 1 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature 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