![]() ![]() You can also set a coin limit for games to avoid the temptation of simply feeding credits to beat them. We also like the ability to play the games in 'competition mode', which disables save states. ![]() ![]() However, Bubble Bobble clone Snow Bros is also superb, while Teki Paki – a rare puzzle release from Toaplan – is something of a hidden gem and is sure to gobble up a lot of your spare time.īecause the EXP boasts an improved 1.5Ghz chipset, the emulation on all of these games is pretty much flawless. Given Toaplan's reputation as one of Japan's foremost shmup factories, it should come as little surprise to learn that the likes of Truxton, Flying Shark and Zero Wing are the highlights here – the first two of those titles benefit from TATE support on the EXP, too. While it's not included with the base version of the EXP, the console is launching alongside another new cartridge which covers some of Toaplan's greatest hits: We'd like to have seen a few more of IREM's arcade classics included here – Undercover Cops, Image Fight, X-Multiply and Gunforce, to name just a few – but we'd imagine that Blaze intends to produce more IREM collections in the future, so there's plenty of time. A shmup set underwater, it's a gorgeous-looking title – and it packs a serious challenge, too.īattle Chopper is also worth a look, as is the Shinobi-style action title Lightning Swords. However, our personal favourite on this cart is In The Hunt, which was created by the same team that would later produce the seminal Metal Slug. R-Type will need little in the way of introduction and is likely to be a title that will convince many to plump up the cash for this device. Image: Damien McFerran / Time ExtensionĪlso in the box you get IREM Arcade Collection 1, a physical cartridge which includes: Factor in the ability to play 1943 and MERCS in 'TATE' mode, and the package becomes even more appealing. Final Fight, Strider, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Captain Commando and Street Fighter II’: Hyper Fighting are some of the most acclaimed arcade titles of '80s and '90s, and having them in portable form is a real delight. Street Fighter II’: Hyper Fighting (Arcade version)Īs you can see, there's a mix of arcade and home console titles there, and while they've all been seen elsewhere (Capcom itself has released many of these games on modern platforms via its Arcade Stadium series), few would argue the fact that this collection represents some of the most exciting games to come to Evercade so far.This is a minor complaint, however, when we're really pleased to see such a cool function included in a device like this – it certainly opens up the door for more authentic support for a wide range of arcade titles, including some of the best coin-op shmups. It does take some getting used to playing in TATE mode, as the unit has been primarily designed with 'horizontal' play in mind it sometimes feels like it's too top-heavy and is going to slip out of your hands. Two additional action buttons – located on the left-hand side of the screen – complete the control setup when played in this way. A button on the bottom edge of the Evercade EXP rotates the screen so you can play arcade titles like Truxton and MERCS in the correct orientation. The real star of the show is the EXP's 'TATE' mode. We have to admit, we've been spoilt by the screens on the Switch OLED and Analogue Pocket, both of which (it should be noted) cost significantly more than the Evercade EXP. The screen is definitely a step up, then, but's not totally perfect the overall level of brightness is decent, but we'd argue it could perhaps have been a touch higher – although we'd imagine this would have had a detrimental impact on battery life. Is it a solid evolution or a step backwards? Let's find out. Now, more than two years after the launch of the Evercade line, we're getting a new handheld console, the EXP. While the Evercade clearly doesn't need to sell in Switch-style numbers to be considered a success, it has nonetheless performed admirably in commercial terms – so much so that we've seen a steady stream of cartridges since 2020 and even a home console variant in the form of the Evercade VS. The concept of a physical-only gaming portable which played retro games might not sound outlandish on paper, but the video game industry is moving closer towards a wholly-digital distribution model with each passing year, so there was a very real concern about whether or not people would actually buy a machine that relied solely on physical cartridges.Ī few years on, it would appear that such pessimism was unfounded. When Blaze launched the original Evercade back in 2020, it felt like a pretty bold experiment. ![]()
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