I tried the ultimate retro games handheld — and this device is a throwback in more ways than one
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We’re in a boom period for video game handhelds. From the Nintendo Switch 2 to handheld PCs, like the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Xbox Ally X20, there’s never been more (and in my opinion, better) ways to take your games on the go. But while these devices focus on the new, the upcoming Evercade Nexus is carving out its own niche by focusing on the past.
The first Evercade hardware launched in May 2020, and six years on, the range has expanded to include home consoles and handhelds. The Evercade Nexus, due for release in October, is the company’s latest portable device, and a reminder that sometimes you just can’t beat the classics.
I got the chance to go hands-on with the Evercade Nexus and speak to Sean Cleaver, Head of Marketing at Blaze Entertainment (the company behind the Evercade range), at Gamescom 2026. I came away from this session convinced this little handheld could be a retro fan’s dream device.
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Into the Nexus
The Nexus marks several firsts for Evercade. It’s the company’s first portable with dual analogue sticks, and packs the largest screen of any Evercade handheld, with a 5.89-inch IPS display. Other features include wireless headphone support, dual stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6 support, and an estimated five hours of battery life, which comfortably beats the Switch 2.
While some previous Evercade handhelds, like the $59 Super Pocket, have gone for a more kid-friendly aesthetic, with brightly colored plastic, the Nexus takes a more unassuming approach. Its slick, black look wouldn’t stand out in a crowd, but I don’t think that’s a flaw. Plus, if you do want to add some color, the Nexus logo underneath the screen lights up and can be customized — though the default red option contrasts quite nicely.
When I first picked up the Evercade Nexus, it felt nice in the hand, and the “Ultra Bright” screen certainly lived up to its name. The device comes bundled with a Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack (a firm childhood favorite of mine, and what brought the Evercade Nexus to my attention), and the lush greens of the game’s first level, Spiral Mountain, looked particularly sharp.
The D-pad is also tactile, which is vital for a retro device with many games originally designed for systems that didn’t offer analog sticks. So this is an area that Evercade really needed to nail.
On the flipside, the triggers felt quite sluggish, but this was really my only sticking point (pun intended). For the most part, the Evercade Nexus seems a well-designed handheld. And it’s clear it’s been created with retro gaming at the forefront; it even offers a “Tate Mode,” which at the touch of a button lets you play vertical screen games the way they were designed.
For cartridge collectors
In a gaming landscape where Sony has announced plans to stop producing physical game discs, the conversation around actually owning your collection has never burned brighter. This gives the Evercade Nexus another big advantage, because it’s a handheld rooted in the good old days, where you got a box, a thick manual, and a physical cartridge that you own.
The system is compatible with Evercade’s entire range of existing cartridge-based software, and this library is impressive. There’s the usual assortment of compilations that include titles from Atari, Interplay, Namco and more, as well as collections dedicated to franchises like Tomb Raider, Doom and Duke Nukem. And it’s not all favorites from yesteryear either. Evercade has released retro-inspired modern indies like Full Void on cartridges as well.
If you take your retro gaming seriously or just want to get lost in a sea of childhood nostalgia, Evercade’s library is a treasure trove of games that shaped the industry as we know it. And while it is still a handheld released in 2026, meaning it has Wi-Fi connectivity and some online features, every cartridge is playable out of the box with no need for digital downloads.
If you buy an Evercade cartridge, the whole game is on the cart. It’s yours to treasure for years to come (or loan to a friend, or sell on, if you wish). You’re not buying a digital license; you’re buying full games, like the old days.
My verdict on Evercade Nexus (for now)
Launching in October for $199 / £169, the Evercade Nexus really could be the ultimate retro games handheld. It’s certainly not trying to compete with the Switch 2 or the ROG Ally by offering a AAA experience on a portable. Instead, it’s a nostalgia device that harkens back to a simpler time for gaming. Before always-online requirements and mandatory downloads.
Maybe that succinct pitch won’t appeal to the next generation of gamers, but for a certain type of player, it’s a message that will resonate. If you appreciate the classics and want a well-designed handheld device that successfully highlights the best of what video games used to be, the Evercade Nexus might be the portable console you’ve always wanted.
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