Evercade’s New Cartridge-Based Arcade Machine Is Up For Preorder At Amazon
Retro gaming hardware continues to enjoy a renaissance, and few companies have embraced the nostalgia as wholeheartedly as Blaze Entertainment. The British publisher launched its Evercade platform in 2020 and, in the process, reintroduced players to the joys of physical cartridges and curated game collections. Now the company is preparing to release the third version of its compact Evercade Alpha bartop cabinet. The new Taito edition is themed around the Bubble Bobble franchise and, for the first time in months, you can secure a preorder at Amazon ahead of its launch this November.
Evercade’s thriving cartridge ecosystem
Modern consoles and digital storefronts have made physical media feel quaint, but the Evercade ecosystem proves that cartridges still have a place. Blaze Entertainment has released more than 75 carts since 2020, each one containing a themed collection of games from a particular publisher, system or genre. There are nearly 50 console collections, 20 arcade compilations and 10 sets focused on home computer games. These little cartridges typically retail for around $30 and hold between half a dozen and a couple of dozen games, all packaged in miniature plastic cases complete with printed manuals.
The library spans decades of gaming history. Many carts offer classic 8‑bit and 16‑bit games, but Blaze has also reached into the early 3D era; one cart contains the first three Tomb Raider games and another features Legacy of Kain titles. Indie developers have also joined the roster: collections like Roguecraft and Goodboy Galaxy showcase retro‑inspired titles created within the last few years. Because the carts are hot‑swappable, Evercade systems feel more like an old‑school console than a typical mini‑arcade machine or emulation box.
Introducing the Evercade Alpha Taito Bartop Arcade
The Evercade Alpha line combines Blaze’s cartridge ecosystem with the form factor of a countertop arcade cabinet. The original models, themed around Mega Man and Street Fighter, launched in late 2024 and sold out quickly. Those editions have remained unavailable at US retailers for months, making the upcoming Taito version the first chance to get your hands on an Alpha in some time.
This newest model sports a turquoise and white color scheme inspired by Taito’s beloved Bubble Bobble series. It comes preloaded with ten classic Taito games: Bubble Bobble, Puzzle Bobble, Space Invaders, Cadash, Rastan, Elevator Action, The FairyLand Story, Growl, The Legend of Kage and The New Zealand Story. Those titles alone represent a cross section of the Japanese publisher’s 1980s and early 1990s output, from single‑screen co‑op platformers to side‑scrolling action games and iconic shooters.
Under the hood, the cabinet uses a 1.5 GHz RK3326 processor and 512 MB of DRAM, the same silicon that powers the Capcom variants. The 8‑inch IPS display has a 4:3 aspect ratio and looks crisp and colorful. A ball‑top arcade stick, six face buttons, two USB controller ports and a pair of cartridge slots complete the control scheme. Unlike many mini‑arcades, you can plug in your own controllers—wired by default or wireless via an optional 8BitDo USB wireless adapter—and enjoy two‑player games without crowding around a tiny cabinet. The unit weighs around 13 pounds, making it light enough to move from a countertop to your coffee table or even your lap.
Because the Alpha runs the same Evercade OS found on the company’s other devices, the user interface is clean and easy to navigate. The preinstalled games serve as a starting point; players can augment the library by inserting any of the 75‑plus Evercade cartridges. Blaze currently offers 20 arcade collections, and the company plans to release additional carts focusing on Taito and Neo Geo later this year. Hidden digital games can be unlocked by exploring the system’s secret menu. For players who love tinkering, this adds a bit of treasure hunting to the experience.
Additional Evercade hardware for every play style
If a bartop cabinet isn’t your ideal way to play, Blaze has two other hardware options that tap into the same cartridge library. The Evercade EXP‑R is a handheld console with a 4.3‑inch high‑resolution screen and an eight‑way D‑pad. Two of its face buttons sit below the D‑pad to facilitate TATE mode, allowing you to rotate the device for vertical shooters. Although the EXP‑R is primarily a cartridge‑based handheld, it also includes a small selection of digital games that can be unlocked through the secret menu. The handheld measures roughly 7.7 × 3.1 × 0.8 inches and runs for four to five hours between charges.
The Evercade VS‑R is a home console that plugs into your television and outputs at 1080p. It has two cartridge slots and four USB ports, so you can keep multiple games loaded and enjoy multiplayer sessions. The VS‑R bundle includes one wired controller and the same Tomb Raider collection found with the EXP‑R. With the optional 8BitDo wireless adapter, you can pair a wide variety of Bluetooth controllers, including those from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. Like the Alpha, the VS‑R contains a hidden stash of digital games—thirteen and counting—that appear when certain cartridge combinations are inserted simultaneously.
A growing library of upcoming releases
One of the reasons to get excited about Evercade hardware is Blaze’s commitment to expanding the platform. In addition to the Taito Arcade collections releasing on September 25, the company has Neo Geo collections dropping on October 30 and a trio of Rare, Activision and Llamasoft compilations scheduled for November 27. Each collection will add a slate of new games to the system’s library and can be enjoyed on the handheld, home console or the new bartop cabinet. The cadence of new releases means that the platform remains fresh even for longtime owners, and the curated nature of the carts makes discovery easy.
Why retro enthusiasts should care
Beyond specs and game lists, the Evercade Alpha taps into the tactile charm of cartridge‑based gaming. Popping a cart into a slot, flipping the cabinet’s front hatch down and feeling the resistance of a quality joystick harks back to an era when gaming was less disposable. Evercade carts are physical media; once you own a cartridge, the games are yours to keep, and you don’t have to worry about digital storefronts shutting down or licenses expiring. That permanence appeals to collectors and preservationists alike.
The Alpha’s flexibility also sets it apart. You can play it on a countertop with friends using the built‑in controls, hook up a pair of arcade sticks for a more authentic feel, or even curl up on the couch and use the cabinet as a handheld. Because the machine is light and compact, moving it around the house is easy. And since it supports the entire Evercade library, it becomes a hub for hundreds of games spanning decades of gaming history.
Preorder details and final thoughts
Evercade’s Taito bartop arcade is priced at $260 and launches on November 12, 2025. Amazon’s preorder listing suggests that quantities are limited; the previous Mega Man and Street Fighter editions sold out quickly and haven’t returned to retailers, so fans hoping to secure the new model should act sooner rather than later. Preordering not only guarantees you a unit but also ensures that you can start exploring the Evercade library as soon as the cabinet ships.
For more information, you can read GameSpot’s in‑depth breakdown of the machine or visit Evercade’s official site to browse the cartridge catalogue. Whether you’re a retro purist, a casual gamer looking for a conversation piece, or someone curious about collecting physical games, the Evercade Alpha Taito bartop is an exciting addition to the company’s retro‑forward lineup. The blend of nostalgia, versatility and an ever‑expanding library makes this little machine one to watch.
