Introducing the Evercade Alpha: A New Addition to the Evercade Ecosystem
Blaze Entertainment surprised gamers in May 2020 with the release of the Evercade handheld and 10 game cartridges, featuring a variety of retro games. Since then, the company has expanded its offerings with additional handhelds, consoles, and smaller Super Pocket handhelds under the Hyper Mega Tech brand, along with over 50 new multi-game cartridges. Now, Blaze Entertainment introduces the Evercade Alpha, a bartop arcade machine that not only comes with a great selection of built-in games but also provides access to the entire Evercade library. While the Evercade Alpha may not revolutionize the bartop arcade category, it offers a fun new experience for retro gaming enthusiasts.
The Evercade Alpha is available in two versions: Street Fighter and Mega Man, each showcasing six built-in Capcom games that align with their respective themes. Both versions feature a visually appealing design, with the Mega Man edition reflecting the arcade style of Mega Man: The Power Battle, and the Street Fighter edition reminiscent of Street Fighter II: Champion Edition.
On the front of the Evercade Alpha, users will find a light-up faux coin slot power button situated between two cartridge slots. Additionally, the machine features a 3.5mm audio jack and USB-A port for player 1 controller connection, along with another USB-A port for player 2 controller connection below the cartridge slots. The volume control is located just below the power button, and the speakers are positioned on the left and right sides of the cabinet.
Exploring the Evercade Alpha’s Features
The control panel of the Evercade Alpha includes a bat-top digital arcade joystick, six colored digital arcade buttons, and small buttons for Start, Select / Coin Up, and Menu functions. The machine boasts an 8-inch 1024 x 768 resolution IPS display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, along with a light-up marquee positioned above the display.
Inside the box, alongside the Evercade Alpha, users will find two additional marquees, a USB-C to USB-A power cable, a USB-A power adapter with plugs for different regions, and a quick start guide. Setting up the Evercade Alpha is a straightforward process that involves removing it from the box, peeling off the protective plastic, powering it on, selecting language preferences, setting up Wi-Fi, updating the system, and diving into gameplay.
Both the Mega Man bartop arcade and the Deluxe Edition of the Street Fighter bartop arcade were evaluated. The Deluxe Editions feature additional marquee art and upgraded Sanwa arcade parts, enhancing the gaming experience. While setting up the machines, minor issues such as plastic residues and small dings were encountered, which are common with pre-assembled arcade products.
Delving into the Evercade Alpha Gaming Experience
The Evercade Alpha offers a diverse library of games, with built-in titles and access to a growing collection of cartridges. The menu system provides easy navigation through various options, including built-in games, inserted cartridge titles, game of the month, library details, and settings.
The Evercade Alpha supports digital controls for gameplay, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of titles from different platforms. The machine’s compact display, along with its impressive sound quality, delivers an immersive retro gaming experience. While multiplayer support is limited to two controllers at present, the Alpha offers the flexibility of adding external controllers for enhanced gameplay.
Overall, the Evercade Alpha provides a unique way to enjoy classic games in a compact arcade-style setup. With its ever-expanding library and user-friendly interface, the Evercade Alpha is a valuable addition to the Evercade ecosystem, catering to nostalgic gamers and retro gaming enthusiasts alike.