A New Era for Evercade Portables

Evercade has officially announced the Nexus, a brand-new handheld gaming console designed to offer a more expansive experience than its predecessors. Moving away from the smaller form factors of the EXP-R, the Nexus introduces a significant hardware upgrade for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Display and Hardware Enhancements

The standout feature of the Nexus is its 5.89-inch display, a notable increase from the 4.3-inch screen found on the EXP-R. The resolution has been bumped to 840x512 pixels, transitioning from a 4:3 aspect ratio to a modern 16:9 widescreen format.

The console is built for better control and performance, featuring:

  • Dual analog thumbsticks for improved 3D gameplay.
  • A quad-core 1.5Ghz processor.
  • A 5,000mAh battery providing over five hours of playtime.
  • Integrated support for wireless headphones.

Exclusive Software and Cartridge System

The Nexus maintains Evercade’s signature ecosystem, utilizing proprietary cartridges rather than an app store or ROM downloads. It is not compatible with original media from platforms like Nintendo or Sega. Currently, the company offers a library of over 80 cartridges, totaling more than 700 officially licensed retro titles.

To showcase the new 16:9 display, the console will ship with a special cartridge containing enhanced versions of Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie. Additionally, the device introduces "EverSync," a wireless multiplayer feature that allows users to temporarily share games between Nexus handhelds, requiring only a single cartridge.

Pricing and Availability

The Evercade Nexus is scheduled to open for preorders on April 1st, with a retail price of $199.99. The company expects the units to begin shipping to customers in October 2026.