The short answer: to play Evercade cartridges on the go, get the EXP-R; to play with others on the TV, the VS-R; to get started without buying a cartridge, the Super Pocket, which comes with its own built-in games and also reads cartridges. All three play exactly the same official cartridges.
Article updated on 11 September 2026.
Evercade in a nutshell
Evercade is a retro gaming system based on physical cartridges. Each cartridge brings together several games from the same publisher or series — Atari, Activision, Tomb Raider… — released as licensed titles, with a full-colour manual. According to the manufacturer, the library includes more than 80 cartridges and more than 700 games, and every cartridge works on every console in the range.
It's the opposite of an emulation console: nothing to download, nothing to configure, and a game library you buy the way you used to. We explain why our emulation consoles, on the other hand, are supplied without any games, and where to find legal retro games on our where to play legally page.
Comparison table
| Feature | EXP-R | VS-R | Super Pocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Handheld console | Home console | Handheld console |
| Screen | 4.3-inch IPS, 800 × 480 | None, connects to a TV | 2.8-inch IPS, 320 × 240 |
| Built-in games | None | None | 14 to 50 depending on the edition |
| Evercade cartridge slots | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| TV output | No | HDMI 1080p (cable not included) | None announced |
| Multiplayer | — | Up to 4 players, 4 USB ports | — |
| TATE mode (vertical screen) | Yes, dedicated button | — | — |
| Power | 3,000 mAh battery, 4 to 5 h claimed, USB-C | Mains power, micro-USB 5 V 2 A (adapter not included) | Battery, USB-C charging |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, for updates | Yes, for updates | — |
| In the box | Console, USB-C cable | Console, controller (3 m cable), micro-USB cable | Console, USB-C cable |
Dashes indicate a specification not provided by the manufacturer.
Playing on the go: the EXP-R
The EXP-R is the main handheld console in the range. Its 4.3-inch 800 × 480 IPS screen is noticeably larger and sharper than the Super Pocket's (2.8 inches at 320 × 240). A button activates TATE mode, which rotates the image for arcade games designed for a vertical screen; the TATE Grip that holds the console in this orientation is sold separately.
Two limitations to be aware of: the EXP-R has no built-in games and no TV output. The console-only version plays nothing without a cartridge; a bundle with the Tomb Raider Collection 1 cartridge is available.
Verdict
The best Evercade for handheld play, as long as you plan on at least one cartridge.
Playing on the TV: the VS-R
The VS-R is the only one of the three that connects to a TV, via HDMI 1080p. It has two cartridge slots, so you can keep two cartridges inserted, and four USB ports for up to four players locally.
The box contains only one controller: extra controllers, the HDMI cable and the mains adapter need to be bought separately. Like the EXP-R, it has no built-in games; a bundle with the Activision Collection 1 cartridge (15 Activision games from the Atari 2600 era, including Pitfall! and River Raid) is available.
Verdict
The right Evercade for the living room and family gaming. For other machines to connect to your TV, see our licensed retro home consoles.
Getting started without a cartridge: the Super Pocket
The Super Pocket is made by HyperMegaTech!, the brand from the creators of Evercade. Each edition includes games from one publisher: Taito (18 games), Atari (50), Technōs (15), Data East (18), NEOGEO (14), RARE (14) or Activision (34). You can play straight out of the box, and the cartridge slot lets you go further.
The trade-offs are real: a smaller screen, no announced TV output and, according to Evercade, no quick save and no button remapping, two features found on the other consoles in the range.
Verdict
The easiest way to discover Evercade: pick the edition whose games appeal to you, and the cartridges can come later.
What about the Super Micro?
Sold in our Evercade section, the Super Micro is a HyperMegaTech! keyring console with one to three licensed games (BurgerTime, Space Invaders, Centipede or Asteroids depending on the edition) and three AAA batteries. It does not read cartridges: it's a gift item, not a gateway into the Evercade library.
What about the announced Evercade Nexus?
Evercade has announced a new handheld console, the Nexus, for October 2026: a 5.89-inch 840 × 512 IPS screen, compatibility with all Evercade cartridges and no TV output, according to the manufacturer. We don't offer it at the moment. Good news for cartridges bought today: they will remain compatible.
Which one to choose for your profile
You mainly play while commuting
Get the EXP-R and at least one cartridge: it has the best screen in the range and is the only one with TATE mode.
You play with others, on the sofa
Get the VS-R, an HDMI cable and extra controllers: up to four players on the TV.
You want to play right away, without buying anything else
Get a Super Pocket in your favourite publisher's edition: the games are already built in.
You're looking for a small gift
The Super Micro fits on a keyring and includes an arcade classic.
Frequently asked questions
Do Evercade cartridges work on all consoles?
Yes. According to Evercade, every cartridge works on every console in the range: EXP-R, VS-R, EXP and Super Pocket. The only exception is the Super Micro, which has no cartridge slot.
What's the difference between the Evercade EXP and the EXP-R?
The EXP-R is a revision of the EXP refocused on portable play: it does not include the EXP's 18 built-in Capcom games, and its mini HDMI output has been removed. It keeps the 4.3-inch screen, TATE mode and compatibility with all cartridges.
Can you connect the EXP-R to a TV?
No, the EXP-R has no video output. To play Evercade cartridges on a TV, you need the VS-R.
Are Evercade games legal?
Yes. They are games licensed from their publishers and sold on official cartridges: there is nothing to download and no ROMs to look for.
Conclusion
All three consoles share the same game library: the choice comes down to how you play, not the games. The EXP-R for on the go, the VS-R for the TV, the Super Pocket for getting started without a cartridge. The whole range is gathered in our Evercade consoles section, and the other licensed machines in our official retro gaming selection. For all the other ways to replay the classics legally, see our guide to official retro gaming.