Why are Evercade cartridges so expensive?

The Evercade handheld console has gained popularity among retro gaming enthusiasts for its unique approach: it uses physical cartridges packed with curated collections of classic games. However, many players and collectors have noticed that Evercade cartridges tend to be pricier than typical digital game downloads or other retro game compilations. Why is that?

Let’s explore the reasons behind the higher price tags of Evercade cartridges and what makes them worth it for some gamers.

🔍 What Is Evercade?

Evercade is a handheld gaming system launched in 2020 designed specifically for retro gaming lovers. Instead of relying on downloadable games, it focuses on physical cartridges, each containing a curated set of licensed classic titles from various publishers.

💰 Reasons Why Evercade Cartridges Are Expensive

1. Official Licensing & Publisher Partnerships

Evercade cartridges feature officially licensed games from classic publishers like Atari, Data East, Namco, and Interplay. Securing these licenses costs money, and that cost is reflected in the cartridge price.

2. Physical Production Costs

Unlike digital downloads, producing physical cartridges requires manufacturing chips, cases, labels, and packaging. These costs add up, especially in smaller production runs compared to mass-produced modern cartridges.

3. Curated Game Collections

Each cartridge bundles a selection of handpicked games, often rare or hard-to-find titles, saving gamers time and effort in hunting down individual games. This curation adds value, which influences the price.

4. Limited Production Runs

Evercade releases cartridges in relatively limited quantities to maintain exclusivity and quality, which can increase per-unit costs compared to mass-market consoles.

5. Niche Market

Evercade targets retro enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for authenticity, physical media, and curated experiences — not the mass market. The smaller audience means higher costs per item.

🎯 Is It Worth It?

For collectors and retro gaming purists, Evercade cartridges offer:

• Authentic physical game ownership.

• Portable and legal access to multiple classic titles.

• Easy plug-and-play with no complicated emulation setup.

If you value convenience, official licensing, and physical cartridges, the price is justified. However, casual gamers might find cheaper alternatives in digital compilations or emulators.

🛒 Where to Buy Evercade Cartridges?

• Evercade Official Store

• Amazon

Evercade cartridges’ prices reflect their official licensing, physical production, curated game selections, and niche appeal. While they are pricier than digital alternatives, they deliver a unique experience for retro gaming collectors who cherish physical media and classic games in a convenient handheld format

The retro gaming scene has exploded with new handheld consoles designed to bring back classic gaming experiences on the go. Among these, the Evercade stands out with its unique cartridge-based system and officially licensed games. But how does it compare to other popular retro handhelds like the Anbernic RG series, Analogue Pocket, and more?

In this blog, we'll break down the main differences, pros, and cons of Evercade versus other retro handhelds to help you decide which might be the best fit for your gaming needs.

🔍 What Makes Evercade Unique?

• Cartridge-Based System: Evercade uses physical cartridges, each containing curated collections of licensed retro games, creating a tangible, collectible experience.

• Official Licensing: Games are legally licensed from well-known publishers.

• Portability & Simplicity: Plug in a cartridge and play without worrying about ROMs or complicated setups.

• Screen & Battery: 4.3-inch IPS screen, decent battery life (~4-5 hours).

• Price Point: Moderate, typically around $80-$100 for the console and $20-$40 per cartridge.

🆚 Evercade vs. Anbernic RG Series

Anbernic RG handhelds are open-platform devices that run emulators capable of playing thousands of ROMs from multiple systems.

• Flexibility: Anbernic supports a vast range of games and systems through emulators, not limited to cartridges.

• Game Library: User loads ROMs, so no licensing issues and massive variety.

• Display & Build: Varies by model, often featuring 3.5 to 4.95-inch IPS displays, good build quality.

• Price: Similar or slightly higher than Evercade, but often includes thousands of games pre-loaded or user-loaded.

• Legal Aspect: Users need to provide their own ROMs, which can be legally gray.

Summary: Anbernic offers more gaming freedom but requires some tech-savvy and ROM management. Evercade offers a plug-and-play, fully legal, cartridge-based system.

🆚 Evercade vs. Analogue Pocket

Analogue Pocket is a premium, FPGA-based handheld designed to play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges with near-perfect hardware accuracy.

• Hardware Accuracy: Uses FPGA tech to replicate original hardware behavior flawlessly.

• Game Library: Supports Game Boy family cartridges natively.

• Display: High-resolution 3.5-inch LCD with amazing color accuracy.

• Price: Premium, typically $200+ just for the device.

• Expandability: Adapters available for other handheld systems like Game Gear, Neo Geo Pocket.

Summary: Analogue Pocket targets high-end collectors who want the best hardware fidelity for specific systems, while Evercade covers many systems with curated collections in a simpler, more affordable package.

🆚 Evercade vs. Other Handhelds (like Retro Game 350, Powkiddy, etc.)

• Emulator-Based: Most other retro handhelds rely on emulators and digital ROMs.

• Varied Quality: Display quality, controls, and build vary widely.

• Price: Generally budget-friendly but can lack polish or official licensing.

• Game Management: Users load their own ROMs, which requires some effort and involves legal considerations.

Summary: These offer large libraries and flexibility but lack Evercade’s official game licensing and cartridge-based physical collection experience.

🎯 Which One Should You Choose?

🛒 Where to Buy?

• Evercade: Amazon

• Anbernic: Official sites, Amazon, eBay

• Analogue Pocket: Official Analogue store, Amazon

💡 Final Thoughts

The Evercade console is ideal if you want a legally licensed, easy-to-use, cartridge-based retro handheld with a growing library of classic game collections. If you prefer maximum game variety and don’t mind handling ROMs, Anbernic’s emulation handhelds might be better. For the highest hardware accuracy and Game Boy-focused collectors, the Analogue Pocket shines.