My latest Gadget Picks channel review is of a pair of retro-themed handhelds called the Super Pockets, which come from the same folks behind the Evercade ecosystem. Amazon has these in stock along with Evercade cartridges (compensated affiliate link).
The two units I looked at were the Neo Geo and Capcom editions, each loaded with a set number of arcade titles. The Neo Geo version includes 14 games and the Capcom one has 12, and both are designed to be self-contained devices that can also accept Evercade cartridges. The built-in games aren’t removable, and the spacer in the shell is just a bit of plastic, but physical Evercade carts (affiliate link) work the way they do on the other devices in the line.
Each model looks different and comes with different games, but the underlying internals are the same. They use a 2.8-inch IPS display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a 320×240 resolution. It’s a small screen but sharp and responsive, and input lag didn’t stand out as an issue. They’re compact units overall, and I found the ergonomics a little tight. The main buttons and D-pad are fine, but the rear buttons required by some of the Capcom fighters can feel cramped.
Most of the fun comes from the quality of the included libraries. The Capcom device brings in well-known arcade staples along with a few titles that required some creative control mapping, like Forgotten Worlds, which originally used a spinner. The Neo Geo model includes Metal Slug X among other familiar names. Not every title you might expect is here, and that may matter if you’re looking for a specific favorite, but the mix covers several genres and feels thoughtfully selected.
Gameplay is handled through a menu system that lets you create and load save states. From there, switching between games is quick. Getting out to the main launcher gives you a clean grid of the available titles. As was the case with the original cabinets, some games like Metal Slug still exhibit the slight slowdown they were known for, which feels true to the era.
Battery life is modest at around four hours, though the devices can run off USB-C power or an external battery. There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, and no wireless or online features to worry about. Firmware updates are possible, but at the moment only through Windows and only when tethered to a PC. Out of the box, there’s no account setup or onboarding—just switch it on and start playing.
I also tried the Evercade cartridges they sent along. Each comes in a plastic case with artwork and a small manual inside, and the carts slide into the back of the handheld similar to a Gameboy. To access cartridge games, you quit back to the main menu, open the Evercade section, and let the handheld read the cart. From there, the titles load and function the same as the built-in ones, complete with save states and quick access to control instructions. Elevator Action and Operation Wolf were on the two Taito cartridges I tested. Operation Wolf originally used a mounted Uzi-style light gun, so the D-pad-controlled reticle takes a little mental adjustment, but the gameplay is intact.
These handhelds aren’t open platforms and don’t have an established jailbreak, so you’re limited to the built-ins and whatever Evercade cartridges you add. For casual pick-up-and-play sessions or for someone who has a soft spot for specific Capcom or Neo Geo titles, they are similar to other licensed mini collection hardware devices.
The difference here is the ability to expand them a bit with physical carts, which seems to be a large part of Evercade’s appeal. Collectors get something tangible, and the devices themselves remain simple and offline.
Disclosure: The handhelds and cart were sent to the channel free of charge by the manufacturer. However they did not review or approve this content prior to uploading and not other compensation was received.