Blaze Evercade VS-R (2024)
Released by Blaze Entertainment in July 2024, the Evercade VS-R is a streamlined home console designed to deliver retro gaming directly to modern televisions. Under the hood, it features a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, 512MB of DRAM, and 4GB of internal storage running a customized Linux operating system. The system outputs a crisp 1080p resolution via HDMI and features built-in Wi-Fi purely dedicated to firmware updates. True to its retro inspirations, the physical design includes a functional front-loading cartridge lid reminiscent of the classic NES, but houses a unique dual-cartridge slot that lets players load and browse two separate game libraries simultaneously. It also accommodates couch multiplayer out of the box with four front-facing USB ports.
The console was introduced as a cost-effective replacement for the original discontinued Evercade VS, dropping the introductory price to £89.99 while keeping full backward compatibility with the massive, physical Evercade library. Reception from the retro gaming community has been highly positive, with critics and enthusiasts praising its robust build quality, enhanced display filters, and budget-friendly entry point into physical game collecting. While official sales numbers remain closely guarded by Blaze Entertainment, the console has maintained strong momentum and active shelf space across dedicated gaming retailers, solidifying its place as the definitive way to play the ecosystem’s 600+ licensed games on a big screen.
The standard “Neon Retro” edition of the Evercade VS-R features an eye-catching charcoal grey shell accented with vibrant turquoise details. This model comes bundled with the Tomb Raider Collection 1 physical cartridge, letting players dive straight into the classic 32-bit adventures of Lara Croft with a matching themed controller and a full-color printed manual.
| Blaze Evercade VS-R : Tomb Raider Edition (2024) | ||||
| Item | Box | Manual | Insert | Price |
 | | | | £59.99 |
| 1x Controller, Power Cable, HDMI Cable | ||||
This came with 2 cartridges, one which was expected and one which was a suprise.
Evercade: Tomb Raider Collection 1 (2024)
The Tomb Raider Collection 1 cartridge (officially numbered as Cartridge #40 in the Evercade lineup) brings the definitive original 32-bit trilogy of the landmark action-adventure franchise to the ecosystem. It is released as a “Giga Cart”—Evercade’s larger-capacity cartridge format—to accommodate the massive scale of these vintage PlayStation-era classics.
Tomb Raider (1996): Introduces Lara Croft as she searches for the ancient Atlantean Scion artifact, exploring Peru, Greece, Egypt, and Atlantis.
Tomb Raider II (1997): A globe-trotting race against an Italian mob boss to secure the mystical Dagger of Xian, spanning China, Venice, a sunken ocean liner, and Tibet.
Tomb Raider III (1998): Lara tracks four artifacts forged from a prehistoric meteorite, navigating India, Nevada (Area 51), London, the South Pacific, and Antarctica.
The trilogy is famous for its precise, grid-based puzzle-platforming, intense third-person gunplay, and classic “tank controls” that require calculated, step-back running jumps. Combat utilizes a lock-on system with Lara’s signature infinite-ammo dual pistols, alongside unlockable heavy weaponry to fend off hostile wildlife and mercenaries.
As the trilogy progresses, the mechanics evolve significantly: Tomb Raider II adds vehicles, climbing, and flares for dark areas, while Tomb Raider III introduces sprinting, crawling, monkey-bar traversal, and a non-linear level select menu.
| Game | Box | Manual | Number | Price |
| | | #2322 | £0 |
| COMPLETE | ||||
Evercade: Duke Nukem Collection 1 (2023)
The Duke Nukem Collection 1 cartridge (Cartridge #33) is a standout Evercade release featuring two classic 2D sidescrollers rebuilt natively for the hardware alongside a legendary 90s first-person shooter, all supported by modern save states.
Duke Nukem Remastered (1991): The CIA hires Duke to stop Dr. Proton, a mad scientist bent on world domination, tracking him through a ruined Los Angeles, a moonbase, and a dystopian future.
Duke Nukem II Remastered (1993): Abducted by the alien Rigelatins who want to use his brain to conquer Earth, Duke breaks out of his cell to launch a solo counter-invasion.
Duke Nukem 3D: Total Meltdown (1997): The complete PlayStation 1 version of the iconic FPS. Duke returns to Los Angeles only to find it invaded by aliens who have captured Earth’s women, prompting a localized war across Hollywood and space stations.
The compilation showcases a massive shift from non-linear 2D action-platforming to fast-paced, vertical 3D gunplay.
The Duke 1 and 2 Remasters ditch their original choppy MS-DOS engines for silky-smooth widescreen scrolling and upgraded pixel art. Gameplay focuses on hunting down keycards, searching for secrets, and destroying robots. Duke 1 features rigid horizontal shooting, while Duke 2 introduces crouching, shooting upward, and hanging from pipes.
Duke Nukem 3D delivers classic, fast-paced 90s FPS run-and-gun combat. It is highly celebrated for its interactive, destructible environments and Duke’s signature arsenal—including the Freeze Thrower, Pipe Bombs, and the Shrink Ray—all backed by his iconic, voice-acted one-liners.
| Game | Box | Manual | Number | Price |
| | | #2323 | £0 |
| COMPLETE | ||||