From playable keychains to Bartop arcade machines, handhelds to traditional consoles, retro gaming fans have plenty of choice when it comes to Evercade hardware.

After a busy year of retro gaming goodness, fans can now pick up two new Evercade devices that aim to bring the costs down, including the VS-R Solo home console and the EXP-R Solo handheld.

If you’re interested in joining the Evercade ecosystem and want the lowdown on the new consoles and which one you should buy, then check out the review below.

Replacing the original EXP device, the Evercade EXP-R handheld is described as “the best way to play Evercade cartridges on the go”.

There are two different designs, including a charcoal grey and turquoise unit with a textured grip on the rear of the console that retails for £99.99. This comes with a copy of the Tomb Raider Collection.

I’ve been playing the more stylish EXP-R Solo version, which has a grey and red colour scheme that’s clearly inspired by the original Game Boy. The Solo part means it doesn’t come with any games, which is handy if you’ve already built up a sizeable Evercade collection, or simply don’t want to replay the old Tomb Raider games. The good news is that this version costs just £89.99.

Unfortunately, however, the cheaper price tag means it does lack some of the functionality of the original EXP.

Unlike the older model, the EXP-R doesn’t feature TV or HDMI output, and doesn’t come with any built-in Capcom games.

It does, however, come with a dozen or so secret games, which can be unlocked by inputting various codes and button combinations.

The 4.3-inch IPS screen has a 800×480 resolution, which certainly won’t win any awards, but is bright and sharp enough for the kind retro games you’ll be playing on the device.

You can also play vertical shooters in TATE mode, although I would recommend purchasing the separare TATE grip for a more comfortable experience.

The Evercade VS-R, meanwhile, is designed to be played on your television set or monitor, featuring a HDMI port for 1080p gaming.

It boasts a similar colour scheme to its handheld counterparts, and costs just £89.99, whether you buy the stylish Solo model, or the version with Tomb Raider Collection.

Aside from the ability to play on the TV, the best thing about the VS-R is that it comes with a dual cartridge slot, giving users the ability to select more games at once.

It also comes with one controller, although you can plug upwards of four pads into the console for local multiplayer. While the bundled controller is wired, the cable is much longer than similar retro gaming pads, which means you should be able to comfortably play on the sofa.

Perhaps surprisingly, the VS-R supports TATE mode like its handheld counterpart. Ideal for Toaplan vertical shoot-em-ups, users will be able to rotate their monitor in order to experience certain arcade classics the way they were meant to be played. There’s even mouse support for point and click games like Broken Sword. 

There are a smattering of customisation options in the menu, letting you tweak things like scanlines, borders and themes. I also really like the ability to see the entire library of Evercade games and which ones you’ve collected. There’s info on each game, which cartridge it comes on and a screenshot. More screens and a trailer or two would have been nice, but it’s a good way to keep track of your collection and plan your next purchase. It’s just a shame some of the legacy games are no longer in production.

If I had to choose one of the new Evercade devices to purchase, I would grab the VS-R, largely due to the dual cartridge slot, which is especially convenient when you’ve got a big collection of Evercade games. With four controller slots and TV output, the VS-R also offers that magical local multiplayer experience.

I do love a gaming handheld and the EXP-R doesn’t have too many flaws, but if you want a handheld that plays Evercade games, then I would probably recommend the Capcom or NEO GEO Super Pocket instead. 

Of course, the EXP-R display is far superior to the smaller screens used for the Super Pocket handhelds, so it really is a matter of personal preference.

Fortunately, Evercade devices are all pretty affordable, meaning you could feasibly purchase both, not to mention a £20 Super Micro Keychain or two.

You can pick up the latest Evercade hardware from the Funstock website. You can also grab new Evercade cartridges like Taito Arcade 1 and 2, Roguecraft DX, Windjammers, Karnov and Friends, as well as upcoming releases such as the Activision, Rare and Llamasoft Collections.