I don't think I have to say that an $1,800 Xbox is not okay, but spending time with the Evercade Nexus has personally compounded the absurdity. I enjoy new-fangled consoles and PCs as much as the next hardware editor, and I wouldn't say Blaze's new portable is a direct competitor. However, we're at a stage where rather than just giving the big dogs of the industry our moolah, even when things soar to used-car prices, I'd rather invest in a handheld that's actively trying to project the art of physical, approachable gaming.
I should note that I don't think the Evercade Next is the absolute best retro handheld out there, but that's only if you ignore its underlying portable premise. Yes, it lacks really simple functions like a sleep mode (although Blaze has confirmed that'll come in a firmware patch), and it's missing some premium touches like an OLED display and hall-effect thumbsticks. Nevertheless, we're talking about a console around the same size as a Nintendo Switch that runs physical cartridges in the year 2026, and I know many of you would take that over whatever Xbox Project Helix will do for upwards of $1,800.
98-inch IPS display, dual thumb sticks, and continued dedication to physical gaming make it a winner. If you're already invested in the cart-based ecosystem, this latest gizmo will make for an excellent upgrade, but it'll also provide you with access to over 700 classics and indie capers for far less than what the Xbox Project Helix and PS6 may come in at.
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