I'm not a fan of people saying "games" when they mean "cartridges", and hoped to see a ranking of actual individual games here, but it's been entertaining anyway.
It's interesting also to compare people's tastes depending on the country of origin. In Spain, for instance, some of the cartridges would be higher, some lower and others not even here, whereas we would definitely some Gaelco love here.
Apart from that, what I love most about the Evercade library is the strong presence of third-tier games, unknown titles that may be good or bad, but as an explorer of retro gaming I don't need to see the usual suspects here. A mix of known and unknown is perfectly OK for my tastes.
But after buying almost every mini system, including the Egret II Mini and recently the trackball and paddle controller on a brief sale, and although I've not given up on waiting for a good sale of the Astro City Mini V yet, this is where I have to draw the line.
It's very expensive, and ironically I don't like when they expect us to put roms in these systems. Additional paid games via SD? Yes, the Egret II Mini does it and I buy them, there will be 70 games after volume 2 gets released, which is great. But only one game included, small additional collections and that's it...? For that price it's not for me. And it wouldn't be even without the tremendous shipping and customs duties.
I wonder whatever happened to the Visco Collection that was announced long ago. I guess Pixel Heart will have the physical release, maybe exclusive, but anyway video games media just stopped talking about it.
As a fan of the original game, I'm excited about this, but I don't really care about the graphic style, because it seems to affect the general speed of the sprites for some reason, as in Double Dragon Neon or Raging Justice.
Taito really likes to get all its games everywhere. I wish I had known their plans before, but now I already have most of these games individually on Switch or inside the wonderful Egret II Mini...
My excitement is on hold. We'll have to see if they get standard physical editions aside from the superexpensive ones by SLG, but it certainly could have been a commendable Irem Collection period with at least a dozen games à la Digital Eclipse. It isn't.
What surprises me the most is the fact that it was released physically a few weeks ago by Strictly Limited Games and I a haven't found any review whatsoever. I'd like to play it on Switch, but not if that version has performance issues.
And now we'll have to wait if we were monitoring volume 1's price, because the 2nd is probably going to be available bundled with the 1st and cheaper, just like what happened with volume 1 and the Egret II Mini, cheaper together than apart. Damn it.
I don't seem to be able to find the collection together on Steam, only the individual titles.
I have some of them on my Evercade, but this being a better release, cheap and on PC would be willing to double dip.
That leaves the M2 Toaplan Arcade Garage releases on the fence, though. They're supposed to be great and have console versions and other non shmup games as bonus... But don't know if the emulation is on par with the reviewed release.
Been expecting a professional review for a while, given that it came out in December, but it has been published by my favourite people!
I think it's a little pricey too and I've been monitoring it on Amazon Japan with the hope that it will go a little cheaper down the road, but what I fear the most is buying it just to see that it comes to the West officially with a translated book. Another potential risk is it going out of stock, just like the trackball and paddle set, which can only be purchased at a higher price in its Western version nowadays. I missed the chance.
I'm eager to put my hands on these obscure titles and I'll be waiting for further volumes.
Now it would be nice to know if it's simply a change of packaging or the input lag has been fixed, the same way the first Astro City Mini got some issues fixed for the Western release.
I don't think so, though, because it was already released by LRG, who added an extra game, and the Amazon one doesn't include it, so unfortunately it smells like a change of box for a translated one and that would be all. I hope I'm wrong (and that it gets discounted some day, like the first Astro City Mini, now that Amazon sells it).
I already got mine, I love it, but I've noticed some weird things: a sunfade-like effect on Super Hang-On and After Burner II covers and the fact that I don't seem to be able to find the extra music tracks on OutRun. Does anybody have the answer to any (if not both) of these questions?
I know the licenses Blaze gets aren't the most expensive ones, and that we won't see Capcom, Sega or Konami here.
I'd love to see an Irem collection or two, and definitely the second cartridge of Jaleco Collection and Data East, also a Data East Arcade 2 and a Jaleco Arcade 1 cartridge.
@jrt87 I bought the PC Engine Mini from Amazon Japan and I gotta tell ya, 3 days it took from Japan to my city, not even a really important one. Amazing.
Well, buying each item separately is something I hadn't taken into account, because it's always better to make the shipping costs a little more "palatable" by putting everything you can in one order, but at least from the EU, importing something that costs more than 150 euro skyrockets the taxes, so maybe in this particular case it is better to buy the items separately. I think we lose the goodies, though. And they're really good this time.
For now, I have to wait a little longer because today, the official and long awaited release date of the item itself, the price has risen a little. But it will go down over time. Unlike the Western version, which if anything will end up on Amazon even more expensive than it is now.
Getting it for sure. I love my Astro City Mini, but I gotta admit that Egret II Mini's selection of titles is more varied. Some omissions, yes, I would have loved to see Chase HQ here, a game which never gets into Taito collections. But I'm impressed about how appealing most of the included titles turned out to be to me.
Price is steeper, of course, but let's not forget that the Astro City Mini's price got reduced after some months, at least in Japan, which again is the best option to purchase the Egret, and the only way to get pink buttons. Now and, of course, when it too gets discounted at some point. And that doesn't happen with products sold by limited releases' companies.
If you want more than the base unit and a normal controller then yes, shipping and taxes make the Western options much cheaper.
I've been playing my Evercade for months, although not daily, and the thing I like the most is precisely discovering games which aren't often regarded as must-haves. I love "third-tier" games, honestly.
I don't think I'll be buying the VS, though. I'm perfectly fine with my handheld, which gives me what I want (officially licensed retro games for short play sessions, considering I already have many home systems), and I don't have people around interested in playing video games to justify the VS for its multiplayer feature, so it's a no from me... at least at this moment.
Too bad it's not possible to buy the console alone, because I definitely want the arcade cartridges, but if I buy them I'll end up having at least one of them twice if I change my mind about the Evercade VS in the future.
Seems interesting, but skipping Valis 2 is definitely a missed opportunity. Now the trilogy release for the Switch becomes a must-have in order to play the first three games...
The 1 in "Collection 1" gives us some hope, but let's face it: it could be easily a year before the second collection is even announced, and it would be weird to get Valis 2 there. Strange move they did here.
I love the console, but I have it since a couple months ago. It would bother me if this was a really improved new portable and they abandoned old Evercade owners. Yes, like many people I have a Nintendo trauma.
@joey302 You're right. They did deliver on the first batch, but they were supposed to bring us more modern games and then just seemed to forget about that.
@joey302 I think it's the other way around. They stopped Sega Ages because they wanted to do this (many arcade titles from Sega Ages are here now). But the emulation in this case isn't by M2, by the way.
For that price (in fact, less) you can get the Japanese one on Amazon Japan with the controller and customs paid on top of that. No reason to pay more and having to deal with limited runs.
I have it imported from Japan for a few days now, I really hope it doesn't end up being sold everywhere, I'm sorry, because that would mean I paid shipping and taxes for nothing.
The minis usually geat launched everywhere day one, there was no reason to believe it would get out of Japan considering they didn't say so when it was announced.
I've only played the Mega Drive version of Ghouls n Ghosts, but I'm under the impression that they are not sequels, but enhancements of previous versions. Even the new one looks like a remake with elements of various "entries". Am I right? If not, can anyone explain what does exactly happen with this series story-wise?
Sadly they're not arcade versions, but the system and the collections aren't expensive at all. Might give it a shot once its price drops, because whatever the starting price we know it's going to drop at some point, and I'm in no rush.
Today I bought mine, looking forward to receive it.
I didn't own one back in the day, but I've always been fascinated by it, with its shortcomings.
The sheer existence of this mini is a dream come true, I was hoping it would be the result of Konami registering Turbografx trademark a couple years ago and here we have it. I considered getting the actual hardware before its announcement, but it's pricey, and if you need the peripherals the thing skyrockets. Let alone buying the games.
A little expensive, this one, being a mini, but it comes with more games than Mega Drive Mini, so it's acceptable.
I had the Game Boy at that time, and a recently bought Mega Drive, so I got Killer Instinct GB version, and I loved it. Back then I didn't know about a SNES version, or just didn't care, but I sure was oblivious to the arcade original.
Got an Xbox One partly because of the 2013 Killer Instinct, although I finally haven't played it, blame my backlog.
The Turbografx was released in Europe, although in a limited way. In Spain, for instance, it was available. Of course the marketing didn't help, and the worst thing is back in the day the console didn't get the love it gets nowadays, and even when it was in clearance sales at the end of its life many people (like me) just ignored it.
Look at this price, I nearly cried when I saw it some time ago. This is like 60 euros.
@Damo But given the backlash about AT Games handling it, what would be the point in keep working with them in this specific hardware?
I know AT Games is the Chinese company distributing Sega products there, but now Sega wants (in theory) to appeal to the knowing audience, spoiled by Nintendo's minis.
Comments 110
Re: Best Evercade Games, Ranked By You
I'm not a fan of people saying "games" when they mean "cartridges", and hoped to see a ranking of actual individual games here, but it's been entertaining anyway.
It's interesting also to compare people's tastes depending on the country of origin. In Spain, for instance, some of the cartridges would be higher, some lower and others not even here, whereas we would definitely some Gaelco love here.
Apart from that, what I love most about the Evercade library is the strong presence of third-tier games, unknown titles that may be good or bad, but as an explorer of retro gaming I don't need to see the usual suspects here. A mix of known and unknown is perfectly OK for my tastes.
Re: So, What Music Will Rainbow Islands Use On Nintendo Switch And PS4?
@mjparker77 Yes, you're right, I meant that they chose that version because it wasn't going to cause any problem.
Re: So, What Music Will Rainbow Islands Use On Nintendo Switch And PS4?
It was totally expected.
Didn't the Egret II Mini include Rainbow Islands Extra, with a different soundtrack, in order to avoid the issue? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Re: Strictly Limited Games Reveals Three New Titles For Irem Collection Vol. 3
This one's more appealing. Looking forward to get it physical on Amazon Japan in 2024.
But I hope they fix the emulation issues reported by players regarding the already (digitally) released volume 1.
Re: Review: Demons of Asteborg / Astebros - Two Excellent Mega Drive Games On Evercade
Great, I love seeing Evercade cartridges reviewed here, and I hope this one gets a boost in terms of people's interest thanks to it.
Re: Review: Irem Arcade 1 - Come For R-Type, Stay For Genuine Coin-Op History
Wow, an Evercade cartridge review long time after its release, but definitely better than never. Thanks! Please keep them coming!
Re: Review: Zuiki X68000 Z - An Expensive But Appealing Substitute For The Real Thing
Would I like to have one? Of course.
But after buying almost every mini system, including the Egret II Mini and recently the trackball and paddle controller on a brief sale, and although I've not given up on waiting for a good sale of the Astro City Mini V yet, this is where I have to draw the line.
It's very expensive, and ironically I don't like when they expect us to put roms in these systems. Additional paid games via SD? Yes, the Egret II Mini does it and I buy them, there will be 70 games after volume 2 gets released, which is great. But only one game included, small additional collections and that's it...? For that price it's not for me. And it wouldn't be even without the tremendous shipping and customs duties.
Re: Neo Geo CD Title 'Battle Flip Shot' Is Now Available To Order
@RootsGenoa And totally unexpected! Waiting for a review...
Re: Neo Geo CD Title 'Battle Flip Shot' Is Now Available To Order
I wonder whatever happened to the Visco Collection that was announced long ago. I guess Pixel Heart will have the physical release, maybe exclusive, but anyway video games media just stopped talking about it.
Re: SNES Fighter Rushing Beat Is Getting A New Entry, 'Rushing Beat X: Return Of Brawl Brothers'
As a fan of the original game, I'm excited about this, but I don't really care about the graphic style, because it seems to affect the general speed of the sprites for some reason, as in Double Dragon Neon or Raging Justice.
Re: Snow Bros. 2 Is Getting A Remake For PC And Switch
Would be great if this time they added the original graphics too, or idealistically the original rom as an unlockable bonus. Just saying.
Re: Three Of Taito's Classic '80s LaserDisc Games Are Coming To Nintendo Switch
So this is going to be an exclusive for those who pay whatever limited release companies ask. Great.
Re: Super Famicom Shmup 'Cotton 100%' Is Getting A New Physical Release
I'm surprised that there is no mention of the SLG release about one year ago. I got this one for the SNES and also Panorama Cotton for the Mega Drive.
Re: Taito Milestones 2 Collection Adds Darius II, Out August 31st In Japan
Taito really likes to get all its games everywhere. I wish I had known their plans before, but now I already have most of these games individually on Switch or inside the wonderful Egret II Mini...
Re: Irem Collection Vol.1 Brings Image Fight II To The West For The First Time In Physical Form
Well, now thanks to SLG we know that they're going to be 5 volumes. Titles still undisclosed.
Re: Irem Collection Vol.1 Brings Image Fight II To The West For The First Time In Physical Form
My excitement is on hold. We'll have to see if they get standard physical editions aside from the superexpensive ones by SLG, but it certainly could have been a commendable Irem Collection period with at least a dozen games à la Digital Eclipse. It isn't.
Re: Atari Buys Rights To Over 100 Retro Games Including Bubsy
Well, let's hope they end up releasing amazing collections of these titles then...
Re: Cannon Dancer's Digital Release Date Slips To April 13th
What surprises me the most is the fact that it was released physically a few weeks ago by Strictly Limited Games and I a haven't found any review whatsoever. I'd like to play it on Switch, but not if that version has performance issues.
Re: Atari Acquires The Rights To Arcade Classics 'Berzerk' And 'Frenzy'
Wouldn't mind an update for Atari 50 with these games. Even a paid DLC.
Re: Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Memories Vol. 2 Is Coming, Says Producer
And now we'll have to wait if we were monitoring volume 1's price, because the 2nd is probably going to be available bundled with the 1st and cheaper, just like what happened with volume 1 and the Egret II Mini, cheaper together than apart. Damn it.
Re: Review: Toaplan Arcade Shoot 'Em Up Collection Vol.1 - Shmup Smarts
I don't seem to be able to find the collection together on Steam, only the individual titles.
I have some of them on my Evercade, but this being a better release, cheap and on PC would be willing to double dip.
That leaves the M2 Toaplan Arcade Garage releases on the fence, though. They're supposed to be great and have console versions and other non shmup games as bonus... But don't know if the emulation is on par with the reviewed release.
Re: Bitmap Books Is Tackling The PC Engine Next
Nice. Would've preferred a Visual Compendium, though.
(I swear I've posted it before reading the first comment LOL)
Re: Review: Taito Egret II Mini Arcade Memories Vol. 1
Been expecting a professional review for a while, given that it came out in December, but it has been published by my favourite people!
I think it's a little pricey too and I've been monitoring it on Amazon Japan with the hope that it will go a little cheaper down the road, but what I fear the most is buying it just to see that it comes to the West officially with a translated book. Another potential risk is it going out of stock, just like the trackball and paddle set, which can only be purchased at a higher price in its Western version nowadays. I missed the chance.
I'm eager to put my hands on these obscure titles and I'll be waiting for further volumes.
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini V Is Now Available In Europe
Now it would be nice to know if it's simply a change of packaging or the input lag has been fixed, the same way the first Astro City Mini got some issues fixed for the Western release.
I don't think so, though, because it was already released by LRG, who added an extra game, and the Amazon one doesn't include it, so unfortunately it smells like a change of box for a translated one and that would be all. I hope I'm wrong (and that it gets discounted some day, like the first Astro City Mini, now that Amazon sells it).
Re: The Remaster Spy Bros: Pipi & Bibi's DX Will Arrive On Switch And Steam This Valentine's Day
I think they made a wise decision and I will be buying it probably day one.
Re: Review: Mega Drive / Genesis Mini 2 - Sega's Sequel Scores CD Support
I already got mine, I love it, but I've noticed some weird things: a sunfade-like effect on Super Hang-On and After Burner II covers and the fact that I don't seem to be able to find the extra music tracks on OutRun. Does anybody have the answer to any (if not both) of these questions?
I'd appreciate it.
Re: Intellivision Amico Trademark Is Live Once Again
@Tempestryke I'd say everywhere except Xbox, as usual. But it seems like the trademark has been renewed after all.
Anyway I hope it's a timed exclusive...
Re: Trademark For Intellivision Amico Has Been Abandoned
@eaglesfly76 @TryToBeHopeful You get the point, guys...
Re: Trademark For Intellivision Amico Has Been Abandoned
Earthworm Jim 3 on consoles then. Good.
Re: Evercade's Latest Carts Offer Inexpensive Access To Yet More Retro Classics
I know the licenses Blaze gets aren't the most expensive ones, and that we won't see Capcom, Sega or Konami here.
I'd love to see an Irem collection or two, and definitely the second cartridge of Jaleco Collection and Data East, also a Data East Arcade 2 and a Jaleco Arcade 1 cartridge.
Re: Hardware: The Taito Egret II Mini Is A Doorway Into True Gaming History
@jrt87 I bought the PC Engine Mini from Amazon Japan and I gotta tell ya, 3 days it took from Japan to my city, not even a really important one. Amazing.
Well, buying each item separately is something I hadn't taken into account, because it's always better to make the shipping costs a little more "palatable" by putting everything you can in one order, but at least from the EU, importing something that costs more than 150 euro skyrockets the taxes, so maybe in this particular case it is better to buy the items separately. I think we lose the goodies, though. And they're really good this time.
For now, I have to wait a little longer because today, the official and long awaited release date of the item itself, the price has risen a little. But it will go down over time. Unlike the Western version, which if anything will end up on Amazon even more expensive than it is now.
Re: Hardware: The Taito Egret II Mini Is A Doorway Into True Gaming History
Getting it for sure. I love my Astro City Mini, but I gotta admit that Egret II Mini's selection of titles is more varied. Some omissions, yes, I would have loved to see Chase HQ here, a game which never gets into Taito collections. But I'm impressed about how appealing most of the included titles turned out to be to me.
Price is steeper, of course, but let's not forget that the Astro City Mini's price got reduced after some months, at least in Japan, which again is the best option to purchase the Egret, and the only way to get pink buttons. Now and, of course, when it too gets discounted at some point. And that doesn't happen with products sold by limited releases' companies.
If you want more than the base unit and a normal controller then yes, shipping and taxes make the Western options much cheaper.
Re: Hardware Review: Evercade VS - A Low-Cost Gateway To Past Nintendo Classics And Much More Besides
I've been playing my Evercade for months, although not daily, and the thing I like the most is precisely discovering games which aren't often regarded as must-haves. I love "third-tier" games, honestly.
I don't think I'll be buying the VS, though. I'm perfectly fine with my handheld, which gives me what I want (officially licensed retro games for short play sessions, considering I already have many home systems), and I don't have people around interested in playing video games to justify the VS for its multiplayer feature, so it's a no from me... at least at this moment.
Too bad it's not possible to buy the console alone, because I definitely want the arcade cartridges, but if I buy them I'll end up having at least one of them twice if I change my mind about the Evercade VS in the future.
Re: Evercade's 'Renovation Collection 1' Will Bring A Dozen Rare Games To The System
Seems interesting, but skipping Valis 2 is definitely a missed opportunity. Now the trilogy release for the Switch becomes a must-have in order to play the first three games...
The 1 in "Collection 1" gives us some hope, but let's face it: it could be easily a year before the second collection is even announced, and it would be weird to get Valis 2 there. Strange move they did here.
Re: There's Another Evercade Console In The Works
I love the console, but I have it since a couple months ago. It would bother me if this was a really improved new portable and they abandoned old Evercade owners. Yes, like many people I have a Nintendo trauma.
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A Release In The West
@joey302 You're right. They did deliver on the first batch, but they were supposed to bring us more modern games and then just seemed to forget about that.
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A Release In The West
@joey302 I think it's the other way around. They stopped Sega Ages because they wanted to do this (many arcade titles from Sega Ages are here now). But the emulation in this case isn't by M2, by the way.
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A Release In The West
For that price (in fact, less) you can get the Japanese one on Amazon Japan with the controller and customs paid on top of that. No reason to pay more and having to deal with limited runs.
Re: Sega's Astro City Mini Is Getting A Limited Run Games Release In The US
I have it imported from Japan for a few days now, I really hope it doesn't end up being sold everywhere, I'm sorry, because that would mean I paid shipping and taxes for nothing.
The minis usually geat launched everywhere day one, there was no reason to believe it would get out of Japan considering they didn't say so when it was announced.
Re: Feature: The Haunting History Of Capcom's Ghosts 'n Goblins Series
I've only played the Mega Drive version of Ghouls n Ghosts, but I'm under the impression that they are not sequels, but enhancements of previous versions. Even the new one looks like a remake with elements of various "entries". Am I right? If not, can anyone explain what does exactly happen with this series story-wise?
Re: Analogue's Next FPGA Console Tackles Kanye West's Favourite System: The PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16
For once it's cheaper to buy this one than getting a working original unit with all the peripherals needed.
Re: Evercade Retro System To Receive Oliver Twins Collection Cartridge, All Profits Will Go To Charity
I was interested in this console, but it hasn't been available on Amazon since before its release.
And the games are always NES, Mega Drive, SNES and Atari versions. It's not like that's a problem to me.
Re: Hardware Review: Evercade - Can A 100% Physical Media Console Really Work In 2020?
Sadly they're not arcade versions, but the system and the collections aren't expensive at all. Might give it a shot once its price drops, because whatever the starting price we know it's going to drop at some point, and I'm in no rush.
Re: Hardware Review: PC Engine Mini - Still An Acquired Taste, Even After 30 Years
Got mine yesterday. I'm looking forward to sink my teeth in its nice library!
Re: Hardware Review: PC Engine Mini - Still An Acquired Taste, Even After 30 Years
Today I bought mine, looking forward to receive it.
I didn't own one back in the day, but I've always been fascinated by it, with its shortcomings.
The sheer existence of this mini is a dream come true, I was hoping it would be the result of Konami registering Turbografx trademark a couple years ago and here we have it. I considered getting the actual hardware before its announcement, but it's pricey, and if you need the peripherals the thing skyrockets. Let alone buying the games.
A little expensive, this one, being a mini, but it comes with more games than Mega Drive Mini, so it's acceptable.
Re: Feature: 25 Years Ago, Nintendo Took On The Might Of Street Fighter With Killer Instinct
I had the Game Boy at that time, and a recently bought Mega Drive, so I got Killer Instinct GB version, and I loved it. Back then I didn't know about a SNES version, or just didn't care, but I sure was oblivious to the arcade original.
Got an Xbox One partly because of the 2013 Killer Instinct, although I finally haven't played it, blame my backlog.
Re: Gallery: Flicking Through Sega Master System: A Visual Compendium
I don't know why the SNES book isn't available on Amazon yet, considering the NES one is, and at 50% most of the time (that's how I got it).
I see the Master System one isn't there either.
Of course I mean hardback. Paperback I know is available, but hardback in SNES case never was.
Re: Feature: The Making Of The PC Engine, The 8-Bit Wonder That Took On Nintendo
The Turbografx was released in Europe, although in a limited way. In Spain, for instance, it was available. Of course the marketing didn't help, and the worst thing is back in the day the console didn't get the love it gets nowadays, and even when it was in clearance sales at the end of its life many people (like me) just ignored it.
Look at this price, I nearly cried when I saw it some time ago. This is like 60 euros.
Re: Hardware Review: Analogue Mega Sg: Forget The Mega Drive Mini, This Is The Real Deal
@Damo Let's hope they figure it out, then.
Re: Hardware Review: Analogue Mega Sg: Forget The Mega Drive Mini, This Is The Real Deal
@Damo But given the backlash about AT Games handling it, what would be the point in keep working with them in this specific hardware?
I know AT Games is the Chinese company distributing Sega products there, but now Sega wants (in theory) to appeal to the knowing audience, spoiled by Nintendo's minis.