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Messages - retro junkie

#1
What to expect:
Blaze Entertainment's Evercade gaming ecosystem is easy to get into IMO. For the Evercade world to mean something to you, you must be into retro gaming because it is that sort-of a niche product. It is all about nostalgia and good simple gaming. Bringing home some of those old memories, be it arcade, or some old home console that you were really into at one time. For many it will be reliving their childhood. They are perhaps the biggest crowd that will reach for these consoles and embrace them. Evercade is carving out their own path in the gaming market with no competition other than those Chinese emulation portables. But those emulation portables are glitchy, haphazard in their delivery, inadequate at times,  and can be frustrating and disappointing when desiring a certain game that is plagued with incompatibility issues. Not to mention the shady side of it.

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My Evercade VS-R came with only one controller and a micro USB power cord.


This is the big advantage of the Blaze Evercade consoles. They have the support of the original creators, or game publishers, and this gives you all the confidence that if you see a game available for the console, it will be optimized for compatibility and very satisfying in its playability. Not only that but a lot of us out here enjoy those little extras, like a physical cartridge, colorful physical paper manuals, and the plastic case to store those things in, and Blaze delivers. When you see the game case, you will notice three different colors, red, purple, and blue. Blue is for PC games, red is for games ported to a home console, and purple is the original arcade game. Blaze even ports homebrew by independent game publishers to the console. Every cartridge contains multiple games, a diverse variety of genres, that you will almost find at least two or more that will appeal to you.  And it seems that the Evercade line of consoles have the capability to play every game console up through the Playstation one generation.

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These are four of the available Super Pocket portables that are compatible with the Evercade Carts.

Enter the Evercade Ecosystem:
Super Pocket Hyper Mega Tech! The easiest way to get into the Evercade world is to purchase one of the Super Pocket portables that contain built in games. I have four simply because I love the concept. But you really only need one. From there you can start to collect the Evercade game cartridges. Each of the Super Pockets are loaded with games from one of the classic game developers. For example, I have the Capcom Super Pocket Edition loaded with 12 classic Capcom arcade games. The Technos Edition is loaded with 15 arcade classics, the Taito Edition is loaded with 18 arcade classics, and the Neo Geo Edition is loaded with 14 arcade classics. It is so easy to all of a sudden have a collection of games for the system. I have four of the six available editions of the Super Pocket consoles and will probably pick up the other two.

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There are four inputs for game controllers


Evercade VS-R:
Then there is the home console. I am thinking that there are some who would rather be in front of their TV gaming. Blaze Entertainment has got you covered. And I would say if you are really into this ecosystem, the home console is a must have. Both the portable and the home console complement each other, playing the same games, at home, or on the go. And yes the game saves are on the cartridge. The build quality feels solid and good. There are some rubber feet on the bottom and I am suspicious about there being weights inside because there are no PCBs that can be that heavy. There are four controller inputs on the front. The back includes a reset button, HDMI port, and the power input. And a blue power button on top.

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Access to the game cartridges is similar to the old NES console in design

Quirks of the Evercade VS-R:
At first I thought there was a compatibility issue with this console. It would not play on my TCL flatscreen. I could not get it to boot up, or connect to that TV. But it did great on my Vizio. Found out that it needed a better quality HDMI cord than what I was using on my TCL TV. Also it will not boot up with just any old usb cord or power brick. The usb power cords are different in quality and apparently this affects the voltage. It must get the required voltage or it will not boot. Blaze says the micro USB power cable can be used with any suitable 5V/1-3.5A (2A recommended) power adapter, or brick. I have experimented by using a Hyperkin usb cord and it would not boot, it had a yellow light and would, either, not show anything on the TV screen, or it would only show the Blaze Entertainment logo. There is a light bar that goes across the front of the console that communicates its state. If it is blue then it is ready to play. As a side note, don't think that you will get a good quality cord from Blaze Entertainment. I have watched a Youtube video where the person had to change the cord that came with the console before it would boot up. He thought he had a bad console at first. I am glad that the one I got with mine met the console's qualifications. To turn the console on, push the blue start button on the top right side, you have to hold it down until you see the light bar glowing before you release. Turning it off is basically the same process. You can insert two game cartridges at once because it has two cart slots. If you insert two cartridges from the same game publisher, like I have Toaplan arcade 1 & 2, there will be a secret game revealed. With those two I got a Genesis game. The system acted a bit wonky when I was trying to go back to the game menu. I had to shut it down and reboot.

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The awesome blue light means you're ready to play


Using the Evercade VS-R:
The first thing you want to do is go to set-up. You want to set up your internet connection and check for updates to the console. I did and there was an update available, downloaded and install, which did not take long. Then you can go into options and set up the console the way you want it for playing games. I surprised myself by liking the heavy scanlines. You can set up the picture pixel wise, no scanlines, light or heavy scanlines, bezels on both sides of the game, or not, etc. It even has the ability to play your game, if needed in an arcade game, by turning your TV sideways, what, Truxton, yep. This thing has the ability to hot swap your game cartridges. I personally don't feel comfortable with that but maybe it is because I am old school. The game menu will show the games from both cartridges. Play and save your stopping point in the game.

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The controller. The directional pad reminds me of the Sega Genesis


Game controllers:
The game pad is very ergonomical and fits my hands nicely. The controller and the Super Pocket portables share the same button configuration. The fire buttons remind me of an XBOX 360 game pad. The cord is about nine and a half feet in length. Everything feels nice and tight and ready for action. Four shoulder buttons, four fire buttons, directional button, menu, start, and select button. I would say a nice, feel, quality pad. Some say that you can use an XBOX one, or 360, controller, but I could not get mine to work. I did however get a retrobit Sega Genesis six button controller to work. It can only be used as a second controller in a two player game due to no menu button. And for some reason it depends on the game. For example it would work for Snow Brothers but not for Truxton.

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The game selection of both game cartridges appear and are selectable in the game menu


Bottom Line:
I know I have sounded like one big long commercial. But it is hard not to when you are having so much fun and that makes a person excited. I am having an awesome gaming time with the arcade games. There are some games that I never had the opportunity to play in the arcades, only on a home console. There is a big difference. And I am personally looking forward to the Neo Geo arcade collection series. Volume one is out now. That will be my next purchase. Big thumbs up to Blaze for such a novel idea! Keeping retro gaming alive!

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Size comparison to an NES game cartridge
#2
Help / Issues / Chicken Dinner Crashing!!
September 10, 2025, 02:08:34 PM
I have noticed the crashing of the site. During one of the times it was up I made a posting. I see now it is missing. I am assuming that there was a roll back to get the site going again? If so then I will need to post my review of the Evercade VS-R again?
#3
Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Evercade
August 30, 2025, 11:45:16 AM
@BLUEVOODU my most recent purchase...

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I got this for In the Hunt and R-Type. The different color box signifies that it is the arcade version of the game. Today I ordered Toaplan arcade 1 and 2, got a lot of shmups on each one. I will probably end up with all four as I found out today that there are four in all so far.

One thing I find troubling is there are some that are not going to be accepting US orders due to tariffs, as this is a UK item. This makes it very difficult to obtain new releases.
#4
@BLUEVOODU my 2012 Macbook Pro is running great. MX Linux is a solid distro. I have not ran into any issues.
#5
@BLUEVOODU I am thinking that Stunt Racer 64 was another game that was a Block Buster rental only.
#6
Retro Gaming and Hardware / Re: Evercade
August 28, 2025, 09:02:43 PM
@BLUEVOODU same console..................

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see my Hyper Mega Tech post.............
#7
@BLUEVOODU Aliexpress is the guy who walks up to you in a trench coat, opens it up, and you see all of these watches for sale. He is ready to sell you one. You may pick a winner or it may fall apart after he leaves. :))
#8
@BLUEVOODU hmmmmm...............
Not sure about your experience with clone consoles. Sound is an issue due to the Genesis model 1 sound chip. It is buggy in clone systems due to the original hardware being very difficult to backward engineer. It is never perfect in the games. Some games are worse than others. There are some games that you would not notice unless you are a die hard Sega fan.

The difference between this and the Nomad is that the Nomad is the original hardware. The Nomad is the winner when it comes to game compatibility. But the Nomad screen is dated, old technology. And this clone is thinner. You really can't compare a clone system to the original hardware, original hardware will win every time. You have to accept the clone system for what it is, limited but still usable. I am always checking out clones systems just to see how far they have come. But I think in recent years they have stagnated in their research and development.

The controls have a learning curve, if you are very familiar with the Sega Genesis controller. It has to do with the button arrangement and placement. Once you overcome that it will work for you.

The size of this console is more comfortable to hold and play than the Nomad. I am sure if Sega wanted to  make a Nomad 2 in this present generation it would be comparable in size.

I keep my eyes open for stuff like this.........................
#9
Arcade / Re: Do you still Arcade?
August 18, 2025, 11:30:30 PM
@BLUEVOODU tempest 2000 is best played on the Atari Jaguar. Love playing it on that console. It never felt quite right on any of the other consoles that it was ported to. Don't know if it was ever an arcade game.
#10
Personally I love the ability to instantly merge my iPhone "Messages" with "Messages" on my Mac Mini. I do group texts a lot. While sitting at my Mac Mini I can type something up and send without my phone and my big fingers issue.
#11
General Discussion / Re: Games, Consoles, and Updates!
August 05, 2025, 12:55:22 AM
This is the sort-of thing that pushed me into retro gaming. My Genesis, NES, SNES, TurboGrafx 16, GB, GBC, N64, or the GBA never needed an update, ever.
#12
General Discussion / Re: Games, Consoles, and Updates!
August 04, 2025, 11:29:41 AM
The thing is, these games shouldn't need an update, should it? It has been a few years but I do remember playing Monster Hunter Generations, and I was playing it on my 3DS consoles.

On the New 3DS consoles it hangs right here with the red pulsating animation. On the regular 3DS there is nothing but a blank screen and it hangs. By hang, I mean you can push the Home button and it will not return Home. I have to hold down the power button until the console completely shuts down. Pins are clean and shiny.

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#13
@BLUEVOODU I totally understand your suspicions concerning AliExpress. I have been ordering from them for years. You have to put a limit on how much money you are willing to lose.  :)) AliExpress is made up of a multitude of vendors selling their stuff, or junk. I have learned to only order from those who have a rating above 90%. Then there is the feedback with photos. The photos tell the truth. I rarely get bamboozled any more. I purchase all my "fake" NES, Genesis, SNES, N64, GB, GBA, and DS games from Aliexpress. When there is a game I want and the price is out the roof, I go to AliExpress to see if someone is selling a copy. I have also purchased a few clone systems from them. I have also branched out and purchased other stuff. Some stuff is very cheap quality and other things have been surprisingly good. I have also learned to recognize the stuff when it shows up on eBay at a dozen times the price.

I will do a follow up on this console.
#14
General Discussion / Re: Games, Consoles, and Updates!
August 02, 2025, 10:22:27 AM
@CreepinDeth evidently there was something different in the game's manufacturing that changed. Probably later copies included something in the game that initiated the update? Maybe earlier copies had a broken place in the code? My copy never tried to initiate an update. Batman: Black gate has the same issue. Persona Q is also known to have this issue. Some games have it worse than others.
#15
@BLUEVOODU personal Q would not boot up. Totally dead just like the other game.
It makes me sort-of hesitant about purchasing any more 3DS games.
#16
I purchased this console back in May of 2024. I have no idea why it has taken me this long to post something about it. Maybe it is because I have been enjoying it too much? When I saw it up on AliExpress I had to have it. I would say it was $50 well spent.

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Back when the first model of the DS console was released into the market from Nintendo, my personal thoughts were, "That has got to be the ugliest handheld ever." But I purchased it anyway. It was another innovation in gaming from Nintendo. The DS ML is that original console taken and re-shelled. This is a recycling of the original DS. I would say a big "thank you" to whoever that Chinese individual was. They are a genus. Because of it being a recycling of the old hardware it is a shot in the dark whether you get a nice unit or dead pixels on screen, etc. I am happy that the unit I got is perfect.

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The interesting thing about the console is that there is nothing anywhere on the box or the console itself which gives you any idea that it is Nintendo related in any way. Even the preview of games on the back of the box says nothing about them being Nintendo DS games.

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It came with some simple instructions and an AC adapter.

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All of the buttons work and feel like the original DS. It plays great, both GBA and DS games. Surprisingly the shell is solid and of good quality. A big thumbs up.  :great:
#17
Happy Birthday!!  :happydance:
#18
@BLUEVOODU I found only two out of my 3DS games, Monster Hunter Generations and Persona Q.
I am glad that my Batman Black Gate worked because I have seen it turning bad too.
#19
I am assuming we are talking about PM?
#20
@BLUEVOODU definitely my kind of game. I might just think about this one..................
#21
I think it is cool. But this is really for people that use their iphone like they would a tablet. I personally use my iphone for texting and calling only. I do nothing else on it. That is why an SE third gen suits me. My phone usage is connected with the culture of my generation, I guess. It's a phone.  :))
#22
This game never felt like a "Mario" game if you know what I mean. The idea of Mario is connected to platform gaming. It would have been better if some other character, maybe, was used and Mario left out of it, maybe shy guy or a mushroom guy. Not sure if it would have fared any better or not. Without Mario it would probably have been lost in the pool of mediocre games in the Gamecube library and forgotten. But I sort-of enjoyed it at the time, still have it in my cube collection.

I guess I consider this Mario's black-eye.  :))
#23
I had no idea where to put this, but I guess this is retro gaming? Right?
I have no idea why I have fallen in love with these things. But I really enjoy these Evercade handhelds. I keep getting them and I have a few more that I want for my collection. My Neo Geo Pocket was put into my mailbox yesterday. This craze started last Christmas. I love the fact that they are designed like the original Gameboy but the size is close to the Gameboy Pocket. Just right for gaming. And love the built in game feature with the option of having the game carts too. In my Capcom pocket I have an Irem cart. I am wanting the Neo Geo collection game cart to put into my Neo Geo Pocket.

They are a great value when you think how much you are spending for each game and the console to play them on is included. I have been considering picking up the Evercade VS.


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#24
Arcade / Re: Do you still Arcade?
July 18, 2025, 10:47:10 AM
There are no arcades where I live. If there was I would visit them occasionally, especially if they had some old friends, like centipede, tempest, etc. And those old shoot'em ups.......Defender................yeah.......nice.................
#25
If this is something like everyone getting online at the same time to post, I'm game....
#26
General Discussion / Re: Social Logins are back
July 16, 2025, 04:58:01 PM
Maybe I am showing my age.  :)) But I don't know what a social login is.
#27
@BLUEVOODU just found my first one. Monster Hunter Generations will not boot. The game is recognized but it will not boot up. I never got into that game anyway. So I am not that upset. I favor Monster Hunter story.
#28
@BLUEVOODU
Quote from: BLUEVOODU on July 15, 2025, 06:51:42 PM@retro junkie soo.... update... did you find any more? lol  ;D

Also - did you check to see if any of your games were online capable?  Not a ton were online capable... and I believe most, if not all, the servers are toast now.

Out of the DS games that had the feature of online play, surprisingly I have about 27 games that are capable of going online. You have to keep in mind that I did not even pursue any desire to go online to play with someone else. It was just not in my mind to do so. I missed that feature, it just went under my radar.

My going through my 3DS collection, it is rather slow going, I am getting hung up playing the game.  :))  I have more 3DS games than I thought. From what I understand there are a high number of the game Puzzles & Dragons Mario edition that are failing. So I will not be looking for another one unless I can walk into the store and try it before I buy. It is said that a third of those games are failing.
#29
Do we value a game more if it is a physical hard copy than it just being digital? Or is that just a matter of personal preference? (Me asking this out loud knowing I have several 3DS games that are still sealed.) I have found that I tend to not play a game as much if at all that I have purchased as a digital download. And the only time I did purchase digital downloads was during the heyday of the 3DS.
#30
General Discussion / Re: Superman 2025
July 14, 2025, 08:34:15 PM
The trailers alone has gotten me excited about this movie. They have reminded me of the old 50's and 60's comics. It looks like fun.