Evercade reveals NEOGEO cart, pair of branded handhelds

Blaze Entertainment took the wraps off of some NEOGEO goodness that’ll be coming to its Evercade and Super Pocket lines.

Mega

Revealed at a special event yesterday, Blaze Entertainment finally showed off just what will be coming to its Evercade and Super Pocket lines, as goes the iconic NEOGEO. Much like Blaze, SNK’s no stranger to the retro market, having released its own themed units and ported selections from the NEOGEO’s library to modern consoles before. Still, what Blaze just announced represents something new, as it involves both of those arenas, and hits just in time to celebrate the arcade/console’s 35th anniversary.

First, there’s the cart. Playable on all Evercade and HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket units, NEOGEO Arcade 1 will come fully loaded with a physical cartridge that houses six games, plus a full-color instruction manual, and that staple Evercade clamshell packaging.

It’s a great lineup too, with classics and favorites like Metal Slug, Magician Lord, and King of Fighters 2000 all included.

• METAL SLUG – The legendary side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter filled with explosive action and over-the-top combat.
• THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2000 – A fast-paced and strategic entry in the beloved fighting game franchise, featuring iconic SNK characters.
• SHOCK TROOPERS – An intense top-down shooter where players battle through waves of enemies with multiple characters and routes.
• MAGICIAN LORD – A classic fantasy action platformer with stunning visuals and magical transformations.
• SENGOKU– A side-scrolling beat ‘em up where players fight supernatural enemies across time.
• IRONCLAD – A visually impressive horizontal shooter that puts players in control of a powerful ship with a support robot. Released exclusively on the NEOGEO CD console.

Blaze Entertainment press release

Priced in at $24.99 USD, pre-orders will open up for NEOGEO Arcade 1 on May 1st, with the collection launching this July. You might note that “1” at the end of the title as well. With that, we assume there’ll be more to come in this new line of NEOGEO arcade titles, so stay tuned.

Get Hyper

As for part two of the announcements, that would apply to Blaze’s sister line of compact handhelds, the HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket. Those come with built-in games, if you’re not in the loop, and there are several flavors out there as of this writing.

Currently, the lineup counts names like Capcom, Technos, and Taito under its umbrella, but now you can add NEOGEO to the mix. A pair of units playing off of the brand will be en route to retail, with pre-orders opening up today (April 1st). Both units will have the same titles included, with a general issue one offered in black, and red “MVS” console that will be exclusive to Funstock stores. That latter edition will also be limited in its run, with 3000 being produced.

If you’re looking for a heftier dose of NEOGEO titles right off the bat, either of those should scratch the itch nicely, with 14 pre-loaded games.

Those are:

• ALPHA MISSION II
• BLAZING STAR
• FATAL FURY SPECIAL
• KING OF THE MONSTERS 2: THE NEXT THING
• LAST RESORT
• METAL SLUG X
• MUTATION NATION
• OVER TOP
• SAMURAI SHODOWN II
• SENGOKU 3
• SHOCK TROOPERS: 2ND SQUAD
• SOCCER BRAWL
• THE LAST BLADE
• TOP HUNTER: RODDY & CATHY

Blaze Entertainment press release

“We’re incredibly pleased to bring Evercade and retro gaming fans such a wide range of NEOGEO games across our cartridges and a unique offering with the Super Pockets,” said Blaze Entertainment CEO, Andrew Byatt. “These first releases offer a great selection of NEOGEO titles and, with this being an anniversary year, we hope it excites fans across the world with what is still to come from this exciting partnership.”

Blaze Entertainment press release