Evercade Launches NEOGEO Arcade Cartridge and Super Pocket Handheld to Celebrate 35th Anniversary
Finally, an affordable entry to the Neo Geo saga.
Blaze Entertainment has unveiled two new retro gaming products in collaboration with SNK: the Evercade NEOGEO Arcade 1 cartridge and the Super Pocket NEOGEO Edition handheld. Announced on March 31, 2025, these releases commemorate the 35th anniversary of SNK’s iconic NEOGEO platform, blending classic arcade nostalgia with modern portability and accessibility.
NEOGEO Arcade 1: A Curated Retro Collection
Priced at £19.99/$24.99/€24.99, the purple-cased cartridge includes six arcade classics: Metal Slug, The King of Fighters 2000, Shock Troopers, Magician Lord, Sengoku, and Ironclad—the latter previously exclusive to the NEOGEO CD. Designed for compatibility with all Evercade systems, including the EXP-R handheld and Alpha bartop arcade machine, the cartridge will launch in July 2025, with pre-orders opening May 1.
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
Super Pocket NEOGEO Edition: Portable Arcade Power
The handheld counterpart, priced at £49.99/$59.99/€59.99, features 14 pre-loaded titles such as Blazing Star, Metal Slug X, and Samurai Shodown II. Its compact design includes a 2.8” IPS screen, USB-C charging, and compatibility with Evercade cartridges. A limited-edition MVS-styled version (3,000 units, £69.99/€79.99) will be sold exclusively via Funstock, mirroring the aesthetic of NEOGEO arcade cabinets.
Background and Context
This collaboration follows Blaze’s December 2024 partnership announcement with SNK, aiming to revive NEOGEO’s legacy. Launched in 1990, NEOGEO bridged arcade and home gaming with titles like Metal Slug and Fatal Fury, which remain staples in retro communities68. The Super Pocket line, under Blaze’s HyperMegaTech!, the brand has previously featured Capcom, Taito, and Data East editions, offering over 500 games via its cross-compatible cartridge ecosystem.
Andrew Byatt, Blaze CEO, emphasized the significance of the release: “These products celebrate NEOGEO’s artistry while making its classics accessible to new audiences. This is just the start of our plans with SNK”.
Why This Matters
The NEOGEO releases reinforce Evercade’s position as a leader in retro gaming preservation, offering legally licensed, physical media in an era dominated by digital storefronts. Fans should watch for future SNK collaborations, hinted to include more cartridges and hardware refreshes through 2026.
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