Miss physical gaming? I use this handheld to fulfil my retro cartridge cravings
May. 26, 2024The Super Pocket keeps the spirit of the Game Boy alive
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If you’ve already checked out mybest gaming handheldroundup, you might already be aware of theSuper Pocket. If not, it’s an adorable, Game Boy-shaped portable by the creators of the Evercade, and it has access to the same ecosystem of classic capers. Love arcade action and platformers from yesteryear? This device more than has you covered, and it’s effectively a whole platform that’s the price of one new Switch game.
At full price, the Super Pocket comes in at $59.99 / £49.99, but you can grab one for slightly less at Amazonfor $55.49just now. That’s beside the point, as I’d be happy to pick this portable up without any sort of discount applied. You don’t even have to pick up any games for it right away, as the yellowCapcomand Green Taito versions both come with a themed library of built-in classics,
Super Pocket (Capcom Edition) |$59.99$54.49 at AmazonSave $5.50 -The Evercade handheld is slightly cheaper at Amazon right now, and while it has dropped below $50 briefly in the past, it’s still worth picking up even at full price. The Capcom version has 12 classics built-in, so you won’t even have to pick up new cartridges right away.
Buy it if:✅You want an offline gaming machine✅You miss game cartridges✅You’re looking to collect gamesDon’t buy it if:❌You’ve got your own ROM collection❌You’d rather use something bigger
Also available:Super Pocket (Taito Edition) -$58.99 at Amazon
Should you buy the Super Pocket?
It’s also worth hammering home that the Super Pocket isn’t just for 2D oldies, as it’ll soon have the Tomb Raider Trilogy as part of its collection. Naturally, you won’t be playing the Remastered versions on a device this small, but you’ll be able to enjoy those iconic PS1-era graphics we’ve all come to love. Lara’s debut on the handheld effectively sets the stage for 3D games on Evercade consoles, and that’s wild considering the Pocket costs under $50. I challenge you to find a cheap emulation device that can run PlayStation games without at least some hiccups.
Of course, if you’re the kind of player who doesn’t want clutter in their house, the Super Pocket might not be for you. Bulky boxes complete with manuals and inserts deserve a nice shelf to live on, and not every handheld fan will enjoy having piles of games lying around. That said, you don’thaveto have a huge collection to make the most of this Evercade device, and I reckon there are a few older family members out there who’d love this portable with a few carts as a gift.
If you’d rather enjoy a bigger screen and better specs, you’ll find a few different options below, including different Evercade models with a bit more oomph.
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Already usingValve’s portable? Check out thebest Steam Deck accessoriesandbest Steam Deck dockfor some handy handheld add-ons. If you’d prefer a full-blown portable rig, swing by thebest gaming laptopfor powerhouse options.
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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