Blaze Entertainment

Active

Overview

Blaze Entertainment Limited is a UK-based company focused on retro gaming hardware and software publishing. It is known for developing the Evercade cartridge-based handheld and console systems, which provide legal access to licensed classic games from various publishers. The company operates in the niche retro gaming market, emphasizing physical media compatibility and partnerships with legacy game developers.

History

Founded on May 6, 2009, as Xploder Limited, the company rebranded to Blaze Entertainment Limited in February 2019. It shifted focus to retro gaming with the announcement of the Evercade handheld in 2018, launching the first cartridges and devices in 2020. Key milestones include expanding to over 45 cartridges with more than 500 games by 2023 and introducing the HyperMegaTech! brand with handheld editions featuring built-in games.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Evercade Handhelds	Portable retro gaming consoles	$100 - $120
Evercade EXP	Premium handheld with enhanced screen	$110 - $130
Evercade VS-R	Home TV console for multiplayer	$100 - $120
Evercade Cartridges	Physical game collections	$20 - $25
HyperMegaTech! Super Pocket	Licensed handheld with built-in games	$60 - $80

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured through outsourced partners, primarily in China, as is standard for consumer electronics in the gaming sector. Assembly and quality control align with industry practices for portable devices.

Notable Products

Evercade Original - First cartridge-based handheld launched in 2020 with compatibility for official game carts.
Evercade EXP - Upgraded handheld with dot-matrix screen and improved battery life released in 2023.
Evercade VS-R - Home console variant supporting HDMI output and multiplayer for TV play.
Super Pocket Capcom Edition - HyperMegaTech! handheld with built-in Capcom games like Mega Man.
Technos Arcade Cart 1 - Evercade cartridge featuring Double Dragon and River City Ransom titles.

Reputation

Enthusiasts praise Blaze Entertainment for delivering affordable, legal retro gaming hardware with official licenses, filling a gap in physical media options. Professionals note its success in partnerships with publishers like Capcom and Technos, driving cartridge sales. Some criticisms include limited processing power compared to emulation handhelds and occasional delays in cartridge releases.

Sources (6)