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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Evercade Alpha is a preassembled, Capcom-themed bartop arcade with six built-in games in each launch edition and two slots for Evercade cartridges. It can access a much larger library, but the “hundreds of games” are not all included in the cabinet. Whether it feels affordable depends on the price where you live and whether you already own cartridges.
What is the Evercade Alpha?
Blaze Entertainment announced the Evercade Alpha in May 2024 as a countertop arcade cabinet in two editions: Street Fighter and Mega Man. Both are designed around arcade-style controls and physical Evercade cartridges. The cabinet measures 410 × 244 × 316 mm and has an 8-inch, 4:3 IPS screen, stereo speakers, a headphone jack, an eight-direction joystick, six action buttons, two USB ports for compatible controllers, and Wi-Fi for firmware updates and selected Evercade features. Blaze’s product announcement describes the built-in controls as “competition-grade” and says compatible USB controllers can also be connected.
How many games are built in?
Each launch edition includes six games. Blaze’s 2024 announcement described the wider Evercade catalogue as 50-plus cartridges and more than 500 officially licensed games across arcade, console, and home-computer collections. That figure refers to the catalogue at the time of the announcement, not games preloaded on the Alpha; the available library can change as collections are released.
| Edition | Six included games |
|---|---|
| Street Fighter | Street Fighter II’ Champion Edition; Super Street Fighter II Turbo; Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams; Street Fighter Alpha 2; Street Fighter Alpha 3; Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo |
| Mega Man | Mega Man: The Power Battle; Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters; Final Fight; Knights of the Round; Carrier Air Wing; Strider |
The two cartridge slots are the key to expanding beyond those built-in lineups. If you want games from other Evercade collections, you need the compatible cartridges; the Alpha is not a machine that downloads the entire catalogue over Wi-Fi.
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- Pre-built bartop arcade unit in officially licensed Capcom Street Fighter design
- 6 built-in games per arcade - Compatible with all Evercade cartridges (500+)
- Includes: STREET FIGHTER II CHAMPION EDITION, SUPER STREET FIGHTER II TURBO, SUPER PUZZLE FIGHTER II TURBO, STREET FIGHTER ALPHA – WARRIORS’ DREAMS, STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 2, and STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 3
- 2 USB Controller ports for 2P local multiplayer (controllers sold separately), USB-C cable and plug included, and built-in WiFi for updates and features
- Light-up marquee bar with swappable marquees (3 included)
What can you connect, and what can’t it do?
The Alpha supports compatible USB controllers through its two USB ports, which can be useful if you prefer a gamepad for particular titles. Its Wi-Fi is for firmware updates and selected Evercade features. GamesRadar’s review notes that the cabinet has no HDMI output, so it cannot be connected to a television as an external display. GamesRadar’s review also reports that its reviewer used USB controller mapping and Wi-Fi, and observed no frame dips, slowdown, or emulation glitches in the games tested. Those are the reviewer’s findings, not a guarantee for every title or an independent test of our own.
Is the Evercade Alpha affordable?
“Affordable” is relative here. Blaze’s May 2024 announcement listed launch MSRPs of £229.99, $249.99, and €249.99. These are historical launch prices, not current offers. At the time of an October 2026 observation, Best Buy listed the Street Fighter cabinet at $279.99; retailer stock and prices can change, so check the live listing and seller before buying. Best Buy’s Street Fighter listing is one current-price reference, not a universal price for all editions or regions.
Rank #2
- Pre-built bartop arcade unit in officially licensed Taito design.
- Dual Evercade Cartridge slot built-in.
- 10 built-in games per arcade including Bubble Bobble, Space Invaders and many more!
- Competition-Grade Arcade Controls
- 2 USB Controller ports for 2P local multiplayer (controllers sold separately)
Independent reviews help explain the value trade-off. TechRadar’s two-week evaluation of the Street Fighter edition praised the screen as a good fit for many games and reported responsive cabinet and USB controls, but found the price harder to recommend to casual buyers. It also noted the countertop space required and that some included games can be difficult. Read TechRadar’s review for its full assessment. A cabinet plus a growing cartridge collection can cost substantially more than the cabinet alone, so judge the likely total against how often you will play it.
Which Evercade Alpha edition should you choose?
- Choose by built-in games: Street Fighter centers on the fighting series and Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo; Mega Man combines two arcade Mega Man games with Final Fight, Knights of the Round, Carrier Air Wing, and Strider.
- Check the package details: Standard and Deluxe packages may differ in included control hardware, and Deluxe availability can vary by retailer and region. Confirm the exact contents of the listing you are considering.
- Price the whole setup: Include any cartridges you expect to buy, rather than comparing the cabinet price with a six-game bundle alone.
- Measure your space and needs: It is a countertop cabinet, not a handheld. If you need portability or TV output, compare other Evercade formats instead.
Who is the Evercade Alpha for?
The Alpha makes the most sense for someone who wants a ready-to-play arcade layout, likes one of the included Capcom lineups, has room for a bartop cabinet, and expects to use Evercade cartridges. It is a more difficult fit for a casual buyer who only wants the six built-in games, someone who needs a portable system, or anyone expecting to connect the cabinet to a TV.
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- Relive the Arcade Era: Celebrate the legacy of Street Fighter with a 9/10 scale cabinet that captures the look, feel, and excitement of the iconic 90s arcade experience.
- Precision Gameplay: Perform your favorite combos with responsive joysticks and buttons, delivering authentic arcade-style control you know and love.
- 15+ *Legendary Games: Choose from *15+ classic Capcom titles, including Street Fighter favorites, for endless hours of competitive and nostalgic gameplay.
- Modern Performance, Retro Feel: Officially Powered by Raspberry Pi 5 hardware, enjoy seamless gameplay with HDMI Out for streaming or recording your battles.
- Effortless Assembly and Instant Play: Assembly is easy; Plug-in for exciting Street Fighter battles; Gather friends online for competitive multiplayer showdowns
Blaze’s community update said the company secured six titles per unit, contrasting that with the one to three games it said were typical of official home arcades. That is the manufacturer’s explanation of its licensing approach, rather than an independent comparison. Read Blaze’s community update.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Includes GHOST PILOTS (1991), SUPER SIDEKICKS (1992), SAMURAI SHODOWN II (1994), TWINKLE STAR SPRITES (1996), THE KING OF FIGHTERS '97 (1997) and METAL SLUG 3 (2000).
- Full colour manual included.
- Genres included: shoot 'em up, action, fighting and sports.
- Compatible with all Evercade hardware (Handheld, Evercade VS, Evercade VS-R, Evercade EXP, Evercade EXP-R, Evercade Alpha) and Super Pocket consoles.
Rank #4
- 14 Classic Games Included: Play PAC-MAN, Galaga, Dig Dug, Pac-Land, Mappy, and more—14 built-in titles deliver hours of iconic retro arcade fun at home
- Authentic Arcade Experience: Real-feel joystick and buttons let you dodge ghosts, eat pellets, and chase high scores just like you did in the arcade
- Crisp 17-Inch Display: BOE color monitor brings every glowing maze and character to life with sharp visuals that stay true to the original arcade look
- Wi-Fi Leaderboards: Compete with players across the country by posting high scores online using built-in Wi-Fi—no quarters required
- Deluxe Cabinet Design: Over 5 feet tall with a light-up marquee, molded faux coin door, and sleek cabinet that adds retro style to any game room or space
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
