Evercade Nexus Handheld Launches With Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie Included

Blaze Entertainment has launched the Evercade Nexus, a new handheld console designed around the company's continuing physical-cartridge ecosystem. The portable is now available across Europe and the US through retailers including Amazon, Funstock, Best Buy and GameStop, and every console includes the BANJO-KAZOOIE Double Pack cartridge.

That pack brings together Rare's Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie, giving the Nexus a notable two-game bundle from day one. More broadly, the new device is compatible with the existing Evercade cartridge catalogue, which has grown to more than 80 releases and over 700 games since the Evercade line debuted in 2020.

The Nexus is positioned as a more substantial portable entry in the Evercade hardware family. It retains the defining appeal of the platform--games supplied on physical cartridges--while adding a larger screen, two analogue sticks, wireless headphone support and a console-to-console multiplayer feature called EverSync.

A new handheld for the Evercade cartridge library

Physical media remains at the centre of the Nexus experience. Rather than treating cartridges as an optional extra, the handheld includes a cartridge slot and requires physical cartridges for game play. That makes the system a continuation of the format established by earlier Evercade hardware, while providing a new option for players who want their collections in a portable form factor.

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The included Banjo bundle is especially significant because it pairs two celebrated 3D platform adventures in a single package. Banjo-Kazooie follows the bear-and-bird duo as they set out to rescue Banjo's sister Tooty from the witch Gruntilda. Its sequel, Banjo-Tooie, expands the concept with a wider world, new abilities and a larger cast of characters.

For collectors, the bundle also demonstrates the Nexus approach: the handheld is not a closed device tied only to its packed-in software. Owners can use it with the broader library of Evercade releases, spanning publisher collections, arcade-focused cartridges and game compilations. The catalogue's scale means the device begins with considerably more available software than its bundled cartridge alone.

Display, controls and design

The Evercade Nexus uses a 5.89-inch IPS display with an 840×512 resolution. Blaze lists the panel at more than 500 nits of peak brightness, a specification intended to support visibility in brighter environments. The handheld also includes display controls that let users adjust elements such as the interface, scanlines and aspect ratio.

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A dedicated TATE Mode is included as well. This is designed for games that use a vertically oriented screen layout, offering a more appropriate way to play compatible titles than a fixed horizontal presentation.

In terms of physical design, the Nexus measures 215mm wide, 111mm high and 34mm deep, weighing 410g. Those dimensions place it among larger handheld devices rather than pocket-sized retro portables. The system has dual analogue sticks, and its front branding incorporates a customisable RGB light-up logo, allowing users to change the visual accent on the hardware.

The twin-stick layout is a notable change in emphasis for a cartridge platform that covers games from a range of eras and genres. Some titles benefit primarily from traditional directional input, while others can make use of analogue movement. Including both sticks gives the Nexus a more flexible control arrangement across its library.

EverSync supports cartridge-based local multiplayer

One of the headline features is EverSync, a wireless local multiplayer function that connects one Nexus console to another without requiring Wi-Fi. Blaze says the technology allows two players to play from the same cartridge simultaneously, so a second player does not need a separate copy of the relevant Evercade release.

The distinction between EverSync and the system's Wi-Fi support is important. Wi-Fi 6 is included for console updates, while EverSync is built for direct local play between compatible consoles. In practical terms, that positions the feature around in-person multiplayer rather than internet-based matchmaking or online multiplayer services.

Local wireless play has long been a natural fit for handheld gaming, and EverSync gives the Nexus a way to approach it without moving away from Evercade's physical-media focus. A player can bring a cartridge and a second Nexus into the same space, then use the hardware's connection feature to share a multiplayer session where supported.

Blaze has not presented EverSync as a general-purpose online feature. It is specifically a local system-to-system option, and players should keep that difference in mind when considering how they plan to use the handheld.

Battery, storage and connectivity specifications

The Nexus is powered by a quad-core 1.5GHz processor. Its listed specifications include 4GB of storage and 512MB of eMMC RAM. The internal storage is not a replacement for the cartridge format; the console's games still require their physical cartridges.

A 5000mAh battery is rated for more than five hours of use. Actual battery performance can naturally vary based on screen brightness, audio choices and the game being played, but the stated figure provides a baseline for the intended portable use case.

Charging is handled through USB-C. The package includes a USB-C-to-USB-A cable, though a mains adaptor is not included. The handheld also supports wireless headphones, giving players an alternative to using the unit's onboard audio while travelling or playing around others.

• Screen: 5.89-inch IPS display at 840×512 resolution
• Brightness: More than 500 nits peak brightness
• Processor: Quad-core 1.5GHz
• Storage and memory: 4GB storage and 512MB eMMC RAM
• Battery: 5000mAh, rated for more than five hours
• Connectivity: USB-C charging, Wi-Fi 6 for updates and wireless headphone support
• Multiplayer: EverSync local wireless console-to-console play
• Game format: Physical Evercade cartridges

Price, bundle contents and accessories

The Evercade Nexus is listed at £169.99 in the UK, $199.99 in the US and EUR199.99 in Europe. Inside the box are the console, the BANJO-KAZOOIE Double Pack cartridge, a USB-C-to-USB-A charging cable and a quick-start guide.

Blaze is also offering accessories separately, including an official hard-shell EVA carry case and a screen protector kit. Neither accessory is part of the standard console package, and buyers who want additional protection for the larger handheld will need to purchase them separately.

The Nexus arrives at a time when physical releases remain central to Evercade's identity. With more than 80 cartridges issued since 2020, the system is entering an established library instead of launching with only a small first-wave selection. The included Banjo games provide a high-profile starting point, while compatibility with the wider cartridge range gives existing Evercade owners a reason to consider the newer handheld.

For players drawn to dedicated portable hardware, boxed collections and cartridge shelves, the Evercade Nexus combines those elements with modern conveniences such as a bright IPS screen, USB-C charging, wireless audio and direct local multiplayer. Its arrival gives the Evercade ecosystem a new premium handheld option, with Banjo-Kazooie and Banjo-Tooie leading the package.