A new system-level feature unique to the alpha is Demo Mode. Leave the alpha untouched for two minutes, and it will begin running one of the game's “attraction modes” installed from actual arcade machines back in the day – those adorable bursts of gameplay that will entice players, drawing them away from their Will inspire you to be. Coins by showcasing the hottest, most exciting parts of the games. Is it worthwhile? Does it “do” anything? No, but it's another loving nod to gaming history.
And that's Evercade's secret weapon – it's not just a way to play old games, it's a celebration of them and your experiences with them. Like other consoles in the hardware ecosystem, the Alpha is equal parts virtual museum, each game coming with a short description of why it was important, what ground it broke, why it was beloved (or sometimes it Why wasn't it? A library menu logs which games you have access to, expanding with each Evercade cart you slot, and your play time and statistics are logged per title. It is a treasure that grows the more you put into it.
Universal appeal
That trick is Evercade's other secret weapon, as every game cartridge is compatible with all of its hardware (About– Namco Museum Collection is not compatible with TV-based Evercade VS or VS-R consoles).
Considering how many arcade collections there are in the Evercade library, this makes for an abundance of retro riches. From atari classics From the early days of arcades to the scrolling shooters that made them famous Irem's R-typeor like elite fighters dragon masterAlpha is a wonderful way to see them again or encounter them for the first time.
However, there is one caveat regarding some recent releases from Evercade's console collections, primarily legacy of cain And tomb Raider Issuances. These two are collecting the original PlayStation versions of Kart Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain And Legacy of Kain: Soul ReaverAnd the first three Lara Croft games, respectively – are technically compatible with Alpha, but only as long as the cabinet will run them. The Alpha's six-button layout mimics the A, B, X, Y, L1, and R1 buttons of standard Evercade controllers, but it lacks any L2/R2 inputs. Given that these games require those buttons on the PS1, they can't be controlled properly here without plugging in an external controller (or using an Evercade handheld console like this).
However, in our experience, when an external controller—a wired Xbox pad—was connected, both of these collections stopped, requiring a system reboot to clear. Admittedly, this is somewhat disappointing, yet not really a deal-breaker for the Alfa. Those games were never made for arcades anyway – trying to play them that way would be a nice gimmick. Still, it's something to be aware of for anyone with a huge Evercade collection.
However, it almost feels like cantankerousness. For a home arcade offering, there's nothing wrong with Alpha. Smaller than full-sized original cabinets or arcade boards, this is one of the best ways to experience an important part of gaming's heritage in the most legitimate way.
With its stunning design, great screen, and a strong collection of games included in both models, this is the Evercade at its finest.