Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 5 Codexery

Super Pocket

A budget handheld compatible with all Evercade cartridges.

The Super Pocket is a handheld game console from HyperMegaTech!, a brand owned by the British company Blaze Entertainment. It was designed as a more affordable option compared to Blaze's Evercade line. The device launched on 14 November 2023, and includes built-in collections of classic games, plus a cartridge slot that works with all Evercade cartridges, even though it isn't sold under the Evercade name.

The system was first shown in July 2023, and by September, working units were on display for testing at London's WASD Gaming Expo in partnership with IGN. Two versions were available at launch, each with a distinct color scheme: one branded as Capcom with 12 built-in games, and another from Taito with 17 built-in games. Pre-orders opened immediately after the announcement, with an initial expected release date of 22 October 2023. The Super Pocket is the first console released under the HyperMegaTech! brand.

In terms of hardware, the Super Pocket measures 3 x 0.49 x 0.98 inches (7.8 x 1.25 x 2.5 cm) and weighs about 165 grams with a cartridge inserted. Its design resembles the original Game Boy. It has a 2.8-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port. The device is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor. Controls include a traditional D-pad, four face buttons, start and select buttons, and four bumper/trigger buttons on the back. The firmware can be updated via the USB-C port using a PC-based updater app.

Each edition comes with built-in games from its respective publisher, and all versions are compatible with every Evercade cartridge. Unless otherwise specified, the built-in games are the arcade versions. Some of these games also appear on Evercade cartridges and devices, while a few are exclusive to the Super Pocket.

Quick Facts

Developer
HyperMegaTech!
Generation
Ninth
Release Date
2023-11-14
Price
£49/$59/€59
Media
ROM cartridge
Cpu
1.2 GHz
Display
2.8-inch IPS screen, 320 x 240 pixels
Dimensions
78mm x 125mm x 25mm / (3 x 4.9 x 0.98 in)
Weight
165 grams
Related
Evercade

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The Super Pocket was unveiled in July 2023. In September of that year, units were on exhibit for testing at London's WASD Gaming Expo in partnership with IGN. At launch, it was available in two versions offering distinct color schemes: one branded as Capcom with 12 built-in games, and the other including seventeen games from Taito. In addition to the built-in games, the handheld features a cartridge slot that allows it to play all Evercade cartridges. The initial expected launch window was 22 October 2023, with pre-orders opening immediately upon announcement. The Super Pocket was the first console by HyperMegaTech!, a brand of Blaze Entertainment.

The hardware has a form factor similar to the original Game Boy, with dimensions of 3 x 0.49 x 0.98 inches and a weight of approximately 165 grams with a cartridge inserted. It includes a 3.5-inch headphone jack and a USB-C charging port. The display is a 320 x 240 px 2.8-inch IPS screen, powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor. Controls include a traditional D-pad, four face buttons, start and select buttons, and four bumper/trigger buttons on the rear. The firmware is updateable through the system's USB-C port and a PC-based updater app.

Reader's Guide

The Super Pocket occupies a unique niche as a budget handheld that bridges the gap between dedicated retro consoles and the Evercade ecosystem. By offering built-in games from Capcom or Taito at launch, it provided immediate value while maintaining full compatibility with all Evercade cartridges, effectively serving as an entry point into Blaze's larger library. Its release on 14 November 2023 followed a brief delay from the initial expected window of 22 October 2023. The device's design, reminiscent of the original Game Boy, and its inclusion of a headphone jack and USB-C charging, positioned it as a straightforward, no-frills portable for retro gaming enthusiasts. As the first console from HyperMegaTech!, it established the brand as a distinct line within Blaze Entertainment, separate from the Evercade name but fully interoperable with its software. The Super Pocket's significance lies in its role as an affordable, accessible platform that expanded the reach of Evercade's cartridge-based retro gaming library to a wider audience.

Did You Know?

More in Video Game Consoles by Generation, Part 5 1-24

Spotted an error? Know more?

Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced

Comments

Loading…
Open in the interactive codex →