Evercade Alpha Mega Man [Blaze]

Evercade Alpha Mega Man Deluxe Edition – Mini Arcade with a Large Library

I love compact devices that still deliver an authentic arcade experience. With the Evercade Alpha Mega Man Deluxe Edition, Blaze Entertainment has achieved exactly that: a bartop arcade cabinet sporting a Capcom aesthetic that brings the world of Evercade cartridges to a mini-cabinet—specifically in this instance, featuring a Mega Man marquee and six pre-installed Capcom arcade titles. The Alpha was unveiled in May/June 2024, with its market launch following in November 2024. In addition to the Mega Man variant, a Street Fighter edition is also available—both fully compatible with the Evercade ecosystem.

Brief History & Positioning

The Alpha is the very first Evercade-compatible bartop device, expanding the existing platform (Handheld, VS/VS-R, EXP) with an authentic "mini-arcade" experience for your desk or retro room. At launch, two officially licensed Capcom designs were available (Mega Man / Street Fighter). Important: The "Deluxe Edition" was conceived as a premium variant and was available for pre-order exclusively through Funstock.

Technology – What’s Inside?

At its core, the Evercade hardware runs on the familiar Evercade OS—though here, it is housed within a massive bartop cabinet. Key specifications:

• 8-inch IPS display in 4:3 aspect ratio with 1024×768 px, 60 Hz; optional CRT scanline/scaling filters. 🔧
• Powerful stereo speakers, front-mounted volume control, and 3.5mm jack.
• A large single-player arcade panel (stick + 6 buttons)—multiplayer is supported via two front USB-A ports for external controllers. The power button is integrated into the front panel in the form of a "coin slot"—a nice touch.
• Two cartridge slots on the front: all Evercade cartridges are supported (Console/Arcade/Home Computer). No HDMI output—the device is designed as a standalone bartop unit.
• Deluxe Extras: Factory-installed Sanwa joystick and button components for a noticeably more precise gaming feel, a complete set of six interchangeable illuminated marquee inserts (covering all built-in games), plus an Evercade USB controller in the Alpha color scheme. 💡
• Launch prices: Standard Edition at the pre-order price of £199.99/€229.99, rising to £229.99/€249.99 thereafter; the Deluxe Edition is priced higher at Funstock (£249.99/€289.99). The Deluxe version is currently unavailable. However, a variant featuring Taito games is currently in the works. The current price (as of 09/2025) ranges between €212 and €250.

Games: The Built-in Capcom Arcade Classics of the Mega Man Edition

Out of the box, six Capcom arcade titles are included—a nice mix of boss fights, beat ’em ups, run-and-slash games, and shooters:

• Mega Man – The Power Battle (1995) – Arcade spin-off featuring compact boss duels and classic Mega Man DNA.
• Mega Man 2 – The Power Fighters (1996) – A direct sequel with expanded boss routes and co-op.
• Final Fight (1989) – A CPS-1 beat ’em up icon starring Haggar, Cody, and Guy – pure arcade history. 💥
• Knights of the Round (1991) – Medieval side-scrolling beat 'em up with level progression; supports up to three players.
• Strider (1989) – a genre-defining Capcom action-platformer with extremely fluid movement.
• Carrier Air Wing (1990) – Horizontal CPS-1 shoot 'em up, spiritual successor to UN Squadron. ✈️

Important for the Alpha: External controllers can be plugged in via the front USB ports for multiplayer titles; with *Knights of the Round*—depending on your setup—even three-player action is possible.

Evercade Ecosystem & Compatibility

The Alpha's true strength lies in its **cartridge compatibility**: it plays the entire Evercade library—over 50–60 cartridges and 500+ games (arcade, console, and home computer). This transforms the bartop from a handsome Capcom machine into a versatile retro system that can constantly grow. 🧩

Conclusion

For me, the Evercade Alpha Mega Man Deluxe Edition hits a fantastic sweet spot: authentic mini-arcade vibes, a strong lineup of Capcom titles right out of the box, and—thanks to Evercade cartridges—a genuine "system" rather than just a closed-off gaming box. The Deluxe upgrades (Sanwa components, a complete set of marquee inserts, and an extra controller) are well worth it if you value premium build quality and aesthetics. Points are deducted for the lack of an HDMI output and the—by its very nature—small 8-inch display; however, as a bartop unit for your desk or retro gaming room, the Alpha is an absolute blast to play—and with its Mega Man styling, it looks simply fantastic. Whether you already own Evercade cartridges or have a passion for Capcom arcade classics, this offers a compact, expandable gem of a device.