Evercade Nexus: The $199 Physical Games Escape From a $1,800 Xbox

What if the next Xbox costs more than your rent and doesn't even take discs? That's the reality we might be facing, and it's exactly why the Evercade Nexus is starting to look like a genius buy. According to a Fortune report, the next-gen Xbox could cost between $1,200 and $1,800, and physical gaming might not even be part of the picture. For a lot of us, that's a future we can't afford—literally.

Enter the Evercade Nexus, a $199 handheld that runs actual physical cartridges in 2026. It's roughly the same size as a Nintendo Switch, packs a 5.98-inch IPS display and dual thumbsticks, and gives you access to over 700 classic and indie games. No, it's not perfect—there's no sleep mode yet (though Blaze has confirmed it's coming in a firmware patch), and you won't find an OLED screen or hall-effect sticks. But it's a device that actually respects the idea of buying, owning, and playing games without a $1,800 price tag.

The Nexus isn't trying to compete with the big dogs. It's a different lane entirely, one where you can grab a Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack and a console for $199.99 and just play. If you're already invested in the Evercade ecosystem, this is an excellent upgrade. And if you're not, it's a cheap way to dive into a library that keeps growing with full-color manuals, clamshell cases, and native ports—not just emulation.

Now, I'm not saying the Nexus is the best retro handheld out there. It has its quirks, like bottom-placed symmetrical sticks that aren't for everyone. But when you consider that the next PlayStation and Xbox might cost as much as a used car and push you toward an all-digital, always-online future, the appeal of a cartridge-based handheld becomes crystal clear. Blaze has quietly built a full-fledged platform, and it's one that could keep you gaming while we weather RAMageddon.

And the Nexus isn't your only option. You could grab the Super Pocket for just $69.99 and play the same games, or go fancy with the Evercade Alpha, a bartop arcade machine that works as a standalone console. But the Nexus hits that sweet spot as a daily driver—it feels like a modern handheld, and that matters when you're playing 3D games like the Banjo-Kazooie collection.

Look, I know many of you have stacks of original hardware and games you'd rather use. The Nexus is beholden to its own licensing, so it won't play your old cartridges. But if you want to keep buying new games without taking out a loan for the next Halo, this is a solid way to tide yourself over. I'd rather replay Banjo-Kazooie and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver for the millionth time than pay $1,800 for a console that doesn't even have a disc drive.

So, what do you think? Is the Evercade Nexus a smart alternative to the next-gen price hike, or are you still saving up for that $1,800 Xbox? Will you be picking one up?