Why Retro Gaming Keeps Growing Even as Modern Games Get Bigger

For longtime fans, this is not surprising. Retro games never really left. They just changed shape. They moved from dusty entertainment centers to handheld emulation devices, mini consoles, FPGA systems, digital collections, Nintendo Switch Online libraries, GOG preservation releases, arcade streaming services, YouTube retrospectives, TikTok clips, collector shelves, and weekend couch co-op sessions.

The Rise of Retro Handhelds: Why Pocket Emulation Devices Are Suddenly Everywhere

Retro Handhelds are having a real moment, and this is not just a collector fad or a TikTok novelty. Across Anbernic, Retroid, Analogue, AYANEO, Miyoo-style devices, Steam Deck-style handheld PCs, and smaller open-source gaming machines, the pocket-sized retro scene has exploded into one of the most exciting corners of modern Retro Games culture. The short version? Players want the magic of old-school gaming without always dragging out a CRT, untangling AV cables, cleaning cartridge pins, or paying collector prices for every childhood favorite.

NEO GEO Arcade 4 and Activision Collection 3 Evercade carts

Evercade Is Bringing More Neo Geo and Activision Classics Back on Cartridge

Evercade fans just got another strong reminder of why this little cartridge-based ecosystem still hits differently. Blaze Entertainment has announced two new physical carts for the Evercade family: the Neo Geo Arcade 4 cartridge and the Evercade Activision Collection 3 cartridge. Both collections are expected to release in June 2026, with pricing listed at £19.99 / €24.99 / $29.99 each.