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Real Carts, Real Buttons: The Nexus is Making Handhelds Fun Again
PLUS: The Blood-Soaked Bastard Child of Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden is Finally Here
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Fun Fact: Did you know that Blowing into NES cartridges didn't actually fix them; it could actually cause corrosion. The reason it "worked" was simply that you were re-seating the cartridge in the console.
In today’s email:
Real Carts, Real Buttons: The Nexus is Making Handhelds Fun Again
The Blood-Soaked Bastard Child of Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden is Finally Here
Forget the Clones: Super Alloy Crush is the High-Octane Evolution of the 16-Bit Brawler
The Ultimate Troll: How One Magazine Convinced the World Sheng Long Was Real
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Remember the first time you heard that iconic "Guh-huh!" echoing through your living room? Or the way a chunky grey cartridge felt as it clicked into place? For years, the dream of a truly premium, 64-bit capable handheld that respects the physical media of our youth has felt like a "what if." Well, stop dreaming. Today, Blaze Entertainment officially pulled back the curtain on the Evercade Nexus, and it is the high-octane evolution the retro community has been clamoring for.
The Big Screen Meets Dual Sticks
The Nexus isn't just an iterative update; it’s a total hardware overhaul. For the first time in Evercade history, we’re getting a massive 5.89” IPS screen that makes those classic pixels pop with modern clarity. But the real headline? Dual analog sticks. This isn't just about ergonomics—it’s about the sheer power under the hood. The Nexus is built to handle the 3D era with ease, giving us the precision control that the previous D-pad-focused models just couldn't provide for more complex titles.
Nostalgia at 64-Bits: Banjo is Back
The "killer app" at launch is nothing short of a miracle for Rare fans: the Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack. Seeing the bear and bird on an Evercade cartridge is a massive milestone, signaling that 64-bit emulation has officially arrived on the platform. It’s a love letter to the late '90s, proving that the Nexus has the silicon muscles to run the games that defined our childhoods without breaking a sweat.
Hardware That Hits Different
Blaze didn't stop at the sticks. The Nexus is packed with quality-of-life upgrades that feel truly premium:
Wireless Audio & Wi-Fi 6: Say goodbye to tangled cords. With low-latency wireless audio support and blazing-fast Wi-Fi 6 for updates, it feels like a 2026 device through and through.
Customizable Flair: The Evercade logo is now RGB-backlit, allowing you to cycle through colors to match your favorite console era.
EverSync Technology: This is the "secret sauce." The new EverSync feature allows for seamless local multiplayer sharing, letting you link up with friends for couch-co-op vibes on the go.
Mark Your Calendars (and Your Wallets)
If you’re ready to jump in, you’ll need to move fast. The Evercade Nexus officially launches in October 2026 for $199.99.
However, the real "Holy Grail" is the "Nexus 64" Limited Edition. This transparent-smoke variant is limited to just 2,000 units worldwide via Funstock. Pre-orders go live today, April 1st, and given the hype surrounding the 64-bit library, these will likely vanish faster than a Goldeneye proximity mine.
📝 The Nexus Cheat Sheet
The Architect: Developed by Blaze Entertainment, the kings of modern physical retro gaming.
The Library: Instant access to over 80 physical cartridges and a staggering 700+ games.
The Pro-Tip: Don't forget TATE Mode! The Nexus remains the gold standard for vertical arcade shooters; just flip the screen and let the shmup madness begin.
Are You Ready for the Nexus Generation?
The Evercade Nexus is more than a handheld; it’s a statement that physical media still matters in a digital world. Whether you're a hardcore historian or just someone who wants to play Banjo-Kazooie on the bus, this is the definitive way to play.
Don't get left in the loading screen—head over to Funstock or your local retailer and lock in that pre-order before the "Limited Edition" becomes a "Legendary Memory." See you in the 64-bit trenches!
The Blood-Soaked Bastard Child of Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden is Finally Here
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a flickering CRT screen, wishing someone would make a Castlevania game that actually felt like the NES originals—but with more guts and a better frame rate—then Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is your answer. Developed by the retro-savants at Lillymo Games, this side-scrolling odyssey isn't just a love letter to the 8-bit era; it’s a full-blown, blood-drenched manifesto. Set in the late 17th-century Holy Roman Empire, you step into the muddy boots of Rudiger, an ex-soldier forced out of retirement to hunt down a power-mad priest named Father Pacer. It’s got everything: crunchy pixel art, a soundtrack that absolutely slaps, and a difficulty curve that respects your intelligence while occasionally kicking your teeth in.
Spears, Secrets, and Sacrilege
While most modern "retro" games settle for a basic aesthetic, Saint Slayer digs deeper into the mechanics that made the classics legendary. Rudiger’s primary tool is the titular Spear of Sacrilege, a weapon that offers a distinct reach and weight compared to the traditional whip or sword. The gameplay loop is tight, focusing on 21 handcrafted stages that range from crumbling cathedrals to haunted forests.
What truly sets this apart from your typical nostalgia trip is the Moral Choice System. Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter NPCs whose fates rest in your hands. Do you help those in your path or prioritize your own survival? These choices don't just fluff the dialogue—they impact your upgrades and can lead to multiple different endings. Plus, if you’re tired of slaying solo, the entire campaign features two-player local co-op. Just watch your back; friendly fire is toggled on, making those boss fights against the game's seven monstrous guardians a true test of friendship.
A Global Crusade
Unlike some of the obscure Japanese imports of the 90s that we used to hunt for in the back of gaming magazines, Saint Slayer: Spear of Sacrilege is enjoying a massive, multi-platform global launch. There are no regional locks or "lost in translation" quirks here. Whether you’re on the go with the Nintendo Switch, pushing pixels on the PS5/Xbox Series X, or rocking an old-school setup on PC, you can jump in starting April 20, 2026. For the purists, Lillymo has even included a password system—because nothing says "1988" like scribbling down a string of characters on a Post-it note just to save your progress.
Quick Notes: The Saint’s Ledger
Developer: Lillymo Games (The crew behind Habroxia and Twin Breaker).
Lead Writer: Former gaming journalist Colin Moriarty.
Release Date: April 20, 2026.
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam).
Standout Feature: 2-Player Local Co-op with "Friendly Fire" (prepare for chaos).
The Vibe: Hardcore 8-bit aesthetic with modern fluidity and "crunchy" gore.
Are you ready to take up the spear and end Father Pacer's reign of terror, or are you going to let the monsters have their way? Grab your controller and show the Holy Roman Empire what a real Saint Slayer looks like. Let us know in the comments which platform you’re playing on!
Forget the Clones: Super Alloy Crush is the High-Octane Evolution of the 16-Bit Brawler
If you’ve been waiting for a game to capture that pixel-perfect "one more quarter" magic without the clunky limitations of 1994, look no further. Super Alloy Crush isn't just another indie developer tipping its hat to Mega Man X or Street Fighter—it’s a surgical strike on the 2D action genre. Developed by the two-person powerhouse Alloy Mushroom, this title blends the kinetic flow of a character action game with the high-stakes variability of a roguelike. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it treats its "retro" aesthetic not as a crutch, but as a high-fidelity playground for some of the tightest combo-heavy combat we've seen in years.
The DNA: Where Mega Man Meets Devil May Cry
At its core, Super Alloy Crush follows the Cosmic Hunters Muu (a close-quarters robotic speedster with energy claws) and Kelly (a tactical firearm specialist) as they tear through the treasure planet AE-38. But don’t let the side-scrolling perspective fool you into thinking this is a simple platformer. The devs have explicitly stripped away "contact damage"—the bane of every retro gamer’s existence—to focus entirely on aggressive, head-on engagement.
The combat loop feels more like a 2D Devil May Cry. You aren't just jumping over enemies; you’re launching them into the air, chaining Overdrive Burst attacks, and exploiting elemental weaknesses (electricity for machines, fire for biologicals). With over 50 Tech Arts per character and a deep Chip System that allows for insane builds—think infinite energy or triple air-jumps—the skill ceiling is remarkably high.
Bosses That Fight Back (Hard)
The standout feature here is the "Stance" mechanic used by the game’s major bosses. These aren't just bullet sponges with predictable patterns. They accumulate energy and unleash their own Overdrive attacks, forcing you to find openings to break their stance and interrupt their flow. It turns every encounter into a high-speed chess match of frames and positioning.
How to Play: Early Access Intel
Currently, Super Alloy Crush is blasting onto Steam Early Access (launching April 8, 2026). While it’s starting on PC, the game is built for the arcade experience, supporting local co-op and Remote Play Together for those who want to duo through the cosmic chaos.
The Early Access version arrives with:
3 Full Story Chapters (with more planned for the 1.0 release).
7 Massive Boss Encounters that will test your "frame-perfect" reflexes.
Battle Rush Mode: A pure roguelike loop where you stack hundreds of enhancements to see how long you can survive the escalation.
🕹️ Quick Bits: The Cheat Sheet
Developer Lore: Created by Alloy Mushroom, a tiny two-man team in China. Lead designer Mabi Mogu previously brought us The Vagrant and Super Alloy Ranger.
The Name Game: The studio name is a mashup of "Super Alloy" and "Paralysis Mushroom"—a nod to a crafting item from Monster Hunter.
Release Window: Hits Steam Early Access on April 8, 2026, priced around $11.99 (with a launch discount for the early birds).
Standout Tech: No contact damage! You can get as close as you want to the baddies without losing HP just by touching them.
Platforms: Initial launch is Windows PC, with support for older systems (even Windows 7, though Steam prefers 10+).
Is AE-38 calling your name yet? Whether you’re a combo-fiend looking for your next fix or a retro historian wanting to see how 2D combat evolves in 2026, Super Alloy Crush is the one to watch.
Drop a comment: Are you rolling with Muu’s claws or Kelly’s tactical blasters for your first run? Stay frosty, Hunters.
The Ultimate Troll: How One Magazine Convinced the World Sheng Long Was Real
Long before "fake news" was a buzzword and Twitter could debunk a rumor in six seconds, we had the "Bible" of gaming: Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM). Every April, the editors at EGM didn't just report the news; they waged psychological warfare on their readership. Their April Fools' editions weren't just jokes—they were meticulously crafted, high-effort hoaxes that sent millions of us sprinting to our consoles, desperate to unlock secrets that didn't exist. It was a glorious, frustrating era where "seeing was believing," even if what you were seeing was a cleverly photoshopped sprite of Ryu with a flaming fist.
The Legend of Sheng Long: The Prank That Changed Street Fighter
In 1992, EGM dropped the nuclear bomb of gaming rumors. Building on a mistranslation of Ryu’s victory quote—"You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance"—editor Ken Williams used early Photoshop magic to "reveal" the master himself as a secret boss in Street Fighter II.
The requirements to find him were legendary in their cruelty: play as Ryu, go through the entire game without taking a single hit, and then fight M. Bison to ten consecutive draws. If you pulled off this impossible feat, Sheng Long would supposedly fly onto the screen, toss Bison aside, and challenge you to a "fight to the death." It was so convincing that even international Capcom offices were calling Japan to ask why they hadn't been told about the new character.
From Sonic in Smash to the "Nude" Lara Croft
EGM didn't stop at fighting games. They perfected the art of the "just-plausible-enough" lie. In 2002, they claimed Sonic and Tails were unlockable in Super Smash Bros. Melee by defeating 20 enemies in Cruel Melee mode—a task so difficult it kept players busy for months.
They also played into the urban legends of the time, famously "confirming" the existence of a "Nude Raider" code for Lara Croft in 1997. While these pranks often felt mean-spirited to the kids who spent their spring breaks trying to trigger them, they actually shaped the industry. The Sheng Long hoax was so popular that Capcom eventually created Akuma and Gouken to satisfy the fan demand for a "Master" character.
Quick Notes: The EGM Hall of Infamy
The Mastermind: Editor Ken Williams (a.k.a. "Sushi-X") was the primary architect behind the early hoaxes.
The "Tell": EGM usually left a trail of breadcrumbs, like naming a fake source "W.A. Stokins" (Waste Tokens) or "April Foile".
Global Impact: The Sheng Long prank was reprinted as fact in magazines across Europe and Asia, becoming arguably the most successful hoax in media history.
Standout Feature: The magazine used custom-made photography "cones" to snap pictures of TV screens without scanlines, making their fake screenshots look 100% authentic.
Don't Get Fooled Again (But Maybe Try It Anyway)
The era of the "Secret Character" might be dead in the age of data mining and day-one patches, but the spirit of EGM lives on every time a developer hides a cheeky Easter egg for the fans. We might have lost our collective innocence, but we gained some of the best gaming lore of all time.
Retro Tidbit: Did you know the 1992 Sheng Long prank was so effective that EGM brought him back for Street Fighter III in 1997? They even gave him a backstory involving a "raging river." Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, and I'm still trying to get those ten draws against Bison.
Stay legendary, and remember: if the unlock code involves "waiting for a glitch to happen in the Unknown Dungeon," you’re probably being trolled.
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