This upcoming retro handheld looks like the PSP successor I've been waiting for

• Evercade has revealed a new gaming handheld, the Nexus
• It offers dual thumbsticks and a 5.89 inch screen
• It comes bundled with two Banjo-Kazooie games adapted specifically for the device

Retro handheld maker Evercade has announced a brand new product, and it looks like the PlayStation Portable successor I've been waiting for.

Dubbed the Evercade Nexus, this handheld console has been carefully designed with the feedback from the company's previous releases in mind. It's a little device with dual thumbsticks that makes it look a lot like the PlayStation Vita at first glance.

A dive into the spec sheet reveals that it's got a slightly bigger screen than Sony's old handheld at 5.89 inches (and a 840x512 resolution) - making for the biggest screen on one of Evercade's handhelds yet.

It's also fully compatible with the more than 80 physical Evercade cartridges, and a new Banjo-Kazooie double pack release is included in the box. It contains the first two classic games in the series, reworked specifically for the handheld with new features like widescreen support, improved controls, and extra unlockable content.

Evercade Nexus - Announcement Trailer - YouTube

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The Nexus boasts some impressive features of its own, too, such as what the company calls its 'EverSync' local multiplayer. This lets two Nexus owners play their games with each other, allowing both players to control one title at the same time on their respective screens. This is possible through some form of device-to-device connection, so it doesn't need any Wi-Fi to accomplish.

On the audio front, the handheld has both wireless headphone support and a set of forward-facing stereo speakers. There's USB Type-C charging too, and the brand claims that the battery life will last for more than five hours each charge.

It sounds like a great little package given its $199.99 / £169.99 asking price, and I have confidence that it will deliver, given the brand's form, making some of the best handheld games consoles on the market for retro gamers.

It will be available from October 2026, with pre-orders going live today. In addition to the standard black model, US and UK retailer Funstock has a flashy '64 Edition' variant that's limited to just 2,000 units and goes for $229.99 / £189.99.

The best handheld games consoles for all budgets

➡️ Read our full guide to the best handheld games consoles
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3. Best budget
Nintendo Switch Lite
4. Best for remote play:
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