Blaze Entertainment has released its seventh Super Pocket device, the HyperMegaTech Super Pocket Rare Edition. This handheld features the same hardware as previous models but comes preloaded with 14 classic games developed by Rare, complete with a matching color scheme. The collection spans Rare's early British computer releases from 1983 up to the 1998 Nintendo 64 title Banjo-Kazooie, which has been rebuilt to run natively on the device. This curated library, combined with the Super Pocket's ability to play any Evercade cartridge, continues to offer substantial value.

Design and Features

The Super Pocket Rare Edition retains the design and features of its predecessors, functioning as a plug-and-play handheld. It includes a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, a quickstart guide, and instructions specific to Banjo-Kazooie. Summaries for the other 13 built-in games are accessible via the Game Menu button.

The device measures 3.07 x 4.92 x 0.98 inches and weighs 0.36 lbs, comparable in size to a Game Boy. Its 2.8-inch IPS display offers a resolution of 320 x 240 with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Users can select from Original, Pixel Perfect, or Full Screen aspect ratios, along with shader options. While screen brightness cannot be adjusted, the display is clear even in bright sunlight, though the glossy screen is prone to glare. The small screen size is generally adequate for the relatively low resolution of many classic games, though players over 40 might find it less comfortable than larger modern screens, particularly with smaller text.

Below the display are the Game Menu button, directional pad, front speaker, Select/Insert Credit button, Start Game button, and A, B, X, and Y face buttons. The rear of the unit features a cartridge slot with a blank dummy cartridge, volume control, and R1, L1, R2, and L2 buttons, the latter two useful for fast scrolling in menus. Despite being membrane-based, the buttons provide a satisfying tactile response with a soft click.

Two speakers, one on the front and one on the rear below the shoulder buttons, deliver decent audio. A 3.5mm headphone jack is located on the bottom of the unit, to the left of the power switch. The Super Pocket uses a 3000mAh battery, providing approximately four hours of playtime. A charging indicator light shows red when charging and green when fully charged.

Built-in Games: A Rare Showcase

The 14 included games are Atic Atac, Banjo-Kazooie, Battletoads, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, Cobra Triangle, Conker's Pocket Tales, Gunfright, Jetpac, Knight Lore, Lunar Jetman, R.C. Pro-Am II, Slalom, Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, and Solar Jetman. These titles originated from platforms including the ZX Spectrum, Nintendo 64, NES, SNES, and Game Boy Color.

ZX Spectrum Classics

Rare was a prominent developer on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, and the Super Pocket Rare Edition includes five of its early titles. Atic Atac and Knight Lore are challenging isometric 3D action-adventure games. Jetpac and Lunar Jetman are arcade-style experiences from the same series, with the former focusing on single-screen rocket building and the latter adding gravity-based exploration. Gunfright is a western-themed isometric 3D shooter with unique pseudo-first-person sequences.

Nintendo 64 Highlight: Banjo-Kazooie

Banjo-Kazooie, the marquee title, is a 3D platformer featuring a bear and bird duo on a quest. This inclusion is not standard emulation but a native port running on the Evercade hardware, which is advantageous given the Super Pocket's control limitations. The game has been adapted for the handheld, offering a refined appearance while retaining its original feel. Controls present a learning curve due to the absence of an analog stick, with Replay and Retro modes attempting to bridge this gap. Unlike most Evercade titles, Banjo-Kazooie uses its original save system via in-game pads and requires a power cycle to exit.

NES Era Gems

Rare's NES releases include Slalom, a fast-paced skiing game; Cobra Triangle, an isometric 3D boat combat title; Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, an isometric exploration game; Solar Jetman, an evolved sequel to Lunar Jetman; Battletoads, an iconic beat-em-up known for its difficulty; and R.C. Pro-Am II, an enhanced sequel to an isometric racing game. The Super Pocket's display and controls are well-suited for these NES titles.

SNES and Game Boy Color Entries

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs represents the SNES era with a more refined version of the original Battletoads. Conker's Pocket Tales, a top-down action-adventure, is the sole Game Boy Color game, offering a family-friendly change of pace.

Expanding the Library with Evercade Cartridges

The Super Pocket's cartridge slot provides access to the Evercade ecosystem, which boasts around 750 games across numerous collections. While most Evercade cartridges are compatible, some newer titles that benefit from analog controls may not be ideal for the Super Pocket's simpler input. Notably, Super Pocket devices do not receive firmware updates or access to free monthly games due to their lack of online connectivity, and cartridge updates require a mainline Evercade console.

However, many cartridge collections function well. NeoGeo Arcade 4 and Activision Collection 3, for instance, offer games that are well-matched to the Super Pocket's capabilities, particularly those with simpler control schemes or lower resolutions. Blaze is also releasing a standalone Banjo-Kazooie Double Pack and including it with the upcoming Evercade Nexus, underscoring the wider Evercade ecosystem's versatility.

The HyperMegaTech Super Pocket Rare Edition is available for $69.99 from retailers including Amazon.