Evercade Alpha Taito Edition: Bartop Behemoth or Redundant Retro?

Is the Evercade Alpha Taito Edition worth the price, or does the Super Pocket offer better value?

Blaze's Evercade ecosystem keeps expanding, and the Alpha bartop arcades are a personal favorite. After Mega Man and Street Fighter, Taito gets its own Alpha. But is the Evercade Alpha Taito Edition, this bartop behemoth, a must-have or a replay of past hits?

A Sturdy Trip Down Memory Lane

The hardware is solid. A well-built bartop with a responsive stick and clicky buttons. USB-C powered, illuminated coin slot for power, volume rocker, and dual cartridge slots. The 8-inch IPS screen is bright, with scanline filters. Punchy stereo speakers enhance the arcade vibe, and the marquee is replaceable with included alternatives. Pity about the lack of TV-out.

The Game Lineup: A Familiar Foe?

The Evercade Alpha Taito Edition comes with 10 pre-loaded Taito classics. However, seasoned Evercade collectors might raise an eyebrow. Bubble Bobble, Growl, Space Invaders, and The Legend of Kage are on Taito Arcade 1, while Elevator Action, Rastan, and The NewZealand Story are on Taito Arcade 2. What’s more, the cheaper Taito Super Pocket handheld has all these games plus eight more. Awkward.

Cartridge King

Pre-loaded games are only part of the story. The Alpha plays all available Evercade cartridges and supports the hidden game system. With arcade collections from Data East, Technos, and Toaplan, the cost of entry is easier to justify. However, that cheaper Taito Super Pocket looms large.

The Verdict: Is it Worth it?

At £229.99 / €249.99 / $279.99, the Alpha isn't cheap. The build quality and software library are strong arguments. But the £50 Taito Super Pocket offers the same games (and more) and Evercade cartridge support. Unless you absolutely crave the bartop experience, the Super Pocket is arguably a better deal.

If you're on the fence, check out the Street Fighter Alpha review and decide if you'd rather play Taito games. If the answer is yes, maybe this is for you.

So, is the Evercade Alpha Taito Edition a must-have for Taito fans? Maybe. But for everyone else, it might be worth considering the Super Pocket. Happy gaming!