Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition Review: Pocketable Fun
Blaze Entertainment’s Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition: A Pocketful of Retro power
Blaze Entertainment, teh retro gaming specialist behind the popular Evercade hardware system, has launched its latest Super Pocket handheld: the Neo Geo Edition. This new device joins an ongoing line of Super Pocket handhelds, each dedicated to the titles of a classic developer or publisher.
A Familiar Lineage, A New Form Factor
If Blaze Entertainment sounds familiar, it’s likely due to their Evercade hardware. This system encompasses handhelds, home consoles, and even mini arcade cabinets, all unified by their support for physical Evercade game cartridges. While the Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition is released under Blaze’s “Hyper Mega Tech!” brand, it maintains compatibility with these Evercade cartridges.At first glance, the Super Pocket might seem like just another hardware iteration, trading the horizontal orientation of the Evercade EXP for a vertical, Game Boy-inspired layout.This design choice is clearly aimed at maximizing retro appeal.
Pocket-Sized, But Packed With Features
However, the Super Pocket offers a distinctly different user experience.It’s even more compact than its Evercade handheld predecessors, measuring a mere 125mm tall, 78mm wide, and 25mm thick. Actually, your smartphone is highly likely larger overall. This diminutive stature, coupled with its vertical orientation, means it might feel a bit small for those with larger hands.
Despite its compact size, the Super Pocket is surprisingly well-equipped with inputs. It features a responsive D-pad with clearly defined directions,ensuring a fantastic feel under the thumb. You’ll also find four face buttons (A, B, X, Y) and L1/L2/R1/R2 “shoulder” buttons cleverly relocated to the rear. While these rear buttons aren’t utilized for the included Neo Geo games, they ensure compatibility with titles on other Evercade carts that might require them. Though, the small form factor does make positioning your fingers on these relocated shoulder buttons a bit tricky for optimal use.