From Potato PCs to Physical Plastic: Doom's Next Retro Conquest on Evercade!
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The legendary demon-slayer Doom is blasting its way onto the unique, cartridge-based Evercade consoles in 2026, thanks to a deal between Blaze Entertainment and Xbox-owned Bethesda, promising retro carnage for collectors and new fans alike.
Right, so you know Doom, don't you? Not just the game, but the *legend*. The one that's been ported to everything from smart fridges and pregnancy tests to actual potatoes (probably, given enough power). It's less a game, more a digital eldritch entity determined to exist everywhere, always. And just when you thought it had settled into its cosmic corner, bloody hell, it’s gone and found yet *another* dimension to conquer: the Evercade console.
Now, if you haven't tinkered with an Evercade, you're missing out on a truly fascinating bit of kit. These aren't just another emulator box, mate. Blaze Entertainment, bless their cotton socks, has cooked up something genuinely unique. Imagine a modern handheld (or TV-connected) console that plays games exclusively via physical cartridges – proper, chunky plastic cartridges, just like the good old days. It’s like a portal to a bygone era, crafted with modern wizardry. They blur the line between pure emulation and the tactile, nostalgic joy of slotting in a cartridge. Collectors absolutely froth over them, but they’re also surprisingly welcoming for younger gamers keen to dip their toes into the glorious, pixelated past.
And now, the king of retro shooters is crashing the party. Fran Ruiz over at Eurogamer spotted the early runes on this one, reporting that a deal has been struck between Blaze Entertainment and the behemoths at Xbox-owned ZeniMax and Bethesda. Fair dinkum, who'd have thought those corporate titans would be interested in the niche, cartridge-driven retro scene? It's a bit like finding out your local arcane cult just landed a sponsorship deal with a global tech giant – unexpected, but potentially glorious.
The news dropped on February 4th, with a short, sweet (and frankly, a little teasing) trailer across social channels. It confirmed the existence of a 'DOOM x Evercade' cartridge coming in 2026. *Twenty twenty-six*, you say? A whole year of anticipation, mate! It’s enough to make a digital wizard tap his foot impatiently. The teaser didn't spill the beans on how many games would be crammed onto that precious plastic, nor did it offer pre-order details. Classic corporate tease, isn't it? Leaving us to read the digital tea leaves and speculate wildly.
Naturally, the brain immediately defaults to Doom 1 & 2. I mean, they're the foundational spell components, right? You wouldn't cast a major summoning without those. But if Blaze and Bethesda truly want to celebrate id Software's 35th anniversary – a proper milestone, that – they've gotta go bigger. My inner collector is already dreaming of those re-releases with their extra content, perhaps even the often-overlooked but utterly brilliant Doom 64. That game, for the uninitiated, was a true gem on the N64, a darker, moodier take on the classic formula. Including it would be a real masterstroke, elevating the whole package from a simple port to a loving homage.
Because let's be honest, gamers these days have high expectations when it comes to retro collections. The bar has been raised higher than a wizard’s tower, thanks to recent jumbo-sized offerings like the utterly stacked Mortal Kombat Legacy Collection. That thing was a treasure trove, packed with enough content to keep you fatality-ing for weeks. If you’re going to invoke the mighty name of Doom, you need to bring a similar level of arcane thoroughness. Anything less might feel, well, a bit like only getting half a spellbook when you were promised a whole grimoire.
From a broader perspective, this whole Evercade phenomenon and the acquisition of Doom is a fascinating little corner of the gaming world. It speaks to a growing appetite for physical media and curated retro experiences, even in an age dominated by digital downloads and cloud streaming. There’s something undeniably satisfying about holding a game in your hand, slotting it into a console, and hearing that satisfying *click*. It’s a tangible connection to gaming history, a bit of physical reality in our increasingly virtual lives. For Evercade, landing Doom is like finding a legendary artifact – it instantly elevates their profile and brings a new level of credibility to their unique vision. It validates their commitment to physical games and appeals to a massive, passionate fanbase that spans generations.
And for Xbox/Bethesda, it's a clever way to keep the Doom legacy alive and kicking across as many platforms as possible, ensuring their intellectual property continues to resonate, even in niche markets. It’s a win-win, really, assuming they pack that cartridge to the brim with glorious demon-slaying action.
So, while we might have to wait a spell until 2026 for this particular piece of cartridge carnage, my optimistic chaos radar is pinging quite happily. This isn't just another port; it's Doom finding its natural home on a system that celebrates gaming history with a modern twist. Here’s hoping Blaze and Bethesda pull out all the stops and give us a collection worthy of the Slayer himself. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see if I can get Doom running on my toaster. Just for research, you understand.
Tags: retro gaming, Evercade, Doom, id Software, physical media
Original article: Eurogamer