once Time, if you want to play Neo Geo games, you have made a serious financial investment. The original Neo Geo AES (Advanced Entertainment System) console was launched in 1991 for $650, which is equivalent to $1,535 in 2025. The game costs about $200, about $472.
For an emerging gamer, the hook is the same as the MVS (Multi-Video System) coin cabinet of manufacturer SNK on a hardware level, meaning that games played at home are indistinguishable from those played in arcades. If you want that real experience, you can pay the price.
The way the times change. Now you can get the greatest new geography game ever. The Super Pocket Neo Geo Edition has 14 titles built into a super portable handheld console for less than the price of a modern “Triple A” game. This is a joy for nostalgic players or those who want to experience some real gaming classics, but there are several compromises to swallow before you enjoy it.
Pocket fun
Photo: Matt Kamen
Neo Geo Edition is the latest in the ongoing super pocket handheld product line, with everyone focusing on the title of classic developer or publisher, produced by Retro Gaming expert Blaze Entertainment. If that name rings the bell, it’s because it’s the manufacturer behind Evercade hardware systems, which include handheld, home consoles and mini arcade cabinets, all linked through a universal support for physical Evercade Game Cartridges.
Although released under Blaze’s “Super Giant Tech!” Brand, Super Pocket is also compatible with these carts, so, at a glance, it seems to be another hardware change that swaps the horizontal direction of Evercade Exp to a vertical, unabashedly game-inspired boy-inspired layout for maximum retro influence.
However, the use of super pockets is very different. It’s even smaller than the Evercade handheld handheld size, measuring 125mm, 78mm wide and 25mm thick – your phone may be larger overall. That short body, combined with its vertical orientation, means it feels too small in the big hand.
However, its input is very good, and the well-responsive D-pad has a well-defined orientation that ensures repositioning at the rear in the thumb, four-face buttons (A, B, B, X, Y) and L1/L2/R1/R2 “shoulder” buttons. These don’t work for the included Neo Geo games, but they ensure compatibility with other games on the Evercade cart that may require them – though again, the device’s small size makes these repositioned shoulder buttons a little tricky, allowing fingers to be placed on them in a way that is available.
