Blaze Entertainment has unveiled a new version of its cartridge-compatible Super Pocket handheld gaming system, this time featuring a Rare-branded edition that includes the beloved platformer Banjo-Kazooie as a built-in title. The Rare Super Pocket handheld will retail for $69.99 in the United States, £49.99 in the United Kingdom, and €59.99 in Europe, with a global release scheduled for June 2026.
The Rare Collection Comes to the Super Pocket Platform
The announcement marks the latest expansion of Blaze’s Evercade ecosystem, which has carved out a niche in the retro gaming market with its focus on officially licensed cartridges and affordable hardware. The new Rare variant is not just a cosmetic change; it comes pre-loaded with a curated selection of 12 games from the iconic British developer’s back catalogue. This move directly integrates a slice of gaming history into the handheld itself, offering immediate value out of the box.
While the Evercade platform already offers a dedicated Rare Collection cartridge, this Super Pocket edition provides a distinct entry point. The handheld includes several titles from that collection but makes two significant additions that were not on the original cartridge: the flagship 3D platformer Banjo-Kazooie and the winter sports game Slalom. This strategic inclusion of Banjo-Kazooie is a major selling point, leveraging one of Rare’s most recognizable and fondly remembered characters to attract both nostalgic players and new audiences.
A Curated Lineup of Classic Rare Titles
The full list of games included on the Rare Super Pocket handheld showcases the breadth of Rare’s early output across various genres. From the isometric adventure of Atic Atac and Knight Lore to the vehicular combat of Cobra Triangle and the space exploration of <em{Solar Jetman, the selection is a testament to the developer’s innovative spirit during the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. The list also features fan-favorite franchises like Battletoads and R.C. Pro-Am.
It is important to note that this built-in collection is not a one-to-one replacement for the physical Evercade cartridge. Three titles from the first Rare Collection cartridge—Battletoads Arcade, Sabre Wulf, and Underwurlde—are not present on the handheld. For collectors and completists, the original cartridge, priced at $29.99, remains the only way to access those specific games on the Evercade platform. This creates a complementary product strategy, encouraging users to purchase both the hardware and additional software.
Hardware Design and Market Positioning
The physical design of the Rare Super Pocket further cements its identity as a collector’s item. As revealed in the announcement trailer, the handheld features a striking two-tone color scheme with a red front panel and a blue back. The Rare logo is prominently displayed at the bottom of the device, a clear nod to the brand loyalty of its fanbase. The trailer itself cleverly subverts expectations with a brief scene showing Banjo the bear playing the Super Pocket while Kazooie watches, a playful update to the classic image of a character playing a Game Boy.
Priced at under $70, the Rare Super Pocket sits in a competitive segment of the handheld market. It positions itself as a more focused and accessible alternative to modular retro consoles and high-end emulation devices. Its key advantage is the official licensing and the plug-and-play simplicity of having a curated game library ready immediately, backed by the potential for expansion via the Evercade cartridge library.
The Significance of Banjo-Kazooie’s Inclusion
The headline inclusion of Banjo-Kazooie is more than just a marketing bullet point; it represents a strategic bridge between eras. Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, the game is a seminal 3D platformer that has remained largely confined to its original hardware and later digital re-releases on platforms like Xbox Live Arcade. Its presence on a new, affordable, and dedicated handheld makes it significantly more portable and accessible than it has been in years.
For many, Banjo-Kazooie symbolizes the peak of Rare’s creativity and its storied partnership with Nintendo. Featuring it so prominently on non-Nintendo hardware—through an officially licensed product—highlights the evolving landscape of game preservation and distribution. It acknowledges the enduring commercial and cultural value of classic IP, even when that IP has changed corporate hands, now residing with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios.
Examining the Pre-Loaded Game List
A closer look at the 12 built-in games reveals a carefully considered mix. Alongside Banjo-Kazooie and Slalom, the lineup includes:
- Atic Atac (1983): A pioneering isometric arcade adventure.
- Battletoads (1991) & Battletoads in Battlemaniacs (1993): The notoriously difficult beat ’em up series.
- Cobra Triangle (1989): A unique boat combat and racing game.
- Conker’s Pocket Tales (1999): A cute platformer starring the later-infamous squirrel.
- Gunfright (1985): A first-person light gun shooter.
- Jetpac (1983) & Lunar Jetman (1983): Foundational sci-fi shooters.
- Knight Lore (1984): A landmark title in the “Filmation” isometric engine.
- R.C. Pro-Am II (1992): A top-down racing sequel.
- Snake, Rattle ‘n’ Roll (1990): A quirky isometric platformer.
- Solar Jetman (1990): A deep gravity-based exploration game.
This collection avoids being a simple “greatest hits” and instead offers a historical cross-section, providing context for Banjo-Kazooie‘s evolution from these earlier, often experimental titles.
Broader Implications for Retro Gaming and Preservation
The launch of the Rare Super Pocket is a notable event in the ongoing commercial retro gaming trend. Companies like Blaze Entertainment are successfully building a business model around officially re-releasing classic games on new, dedicated hardware. This approach offers a legitimate alternative to unauthorized emulation, ensuring that developers and rights holders are compensated, while giving consumers a reliable and user-friendly product.
For the Evercade platform specifically, this special edition handheld serves as both a new customer acquisition tool and a reward for existing fans. It demonstrates Blaze’s commitment to expanding its partnerships with major IP holders. Following collaborations with companies like Capcom and Interplay, securing a dedicated Rare edition signals growing industry confidence in the Evercade model. The June 2026 release date also provides a clear roadmap for the platform’s growth over the next two years.
The handheld’s design and game selection show an understanding that for many consumers, retro gaming is as much about the tangible experience and nostalgia as it is about the games themselves. The two-tone color scheme, the prominent logo, and the immediate access to a specific publisher’s legacy all contribute to a product that feels like a curated collectible, not just a generic emulation machine.
As the lines between preservation, collection, and accessibility continue to blur, products like the Rare Super Pocket offer a compelling template. They package a specific slice of gaming history into an affordable, portable, and officially sanctioned format. The announcement reaffirms that there is a substantial and sustainable market for thoughtfully executed retro hardware, especially when it leverages the powerful nostalgia tied to iconic characters like Banjo and Kazooie, inviting a new generation to discover the quirky, challenging, and inventive world of classic Rare games.
