2021’s New Games Consoles That Aren’t PlayStation Or Xbox

It's easy to think that the only significant new consoles in 2021 are the same significant new consoles that were released at the end of 2020: the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X (and S). One, because they're still incredibly new. And two, because hardly anyone can actually get one, at the moment. (A situation that seems unlikely to change soon, in terms of PS5s at least.)

However, there are actually no fewer than three brand-new, notable-brand consoles releasing in 2021, discounting Nintendo's still-unconfirmed new Switch ('Pro') and any of those dodgy emulator machines (hey, not knocking them, but let's keep things above board here). The twist: all three of these all-new systems are distinctly retro-gaming focused. Yes, every one of them can and will play new games, of varying standards and budgets. But their primary appeal is undeniably old-school. So let's take a look at them, shall we?

In 2020, Blaze Entertainment achieved the wholly unexpected. The British company previously best known for some pretty average standalone retro products, from mini-arcades to plug-in joysticks, released a fantastic handheld console, the Evercade.

Designed in the vein of the classic Nintendo Game Boy and SEGA Game Gear, the console uses bespoke cartridges, each full of licensed games from renowned studios like Namco, Interplay, Jaleco, Atari and Data East, and can also output to the TV using an HDMI lead. It's incredibly comfy to use, adds modern quality-of-life options like multiple save slots per game, feels really good in the hands, and the swappable cartridge format is a fantastic throwback to simpler gaming times. I love it (our review, here).

And in 2021, there's not just more to come in terms of new Evercade cartridges - I'm especially looking forward to a Codemasters collection, featuring Cannon Fodder and Sensible Soccer. Blaze is also releasing a new spin on the Evercade for use in the home, one that plugs into your television and runs at 1080p. And I've got to say, the Evercade VS looks like another very nice piece of kit - and a great alternative way to play the 280 Evercade games Blaze says should be out by the end of 2021 (across its complete cartridge library). Check out the new trailer for the console, below.

Saves are stored on the cartridges, not the consoles, so users will be able to take their games from the VS to on-the-go play, which is a nice touch. No online play is promised right now, but Blaze is saying that it's a possibility for the future. Pre-orders for the Evercade VS open on May 28th, with prices starting at £89.99/$99.99 (for the console with one game and one controller) and its retail release date set November 3. A special-edition version in a different colour is noted in the press materials, but there's no clue yet as to what it'll be. If the VS is as good as the handheld Evercade, it's something retro game fans should feel very excited for. Head to the Evercade website for more information and tech specs.

But, naturally, the success of said potential comeback won't be measured in comparison to the PlayStations and Xboxes of the gaming world. Atari knows that its new VCS - trailer, above - isn't in that league. Instead, it's positioning the console - which has received some press coverage already, leading to a pretty mixed reception (VGC called it "sorely lacking in killer features"), but has no firm release date just yet - as a digital-only experience using a Linux operating system. It's not something that'll replace your Sony system, but it could complement it.

It's a very modern 'microconsole', then - a PC/console hybrid - which will play games downloaded from the web and allow users to stream them in 4K too. Which means it can run high-demand titles like Cyberpunk 2077, just not all that well. It ships with 100 Atari classics installed and Antstream Arcade built in, offering instant access to thousands of other retro games. (Think Xbox Game Pass, but loads of 8- and 16-bit titles alongside a healthy slice of arcade hits.)

The VCS has had a troubled development, and has already been hit by a number of release delays. It sure looks the part - a very sleek, modernised take on the original VCS, and both its joystick and pad-style controllers appear to be premium products. (I really do love the look of that new CX40-influenced stick.) At the time of writing, pre-orders are available on the official Atari VCS website, and the console plus both controllers will cost you $399.99.

That's part of the proposal. Alongside the 20% of its library that will be made up of these reinvented titles, the Amico is promising that another 20% will be all-new games (including Earthworm Jim 4), 20% will be sports games, 20% puzzle games, and 20% educational games. All Amico games, which will all be exclusive to the consoles, will be family friendly, with none bearing a rating beyond a PEGI 7 (or E for Everyone, in the US), and they'll retail for between $2.99 and $9.99 - which could help this console gain a small foothold in a market still reeling from new-gen games coming in at $70 and more. Certainly, it might appeal to parents looking to keep their kids in new games for a lot less money.

In a wide-ranging interview with VGC, Intellivision CEO Tommy Tallarico argued that the Amico wouldn't go the way of the Android-based Ouya (remember that?), and stands to find success where modern gaming practices have put consumers off. "You have loot boxes, microtransactions, in-game purchases, and that's not the way it was when we were growing up," he said. "So we wanted to take those old-school, retro sensibilities that we all loved, and got us so involved [in video games]." It's a bold strategy, let's see if it pays off for them.

Certainly a striking-looking console, with its original-Intellivision-referencing controller storage (when removed, it rather looks like a foot spa), the Amico is, says its official website, "designed for simplicity". Those controllers are more high-tech than they might appear on first impressions, with touch screens, built-in speakers and motion control functions, and they charge wirelessly; and the console will come in a range of colours to match your own living/playing space. The family-focus model is intriguing, for sure - but it remains to be seen if games that look and play like those you can get for mobiles will make much of a dent in the current market, even as a complementary option for those mainly playing on other devices. The Intellivision Amico will sell for $249 (with six games and two controllers), and is now available for pre-order.

Do you give any of these retro consoles a chance in 2021? Will only one of the three succeed? Is this as exciting as the console wars of old, between Nintendo and SEGA? No, obviously, it's not. But you can share your thoughts on the Intellivision Amico, Atari VCS and Evercade VS with us on Facebook and Twitter.