If you told my 25-year-old self that Doom would one day show up on a little cartridge you slot into a handheld, I would have laughed myself hoarse. But here we are: Blaze Entertainment and Bethesda have dropped a teaser confirming that Doom is officially heading to Evercade hardware later in 2026, as part of id Software’s 35th anniversary celebrations.
I still remember my first taste of Doom back in the early ’90s — running that shareware version off a battered 486 with sound blaring through cheap speakers, and that moment when the first cacodemon barged into view. It was one of those experiences that feels far bigger than the sum of its pixels and MIDI tracks.
It wasn’t just a game; it was the game that made me see first-person shooters as something thrilling, visceral, and utterly unforgettable.
DOOM x Evercade
Evercade itself has been a delight for retro lovers. I’ve reviewed several Evercade consoles over the years — from the original handheld to the Evercade EXP and the Evercade VS — and what continues to impress me is how it keeps the physical, collectible charm alive in an emulation age. Evercade isn’t trying to be everything to everyone; it’s deliberately curating a library of officially licensed classics on cartridges you can hold, trade, and display. That tactile element matters to me and anyone else who grew up with game boxes and manuals on shelves rather than rows of digital icons.
But Doom is different from your average licensed reissue. Unlike Taito or Rare collections, whose nostalgia comes from broad genre fondness, Doom represents a seismic shift in gaming history. It helped define the very first-person shooter genre and inspired countless developers and players — me included — to look at games as anything but static sprites on a screen.
Whither Wolfenstein?
The big question now — and one the community is buzzing about — is what this means for other id Software staples. If Doom lands on Evercade, does that open the door for Wolfenstein, Quake or even bundled classic collections? Fans have been dreaming of an id Software cartridge for years, imagining everything from Commander Keen to Heretic alongside it. Rumours have popped up before about how technically some of these might run on Evercade hardware, especially classic ports or PS1 versions, although we have seen Tomb Raider and Duke Nukem 3D come to Evercade, so perhaps it was just a matter of time.
I don’t think it’s just wishlist stuff anymore. Bringing Doom to Evercade signals that rights holders are willing to let this platform touch marquee legacy franchises — and that could reshape what collectors prioritise next year. For Evercade owners who’ve long wanted a big, headline-grabbing title in their library, this is the news you’ve been waiting for.
Stay tuned — I’ll be watching this story closely as more details emerge.
Blaze Entertainment and
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
