The Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 (Evercade) Review: A Fresh Take on Retro Gaming’s Finest

The Evercade console continues to attract retro gaming fans with its physical cartridges and thoughtfully curated compilations. Among its growing library, one title stands out for those who remember the golden age of 16-bit gaming—The Bitmap Brothers Collection 2. In this article, I’ll take you through my complete experience with this release, and share my thoughts on how these classic titles perform on Evercade’s modern hardware.

As someone who’s spent countless hours on Amiga and Sega consoles, I couldn’t wait to fire up this collection. In the bitmap brothers collection 2 (evercade) review, I’ll look at how these five games stack up today—do they still offer the excitement they once did, or are they better left in the past?

Rediscovering the Bitmap Brothers Legacy

Back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Bitmap Brothers made a name for themselves with games that looked and sounded ahead of their time. Their distinctive style—sharp visuals, detailed sprites, and electronic soundtracks—helped establish them as pioneers in the UK gaming scene.

This second volume for Evercade includes five of their most notable works: Speedball, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, The Chaos Engine, The Chaos Engine 2, and Xenon 2: Megablast. All five titles come packed on one cartridge and support both handheld and docked play on Evercade’s systems.

When I started playing through each game, I was reminded why The Bitmap Brothers became such an influential force. Their mix of sci-fi themes, heavy gameplay mechanics, and memorable music is still evident—even decades after their original releases.

Getting Back into Speedball and Its Brutal Sequel

Retro Sports With a Violent Twist

The first game I jumped into was Speedball, a futuristic sports title that feels like a gritty mix between handball and combat. The gameplay is simple at first glance—throw the ball into the opposing goal while avoiding (or beating down) your opponents—but it quickly reveals deeper mechanics involving scoring multipliers and upgrades.

Its sequel, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, expands on everything the first game did right. It’s faster, smoother, and a lot more engaging. You can recruit new players, build a better team, and unleash devastating attacks on the field. The progression system makes it more than just a button-mashing experience—it’s actually pretty strategic.

On the Evercade, both games feel tight and responsive. The control layout maps well to the console’s buttons, and matches play out with just the right amount of chaos. It took me a while to get used to the speed of the action again, but once I did, I found myself completely hooked.

Diving Into the Gritty World of The Chaos Engine

Twin-Stick Shooting With Steampunk Flair

Next, I turned to The Chaos Engine, one of The Bitmap Brothers’ most iconic games. Set in a bizarre Victorian-era future, it’s a top-down action shooter where you choose from six unique mercenaries to stop a mad machine controlling time and reality. This game still has one of the most atmospheric settings I’ve seen in a 16-bit title.

Whether you’re playing solo with an AI partner or tackling levels with a friend in local co-op, the gameplay demands precision. Every level is packed with enemies, power-ups, and secret paths. You have to manage your health, ammo, and upgrades while staying one step ahead of constantly respawning threats.

The Chaos Engine 2 shifts the formula a bit, offering a more competitive, arena-based experience. Instead of cooperative gameplay, you’re battling against another player—or the CPU—in tightly confined levels where victory comes down to speed and awareness. It’s not as polished as the first game, but it’s an interesting evolution of the concept.

Revisiting Xenon 2: Megablast in All Its Glory

Xenon 2: Megablast is the lone shoot-’em-up in the collection, and while it may not be the fastest space shooter out there, it has a unique charm. The game scrolls vertically, with players controlling a ship that picks up cash from fallen enemies and spends it on upgrades between levels.

The gameplay is a bit sluggish by today’s standards, but the level design and weapon system are still solid. What makes Xenon 2 memorable, though, is its soundtrack. The “Megablast” theme is a remix of a track by Bomb the Bass, and even now, it adds a pulsing energy to the game that sets it apart.

I found myself replaying levels just to tweak my ship’s loadout, experimenting with different weapon combinations to see what worked best. The Evercade’s save state system makes it easy to revisit difficult sections without starting from scratch—a much-needed feature in a game with this kind of difficulty curve.

The Evercade Experience Enhances the Collection

What truly elevates the Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 (evercade) review is how well these games have been optimized for the Evercade platform. The console doesn’t just emulate these classics; it enhances them. Features like save states, screen filters, and display options help bridge the gap between old and new.

I appreciated being able to play on the go with the handheld mode and then switch to a full-screen experience when docked to the TV. The pixel art holds up surprisingly well on modern displays, and the ability to adjust the aspect ratio helps maintain the visual integrity of the original games.

Even the menus and loading screens are thoughtfully designed. The interface is clean, with each game getting its own description and bit of history. It’s clear that this wasn’t just thrown together—someone actually cared about the presentation.

Who Should Play This Collection?

A Mix of Nostalgia and Challenge

For gamers who lived through the 16-bit era, this collection is an easy recommendation. It brings back the challenge and style of The Bitmap Brothers’ best games without requiring you to dig out an old console or deal with finicky ROMs.

That said, this package isn’t just for seasoned players. If you’re someone who appreciates difficult, stylish games with unique mechanics, you’ll find something to love here. Just be aware that these titles are unforgiving—there’s no hand-holding or modern tutorials.

Part of what I enjoyed most about the Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 (Evercade) review process was remembering how games used to reward experimentation and perseverance. These aren’t games you finish in a weekend. They take time to master, and that’s part of their appeal.

The Collector’s Angle Adds Extra Value

One of the most refreshing parts of owning an Evercade is the return to physical media. The cartridge for this collection comes in a clamshell case with original artwork and a detailed manual. It’s the kind of thing you want to put on a shelf—not just store on a memory card.

In an era where digital downloads dominate, having a physical copy of five full games feels rewarding. There’s also the knowledge that you’re supporting a company that values game preservation and historical accuracy.

While I would’ve loved to see a couple more titles included—perhaps Gods or Z—what’s here feels carefully selected. The lineup shows off The Bitmap Brothers’ range, from sports to shooters to top-down action.

Final Thoughts on the Bitmap Brothers Collection 2

After spending several days immersed in this cartridge, I can confidently say that it’s a worthy addition to any retro gaming library. This version of the Bitmap Brothers Collection 2 (evercade) review brings the past into the present in a way that’s fun, accessible, and authentic.

Not every title has aged perfectly, but that’s part of the charm. The imperfections remind you of how far gaming has come—and how much we still enjoy a good challenge. Whether you’re a returning fan or a newcomer with curiosity about retro games, this collection delivers something memorable.

In a world of endless digital re-releases, Evercade’s physical approach stands out. And when paired with a lineup as iconic as this, it’s easy to see why retro gaming is more alive than ever.