Premature impressions:
- It has nice heft to it. This makes it feel "premium" but undermines the tate functionality.
- The screen is nice, though it's worth noting the only OLED portable I own is the original Vita.
- I installed the screen protector right away, and it is a glare magnet. It doesn't help that I'm used to the anti-glare Steam Deck.
- I played some Galaga and some 1942 so far, both with "subtle" scanlines. I think I may bump them up, because they're almost invisible.
- The d-pad is nice. I prefer it to both the Switch Joy Con (obviously) and the Pro Controller, which is too stiff.
I don't think there is any doubt that the Switch with the Flip Grip is still the best way to play portable tate. However, the d-pad difference makes that a little closer than it should be. Setting tate aside, the EXP fits in right where the VS does for me in terms of priority:
- PC / Steam Deck (if available and competently ported / emulated)
- Switch docked / portable (if available and worth ~$8, the standard Hamster Arcade Archives price point)
- Evercade VS / EXP (else)
Given that, I wish the Capcom games were not pre-installed. I am sure I paid for them, and I have essentially no use for them. I literally have all of them on Steam and/or Switch. The EXP is more portable than either of those in terms of size, but if am traveling and potentially risking losing something, it's going to be my GCW Zero.
The biggest value for the Evercade platform in general for me is (1) to get me to try things I wouldn't otherwise in terms of other games on carts I buy for something specific or (2) the computer collections like C64 and Amiga. The EXP just makes that value portable, since I never had the original model.
edit: I forgot to mention that it appears the LE comes with a much nicer case than the regular EXP based on pictures. It's one of those sturdy clamshell designs, like many of the Switch cases and the one included with the Steam Deck.