NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Nerd Culture
    • About Us
      • Want to Write for Nerdbot?
    NERDBOT
    Home»Events»Conventions»Arcade Expo: Retro Fun
    Conventions

    Arcade Expo: Retro Fun

    nerdbotmail@gmail.comBy [email protected]May 3, 2017Updated:October 17, 20173 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Like pagers, portable CD players, and collect call lines, brick and mortar arcades are often viewed as a retro novelty of yesteryear. But to those who grew up around them, arcades were more than just a place to pass time and burn through pocket change. They were a place to connect with friends, blow off steam, and even a place to feel the rush of competition. Though the era of the arcade has long past, there are those who still keep the flame burning in honor of these once proud monuments to the world of 8-bit. John Weeks is one arcade enthusiast who has done just that with Arcade Expo.

    Held at the Museum of Pinball in Banning, California, Arcade Expo wrapped their third annual show where they reunited gamers with the arcade cabinets they once loved in their youth. The three-day show, which went on March 17 through the 19, offered over 800 different arcade machines that were open to free play. Everything from vintage pinball games to the newer first person shooters were on full display for patrons to enjoy. Growing up as a child of the ‘90s myself, getting to play old fighting games such as the original Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter 2, and Primal Rage in their original cabinet form made my inner child scream with delight.

     “I wanted to create a place where the old and young could get together and game,” said Weeks. “We are a non-profit museum, but all the hard work is worth it. It brings people closer together.”

    Video games were not the only form of entertainment at the Expo. Musicians played 8-bit themed ballads on a large stage in the courtyard area while food vendors were on sight for all your gamer noshing needs. The standard “faire food” such as burgers and hot dogs were available at the main concession stand, but one of the food trucks had healthier (and cheaper) options as well. Brew Rebellion, a San Bernardino based microbrewery was also at Arcade Expo to help wash everything down with their craft brewed concoctions.

    If pinball is your jam, Arcade Expo had an entire section dedicated to just that. Pinball machines spanning the decades, some dating back farther than the original Star Wars Trilogy, filled an entire hangar with the sounds of bumpers, springs, and loud electronic melodies. Attendees could even compete in competitive play throughout the night.

    Arcade Expo even unveiled a new pinball machine that had attendees lining up to play – Stern Pinball’s Anniversary Edition of the iconic 1960s Batman series. Made in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the show, the game was quite entertaining and featured voices from the original cast such as Adam West and Burt Ward. However, after extended game-play the ball would occasionally get stuck behind one of the bumpers.

    For the most part, the majority of games were in top shape. There were a dozen or so machines out of order, and a few that had severe glitches that made them difficult to play, but sadly that is the nature of old cabinet games. Part of what makes Arcade Expo so important is that without a place to house and maintain these old games, then they truly will go the way of the pager and portable CD player. For more information about Arcade Expo and the Museum of Pinball, their website arcadeexpo.com includes an itinerary of events and tournaments.

    Do you love retro arcade games? Did you go to Arcade Expo? Let Nerdbot know in the comments!

    Author

    [email protected]
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleYour Guide to Winter Anime Conventions in Southern California
    Next Article World War Brick 2017 Convention Review
    [email protected]

    Related Posts

    Anime Impulse 2023: The Rain Report

    January 22, 2023

    Convention Review: Anime Pasadena 2022

    November 22, 2022

    Gallifrey One to Welcome The 13th Doctor Jodie Whittaker

    October 7, 2022

    [SDCC 2022] Marvel Studios WILL Have Hall H Panel

    July 9, 2022

    [SDCC 2022] “Masters of the Universe” Celebrates 40th Anniversary

    July 7, 2022

    NECA Reveals “The Munsters” Zombo SDCC 2022 Exclusive Figure

    June 14, 2022
    • Trending
    • Latest
    • Movies
    • TV

    Christian Activist Suing The NFL For $867 Trillion Over Half-Time Show

    February 5, 2020

    Marvel Eyeing GOT Star Nathalie Emmanuel To Play The MCU’s Storm

    June 27, 2019

    Rumor: Charlie Hunnam In Talks For New Wolverine Movie

    May 20, 2019

    Scientists Are Actually Trying to Open a Portal to a Mirror Universe(Yes Really)

    December 28, 2019

    Original Wednesday Addams Actress Lisa Loring has Passed Away

    January 29, 2023

    Surprise: “Star Trek: Picard” New Trailer Hits During AFC Championship

    January 29, 2023

    Science Claims Chris Hemsworth is Second-Most Handsome Man

    January 29, 2023

    Scientists Find Dinosaur So Well Preserved, You Can See Scales

    January 29, 2023

    Science Claims Chris Hemsworth is Second-Most Handsome Man

    January 29, 2023

    J.Lo’s “Shotgun Wedding” is an “I Don’t” [Review]

    January 27, 2023

    Tobey Maguire Would LOVE to Do 5th “Spider-Man”

    January 27, 2023
    "Children of the Corn"

    “Children Of The Corn” Remake Finally Gets Release Date

    January 27, 2023

    Original Wednesday Addams Actress Lisa Loring has Passed Away

    January 29, 2023

    Surprise: “Star Trek: Picard” New Trailer Hits During AFC Championship

    January 29, 2023
    "Jay Leno's Garage"

    Jay Leno’s 30-Year NBC Run Comes to an End

    January 27, 2023

    Phoebe Waller-Bridge Writing Amazon’s “Tomb Raider” Series

    January 27, 2023
    Related Posts

    None found

    San Diego Comic-Con
      • auction
      • carnivorous plant
      • dinosaur
      • pennyworth
      • San Diego Comic-Con
    NERDBOT
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    © 2023 NERDBOT Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.