Final yr I had simply began turning into extra concerned within the retro gaming neighborhood; writing a few evaluations for GamesYouLoved and repeatedly posting on my Twitter & Instagram accounts – the Play Expo in Manchester was my first gaming expo and I had no thought what to anticipate so the entire occasion just about blew my thoughts!  

Article by Darren Browne – aka @KingMonkey25

I feel for any gamer their first Play Expo occasion is like being a child in a sweet store with so many issues to really do; huge arrays of coin-ops and pinball machines on free-play, enormous quantities of retro computer systems and consoles all arrange prepared so that you can both strive for the primary time or rekindle some fond reminiscences of your youth, retailers promoting huge quantity of gaming items, digital actuality (each new & outdated variations!), cosplay occasions and extra!

My first occasion was primarily spent with fellow GYL workforce member Andy Pryer aka @clammylizard taking part in as many arcade machines as doable and looking for out issues like Oculus Rift to strive for the primary time. Throughout my second Play Expo in Blackpool a couple of months later I performed much less video games however spent extra time going round with Chris from GYL getting to fulfill trade legends akin to Bob Wakelin and Jim Bagley in addition to Henrique Olifiers after he had revealed the Spectrum Subsequent!

So a yr on from my final Play Expo Manchester occasion and issues have modified fairly a bit – my retro gaming assortment has elevated considerably, together with my followers on my Twitter & Instagram accounts and I now tune in to retro gaming podcasts and YouTube channels.

My primary focus has all the time been Twitter and it is on this platform that I’ve acquired to know numerous people from the retro gaming neighborhood albeit principally by their Twitter aliases – it all the time appears surreal that you simply ‘know’ these individuals on-line however not often know their precise names and even know what they seem like! 

The eighth & ninth of October noticed Play Expo arrive as soon as extra at Manchester’s EventCity and having skilled 2 totally different Play Expo’s I needed to expertise extra than simply taking part in the varied machines and, after transferring to London only a week earlier than the occasion and due to this fact downsizing my space for storing, I wasn’t trying to purchase something. This meant I used to be in a position to spend my time looking for out the individuals I normally hearken to on podcasts or work together with on my social media channels and this was what I used to be trying ahead to most – lastly assembly the varied individuals from the retro gaming neighborhood.  

Having a press move organised by GamesYouLoved meant I acquired early entry so I did handle to keep away from the massive queues exterior and upon getting into was met with the sight of Barricade and Bumblebee from the Michael Bay Transformers film franchise – not a foul strategy to begin!  I had a fast blast on a couple of arcade machines earlier than looking for out the remainder of the GamesYouLoved workforce.

After assembly up with the GYL crew myself and Andy Foster (@andyfostergaming) headed off to get some pics of the queue exterior earlier than heading over to the arcades to problem one another at a couple of video games. The arcade is really superb – such a tremendous job by the Replay Occasions crew and Retro Video games Social gathering.

Our battle on Sega Rally being one of many closest races I’ve ever been concerned in; the lead consistently altering arms till the timer acquired us each with Andy nonetheless main!  For people who observe Andy you’ll know he is a big fan of Daytona USA and this undoubtedly confirmed when he trounced my instances on that machine! Alongside the best way we additionally ran into Aaron and Andy from the RGDS podcast workforce in addition to Sean Holley from Ten Pence Arcade and would later be a part of them & numerous others (@miggybaz) within the afternoon solar (certainly a rarity in Manchester in October?!) for the RGDS Megacast & most likely the hardest set of gaming questions ever devised!

Wise Soccer follow-up, Sociable Soccer made its playable debut at Play Blackpool and I ended up turning into the primary ever Sociable Soccer champion! I stayed in contact with their growth workforce so knew they’d be at this occasion and, as Andy hadn’t performed it, we headed over to the stand the place we discovered Wise Software program co-founder Jon Hare attempting to get his recreation working on some PCs.

Because it was going to take some time to get the PCs working, Jon allow us to expertise the sport’s ‘God mode’ by way of a Samsung GearVR headset; the sport is unquestionably taking part in effectively and lots of enhancements have been made since I final performed in Blackpool.. While there myself and Andy met Neil from GaminGuys and Retro Wealthy (who’s lots simpler to identify than most Twitter people as a result of truth he wears the identical cap as his Twitter avatar, Terry Bogard from Deadly Fury)!

The most effective setups there was run by Tom Charnock from The Dreamcast Junkyard, a great deal of consoles working numerous video games have been out there however in fact Andy went for Daytona and the DC steering wheel controller!  

Different highlights for myself included taking part in on a VirtualBoy for the primary time; the sport was Mario Tennis and though I discovered it robust to time my photographs, I used to be impressed with how good the 3D impact truly was contemplating it is age and no, I did not expertise nausea or complications! I additionally acquired to pattern old skool Digital Actuality by way of the ‘Virtuality’ headset – graphically fundamental in comparison with what we’re seeing now from PlayStation VR & Oculus Rift however nice to have truly tried it, made me respect how robust it most likely was for the contestants on BBC 2 VR prog Cyberzone!

There are all the time so many superb retail stalls at Play Expo Manchester and this yr was no exception, Console Ardour all the time carry an important number of modded retro Japanese consoles with them however an enormous tip of the hat should go to Allan McCluskey’s staggering import assortment – this was his first occasion and with just one desk and huge quantities of video games on numerous platforms at excellent costs, the stand was consistently busy each time I handed by and Allan did a sterling job to handle/survive the two days all by himself, I do know for sure he shall be extra ready for the subsequent occasion and look ahead to seeing him at future occasions as I am positive many collectors do, together with the GYL employees who picked up some minty Japanese Megadrive bargains from Allan very early within the day!

For people who have but to attend a PlayExpo occasion I can affirm that it’s undoubtedly well worth the effort (I journey from London myself) and there may be a lot to maintain you entertained I like to recommend going for the two days if you wish to cowl all the pieces – particularly if it is your first occasion as I assure you will not get all the pieces carried out in someday! 

I’m all the time impressed at how pleasant these occasions are; such an important neighborhood spirit with individuals not hogging machines and hardly any queuing for video games (PlayStation VR being an exception and was crazily busy all day) and giving assist to all of the cosplayers – particular point out to the household who all dressed as Lara Croft and the man on this go well with pictured with myself and Andy! And in the event you do go, ensure you maintain an eye fixed out for the GYL workforce!

Article by Darren Browne – aka @KingMonkey25