Are you ready to take a trip down memory lane? Classic Game Fest 2024 has come and gone, and many people attended and have memories to last a lifetime. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer who grew up during the golden age of arcades, a new enthusiast eager to experience the classics, or just wanted to peruse nerd mech and retro games to add to your collection, this event delivered an unforgettable experience.
What to Expect
As with any gaming expo, you can expect video games! Anything from the Atari/Colecovision/Intellivision era right up through modern consoles. In addition you can usually expect people to host panels talking about video game related topics such as “what was gaming like in X era”, or perhaps an industry professional can impart their stories and experiences to a new generation. Also, anywhere there is a large group of people you can always expect food! At CGF there were numerous food trucks offering a wide assortment of food and drink because hunting for that rare title or holy grail for your collection can make someone hungry! The final thing you can expect is a good time!
Retro Gaming Galore
Classic Game Fest 2024 featured an extensive lineup of arcade cabinets, console stations, and handheld devices from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Attendees were able to relive the magic of titles like Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., and Street Fighter II, among countless others. With hundreds of games available to play, there was something for everyone. My personal favorite was the Apple II’s setup, which played various retro computer titles from the early to mid-1980s.
Guest Speakers and Panels
The Guest Speaker of Note was Atari Co-Founder Nolan Bushnell. With a myriad of stories, anecdotes and life advice Mr. Bushnell enthralled the audience for the entire time he was on stage and would have gone longer had time permitted. I found his stories of how laid back and fast and loose Atari actually was when the company built the foundation of the video game market as we know it even now over 40 years later. The best piece of advice I believe he offered was, “a good idea alone won’t get you ahead in life, a good idea EXECUTE WELL will however” and I believe that is sage advice.
Tournaments and Competitions
For those with a competitive edge, Classic Game Fest 2024 will host a series of tournaments. Whether you’re a master at Tetris or a Street Fighter champion, this is your chance to prove your skills. Competitions will be held for individual players and teams, so gather your friends and prepare to compete. The biggest draw seemed to be Mario Kart Double Dash for Nintendo GameCube. It still seems to be a fan favorite with Mario Kart enthusiasts even with multiple different iterations released up to and including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on Nintendo Switch.
Vendor Marketplace
No gaming festival would be complete without a marketplace. Vendors from all over will be selling rare games, vintage consoles, memorabilia, and more. It’s the perfect place to find that missing piece for your collection or to pick up a unique souvenir. I was able to find 2 retro titles that I had been looking for to add to my collection; however, there were too many to count that I WANTED to buy, everything from sealed copies of Chrono Trigger on SNES to King of Fighters ‘98 on Neo Geo, there was something for everyone.
When and Where
Classic Game Fest 2024 took place from July 27 to 28 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. It has been scheduled for next July.
Conclusion
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate the classics and immerse yourself in the rich history of video games. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for a fun weekend activity, Classic Game Fest has something for everyone. If you are even debating whether you would enjoy CGF or not, I advise you to go and experience it at least once because you will not be disappointed.
