Portland Classic Video Game Expo Announced

PORTLAND CLASSIC VIDEO GAME EXPO ANNOUNCED
August 2–3, 2008 in Portland, Oregon

Portland, Oregon – The NorthWest Classic Games Enthusiasts (NWCGE), a Pacific NorthWest-based group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of classic video games, announces the 2008 Portland Retro Games Expo.

The Expo, now in its third year, brings together classic video game fans from across the NorthWest. Open to the public, it is an opportunity for nostalgic gamers to revisit their favorite video game systems of yore.

The Retro Gaming Expo isn't just for collectors. Anyone with an interest in home video gaming will find something to enjoy. The Expo will feature vendors and exhibitions of classic game consoles as well as contests and tournaments.

What is a classic video game?
The classic gaming hobby is most closely associated with home consoles like the Atari 2600/5200/7800, Nintendo NES and SNES systems, Sega Master System/Genesis and other systems released in the 1980s and early 1990s. Visitors can expect to see these systems as well as many lesser-known systems at the Expo.

Portland has a long history of support for the classic video game hobby, making it a great home for the Expo. In addition to a 1980’s-style game arcade, there are many local stores where the nostalgic can still purchase classics like Atari’s Yar’s Revenge, Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. and the Final Fantasy series for Sony’s Playstation.

“There has been a lot of interest lately in older video games,” said Rick Weis, one of the organizers of the Expo. “I think a lot of people who grew up playing Atari in the 1980’s now have kids who play games. The introduction of family-friendly systems like the Nintendo Wii have renewed interest in the older games by parents whtheir kids the games they used to play.”

The Portland Retro Gaming Expo will be held on August 2-3 in a 7000 square foot exhibition hall at the Portland Airport Holiday Inn and Conference Center. Doors open at 10 AM on both Saturday and Sunday.

The exhibitor and vendor hall is open until 5:00 p.m. and the classic game tournaments begin after the exhibitor hall closes at 5 PM each day.

Tickets are available at the door. Single entry is $10 for one day or $15 for both. The family rate (up to 5 people in one family) is $25.00 for one day or $40 for both days.

Rick Weis and John Hancock are available to answer any questions at rick@retrogamingexpo.com and
john@retrogamingexpo.com.

For more information: http://www.retrogamingexpo.com