ome every half-decade we see an evolution in the box. From graphics to internet connectivity, new game consoles move ahead at a rapid pace and are quickly becoming the center of our multimedia indulgences. But something is getting lost along the way. I traveled to Oregon to fill the void.
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is a smaller show that's equal parts museum, swap meet, and arcade. This year it was held at the Portland Crown Plaza and fell on Sunday, September 20, for a cheap $10 admission. Stations upon stations featuring playable Atari 2600s with stacks of black cartridges for the choosing were joined by lesser-known systems like the Vectrex, a vector-based graphics relic. Anyone could play the Virtual Boy if they dared to sacrifice their vision and ocular sanitation, and a Dreamcast and PlayStation 2 were set up to provide perspective in the form of Soul Calibur and Taiko Drum Master.
. . . or Atari time machine.
RecycledGamer's Chuck Van Pelt set up an authentic Atari living room complete with plaid couch and shag carpeting. The ancient wood-paneled TV sat on a piece of grandma's furniture, which housed a 2600 beside joysticks and cartridges. Attendants sat there and played Defender and Pitfall and whatever else brought them back to their Fun-Dip youths circa 1980.
But Jordan Kloster, being a young adult, still sat on the couch and played Missile Command without a huge boost from nostalgia. When asked about the draw of these games he said, "It's fun to go back to simpler times and not worry about any of the graphics. I know there aren't going to be any glitches." Kloster adds, "[Retro games] are more of a challenge. They're more about high scores."
Equal parts museum, swap meet, and arcade.To celebrate Kloster's sentiment, games are still being developed for retro systems. AtariAge is a site that not only represents the classics but publishes new homebrew games for old systems. Juno First and Dungeon were two new 2600 games being sold at the AtariAge booth. Collectors flocked to their preorder copies with bonus posters.
Indie games are all the rage, but through AtariAge and other homebrew publishers, collectors can support indie developers while satiating their retro hunger.
Back at the classic console-lined tables, John Hancock was running and announcing multi-era game tournaments. The majority of consoles came out of his impressive collection, and I was surprised to find he had no qualms with the handling of his prized pieces. Hancock, a built man with an overworked voice, expressed how he couldn't be happier sharing his collection with those good enough to come out.
Those looking for more of an authentic museum experience could find it in the lobby where almost 40 years of consoles were on display thanks to Hancock. There, I found an attendant more enthralled by what was missing from the display than the artifacts present. He walked off lamenting the lack of the Fairchild Channel F and the RCA Studio 2 home systems. Tough crowd.
Also in the lobby, original arcade cabinets such as Tron and Asteroids could be played. Cheeto, the most excited participant yet, was found waving his Chester the Cheetah tattooed forearm during repeated attempts at beating every high score on a Midway Touch Generation bar unit. His unabashed gaming spirit was a recharge to those lamenting the lack of the Fairchild Channel F and the RCA Studio 2 home systems.
The show went on with raffle drawings and an auction.The show went on with raffle drawings, a live chip-tune performance and an auction; but the energy was not exclusive to the Crown Plaza. Before- and after-parties were held downtown at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade where retro cabinets live on the first floor and pinball machines reign in plain sight on the second.
During my time at Ground Kontrol, DJs spun Eighties records just behind the Donkey Kong and Dr. Mario cabinets near the stairs. Over David Bowie and Depeche Mode, talk of the expo could be heard from a crowded Joust machine and the bar where a good looking woman in a dress played through the Super Mario Bros. series from a hanging television. Among the buzzing lights and game-generating bleeps, I could see simplicity in design . . . purity of challenge . . . innocence of youth.
No game dies in Portland, Oregon.
A fascinating subculture within a subculture. The man deprived of Fairchild and RCA hardware offered the sharpest contrast. I value gaming and archaeology, though not in combination.
Excellent read, Alex! And compelling material also. I wondered about Mr. Hancock's generous nature and ability to remain calm with hundreds of people pawing through his stuff. I would flip. That probably indicates a serious psychological flaw, or at least a skewed sense of priority. Hmmmmm.
I'll second that thought, SwP. Let the record state: I failed sharing in kindergarten.
That faux wood paneled TV up at the top of the page is sweet! I made it through the last two years of college with a 19" RCA set that looked similar. It had these thumbscrews on the back which let you individually gain up the R, G and B guns. By my senior year, I had the picture dialed in beautifully. I still miss that TV. I also miss Star Raiders...
Psychologically right there with you, SwP. I wouldn't have a problem with sharing my gems, but all involved would have to wear latex gloves and promise to press buttons oh-so softly. John Hancock is pretty much a saint for his selflessness in the matter.
Ed, that tv sounds awesome!
Michael, thinking about your assessment of a "subculture within a subculture" gives me goosebumps.
Magiz, it is a great idea. If you go, bring a wish list and your wallet.
Another great article, Alex. Ground Kontrol is awesome, and it has the best pinball I've ever played.
Nice write-up Alex...... Its amusing how when I was young I hated sharing my games with friends.....now I can't seem to find any of my friends who want to play the games with me. LOL
When I was young I hated sharing my games with friends.
Owning neither an Atari nor a Nintendo, I was the kid who would attach to a friend's home system like a magnet.
Good read. This is honestly the first time I've heard about this. What a great idea for a gaming expo.