Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023 is scheduled to be held from October 13 to 15 at the Oregon Convention Center. The group behind the show is the Retro Gaming Expo, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating awareness and appreciating classic video games and arcade games.
For the avoidance of ambiguity, the group defined classic video games as “any [game]… released prior to the most recent generation consoles by any game manufacturer. By this definition, the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 have moved into the classic realm”.
In terms of full-size arcade cabinet games, the group has “chosen games older than 10 years as eligible for classic status”. If the sound of classic games fills you with nostalgia, then, Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023 is an event you don’t want to miss.
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The first PRGE event was held in 2006—and the show has gotten bigger ever since. What is more fascinating about PRGE is that it is “operated by an all-volunteer board of rabid video game fans”. The board also enjoys enormous support from volunteers.
The work of PRGE is important and matters because of the recent studies that show that the world is losing most of its classic video games. Through events like the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023, the group is helping to preserve these games and educate the public about the history of video games.
The door of the event is open to everyone regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, disability, or mental abilities. The group believes that their classic video game education goal can only be achieved through inclusion and diversity. You can have a look at past events here.
How much is the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023 ticket and where to get it?
If you are interested in attending the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2023, it starts with purchasing a ticket. There is a new Power Pass that is extremely limited, costs $200 per pass, and is limited to 2 tickets per transaction. With the Power Pass, you will get the regular Weekend Pass as well as a long list of perks including:
- 1 hour of early access to the Exhibitor Hall and Retrocade on Saturday and Sunday
- Priority Seating in Panels
- Priority Seating in Live Auction
- Exclusive T-Shirt
- Exclusive Enamel Pin
- Special Poster
- Exclusive Lanyard
- 10% discount at the PRGE merch table
If you are coming with your kid from 3 to 12 years, you need to purchase the Kids Pass which is valid through the weekend. For children 2 years and under, entry is free, if they are in the company of a paid adult. You can get your tickets here.
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Tickets will not be mailed. If you purchased a ticket, you can pick it up at the ticket desk in the main show hall on the weekend of the event using the name of the person who purchased the ticket. The team will be able to scan barcodes from both mobile devices and paper. If you are facing any challenges with purchasing tickets online, call ShowClix via 888-718-4253.
Tickets can also be purchased on the weekend of the Expo at the Convention Center. The place to check is room F149 at the Oregon Convention Center.
Exhibitors still have a chance to book a spot
Like most game events, PRGE will be selling out spaces for exhibitors. The price of the exhibition space ranges from $250 for half a booth to $5,000 for the Super-Mega booth. Half booth space will offer exhibitors a floor space of 10’ by 5’ floor space that includes an 8’ by 30’ clothed table, two chairs, and a vendor badge.
With the Super-Mega booth, exhibitors will get 30’ by 30’ floor space that includes sixteen 8’ by 30’ clothed tables, up to 16 chairs, and 16 vendor badges. What is most fascinating about the booths at PRGE is that they are accessible from at least three sides, unlike the front-only access booths you will find in most events.
Vendors are expected to be open for business from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about what is required from exhibitors, click here.
What to expect at PRGE 2023?
At least 40 guests and speakers have already been confirmed for the upcoming event. One of the personalities confirmed for the show is Frank Cifaldi, the co-director of the Video Game History Foundation. It is not surprising since the event aligns with what VGHF has been fighting for—the conservation of classic video games. See the full list of guests and speakers here.
AtariAge will have a booth at PRGE 2023. The group will bring over 20 new releases for the Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Jaguar, Lynx, and 8-bit. They called it one of their biggest booth ever. An IFPA Pinball tournament hosted by PRGE will see players challenge each other in a classic arcade-type pinball.
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The popular auction is coming back to PRGE 2023. Whether you have sold something in the past or ever dreamed of doing so, the show is offering a large audience that includes game enthusiasts and collectors which provides the perfect market for your product. The auction will happen on Saturday evening.
So far, over 300 vendors and exhibitors have signed up for the show making it one of the biggest editions in the history of the event. See the full schedule for the show including what will be happening at different hours through the weekend.
Have you attended PRGE before? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comment box below.
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