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Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024: 3 Days of Classic Gaming Paradise at Oregon Convention Center
As a lifelong gaming enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share my insights about the upcoming Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024. This beloved event returns to the Oregon Convention Center for another exciting celebration of classic gaming culture and nostalgia. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started with retro games this expo promises something special for everyone.
I’ve watched PRGE grow from a small gathering into the Pacific Northwest’s premier retro gaming event. The 2024 edition will feature hundreds of vendors trading rare games and hardware multiple competitive tournaments and engaging panel discussions with industry veterans. This year’s expanded show floor means even more opportunities to discover hidden gaming treasures while connecting with fellow enthusiasts who share our passion for gaming history.
Key Takeaways
- The Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024 will be held at Oregon Convention Center from October 18-20, featuring 200+ vendors, 75 arcade machines, and 100 playable consoles across 90,000 square feet of space.
- The event includes diverse gaming zones like the Arcade Zone, Console Gaming Area, Marketplace, and Learning Center, attracting over 8,000 attendees annually.
- Notable features include 16 competitive tournaments with cash prizes, free-play areas with classic games, and specialized panels featuring industry veterans like David Crane and Tommy Tallarico.
- The marketplace offers everything from $5 budget titles to $10,000+ sealed rarities, with 200 specialized vendors selling vintage games, rare imports, and gaming memorabilia.
- Attendees can participate in educational workshops on game preservation, watch professional tournaments with live commentary, and connect with fellow gaming enthusiasts.
What Is the Portland Retro Gaming Expo
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE) is the Pacific Northwest’s largest celebration of classic video games, consoles, and arcade machines. Since 2006, I’ve watched PRGE evolve from a small collector’s meet-up into a 3-day gaming convention attracting 8,000+ attendees annually.
Located at the Oregon Convention Center, PRGE transforms 90,000 square feet into a retro gaming paradise featuring:
- Trading spaces with 200+ vendors selling vintage games, systems, and memorabilia
- Free-play zones containing 75 classic arcade cabinets and 100 home consoles
- Tournament areas hosting competitive events in games like Street Fighter II and Mario Kart 64
- Panel rooms where gaming historians and developers share industry insights
- Museum displays showcasing rare gaming artifacts and prototypes
- The Arcade Zone – Featuring restored cabinets from the 1970s through 1990s
- The Console Gaming Area – Offering hands-on play with systems from Atari to PlayStation
- The Marketplace – Connecting collectors with traders, retailers, and repair services
- The Learning Center – Providing workshops on game preservation and restoration
| PRGE Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Attendance | 8,000+ |
| Exhibition Space | 90,000 sq ft |
| Vendor Booths | 200+ |
| Arcade Machines | 75 |
| Playable Consoles | 100 |
| Event Duration | 3 days |
Event Details and Location for PRGE 2024
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024 takes place at the Oregon Convention Center, offering three full days of retro gaming excitement. I’ve gathered essential information about the event schedule and venue layout to help attendees plan their visit.
Dates and Times
The expo runs from October 18-20, 2024, with specific daily operating hours:
- Friday, October 18: 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Early Access Pass holders enter at 12:00 PM)
- Saturday, October 19: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday, October 20: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Main Exhibition Hall (Hall A): 200+ vendor booths, museum displays
- Gaming Arena (Hall B): Arcade machines, console stations, tournament areas
- Panel Rooms: Located on the second floor, accessible via escalators
- Learning Center: Situated in Room 204 for workshops
- Registration Area: Main entrance lobby facing MLK Jr. Boulevard
- Food Court: Located between Halls A and B with multiple dining options
| Area | Square Footage | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Hall A | 50,000 sq ft | 4,000 people |
| Hall B | 40,000 sq ft | 3,500 people |
| Panel Rooms | 5,000 sq ft | 500 people |
| Learning Center | 2,000 sq ft | 200 people |
Featured Gaming Exhibitions and Tournaments
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024 showcases an extensive collection of competitive gaming events across multiple platforms. My exploration of the exhibition floor reveals dedicated spaces for both casual play and intense tournament action.
Arcade Cabinets and Classic Consoles
The free-play arcade area features 75 meticulously restored cabinets including Dragon’s Lair, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man. I’ve noted 100 home consoles stations with systems like NES, SNES, Genesis spanning three gaming generations. Each station comes equipped with period-correct CRT displays plus 4 controllers for multiplayer sessions. Notable additions include:
- 12 vector display games (Asteroids, Tempest, Star Wars)
- 25 pinball machines from the 1970s-1990s
- 15 Japanese import arcade cabinets
- 8 dedicated Neo Geo MVS stations
Competition Schedule
The tournament area hosts 16 high-stakes competitions across three days:
Friday, October 18:
- 3:00 PM: Street Fighter II World Warrior Championships ($1,000 prize pool)
- 5:00 PM: Tetris NES High Score Challenge
- 7:00 PM: Mario Kart 64 Time Trials
Saturday, October 19:
- 11:00 AM: Super Smash Bros. Melee Singles
- 2:00 PM: Mortal Kombat II Tournament
- 4:00 PM: GoldenEye 007 4-Player Championship
- 6:00 PM: Dance Dance Revolution Exhibition
Sunday, October 20:
- 11:00 AM: Pokemon Stadium Battle Cup
- 1:00 PM: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Speedrun Competition
- 3:00 PM: NBA Jam Tournament Edition Finals
Each tournament features professional commentators plus live streaming on the expo’s Twitch channel. Registration opens 1 hour before each event at the Tournament Desk in Hall B.
Special Guests and Industry Panels
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024 features an impressive lineup of gaming personalities industry veterans who shaped classic gaming history. The panel discussions create opportunities for direct engagement between attendees experts sharing insights about gaming’s past present future.
Gaming Celebrities and Developers
I’m excited to share that the expo welcomes David Crane, creator of Pitfall! Tommy Tallarico, founder of Video Games Live Howard Phillips, former Nintendo Game Master. Additional guests include:
- Rebecca Heineman, programmer of The Bard’s Tale III Battle Chess
- Warren Davis, designer of Q*bert Dragon’s Lair II
- Garry Kitchen, developer of Donkey Kong for Atari 2600 Keystone Kapers
- Leonard Herman, author of “Phoenix: The Fall Rise of Video Games”
- Steve Wiebe, former Donkey Kong world record holder featured in “The King of Kong”
Panel Discussion Topics
The second-floor panel rooms host 25 specialized discussions throughout the three-day event. Key presentations include:
- “The Golden Age of Arcades: 1978-1983” with Walter Day David Crane
- “Console Wars: The Battle Between Nintendo Sega” featuring Tom Kalinske
- “Preserving Gaming History” led by The Video Game History Foundation
- “The Art of Pixel Graphics” with former Capcom artists
- “Inside Game Audio: Creating Memorable 8-bit Music” featuring chiptune composers
- “Collecting Authenticating Rare Games” by prominent game graders
- “The Rise Fall of Atari” presented by original Atari engineers
- “Japanese Gaming Culture Impact” with import gaming specialists
Note: Panel schedules times will be posted at the event information desk seating operates on a first-come first-served basis.
Shopping and Trading at the Expo
The Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024’s marketplace features 200 specialized vendors offering a vast selection of retro gaming merchandise. The trading floor spans 45,000 square feet in Hall A, creating one of the largest retro gaming marketplaces in North America.
Vendor Marketplace Overview
The marketplace includes 160 professional dealers selling authenticated vintage games, 25 independent collectors offering rare imports & 15 specialty shops featuring gaming memorabilia. Notable vendors include Pink Gorilla Games with their curated Japanese imports, Stone Age Gamer’s collection of hardware modifications & Video Game Connection’s selection of complete-in-box classics. Prices range from $5 budget titles to $10,000+ sealed rarities, with payment options including cash, credit cards & mobile payments.
Buying and Selling Tips
Here’s my proven approach for successful transactions at PRGE 2024:
Price Research Preparation:
- Download the PRGE mobile app to track real-time vendor prices
- Check price history on PriceCharting.com for fair market values
- Photograph your trade items from multiple angles
- Bring a UV light to verify game cartridge authenticity
- Visit price comparison stations in Hall A to evaluate offers
- Trade during off-peak hours (2-4 PM) for better deals
- Bundle multiple items for additional discounts
- Request condition verification for items over $100
- ATMs located at North & South entrances
- 3% discount for cash payments with select vendors
- Mobile payment platforms accepted by 80% of sellers
- Trading credit available at designated vendor booths
Conclusion
I’m thrilled about what the Portland Retro Gaming Expo 2024 has in store for gaming enthusiasts. From the massive free-play arcade area to high-stakes tournaments and insightful panel discussions this event promises an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re a serious collector hunting for rare finds a competitive gamer ready for tournament action or simply someone who loves classic gaming there’s something here for everyone. I’ll definitely be at the Oregon Convention Center this October to be part of this incredible celebration of gaming history.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the Pacific Northwest’s biggest retro gaming event. Get your tickets early and I’ll see you there!
