The retro video game convention Midwest Gaming Classic celebrated its 18th year in Milwaukee, WI a little over a week ago, and we just so happened to have been in attendance! The convention is host to hundreds of pinball and retro arcade games that are all open for free play, a vendor hall where you can buy almost any game you can think of (yes, I found and almost purchased Zelda: Wand of Gamelon) and also features a number of panels hosted by game creators, personalities and other members of the industry.
The convention does a great job of highlighting the best games of the past but also shows off some pretty important gaming relics too. From the power suits used in the Nintendo World Championships to the unreleased Nintendo Playstation prototype, you’re bound to see some pretty crazy stuff here.
Needless to say, we had a great time playing games, checking out the dealer’s wares and meeting some industry vets. Check out our highlights video of the Midwest Gaming Classic and let us know if you’ll be booking tickets for next year's event! Maybe we’ll see you there.
Comments 21
Seems like a really fun event.
How did I miss this? I don't live too far from Milwaukee and would have loved to be there. Guess there's always next year..
I'm sad I've never heard of this, makes me want to do some googling on classic gaming events coming up because I would love this!
I don't even collect games anymore but I am searching like crazy for a copy of Diablo on the original playstation Amazon has it but for crazy money like $200 crazy.
What?! A Zelda CD-i game was a highlight? Everything Nintendo's done until now (to protect the Zelda IP)... it was all for nothing!
This is a pretty cool-sounding event. Maybe I'll try to make it sometime.
Midwest Gaming Classic should only be for the classics, why is the Wand of the Gamelon, a non-classic doing there?
I always thought the idea of a convention with exclusively bad/bootleg games would be fun
@PBandSmelly
Not talking about this event though
Found an upcoming show in KY on the 18th and another in July on the 20th!
Thanks for the article I’m pumped to go to these events now!
Hmm...Wish that I'd known about this beforehand. Milwaukee is no short trip for me, but the journey would be much better/more affordable compared to conventions like E3 and the PAX events.
...I still think there should be a PAX Midwest.
@NintendoByNature This was my second year. I live in Rock county, so it's about an hour and a half... totally worth it. I come for the weekend and get the VIG Badge (Which this year was an actually working NES cartridge with a game created just for the show) which gives you Friday preview access, Saturday and Sunday and the after party. At the after party I got to meet and hang with Ernie Hudson, Daniel Pessina (He is the actor who played Johnny Cage, Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Reptile, Smoke, and Noob Saibot and helped create Mortal Kombat & Mortal Kombat II), Philip Ahn (Shang Tsung), Anthony Marquez (Kung Lao). Howard Lincoln was at the show. At the after party, we got to play the Nintendo Playstation! So much more and so worth the price of entry. We danced and did karaoke/lip sync with Anthony Marquez. Johnny Gioeli of Crush 40 performed music they had written for some of the Sonic games. So much fun.
I almost want the CD-i Zelda games just for laughs and to make my best friend cringe. I watched the Zelda cartoon for the sake of my own amusement.
@Tsusasi that sounds like so much fun. I have to keep an eye out for this next year. I would've totally gone. If you dont mind my asking how much was the pass? And secondly, is there any more gaming conventions coming to the Midwest this year? I live in Will county Illinois. Most people are familiar with Naperville and my town actually borders Naperville. Chicago, Indy st Louis and Milwaukee all decent drives for me
@Medic_alert hence why not the best but ya so much drifting but who knows maybe that will change after e3.
Sounds like you had a fun time.
Dude... those retro console-specific arcade cabinets are tight!
@sleepinglion Agreed! They are made by a company called Arcade 816 and they're planning to open up an arcade with the cabs in Chicago!
@Vicki_S Literally the only reason I almost bought it. Maybe next year, haha!
@Dilated Awesome! Glad to help!
@Ziondood Nice! Do they sell them?
@sleepinglion I didn't ask, so I'm unsure. Wouldn't hurt to look them up and reach out though!
@Ziondood You bet. Dropped their Facebook page a line
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