HARTFORD, Conn. _ If you're a gamer who lives in the past, you've got a lot of company. Hundreds of like-minded nostalgia buffs will gather in Hartford to celebrate vintage and retro video games at the fourth annual RetroWorld Expo the weekend of Sept. 8 and 9.
The event includes tabletop game events such as Hero Quest and The Dragon's Lair, video-game tournaments such as Super Smash Bros., a console freeplay area with more than 100 retro gaming consoles, more than 75 arcade and pinball machines, a cosplay contest, game shows, a collectibles auction, guest speakers, panel discussions and more than 80 exhibitors in the categories of games, anime, action figures and comic books.
There also will be examples of "homebrew gaming." Lance Cortez, one of the founders of RetroWorld Expo, says homebrew, also known as indie games, refers to "video games that are made by regular individuals instead of big video game companies." Some of the indie companies coming to the expo are Bombshelter and Opcode, both based in Massachusetts, as well as Jumpmen Gaming and Imaginary Monsters.
Even the musical acts are in the retro-gaming groove. Bands with names like RF Switch, Rebel Gaming Club, Super Thrash Bros and Falconeer will perform.
Some of the guests are Tim Kitzrow, the original voice announcer for "NBA JAM;" Sal Divita, former Midway\THQ game developer who worked on such games as "NBA JAM," "NFL BLITZ," "Mortal Kombat 3," and "WWE Allstars;" "Mortal Kombat 1 and 2" video-game actors Rich Divizio and Anthony Marquez; YouTube personalities Norman Caruso The Gaming Historian, Coury Carlson and Marc Dudleson of "My Life in Gaming" and Derek Alexander of "Stop Skeletons From Fighting."
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IF YOU GO
An after-party will be held Saturday night.
RETROWORLD EXPO runs Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Admission is $30 for Saturday, $25 for Sunday, $45 for a two-day pass, $50 for a family of four on Sunday. Kids 6 and younger are free with purchase of adult ticket. retroworldexpo.com.
