Portland Retro Gaming Expo: Your Ultimate Retro Weekend

Looking for a blast from the past this fall? The Portland Retro Gaming Expo is back with a vengeance, ready to immerse attendees in nostalgia, tournaments, creator meet‑ups, and more. Whether you’re a hardcore collector, casual player, or content creator fan, this expo is your three-day ticket to a time capsule of gaming history.

🎮 What is the Portland Retro Gaming Expo?

Started in 2006, the Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE) is a non‑profit volunteer‑run celebration of classic video and arcade games (retrogamingexpo.com). Now hosted annually at the Oregon Convention Center, PRGE delivers hundreds of playable arcade machines, console libraries, panels, art shows, live music, and tournaments—even the Classic Tetris World Championship DAS bracket.

Drawing more than 27,000 attendees in 2023, PRGE continues to grow while staying true to its mission: to educate, preserve, and inspire future generations about gaming’s roots.

🏛 A Look Back: History of PRGE

• 2006: PRGE launches as a localized offshoot of a Seattle‑area retro gaming meetup, officially naming itself and settling in Portland by September 26.
• Evolving from a few consoles to a sprawling venue, PRGE has continuously expanded its offerings—pinball, indie showcases, collectibles, auctions, and pro‑level tournaments.
• Consistently emphasizing education and community, PRGE remains rooted in celebrating gaming culture, not commercial hype .

📍 Location & Venue Details

This year’s event runs October 17–19, 2025 at the Oregon Convention Center, spanning Halls C, D, and E, as well as meeting rooms D–F (Admission). With excellent access via I‑5, I‑84, MAX Light Rail, and being just 8 miles from PDX airport, getting there is a breeze (Venue).

Nearby accommodations include the Hyatt Regency (across the street), Courtyard, KEX, DoubleTree, Crowne Plaza, Jupiter, and The Hoxton—many offering special PRGE rates .

🎟 Tickets & Pricing

Ticket options for PRGE 2025 are live now (Admission):

• Three‑day badges (Fri–Sun)
• Two‑day badges (Sat–Sun)
• Kids Pass (ages 3–12; under 3 free with adult)
• No mailed passes—pick up on‑site at Will Call with your barcode.

Event schedule recap (Schedule, Admission):

• Friday, Oct 17: Partial Exhibitor Hall, Freeplay Arcade and Consoles open 12–22h
• Saturday, Oct 18: Full shows 9–20h, panels 10–18:45, late arcade
• Sunday, Oct 19: Last day 10–17h

Tickets are non‑refundable. Prices increased slightly to cover venue costs—so if you’re hesitating, grab them early!

🌟 Who’s Attending? Guests & YouTube Personalities

Each year PRGE attracts both industry veterans and viral YouTubers. Though official guest lists for 2025 are still rolling out, past star attractions suggest a stellar lineup:

• Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) often appears—Reddit buzz notes “AVGN will be signing from 1–5” (Admission, reddit.com).
• Modern retro enthusiasts like Metal Jesus Rocks and Pat The NES Punk regularly headline panels.
• Expect familiar hosts like Dunkey, JonTron, AVGN, ProJared, and others from Game On and MAGWest circuits.
• A dedicated space for Q&As with industry legends—like David Crane, Garry Kitchen, Ed Fries, Rebecca Heineman—will surely appear again.

Follow PRGE’s official social (YouTube, Instagram, X) for guest updates and press announcements—all building up to the big reveal.

🕹 Highlights & Attractions

Arcade + Console Freeplay
Hundreds of coin‑ops and classic consoles will be live for all to enjoy. The DAS-only Classic Tetris tournament funnels into CTWC’s Jonas Neubauer Cup for global championship hopes (Tetris).

Tournaments & Panels
Besides Tetris, expect retro‑heavy competitions across fighting games, vintage sports, and new indie titles. Plus, diverse programming tracks include hardware preservation, speedrunning, music, cosplay, and collector workshops.

Vendor Hall & Exhibitors
Dealers showcase rare and new retro gear. Exhibitor packages range from 2‑day to full 3‑day access, with full vendor facilities and regulations to ensure a smooth experience (Exhibitor Packages 2025).

Art, Auction & Live Culture
Indie dev booths, vinyl DJ sets, live music, collectible auctions, rare art, and meet‑and‑greets create unique moments beyond gameplay.

🔑 Why You Can’t Miss It

1. Authentic Retro Experience – PRGE offers a hands‑on, unfiltered portal to gaming’s golden era.
2. Creator Culture – Meet your favorite YouTubers and content creators in an intimate setting.
3. Community Spirit – Volunteer-run, non‑commercialized, and genuinely passionate.
4. Educational & Inclusive – Balancing nostalgia with insightful panels on history and preservation.
5. West Coast Hub – One of the largest retro game gatherings in the Western U.S., attracting thousands.