Play Expo returned to EventCity, behind the Trafford Centre, Manchester on 12th and 13th October 2013 to bring the North-West a dose of gaming from the past, present and future, and boy, it did not disappoint.
Representing Team HCF, Bat and Juan arrived bright and early to the venue where a line had formed as long as the eye could see. Opening at 11am on the Saturday morning meant queues had formed from just before 10am, and with some attendees in costume, it was evident that the Expo would be rather busy. Master Chief from Halo handed out Fun Stock cards, with a free anime RPG game download on the back from Rice, whilst guests chatted to one another about their gaming exploits.
As the clock struck 11, we all filtered inside the giant hall. Rows upon rows of television screens awaited, but the first thing that caught our eye was the massive trade stall selling used retro games and consoles. Our wallets and purses wept with despair at how much cash could be handed over that day, but we promised ourselves not to remortgage our respective houses in the bid to possess the much-loved games from our past.
After the initial lure of retro games for sale, we headed straight for two giant Gameboys. I am the least experienced gamer out of Juan and myself. I have gamed since being a child and know my bits and bobs, but Juan is the ultimate gaming nerd (I’m sure he won’t mind me saying so!) and had a better idea on what was going on than I did. The jumbo Gameboys turned out to a game of Tetris so we pitted our skills against one another for the first time in a bid to slot shapes in any available gaps. I managed to resist defeat for a teensie bit longer than Juan, so as a forfeit, he posed as one of Nintendo’s favourite Italian plumbers. Lovely!
We then headed on to some shiny looking computers to play a LAN game, where 4 of us sat in a row played against each other in a first-person futuristic shooter. We had loads of fun picking up ammo and different guns, as well as some armour to shield ourselves from attacks. Many light-hearted screams of joy and defeated ensued until we finally picked up our bottoms and planted them in front of a game of Super Smash Bros, where I made the mistake of playing as Pokemon’s Pikachu against Juan’s character of Zelda’s Link. Yes, I sucked greatly, and after a bit of laughter at some bug-style continuous explosions prevent a character from dying, we shifted onto GoldenEye. I only played GoldenEye once on a friend’s N64, so I had no idea what I was doing, but Juan is well versed in the way of the N64 controller and was able to show this newb exactly how to work it, even if I sucked big time.
We wandered down the numerous aisles of television screens, each hooked up with a different retro or current console, with different games inserted and ready to play. Sonic, Grand Theft Auto, Sheep, Dog n Wolf and various imported titles of which we’d never heard of. There were tons of games for everyone to have a go at. Young children eagerly sat down to play a console that existed before they were even born, whilst the older generation reacquainted themselves with games from the past. One of my personal highlights was the chance to play Centipede on the Atari, my first ever game console and game. I still own it, but don’t have the right cables and plugs to use it on my modern TV, so to have a go and hear those ‘blip blip blip – ssssssh’ noises brought all those great memories back.
After kicking my arse on King of Fighters, Juan and I came across a musical themed gaming section. Whilst Juan opted to rock out with Guitar Hero, I took to the decks for DJ Hero and found out quickly why I will never be the world’s No1 DJ. Instead, a pair of maracas caught my eye, belonging to Dreamcast’s imported Samba de Amigo. Well, I might have looked like a right prat, but I’d never had that much fun gaming in ages, shaking my maracas and wiggling my hips in time with the music. This would make a great game for parties! Check out a video of the game below (not my effort, I must add)
Many trade stalls graced the back of the hall, selling such wares as gaming inspired clothing, comic books, gaming stuffed toys and memorabilia, anime films, gaming weapons for cosplayers, and of course, a vast selection of gaming consoles, titles, walkthrough guides and peripherals. Anyone looking for a bargain would have been disappointed, but there was plenty of rare games available if you were willing to shell out the dough. Gamers took joy in rifling through the hundreds of games on display to find that hidden gem they’d been searching for. With imported titles also for sale, there was plenty to see and purchase, even if nobody was stocking PC gaming related items.
Towards the left hand side of hall were around 4 rows of pinball machines, possibly 30 or so in total – all free to play. I do love a good game of pinball and rarely have the opportunity so Juan and I decided to have a go on a pair of machines. I took the Batman pinball machine whilst Juan opted for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Every time the ball flew into the mouth of the Joker or into the Batmobile, the machine would squeal with noises and flash bright lights, whilst the ball would be thrust back into the game play, testing my hand speed and timing accuracy of the flippers.
Next to the pinball machines were a range of arcade style games, from gun games to beat-em-ups, complete with joysticks and three buttons a piece. By this point it was early afternoon and so the hall had become quite full, so we didn’t get a chance to play these, but plenty of people were enjoying them.
On the other side of the hall were a few matches on the big screen of players battling it out on Super Street Fighter IV, as well as other gaming tournaments, whilst people stood in queues waiting to sample the latest games of Assassins Creed: Black Flag and Dark Souls II among others, and the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset.
There was plenty to do and see at Play Expo, with cosplayers entertaining the regularly dressed public. Being within a stones throw from the Trafford Centre meant that some cosplayers, including Mario, Luigi (complete with Boo the ghost) and the Ghostbusters had drifted into the giant shopping centre for some retail therapy, much to the amusement of joe public who had no idea why the Ghostbusters were there. If anything, this only enticed gaming shoppers to check out the Expo around the corner.
For anyone who loves games, Play Expo is an absolute must! Not only can you find some of the games you’ve always wanted to buy, but you also get to play all the games and consoles you used to play or never tried. Play Expo has gaming at the heart of it, and whilst some new games were showcased, this is definitely an expo for the retro and current gen fans.
With its Trafford Centre location, and plenty of free parking, I don’t think it could be held at a better venue. This really is fun for all the family (if they’re into gaming). The great bit about it is if even if you’re other half doesn’t enjoy gaming, you can go for a day out and leave the family in the Trafford Centre whilst you hop on over to Play Expo and game your heart out. Score!
For more information on Play Expo and their Blackpool and Manchester events for 2014, visit playexpo.net
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