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Stern Pinball Revives the Undead: The Walking Dead Remastered Rises Again!

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The Walking Dead Lives Again – Stern’s New Remaster Bites Back! 🧟‍♂️

Ah, timing is everything! Just a few days after Halloween, Stern Pinball has dropped a monster announcement – their second remastered pinball machine, and this one’s a true undead legend. That’s right, the 2014 masterpiece The Walking Dead has been resurrected for a new generation of players!

Back when it first shambled onto the scene, The Walking Dead was a breakout hit – John Borg’s chaotic, fast-flowing design and Lyman Sheats Jr.’s brilliant, tension-filled code made it one of Stern’s most atmospheric and addictive titles ever. It captured the grim, relentless fight for survival perfectly, blending strategy, horror, and adrenaline in a way few machines could match.

Now, more than a decade later, The Walking Dead Remastered brings the apocalypse back to life – bigger, bloodier, and more technologically advanced than ever before. Powered by Stern’s new SPIKE 3 system, this modern reanimation features a gorgeous 18.5” full-HD display, immersive high-fidelity audio, wireless headphone support, enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity, and a new lighting system that lets players bathe in all that zombie-fighting glow.


source: Stern Pinball

The playfield? It’s a loving update to Borg’s original design, complete with enhanced versions of the fan-favourite “Cell Block C” Prison building, the gruesome Well Walker toy, the infamous Bicycle Girl ramp, and that glorious crossbow that fires pinballs across the playfield – now re-engineered for even smoother, more precise mayhem. Players can expect dynamic new RGB lighting, illuminated zombie heads on the slingshots, and a remastered rule set that builds on Lyman Sheats Jr.’s legendary original coding, keeping the “risk vs reward” gameplay alive and kicking.

The visuals have been fully overhauled, blending painterly new art and high-quality video elements that tie into iconic moments from AMC’s hit series. Even better, The Walking Dead Remastered includes fresh custom audio callouts from the show’s stars Michael Rooker (Merle) and Danai Gurira (Michonne), adding even more atmosphere to the carnage.

Of course, Stern’s Insider Connected platform is built right in — letting players track achievements, join global leaderboards, and participate in exclusive challenges. Survive the Prison, fight through the CDC, wade through the Blood Bath, and see if you can outlast the Horde to become the Last Man Standing!


source: Stern Pinball

Collectors will want to hunt down the Limited Edition – capped at just 500 units worldwide. The LE packs in Stern’s Expression Lighting System and matching Speaker Lighting System with Walking Dead-themed effects, a stunning mirrored backglass, exclusive armour and decals, designer-autographed bottom arch, shaker motor, anti-reflection glass, and even a signed certificate of authenticity. It’s the ultimate prize for any fan of the series, or anyone who knows a true zombie classic when they see one.

The Walking Dead Remastered is available now in Premium and Limited Edition models, with accessories on the way. It’s a fitting tribute to both the franchise and the late Lyman Sheats Jr., whose work continues to define modern pinball excellence.

So grab your crossbow, load up on pinballs, and prepare to fight the dead — and fear the living. Stern’s The Walking Dead Remastered proves that even in pinball, some legends refuse to stay buried.

We may have to upgrade our beloved 2014 TWD Pro machine 😉

Inside DMA Design (AKA: Rockstar Games) In 1996

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From Lemmings to Larceny — DMA Design’s leap into gaming infamy started right here.

Ah, the 90s – that unmistakable era of questionable fashion choices, dial-up internet, and frosted tips! But one thing that wasn’t shocking? The creative brilliance bubbling away at DMA Design (yes, the very same studio behind Lemmings).

A recently resurfaced 1996 video shows the Dundee-based team hard at work on a brand-new project titled Grand Theft Auto. What began as a quirky top-down car game called Race’n’Chase would soon explode into one of the most iconic (and controversial) video game franchises of all time.

The footage offers a fascinating glimpse into gaming history – you can spot early builds of Liberty City, rough animations, and plenty of mid-’90s office vibes. It’s surreal seeing the team at DMA Design – later to be renamed Rockstar North, part of Rockstar Games, laying the groundwork for what would redefine open-world gaming forever.

So throw on your flannel shirt, fire up your CRT monitor, and take a nostalgic trip back to where it all began – before Grand Theft Auto became a global phenomenon, it was just a bunch of Scots tinkering with pixels and possibilities.

🎥 Watch the 1996 development video and witness gaming history in motion!


source: BBC Archive

Playing with Life and Death: Meghan Boody’s Pinball Exhibit at MONA

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A Different Kind of Museum

Our recent visit to Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) was a sensory overload in the best way possible. If you’ve ever been, you’ll know that MONA isn’t your average gallery – it’s part subterranean labyrinth, part art experiment, part philosophical provocation.

Conceived by Tasmanian mathematician and art collector David Walsh, MONA invites visitors to wrestle with ideas rather than just admire objects. Ancient Egyptian relics share space with installations that talk about sex, death, technology and everything in between.

Descending into its sandstone halls feels like entering a creative underworld – one that challenges, surprises, and rewards curiosity.

But amid the weird, the wonderful and the downright puzzling, one installation struck a chord with us – a haunting, pinball-shaped meditation on control, mortality, and the human psyche:
New York artist Meghan Boody’s Deluxe Suicide Service.

Descending into the earth!

When Pinball Becomes Philosophy

At first glance, Deluxe Suicide Service might make you do a double-take – it looks like a pinball machine, but something’s off. Instead of flashy lights and pop bumpers, the backglass features haunting photographic collages and medical apparatus. Cables, electrodes, and vintage imagery replace the familiar joy of the arcade.

According to Boody, she discovered the machine “in a pinball graveyard” and felt compelled to rebuild it into something entirely new – part sculpture, part narrative device.

“It is unclear whether the electrodes and X-ray cables fastened onto the image of the prone girl are sucking the life out of her or restoring her vital fluids”,
Boody explained in her interview with MONA.

That ambiguity is the heart of the piece. Is it a game? A medical ritual? A metaphor for the choices we make? Boody’s work refuses to offer an easy answer.

A Game You Don’t Win, You Understand

Pinball has always been about control versus chaos. You nudge, flip, and fight against gravity, knowing the ball will eventually drain. Boody takes that familiar rhythm and turns it into a meditation on life itself – the game of self-discovery, the illusion of control, the inevitability of surrender.

The machine’s photographic surface blends self-portraits, found images, and oceanic motifs, creating a visual swirl that feels at once personal and mythic. There’s nostalgia, yes – that satisfying pinball form, but also a psychological depth that lingers long after you’ve walked away.

Boody has said,

“If you don’t know who you are, if you don’t know about your dark compulsions, therein lies the road to insanity.”

Her reimagined pinball table becomes a literal machine for self-reflection, a device that asks: are you playing, or being played?

Our Take as Retro Gamers

As lifelong arcade and pinball fans, we were instantly drawn to the flippers, the lights, the mechanics – all the comforting signs of home. But Boody’s twist pulled us somewhere deeper.

It reminded us that gaming, especially physical gaming, has always been about interaction, emotion, and consequence. In Deluxe Suicide Service, those ideas are magnified, distorted, and transformed into art.

It’s as if Boody took the DNA of pinball – skill, luck, gravity, frustration, and used it to talk about being human.

🕹️ Why This Matters to the Ausretrogamer Crowd

For the Ausretrogamer community, Deluxe Suicide Service sits at the perfect intersection of mechanical nostalgia and conceptual innovation. It proves that a pinball machine – that glorious relic of the arcade age, can transcend entertainment and become something profound.

It’s a reminder that behind every cabinet, there’s a story about control, risk, and reward. Boody just happens to tell that story through a lens of mortality and transformation.

So if you love games that make you think as much as they make you play, this one’s worth the pilgrimage.

You’ve been warned!

A Note on Safety and Interpretation

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the title. Deluxe Suicide Service sounds confronting, and it is, but it’s important to know that the artwork does not glorify or promote self-harm. Instead, it explores what it means to face dark thoughts safely through art and metaphor.

MONA’s curation is designed to guide visitors through difficult themes gently, and there’s always space to pause, breathe, and move at your own pace.

If any part of this topic feels distressing, please reach out for support.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 | Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Final Thoughts

Our visit to MONA reaffirmed something we’ve always believed at Ausretrogamer: the worlds of art and gaming aren’t separate – they’re deeply connected. Both explore systems, feedback, control, and consequence.

Meghan Boody’s Deluxe Suicide Service just happens to do that with one of the most iconic machines ever built.

So next time you’re in Hobart, take the ferry, head underground, and see this curious creation for yourself. It might just flip your understanding of what a pinball machine – or even a game can be.

The MONA ferry (MR-II) – the perfect prelude to descending into the depths of art and imagination.

Pinball 2000 Reborn: A Stunning Revenge From Mars Pinball Conversion By COOLTOY

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COOLTOY’s Pinball 2000 Transplant Triumph

What happens when retro sci-fi meets modern pinball craftsmanship? You get a one-of-a-kind Revenge From Mars machine that’s turning heads and flipping expectations, literally.

Content creator and pinball enthusiast COOLTOY has pulled off a jaw-dropping transplant: taking the iconic Pinball 2000 system from its original cabinet and giving it a sleek new home in a modern-style pinball cabinet. The result? A machine that feels like a time-traveling hybrid – equal parts 1999 innovation and 2025 flair.

🚀 A Quick Blast from the Past

Originally released in 1999 by Williams Electronics Games under the Bally label, Revenge From Mars was the first machine to use the Pinball 2000 system. Designed by George Gomez, it fused traditional pinball mechanics with interactive video overlays projected onto the playfield – a revolutionary concept at the time. It was also the spiritual sequel to the beloved Attack From Mars, and followed by Star Wars Episode I.

But while the gameplay was ahead of its time, the cabinet design was very much of its era. That’s where COOLTOY stepped in.

🔧 The Transplant Operation

COOLTOY’s project involved transplanting the guts of Revenge From Mars into a traditional-style cabinet sourced from the talented folks at Barrels of Fun Pinball. This wasn’t just a shell swap, it was a full-on reimagining.

🎥 See It in Action

COOLTOY walks us through the entire build in his YouTube video, showcasing the cabinet, artwork, and gameplay in glorious detail. Check it out below:


source: COOLTOY

🕹️ Why It Matters

This project is more than just a cool mod, it’s a celebration of pinball history and creativity. It shows how retro tech can be preserved, enhanced, and reimagined for new generations of players. For fans of Revenge From Mars, it’s a fresh way to experience a classic. For modders and collectors, it’s inspiration to think outside the cabinet.

 

Back to the Future: Classic Gaming at PAX Aus 2025

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Old-School Was Cool at PAX Aus 2025 🎮✨

We saved the best of PAX Aus 2025 till last 😉 Because as much as we love the new, shiny, RGB-filled world of gaming, our hearts will always belong to the pixel-packed past. The Classic Gaming area once again felt like coming home – a warm hug of CRT glow, joystick clicks, and the unmistakable chime of 8-bit magic.

Every corner was a trip down memory lane: old-school computers, consoles, handhelds, and pinball machines all humming in harmony. There’s just something about playing retro games on their original hardware – the tactile clunk of inserting a cartridge, the flicker of a cathode ray screen, the rush (and rage!) of losing your last life. No emulator can replicate that kind of nostalgia.

And those display cabinets? Chef’s kiss. They were packed with rare and droolworthy treasures, including the ultra-obscure Apple/Bandai PiPP!n ATMARK dev unit and PiPP!n @World, plus the Sharp Famicom Titler AN-510 and the elusive Sharp FamicomStation (aka Famicombox). Retro hardware heaven!

Of course, the silverball scene was just as strong, featuring pinball machines that just landed on Aussie shores – like Pinball Brothers’ Predator and Jersey Jack Pinball’s magical Harry Potter. Picking a favourite was near impossible, but as lifelong ‘80s Arnie fans, Predator definitely got our thumbs-up, with Labyrinth and Dune hot on its heels.

There’s truly nothing like the Classic Gaming area at PAX Aus — it’s where the roots of gaming are celebrated, preserved, and most importantly, played. Here’s hoping it returns in 2026 to remind us once again why the classics never die.

image source / copyright: ausretrogamer.com

PAX Aus 2025: The Fun Came, We Saw, We Played!

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From Gaming to Cosplay, PAX Aus 2025 Had It All!🎮✨

Can you believe it’s been a whole year since the last PAX Aus? Time really does fly when you’re having fun—and wow, did we have a lot of it this year!

From the moment the doors opened, PAX Aus 2025 was bursting with energy, excitement, and that unmistakable buzz of shared geekdom. Whether you were there for the blockbuster game reveals, epic cosplay, thought-provoking panels, or just to roll some dice and mash some buttons, there was something for everyone.

The Main Hall was a sensory overload (in the best possible way), filled with new gaming experiences, neon lights, and endless action. Meanwhile, the Tabletop and Freeplay areas became mini worlds of their own – where strangers became teammates, rivals, and friends over cards, boards, and controllers.

And of course, we can’t forget the heart and soul of the show (Ed: we are biased!) – our beloved Classic Gaming area. But don’t worry, we’re giving that its own spotlight soon (because it totally deserves it). Keep an eye out for that post if you’re craving a dose of retro nostalgia! 👾

For now, grab a snack, get comfy, and let your mouse wheel (or index finger) do the work—scroll on and soak up all the PAX Aus 2025 goodness!

image source / copyright: ausretrogamer.com

Pokémon GO City Safari is coming to Sydney this December

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Pokémon GO City Safari Is Coming to Sydney – Catch ‘Em All in the Harbour City!

Pokémon Trainers, get ready to dust off your Poké Balls and charge your phones – because Pokémon GO City Safari is making its Australian debut in Sydney this December! Whether you’re a seasoned Trainer or a nostalgic fan who remembers the glory days of Red and Blue, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

What’s Happening?

On December 13 and 14, 2025, Sydney will transform into a real-life Pokémon playground for Australia’s very first City Safari. From the sparkling waters of Darling Harbour to the leafy paths of Centennial Park, you’ll be able to explore iconic landmarks, discover hidden gems, and encounter Pokémon in the wild – all while meeting fellow fans and soaking up the city’s summer vibes.

Event Details

  • When: Saturday, December 13 & Sunday, December 14, 2025
  • Time: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. AEDT
  • Where: All across Sydney!
  • Tickets: $19 AUD for a single day, or $33 AUD for both days (with the Extra Day Add-On). Tickets are limited and non-refundable, so don’t snooze!
  • How to Buy: Head to the official City Safari website or grab your ticket in the Pokémon GO app (Main Menu → Events).

Explore Sydney with the GO Stamp Rally

The City Safari isn’t just about catching Pokémon – it’s about exploring Sydney like never before! Take part in the Pokémon GO Stamp Rally by visiting famous spots like:

  • Darling Harbour
  • Sydney City Centre
  • Royal Botanic Gardens
  • Circular Quay
  • Milsons Point
  • Manly Beach
  • Centennial Park

Spin the Photo Discs at participating PokéStops to collect up to eight unique stamps each day. Each stamp earns you an encounter with Eevee wearing an adorable explorer hat – and the stamp design changes depending on how long you “press,” so every stamp is a little different!

Special Pokémon Encounters

Sydney’s streets will be teeming with event-themed Pokémon, including Mudbray (the Donkey Pokémon), which is exclusive to City Safari 2025 events. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a Shiny Pokémon or two!

Exclusive Giveaways & Bonuses

Swing by the City Safari booth in Darling Harbour (under the Pier Street Underpass near Darling Square) to score a Pikachu sun visor – the ultimate summer accessory for Trainers on the go.

Ticket holders also get some sweet in-game bonuses:

  • 4-hour Lure Module duration (excluding Golden Lures)
  • Up to 5 Special Trades per day
  • 50% Stardust discount on trades
  • Your Buddy Pokémon might find a City Safari–exclusive Tiny Compass souvenir

Power Up Your Adventure with Add-Ons

Want to level up your experience? Add-ons are $9 AUD each and work across both days:

  • Raid Lover: Up to 12 daily Raid Passes, bonus XP, and extra Candy for raid catches
  • Egg-thusiast: 1/2 Egg Hatch Distance, double Stardust, XP, and Hatch Candy
  • Extra Day Add-On ($14 AUD): Play both days with boosted bonuses and a higher chance of finding Shiny Pokémon

How to Get Tickets

  • Open Pokémon GO, tap Main Menu → Events
  • Select Pokémon GO City Safari: Sydney
  • Choose your date, add-ons, or gift tickets to friends (must be Great Friends or higher)
  • Complete payment and keep your confirmation email handy

Ready to Safari?

Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, Pokémon GO City Safari is your ticket to rediscovering Sydney, making new friends, and catching ‘em all in style. Mark your calendars, Trainers – Sydney’s about to get wild!

image source: supplied

All Aboard the Retro Express: Krank­enwagen Collectible Toys in Tassie

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All Aboard the Retro Express: Krank­enwagen Collectible Toys Retro Hunt in Tassie 🚂🎮

There’s retro hunting, and then there’s retro hunting on an old train carriage—and I can confidently tell you, the latter wins in pure novelty factor, hands down.

Last week, the Ausretrogamer crew piled into a hire car (real-world, not pixelated), braved Tassie’s weather, and made our pilgrimage to Krankenwagen Collectible Toys in Margate, Tasmania. The journey, the finds, the vibes — it was everything a retro nerds like us dreams of. Grab your favourite drink, tune up your nostalgia receptors, and come along for the ride.

Setting the Scene: Margate + Krankenwagen

Margate is the kind of beach-side small town that feels like it whispers secrets of simpler times. You know — the kind of place where a store like Krankenwagen feels like it belongs. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like walking into a time capsule: shelves groaning with collectible cards, boxed Star Wars action figures with that faint whiff of “classics,” and cases of vintage toys waiting to be rediscovered.

If you peek at their Insta feed (@krankenwagen_toys), you’ll see exactly what we’re talking about — a glorious mix of old school toys, retro display cases, quirky memorabilia, and enough charm to make you forget whether you’re in 1989 or 2025.

Choo-Choo: The Train-Carriage Factor

Now, here’s the kicker: parts of the shop (or the shopping experience) are housed in an old train carriage. Yes. A literal carriage. Can’t get more novel than that.

That mix of tactile-old-world infrastructure and fuzzy nostalgia from retro games is just electric. As you step from platform to “aisle,” your brain does a little flip: “Am I boarding a steam train or browsing Sega cartridges?” It’s a juxtaposition that works so well — the rails, the wood, the creaks — they all add character to the hunt. It feels less like a shop, and more like treasure-hunting in a bygone era.

The Thrill of the Hunt

One of my favourite games is always “Spot the Holy Grail.” At Krankenwagen, we played it hard.

  • Vintage toys and figurines cheekily interspersed between gaming gear — making you pause and look twice.

The staff (who clearly eat, sleep, and breathe nostalgia) were generous with their time and stories. They told us about how certain pieces arrived (trades, collections, forgotten stashes), and that sense of curatorial care just elevated the whole vibe. These aren’t mere goods — these are pieces of our collective childhood, curated and preserved.

Highlights & Personal Best Finds

Here are a few standouts from my haul (and pictures):

  • OG Masters Of The Universe and She-Ra — oh how these take us back to the 80s!

  • Aliens action figures — hard to find action figures from the awesome Aliens movie – let’s rock!

  • Mini display diorama — a little corner shelf where toys and games blended in such a perfect “museum of the everyday” way.

  • Train-themed retro decor — small signage, rails motifs, old crates — it all tied back to that train-carriage charm.

Why This Place Matters (More Than Just Coolness)

Beyond “cool store in a train carriage,” Krankenwagen embodies something deeper that resonates with us retro gamers:

  1. Preservation of Play
    When consoles and old toys get dusty and labels fade, stores like this keep the flame alive. They give us a place to touch, test, and remember.

  2. Community Roots
    It’s not about flipping retro stuff for profit (though they do business). It’s about connecting collectors, nurturing nostalgia, and welcoming new enthusiasts into the fold.

  3. Local Connection
    In Tasmania, having a shop like this isn’t just nice — it’s vital. You don’t have to rely purely on online auctions or interstate postage. You can walk in, chat, test, hold — and form a memory.

  4. Experience over Transaction
    The train carriage, the layout, the smell, the conversations — these aren’t extras. They are central to why you’ll remember this place years later.

Tips for Future Retro Hunters in Tassie

  • Go before lunch — you’ll beat the crowd, get better pickings, and soak in the ambiance unhurried.

  • Bring all your spare cash (or credit card) — some gems might not be bargained to ship.

  • Ask questions — staff often know backstories and hidden corners.

  • Don’t be shy — pick up, inspect, open boxes (ask first if allowed).

  • Time it with surroundings — Margate and nearby spots make for great side adventures (coffee, pancakes, coastal walks, vintage shops).

Final Thoughts

Our trek to Krankenwagen in Margate was more than “just another store stop.” It was a time-warped adventure, with laughter, wide eyes, and that familiar throb of nostalgia. Combining retro hunting with the novelty of browsing in a train carriage elevated it from “fun day out” to something we’ll talk about among our collector friends for years.

So if you’re ever in Tasmania and your retro senses start tingling, get yourself to Margate. Let that carriage creak beneath your steps, let your fingers brush over faded labels, and indulge — just a little — in the magic of retro.

Level Up Your October — Big Games Night Out 2025 Hits Fed Square!

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🎮 Big Games Night Out 2025 Hits Fed Square!

Gamers, nerds, nostalgia-seekers — mark your calendars! This October, Federation Square transforms into Australia’s biggest free celebration of games culture with Big Games Night Out 2025. From retro arcades to tabletop showdowns, family raves to Marvel clashes, this year’s lineup promises to be a pixel-packed party you won’t want to miss.

So slip on your fingerless gloves, polish your high scores, and let’s explore what’s coming to Fed Square.

What & When

  • Main event (Big Games Night Out / BGNO): Thursday 9 October 2025, from about 3 pm until late

  • Electric Arcadia: Vintage Amusement Plaza: runs 3–9 October, daily 12 pm–7 pm (with extended hours on BGNO night)

  • Little Games Night Out (kids / family pre-show): roughly 3:30–6 pm on the main BGNO day, with games, music, face-painting and more

Everything is free to play — no coins needed.

Why This Is Retro Gamer Heaven

🎯 Electric Arcadia: Your Time Machine to the Arcade Past

This is the star attraction. Designed by Melbourne creatives Callum Preston (Video Land) and Louie Roots, Electric Arcadia is a nostalgic, immersive arcade “plaza” that blends 80s adventure-film vibes with futuristic 90s techno flair.

Expect upright arcade cabinets, nostalgic lighting and atmosphere, and a mix of classic and indie games to try — all playable and shareable.

This year, Mixtape (from Melbourne studio Beethoven & Dinosaur) gets its first playable showing here. Other titles include Jupiter Junkworks, Bones: Wandering Soul, Pro Jank Footy, My Arms Are Longer Now, Donkey Kong, Pacman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.

Also note: it’s open every day of the week leading up to BGNO, so you can beat the crowds (or just soak in the vibes).

Other Highlights You Can’t Miss

👾 Over 100 Free-to-Play Game Activations

Arcade classics, indie gems, esports, digital experiences — you name it.

🎲 Tabletop Takeover & Roleplay

The “Melbourne Meeples Tabletop Takeover” brings new and classic board games, giant playable installations, and a marketplace for game makers.

Indiginerd also hosts an 80s-themed Dungeons & Dragons experience at Koorie Heritage Trust inside a Stranger Things–styled set.

🦸 Marvel Rivals All-Star Showdown

At 6pm on BGNO night, content creators, streamers and cosplayers form teams and battle it out live on the main stage. Expect spectacle, cosplay runway action and surprises.

🌟 Late-Night ACMI & Game Worlds

After dark, ACMI opens up with special programming including Game Worlds (featuring big titles and behind-the-scenes dev content).

Other late-night events include dance battles (Power Move: Cypher Quest), DJ sets, synth tours, live music and roving performances.

🧒 Little Games Night Out

Before the big evening kicks off, there’s a family-friendly session. Dress up, douse yourself in face paint, boogie at the family rave, play casual games (like Crossy Road, Just Dance), enjoy bubbleman Dr Hubble and more.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Night

  1. Arrive early. Electric Arcadia runs from noon daily before the main event, so you can get your retro fix before the rush.

  2. Plan your zones. With multiple activations across Fed Square, The Edge, ACMI, KHT, it pays to check the Maps & Timetables in advance.

  3. Bring comfy shoes. You’ll be traipsing between arcade zones, stages and food stalls.

  4. Charge up. Your phone (for snaps) and maybe backup power — you’ll want to capture moments.

  5. Join the cosplay. Whether you go full 8-bit hero, 90s sci-fi zealot or indie game icon — there’s a runway and community for you.

  6. Check out developer booths. Local indie projects are on display; if you like seeing under-the-hood, chat with devs.

  7. Late-night bonus: Take advantage of the after-dark programming at ACMI and in roaming stages.

Why It Matters (Beyond Fun)

Big Games Night Out isn’t just a street party — it’s a spotlight on Melbourne and Victoria’s thriving games scene. Backed by Creative Victoria and part of Melbourne International Games Week, it celebrates the artistry, community, and industry behind games.

For longtime retro gamers, it’s a love letter to the arcade era — and for new heads, it’s a chance to see how far we’ve come. It bridges eras: pixel to polygon, board to console, nostalgia to next-gen.

Final Word

If you remember the hum of coin-op cabinets, or just love immersing yourself in game culture — Big Games Night Out 2025 is your must-attend event this October. Bring your friends, family, and inner joystick jockey — Fed Square is turning into Game Central, and everyone’s invited.

We’ll see you among the neon glow and surround sound of arcade bliss. 🎆🎯

image source: Big Games Night Out 2025

It’s the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.!

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“It’s-a me, forty years later!”

Reflecting on 2025 as the 40th Anniversary of Super Mario Bros.

This year, 2025, we mark a very special milestone: four decades since Super Mario Bros. first sprang to life in 1985. It’s hard to believe that a pixelated plumber jumping over Goombas and rescuing a princess has endured not only in pop culture, but in our hearts—and in our living rooms—for forty years. Yet here we are, still playing, still cheering “1-UP,” still chasing that flagpole.

Timeless fun: how the Mario games have endured

What is it about Mario that still feels so fresh, so playable, so right? Here are a few thoughts:

  • Simplicity + polish – The original Super Mario Bros. was elegant in its design. Jumping, running, block-bopping, enemies with predictable patterns—but the level layouts, pacing, and hidden secrets all combined to make something endlessly replayable. That core gameplay philosophy has carried through to every new Mario game.

  • Sense of wonder & discovery – Even now, revisiting those early levels, you can still delight in uncovering a warp pipe, a secret 1-up block, or figuring out a shortcut. The magic of discovery is baked in.

  • Balancing nostalgia and innovation – Over the years, Nintendo has added new mechanics (power-ups, new character abilities, 3D movement, creative level design) while always respecting the roots. The result: Mario games that feel familiar and new simultaneously.

  • Cross-generation appeal – Kids who played Super Mario Bros. in the 80s now share Nintendo Switches with their children or grandchildren. That bridging of generations gives Mario an enduring place in both retro and modern contexts.

  • Memorable worlds & characters – The Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s castles, Yoshi, Luigi, Toad, Princess Peach, and all the quirky denizens give the series a personality and continuity that invite revisiting—not just for the mechanics, but for the world.

In short: yes, those old Mario levels are still fun. When you boot up Super Mario World or Super Mario Bros. 3 or even Super Mario Galaxy, the joy of exploration, the timing of jumps, the “aha” moments still land. That’s the proof that Nintendo built something more than a game—they built a lasting playground.

What Nintendo is doing to celebrate the 40th

Nintendo isn’t letting this anniversary pass quietly. They’ve rolled out a number of exciting celebrations and announcements tied to Mario’s 40th year:
(And yes, the official Mario site at mario.nintendo.com is the central hub for this celebration.)

Here are some highlights:

  • Classic game re-releases – Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 are coming to Switch on October 2, 2025, complete with enhanced UI, new storybook content, and a free 4K resolution update for Switch 2 owners.

  • New titles & editions –
      • Mario Tennis Fever is set for February 12, 2026, for the Switch 2 platform.
      • A Super Mario Bros. Wonder – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is in the works, with added content (e.g. Meetup in Bellabel Park) for spring 2026.
      • Yoshi and the Mysterious Book, a brand-new side-scrolling adventure starring Yoshi inside the pages of a living encyclopedia, is coming in spring 2026.
      • A Talking Flower (from Mario Bros. Wonder) will also see a physical form that occasionally speaks lines from the game.

  • Nintendo Museum in Kyoto / special exhibits
      • The Nintendo Museum is joining the fun with a limited-time 40th anniversary ticket design (valid through about September 2026) replacing the usual Mii design.
      • From December 2025 through April 2026, the museum will also host special lighting displays, running nightly from 4 PM to closing, along with a Warp Pipe photo spot and the 40th anniversary logo installation.
      • Beyond the museum, Nintendo is showcasing Mario—pixel art, illustrations, and nostalgic visuals—to trace Mario’s evolution.

  • Film & media tie-ins
      Nintendo unveiled The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, the sequel to the 2023 Mario film, set for global release on April 3, 2026. This new film draws inspiration from the Galaxy games while weaving in characters across Mario’s history.

  • Special bundles / merch / celebrations
      There will be merchandise, collectible items, amiibo, and hopefully regional events and popups around the world (watch the official site for local announcements).

  • Community & nostalgia moments
      Nintendo used the September 12, 2025 Direct to formally kick off the anniversary and rolled out Mario timeline retrospectives, celebration montages, and homage moments across social channels.

All of these events and launches mean that 2025–2026 isn’t just a time to look back fondly; it’s a moment to dive in again.

A personal note (and invitation)

When I boot up Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario World or Galaxy, I still feel that thrill of “just one more level, just one more try.” The power of nostalgia is real—but so is the simple fun of precision jumps and unexpected discoveries.

If you’re reading this and you haven’t played some of the older Mario titles in a while (or at all), now’s the perfect moment. Dust off your console/emulator, grab a friend, and jump into that warp pipe. Mario is waiting after all these years, ready to remind you why he became a legend.

And for those of you who love to celebrate in person or online: keep an eye on mario.nintendo.com, Nintendo’s official Social accounts, and local gaming shops. There will likely be anniversary popups, community events, special merch drops, and online challenges. Share your memories and your high scores—let’s make this 40th anniversary one to remember.

After all, forty years later, Mario still knows how to bring the fun. Let’s-a go! 🎉🍄