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Game Worlds now open at ACMI

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🎮 Game Worlds Exhibition Now Open at ACMI – A Playable Journey Through Gaming History

Melbourne’s ACMI (the Australian Centre for the Moving Image) has officially launched its latest blockbuster exhibition, Game Worlds — a must-visit for gamers, retro enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the evolution of interactive entertainment.

Spanning over 50 years of video game history, Game Worlds invites visitors to explore more than 30 iconic titles through 44 playable moments, original builds, rare design materials, and hands-on prototypes. This is not just a showcase — it’s a fully immersive experience.

🕹️ What You’ll Play and See

From pixelated farms to sprawling online realms, Game Worlds features a curated selection of genre-defining games, including:

  • Minecraft
  • Final Fantasy XIV Online
  • The Elder Scrolls Online
  • SimCity
  • Stardew Valley
  • World of Warcraft
  • The Sims
  • Neopets

And for fans of Aussie game development, the exhibition includes a spotlight on the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, giving visitors a rare glimpse into the next chapter of Team Cherry’s beloved franchise.

image source: ACMI

🛍️ Exclusive Loot for Collectors

No exhibition is complete without merch — and Game Worlds delivers. ACMI is offering limited-edition collectibles from Neopets, Stardew Valley, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, alongside ACMI-produced books that dive deep into the stories behind your favourite games.

Whether you’re a retro gamer, MMO veteran, or indie game aficionado, Game Worlds is a celebration of the creativity, community, and culture that define gaming.

📍 Location: ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne
🎟️ Tickets & Info: Visit ACMI’s website for details

 

Gaming Giants Assemble: PAX Aus 2025 Exhibitors Announced

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PAX Aus 2025: Gaming’s Biggest Party is Back in Melbourne!

Dust off your controllers, sharpen your pinball flippers, and charge those power banks — because PAX Aus 2025 is almost here, and it’s shaping up to be the ultimate celebration of gaming culture! With less than a month to go, the exhibitor line-up has just been revealed, and trust us, it’s packed with enough gaming goodness to keep your thumbs twitching well into next year.

From console giants to cult indies, esports mayhem to quirky activations, here’s a taste of what’s waiting on the Expo Floor this October.

Nintendo Brings the Big Guns

Nintendo Australia is going all-in with an epic booth showing off the Nintendo Switch 2 and fan-favourite Switch titles. For the first time in Australia, you can wander Lumiose City in Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2 Edition) ahead of its October 16 launch.

But that’s not all:

  • Kirby Air Riders is speeding onto the scene (Nov 20 release).

  • Metroid Prime 4: Beyond lets you try Joy-Con 2 mouse controls.

  • Demos for Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hades II and more round out the booth.

Basically: if you’re a Nintendo fan, clear your calendar.

Xbox Turns It Up to 11

Xbox is dropping a massive rig at PAX with THIS IS AN XBOX — an immersive booth stuffed with must-play moments. You’ll be able to get hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, slice and dice in Ninja Gaiden 4, and uncover plenty of Easter eggs for those willing to explore.

Pro tip: bring your camera, because the booth is loaded with photo ops.

The Sims Goes Camping

Who says gaming can’t be outdoorsy? The Sims is bringing Camp Gibbi Gibbi to PAX, complete with its new Adventure Awaits expansion. Expect campfire vibes, bug-catching, and some very collectible Sims merch. FreePlay is joining the fun too, showing off an in-game campground lot for mobile players.

Devolver Digital & Massive Monster – Cult Vibes

Lamb cultists, rejoice! The first hands-on with the new Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven DLC is happening at PAX. Alongside gameplay and merch, you’ll also be able to snap photos with The Lamb in the Temple. A must-stop for anyone who loves Devolver’s quirky chaos.

Bethesda Brings the Wasteland

Step into Fallout IRL at Bethesda’s Red Rocket diner and Vault-Tec cafeteria setups. With props, prizes, and photo ops galore, you’ll feel right at home in the Wasteland. Plus:

  • Meet ESO Game Director Rich Lambert.

  • Pose with DOOM: The Dark Ages props.

  • Nab an exclusive Fallout 76 Pinny Arcade pin.

Collectors, consider this your side quest.

Borderlands 4 Lands at Gearbox

Vault Hunters, PAX Aus is where you’ll first hear the dirt on Borderlands 4. Expect developer insights, never-before-heard stories, and a chance to chill at Moxxi’s Bar with themed drinks, giveaways, and fellow fans. Chaos guaranteed.

Ubisoft: 10 Years of Siege & Just Dance Vibes

Ubisoft is bringing the big guns with a Rainbow Six Siege 10th Anniversary Esports Showdown. The best APAC teams will fight for a slot at the Munich Major, plus fans can groove to the latest Just Dance tracks on the show floor.

Aftershock Powers the Party

Custom PCs, daily giveaways, streamer battles, flight sim setups, a claw machine (!), and even live carving by Broxh — Aftershock is pulling out all the stops. Expect SteelSeries, Clevergear, and Ultralabs hardware launches, plus exclusive merch for the lucky few.

Retro Collecting Meets Modern Gaming

It’s not just about new titles. eBay’s Passport Adventure will have a collectors’ playground, including:

  • A museum wall of iconic gaming collectibles.

  • Vintage arcade games (yes please!).

  • Exclusive prizes for quest-goers.

For collectors, this booth is a holy grail.

Extra Goodies Worth Checking Out

  • ÆRTHLINGS mystery figs drop daily in Queue Hall, tying into the brand-new ÆRTH game.

  • Red Bull Tetris® brings a competitive twist, with a shot at the World Finals in Dubai.

  • Australian Esports League showcases the best school & uni talent across Rocket League, Siege, and Valorant.

  • CODE spotlights Kiwi game dev creativity, and Crunchyroll brings the anime hype.

Oh, and hardware fans? Brands like MSI, Thermaltake, Turtle Beach, Sony InZone, and Keychron will have the latest tech ready for you to try.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss It

Whether you’re chasing new game demos, geeking out over collectibles, or just want to be surrounded by thousands of like-minded gamers, PAX Aus 2025 looks set to deliver on all fronts. From Pokémon firsts to Fallout photo ops, esports madness to indie darlings, this is the gaming event of the year.

Mark your calendars: PAX Aus 2025 hits Melbourne next month (October)!

From Pixels to Perfume: Retro Gaming Scents You Didn’t Know You Needed

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Eau de nostalgia

Just when you thought retro gaming couldn’t get any cooler (or weirder), Andrews UK drops a surprise that’s equal parts nostalgic and nose-tingling: a collection of premium fragrances inspired by classic home computers. Yep, you read that right — retro gaming perfumes are officially a thing, and we’re absolutely here for it.

Launching just in time for Christmas 2025, the Retro Gaming Fragrance Collection features four unique scents that pay tribute to the legendary machines that shaped our pixelated childhoods: THEC64, The Spectrum, ZX80, and ZX81.

🕹️ The Lineup: Smell Like a Legend

Here’s what’s in the olfactory lineup:

  • THEC64 Fragrance Pour Homme
    Bold, sophisticated, and just a little bit mysterious — think citrus, florals, and a rich patchouli-musk base. It’s the scent equivalent of booting up your C64 and hearing that SID chip sing.
  • The Spectrum Fragrance Pour Homme
    A vibrant blend of bergamot, woody warmth, and musky depth. It’s like loading Jet Set Willy on a rainy afternoon — comforting, chaotic, and unmistakably British.
  • ZX80 Eau de Parfum
    Feminine, elegant, and sparkling with florals, soft fruits, and creamy vanilla musk. A scent that’s as graceful as the ZX80 was groundbreaking.
  • ZX81 Pour Homme
    Refined and masculine, with lavender, leather, and aromatic freshness. It’s the kind of fragrance that says, “Yes, I coded in BASIC — and I smelled great doing it.”

🧴 More Than Just a Scent — It’s a Collectible

Each 100ml bottle comes in packaging that nods to the iconic design of its namesake computer. These aren’t just fragrances — they’re wearable collectibles for the retro gaming elite. Whether you’re heading to a gaming expo or just want to smell like your favourite 8-bit machine, this collection has you covered.

And let’s be honest — they really missed a trick not bottling that hot C64 PSU smell. Imagine a cologne called “Thermal Drift” — notes of melting plastic, ozone, and the faint whiff of a CRT monitor warming up. Eau de nostalgia!

🎁 Pre-Order Now for Christmas 2025

The Retro Gaming Fragrance Collection is available for pre-order now via AUK Direct. Whether you’re buying for a retro gaming fanatic or just want to spice up your shelf with something truly unique, this is one gift that’ll raise eyebrows — and maybe a few pulses.

 

Book Review: 50 Indie Games that Changed the World

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🎮  Pixel-Powered Love Letter to Indie Greatness!

Bitmap Books has done it again, folks! If you thought their previous tomes were retro gold, wait till you get your hands on 50 Indie Games That Changed the World. This isn’t just a book — it’s a celebration, a tribute, and a beautifully bound time capsule of the indie gaming revolution that reshaped the industry.

From the moment you crack open the cover, you’re greeted with Bitmap’s signature high-quality design: hardcover, vibrant full-colour pages, and that oh-so-satisfying tactile feel that makes you want to flick through every page like it’s a collectible card deck. But this isn’t just eye candy — it’s brain candy too.

🕹️ Indie Games: The Unsung Heroes of Gaming

Curated by Kirk McKeand, the book dives deep into 50 indie titles that didn’t just entertain — they changed the game. We’re talking about the likes of Braid, Undertale, Celeste, Papers, Please, and Stardew Valley — each one a testament to creativity, risk-taking, and the power of small teams with big dreams.

Each entry is packed with:

  • Insightful commentary on the game’s impact
  • Behind-the-scenes stories of development struggles and triumphs
  • Gorgeous visuals that make you want to replay every title
  • And yes, that warm fuzzy feeling of “I remember playing this!”

🧠 More Than Just a List — It’s a Cultural Chronicle

What sets this book apart is its thoughtful curation. It’s not just about popularity — it’s about influence. These games pushed boundaries, challenged norms, and gave voice to new ideas. Whether it’s Gone Home redefining narrative storytelling or Superhot bending time and perception, each game is a milestone in its own right.

And let’s not forget the diversity of genres and styles — from pixel art platformers to experimental puzzlers, the book showcases the sheer breadth of what indie devs have brought to the table.

📚 A Must-Have for Gamers, Collectors, and Dreamers

Whether you’re a retro aficionado, a modern indie fan, or just someone who appreciates the artistry of game design, 50 Indie Games That Changed the World is a must-have. It’s the kind of book you leave on your coffee table and end up discussing with friends for hours.

Bitmap Books continues to prove that gaming history deserves to be preserved with style, substance, and a whole lot of love. This book is a celebration of the underdogs — the games that dared to be different and ended up changing everything.

Final Verdict: A pixel-perfect tribute to the indie spirit.

So go on, grab a copy, fire up your favourite indie title, and bask in the glory of gaming’s most revolutionary gems. And remember — sometimes the smallest games make the biggest impact.

Disclosure: 50 Indie Games that Changed the World was provided by PixelCrib for this review.

The Pioneer LaserActive Lives Again: A Retro Resurrection 16 Years in the Making

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If you’ve ever looked at the Pioneer LaserActive (CLD-A100) and thought, “Surely someone’s emulated that beast by now,” you weren’t alone. But until recently, the answer was a surprising no. Despite its wild hybrid of LaserDisc movies, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and PC-Engine games, and CD-ROM add-ons, the LaserActive remained one of the last major vintage consoles left out in the cold of the emulation world.

That is—until now.

After 16 years of effort, setbacks, and sheer stubbornness, the LaserActive is finally playable via emulation, thanks to the tireless work of developer: Nemesis, a long-time figure in the retro scene—and yes, he’s proudly Australian.

What Made the LaserActive So Weird (and Wonderful)?

Released in 1993, the LaserActive was a Frankenstein’s monster of media formats. It could play LaserDiscs (yes, those dinner-plate-sized video discs), Sega Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges, CD-ROMs and even Mega LD games —if you had the right expansion module (called a PAC). It was expensive, niche, and undeniably cool in that “only in the ’90s” kind of way.

But its complexity made it a nightmare for emulation. Unlike most consoles, the LaserActive wasn’t just one system—it was several, stitched together with proprietary hardware and obscure formats. That meant emulating it wasn’t just about dumping ROMs; it was about decoding a whole multimedia ecosystem.

Enter Nemesis: The Aussie Who Wouldn’t Quit

Nemesis, known in the emulation world for his earlier work on Exodus, a cycle-accurate Mega Drive emulator, began his LaserActive journey back in 2009. What started as a curiosity turned into a full-blown mission: to bring the Mega-LD experience to modern systems.

Over the years, he reverse-engineered hardware, tackled the quirks of LaserDisc data, and even helped pioneer a new file format (.mmi) to preserve the analogue video, audio, and digital content in one playable package. His work culminated in the latest version of the Ares emulator, which now supports LaserActive’s Sega PAC games.

Why It Matters

For retro gaming fans, this isn’t just about playing Triad Stone or Pyramid Patrol on your PC. It’s about preservation. The LaserActive was a bold experiment in multimedia gaming, and now, for the first time, it’s accessible to everyone—not just collectors with deep pockets and working LaserDisc players.

It also marks a symbolic milestone: one of the last major consoles of the pre-2000s era has finally been emulated. That’s a huge win for game history, digital preservation, and anyone who ever dreamed of playing LaserDisc Karaoke without shelling out a small fortune.

What’s Next?

With the LaserActive finally joining the emulation club, the retro community can turn its attention to even more obscure oddities. But for now, let’s raise a glass (or a controller) to Nemesis—the Aussie dev who brought a forgotten console back to life.

BREAKING: The Vectrex Mini is Real – And It’s Glorious!

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Gamescom 2025 just got a whole lot more vector-tastic!

Hold onto your overlays, retro fans – the legendary Vectrex is back, and it’s been shrunk down to a pint-sized powerhouse! Making its dazzling debut at Gamescom 2025, the Vectrex Mini is a modern reimagining of the iconic 1982 vector-based console, and it’s already stealing the show in Hall 10’s Retro Area.

For the uninitiated, the original Vectrex was a trailblazer – the only home console with its own built-in vector display, complete with translucent screen overlays, lightpen support, and even 3D goggles. It was basically a mini arcade cabinet for your lounge room. Now, over 40 years later, the Vectrex Mini is here to rekindle that magic – in a much smaller (and cuter) form.

🧠 What’s New in the Mini?

  • 📺 1/3rd the size of the original, but still an all-in-one unit
  • 🌈 AMOLED display for crisp, vibrant vector graphics
  • 🎮 12 built-in games, with the ability to add more
  • 💾 Modern internals, but faithful to the original experience
  • 💸 Expected price: €150 (~ AU$270)
  • 📏 Height: approx. 6–8 inches / 15.2-20.3cm – perfect for your desk or shelf!

The Vectrex Mini is being developed by a passionate French team, and while it’s still in prototype form, the buzz is real. Fans at Gamescom are already lining up to get hands-on with the unit, which sits adorably next to its full-sized ancestor like a retro gaming Matryoshka doll.

🗓️ Kickstarter Incoming!
The team behind the Mini has confirmed a Kickstarter campaign launching in September, so if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Vectrex (without shelling out hundreds on eBay), now’s your chance to jump in.

Whether you’re a die-hard Vectrex veteran or a curious newcomer, this is one retro revival you won’t want to miss. And who knows – if this goes well, maybe we’ll finally see that long-lost Vectrex handheld from the ’80s make a comeback too!

image source: Vectrex Official via Twitter/X

 

Review: Forgotten Worlds no. 6 – The Sega Issue

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SEGA DOES WHAT NINTENDON’T

If you’ve ever blown into a Mega Drive cartridge, battled through Streets of Rage, or argued over the superiority of Blast Processing, then Forgotten Worlds Issue is your new holy grail.

This issue, lovingly dubbed The Sega Issue, is a pixel-perfect tribute to one of gaming’s most iconic companies. From the blue blur himself to the deep cuts of Sega’s arcade legacy, this mag is bursting with nostalgia, insight, and retro goodness.

🌀 What’s Inside?

  • Deep Dives into Sega’s golden era, including the rise of the Genesis/Mega Drive and the console wars that defined a generation.
  • Exclusive Interviews with industry legends who helped shape Sega’s legacy.
  • Rare Artwork & Ads that’ll transport you straight back to the ’90s.
  • Retrospectives about Sega magz from BITD, like Mean Machines Sega, Megatech, Sega Power and Megazone.
  • Opinion Pieces that are as bold as a Sonic speedrun.

The layout is slick, the writing is passionate, and the love for Sega is palpable on every page. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just Sega-curious, this issue is a must-have. Oh yeah, each issue comes with a limited edition ‘Sega Blue Skies’ cover insets / postcards – if you were lucky enough to grab the limited edition before it sold out, that came with all 8 (4 x double-sided) limited edition postcards.

📦 Don’t Miss Out!
These mags are flying off the shelves faster than Sonic with a speed boost. If you want to secure your copy before they’re all gone, hit the link below and place your order now:

👉 Order Forgotten Worlds #6 – The Sega Issue

Trust us, your coffee table (and your inner retro gamer) will thank you.

Disclaimer: Forgotten Worlds : The Sega Issue was kindly supplied by Forgotten Worlds for this review.

PixelCrib Giveaway – Win an Analogue Pocket!

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Another PixelCrib Giveaway – you could win the OpenFPGA beauty, the Analogue Pocket!

After their incredible response to last month’s Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle giveaway, we knew PixelCrib would keep the good vibes rolling. For this month, PixleCrib is giving away something truly special: the Analogue Pocket!

🕹️ Why the Analogue Pocket?
Because it’s a retro gaming dream come true! This sleek handheld plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges (and many, many more!) with pixel-perfect accuracy thanks to its powerful FPGA hardware. If you’re a fan of classic gaming, this is the ultimate collector’s piece. The Analogue Pocket is indeed the best thing since sliced bread!

📦 How to Enter:
From 16–31 August 2025, every order of an in-stock item gets you an automatic entry into the draw.
✅ Shop online or visit PixelCrib in-store
✅ Each order = one entry (yep, multiple orders = multiple chances!)
🚫 Pre-orders aren’t eligible, so make sure your item is ready to ship!

🌍 This giveaway is open to everyone — whether you’re in Australia or anywhere else in the world!

Have we told you how much we love our Analogue Pockets?!

 

📅 Winner Announcement:
PixelCrib will randomly draw the winner on Monday, 1 September 2025 and reach out via email or phone.

🎮 Ready to win the ultimate retro handheld?
Head to PixelCrib.com.au, grab something awesome, and you’re in the running. Good luck, gamers — may the pixels be ever in your favour!

 

Thrill of the Chase: Hunting Down the Alien Ellen Ripley Edition Pinball Machine

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In space, no one can hear you… PLAY PINBALL!

Every pinball collector knows that some machines don’t just turn up—you have to hunt them down, stalk them like prey, and pounce the moment the opportunity arises. For me, that white whale came in the form of the Pinball Brothers Alien Ellen Ripley Edition.

This wasn’t just any Alien. This was the beautifully reimagined version celebrating Sigourney Weaver’s legendary role, wrapped in an ominously gorgeous cabinet that looks ready to burst open and unleash a xenomorph. The moment I saw it announced, I knew: I have to have it.

The hunt was on.

After years (yes, years!) of scrolling through listings, firing off hopeful messages, and hearing the usual collector heartbreak phrases—“already sold” or “sorry, mate, they’re not making them anymore”—I finally spotted a lead: Mr Pinball Australia. They didn’t just have one… they had the one.

Of course Mr. Pinball Australia had one on the showroom floor for us to check out!

Here’s where the story took a turn from “transaction” to “pinball pilgrimage.” Mr Pinball himself didn’t just ship it. Oh no. He personally loaded it, drove it out, delivered it to my door, and set it up in my games room like some sort of silverball Santa Claus. We’re talking bolts tightened, tilt levelled, software updated—by the time he left, the machine was purring (well… growling) and ready for battle against the xenomorph threat.

The first plunge was everything I’d hoped for—dark, atmospheric lighting; that eerie, tension-building soundtrack; the thunk of the ball ejecting into a playfield full of cinematic callouts and teeth-baring toys. It’s the kind of machine that’s as much an experience as it is a game. And for a lifelong Alien fan, it’s perfection.

Preparing its final resting place

Hunting it down was half the fun. Playing it? That’s the payoff.

Have you chased down a grail machine? Did it take months of detective work and collector whisper networks? Let’s hear your pinball trophy stories.

Hello MU-TH-UR!

Get away from her, you b1tch!

Mr. Pinball Australia threw in the original machine’s backglass!

The RGB lighting on the Alien Ripley Edition is something else

Argh, my eyes!!!!

Internet Archive – Preserving Our Digital Cultural Heritage (Fundraiser)

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We’re Helping the Internet Archive Protect Universal Access to Knowledge — And You Can Too!

If you’re anything like us, you probably can’t imagine a world without the Internet Archive. From preserving classic games and retro computing history to housing a seemingly infinite library of books, software, and media, the Archive is an essential time capsule for nerds, historians, and digital explorers alike.

So when we heard about the Internet Archive’s new Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Fundraising initiative to help “protect universal access to knowledge,” we had to jump onboard.

What’s the Initiative All About?

The Internet Archive has launched a grassroots fundraising effort — where supporters can create their own personalised campaigns to raise funds for the parts of the Archive that matter most to them. Whether it’s emulation, old software, the Wayback Machine, or public domain books, each campaign can highlight what’s most meaningful to the fundraiser and their community.

We’ve created our own fundraising page to support this critical mission, and we’d love for you to join us:

👉 https://donate.archive.org/ausretrogamer

Why Now?

Through September 30, every dollar raised through this P2P campaign will be matched 2:1, tripling the impact of your generosity. That means a $10 donation turns into $30 for the Archive. It’s a rare opportunity to make your support go further — and help keep digital history freely accessible for everyone.

Why It Matters to Us

As lovers of all things retro — from arcade games to crusty old ZIP files — we rely on the Internet Archive to dig into the past and share its treasures with the world. Whether we’re researching obscure 8-bit titles or revisiting classic DOS manuals, the Internet Archive is our go-to.

By supporting this initiative, we’re helping ensure that future generations can still discover the games, media, and knowledge we grew up with. And that feels pretty awesome.

💾 Support our campaign and help preserve the digital past for the future:

https://donate.archive.org/ausretrogamer

📅 Remember: All donations through Sept 30 will be tripled!

Let’s keep knowledge free and accessible — pixel by pixel, page by page. ❤️