Australia's Retro Gaming and Pinball E-Zine
On this day (July 9) in 1981, Nintendo unleashed Donkey Kong in the arcades! Ah, the golden age of arcades!
Since then, millions of gamers have fallen in love with the great Nintendo gorilla. DK (as he is affectionately known) has gone from being the villain to now being the hero.
From humble beginnings, kidnapping Pauline and throwing barrels at a moustachioed plumber, DK has come a long way and truly grown up. He has definitely kept us all entertained. Happy 45th Birthday big fella!
Last week, team ausretrogamer packed the bags, grabbed the flipper fingers, and headed to Adelaide for the inaugural Australian Pinball Expo (APE), held at Morphetville Racecourse from July 3-5. Three days. 10am to 10pm. Wall-to-wall pinball. If that sentence alone doesn’t get your silverball senses tingling, we don’t know what will.
Chicago may have the original Pinball Expo, but down under we’ve now got APE – and on this showing, it’s giving Chicago a genuine run for its money.
video source: ausretrogamer via Facebook
First things first: Morphetville nailed the fundamentals. Easy public transport access, and critically for an event with this many machines and this many punters – plenty of room to breathe. Even at peak capacity with the venue absolutely packed with like-minded pinheads, we never once felt cramped shuffling between banks of machines. Big tick for the organisers on venue choice alone.
We’re talking well over 200 pinball machines, plus a handful of classic arcade cabinets thrown in for good measure. The lineup spanned the full history of the hobby – vintage Electro-Mechanical (EM) machines with their glorious push-up ball troughs and knockers, right through to the bleeding edge of 2026 pinball manufacturing. Stern, Jersey Jack, Chicago Gaming Company, Barrels of Fun, P3 Multimorphic, Pinball Brothers, and Dutch Pinball Exclusive all had a serious presence on the floor. Whatever era or flavour of pinball gets your multiball going, APE had it.
One of the most delightful surprises of the whole expo wasn’t a factory machine at all – it was a home-brew build of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. And when we say home-brew, we mean it: this is a from-scratch build with its own custom electronics, not a repurposed or hacked Pinball 2000 machine as we originally (and incorrectly) reported. It runs a 100cm LCD screen in portrait orientation, the lower cabinet started life as a Data East Jurassic Park, and the builder crafted the head himself – which makes this even more mind-blowingly awesome!
Seeing Marvin, the Babel fish, and assorted Douglas Adams weirdness rendered on a genuinely scratch-built machine was a real highlight – and an even bigger reminder of just how creative and skilled the DIY side of this hobby can be. Don’t Panic indeed.
With 200+ tables to choose from, you inevitably gravitate toward a shortlist, and ours ended up being a genuinely eclectic mix:
Honourable mention to the sheer variety of theming on the floor, from Jurassic Park raptors lurking beside the machines, to Alien, John Wick, Austin Powers, Medieval Madness and Cactus Canyon standing shoulder to shoulder. There really was something for every taste.
For a debut event, APE 2026 punched well above its weight. The organisation, the venue, the sheer breadth of machines on the floor, and the obvious passion of everyone involved made this feel like an expo that’s been running for years, not one finding its feet for the first time. Big respect to the organisers and every contributor who made it happen.
Roll on APE 2027 – we’ll most definitely be there.
Correction (14/07/2026): An earlier version of this article incorrectly described the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy machine as a repurposed or hacked Pinball 2000 cabinet. It is in fact a from-scratch build with its own custom electronics. We apologise to the builder for the error and thank them for setting the record straight.
Scroll slowly and soak it all in – Enjoy!
Words and photos by ausretrogamer. Follow along for more retro computing, pinball, and hobby electronics adventures.
By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.
When I played “Rampage” as a kid, it was on a small screen, and I often found all the destruction at times boring. I never liked “Rampage” all that much on my NES; I’d rather play “Double Dragon 2” or “Metroid.” But playing “Rampage” on an enormous screen in an arcade is something different all together. It felt like a totally different game to me.
I only played the “Rampage” arcade game because I couldn’t get on a fun bowling game that I’m somewhat good at. When I’m smashing buildings and vehicles, there’s something liberating and thrilling about it. The screen is so huge, it feels like you’re submerged in the ultra-violent game. It’s all fun until the choppers show up and counter your destruction of the city. When I’m into the game, I usually ignore anyone who’s firing at me when I’m George, Lizzie, or Ralph. Destruction of vehicles and structures is my focus before my time runs out. I like to play as George the most.
I don’t like eating people on the street, I never have. It’s sinister and creepy to me. I enjoy crushing cars and punching helicopters as they whiz past my head. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when a tall skyscraper topples to the pavement. The destruction is the point of the classic game, so when I destroy, it’s thrilling for a moment.
“Rampage” is a little repetitive, but the arcade game’s visuals are so enthralling you forget about it as you progress to a new level.
I’ve never watched the Warner Bros. movie with The Rock. I’ve heard it’s not that bad, but I’m not sure how you make a good film out of a game where you’re just smashing and demolishing things. But I’m sure the CGI effects were decent.
I spent Sunday at The Game Expo (TGX) 2026 in Melbourne, and it was a solid reminder of why TGX remains a fixture on the local gaming calendar. The atmosphere was fairly relaxed early on, but it noticeably picked up by late morning and into the early afternoon, with the show floor feeling lively without ever becoming overwhelming.
The vendor area had a good spread of stalls, from modern gaming gear through to retro-focused sellers, and it was encouraging to see plenty of genuine interest and conversations happening throughout the day. That said, the clear standout for me was the retro gaming area. Seeing classic consoles set up on CRTs and actually being played – not just photographed – gave the space a real sense of energy and nostalgia. It felt less like a static display and more like a celebration of gaming’s history in motion.
TGX continues to strike a nice balance between old and new, and the retro section in particular remains a big part of what makes the event worth attending.
By: D.C. Cutler, U.S.A.
On a recent trip to my local Dave & Busters, I discovered the “Halo” cabinet game “Fireteam Raven.” At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to play the first-person shooter game, they’ve become a little dull, but after seeing some of the incredible gameplay, I used some of my tokens to see if I’d like it. I probably played the cabinet game for almost an hour.
The first mission: Escape, is fun, but the game got more challenging and enjoyable the longer I played. There is so much chaos, it takes a few minutes of playing to get used to the Covenant’s jarring attacks. The cabinet I was playing in had a glitch with the reload button. It was frustrating but I just reloaded faster when I felt like I was getting low on ammo. And the gun was very sensitive.
I watched maybe two episodes of the “Halo” series on Paramount and quickly realised it wasn’t that good. The battles (which were few) looked cheap and the characters were uninteresting. When I was in college, I remember friends camping out at Best Buy to get the newest “Halo” release. The game felt like a phenomenon.
When you kill the Covenant in “Halo: Fireteam Raven”, they make a similar sound to what a Xenomorph makes when they’re shot in James Cameron’s masterpiece “Aliens.” The “Halo” franchise is its own legendary franchise, but I think I enjoy “Fireteam Raven” because it reminds me of “Aliens,” my favorite sci-fi film of all-time.
The second stage: Rubble, has a “Dune” feel to it. It’s my favorite stage because there seems like there’s so much more action, and the skyline above the desert is a great backdrop when you’re firing at the Covenant’s attack fighters. You begin to understand and see an attack pattern when the fighters come swooping down at you in clusters of twos. You must use a great deal of ammo to sustain your health.
I’m late to the party when it comes to the “Halo” franchise, but an unlikely chance finding of a “Halo” game at a popular arcade has made me an intrigued fan.
Alright peeps… We’ve found it. The final boss of retro collecting. The “you win the lottery and disappear for a week” level setup. The Nintendo Kiosk Collection to end all Nintendo Kiosk Collections.
Currently sitting on eBay like it just casually spawned there is an insane private display (by eBay seller from France, Bob.bones) packed with original Nintendo kiosks from the NES, SNES, N64, Game Boy and beyond. Not one. Not two. A full-on museum-grade wall of playable nostalgia that looks like it was teleported straight out of a 90s department store… if that department store was run by a time-travelling Nintendo executive with unlimited floor space.
We’re talking:
🟥 Glorious red NES and SNES demo units
🟦 Chunky, unmistakable N64 kiosks
🟩 Classic Game Boy retail displays
🎮 Shelves absolutely stacked with boxed games
✨ Lighting, branding, and signage that screams “Mum, just five more minutes!”
It’s less a “collection” and more a Nintendo shrine. The kind of room where you half expect the Mario 64 file select music to start playing when you walk in.
And the price? Let’s just say this isn’t “skip takeaway for a few weeks” money. This is “sell a kidney, a car, and possibly a small island” territory. But honestly… for a setup that looks like a playable slice of retail history? There’s a weird part of my brain going, “Yeah, fair.”
What makes this so special isn’t just the hardware – it’s the experience. These kiosks were how many of us first played Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Pokémon and more. Sticky controller grips. Timed demos. That kid hovering behind you waiting for their turn. Pure magic.
Seeing this all preserved in one place hits right in the childhood.
So, serious question, retro gaming fam:
If money was no object…
Would you keep this as a private game room, or open it as a public retro Nintendo museum?
Because honestly, this might be the closest thing we’ll ever see to a real-life Nintendo Time Capsule.
Now excuse me while I go stare at the photos again and pretend I have European kiosk money.
image source: bob.bones via eBay
Every now and then, something unexpectedly awesome happens in your retro-gaming life, and this time it came courtesy of my better half, Ms Ausretrogamer herself.
While I was busy diving into pixels, pinballs, and handheld nostalgia, she secretly gathered every pass, badge, lanyard, pin, medal, and random bits of retro-event paraphernalia I’ve collected over years of attending expos, conventions, tournaments, open days, and launch events. We’re talking the whole backlog of memories and nerd credentials.
And then she went full curator mode.
What I saw next absolutely blew me away:
It stopped me in my tracks! It reminded me of all the amazing places we’ve been, the great people we’ve met, the tournaments we battled in, the arcades we rediscovered, and the endless good times that come with being part of this incredible community. It’s not just memorabilia – it’s a reminder that every event left a mark, and that she and I shared so many of those moments together.
Honestly… she nailed it.
The composition, the colours, the layering – chef’s kiss. This isn’t just a wall of frames; it’s a tribute wall to retro gaming culture and to the epic memories that keep the Ausretrogamer flame burning bright.
So here’s to Ms Ausretrogamer, the mastermind behind this unique and very special creation. The games room just levelled up, and so did my heart. ❤️
We’ll be honest—prize and redemption machines usually aren’t our thing. But Sega’s latest announcement? Yeah, it’s making us rethink that stance… hard.
Coming in hot for 2025, Sega Prize International has revealed a new range of lifestyle electronics that are set to shake up the prize game. We’re talking about tech that’s actually cool and useful—no cheap plastic toys here!
Here’s what’s got us hyped:
🟣 Tiny Snap – This adorable thermal printing camera was a crowd favourite at the EAG Expo earlier this year. It’s compact, it’s fun, and it prints your pics on the spot with a nostalgic retro twist. Think Polaroid vibes, but modern and mini.
🌀 Track 360 – Influencers, streamers, or just selfie pros, this one’s for you. This phone holder tracks your face with 360° motion and responds to hand gestures to pause or resume tracking. No more awkward fumbling mid-recording!
💍 Smart Ring – The fitness companion that fits on your finger. With a heart rate monitor, step counter, sleep tracker, and even a blood oxygen monitor, it packs a ton of tech into a tiny, stylish package.
⌚ Smart Watch – All the essential features you’d expect: heart rate, sleep tracking, steps, distance, message notifications, weather updates, and even on-the-go music control. It syncs with your phone for seamless daily use.
Trevor Clarke, head of Sega Amusements International’s merch division, put it best:
“We are incredibly excited to offer operators our new range of electronic items as an alternative option for their prize machines and redemption counters.”
Well Trevor, mission accomplished. We might just find ourselves at the local Timezone or FEC, feverishly feeding tokens into a claw machine just for a shot at these Sega goodies.
For those keeping score, it’s:
Redemption machines: 1
Us: 0 (but with a Tiny Snap camera, so at least we’ll look cool losing).
image source: Sega Arcade
Sad news for retro gaming fans: Brisbane’s iconic 1UP Arcade, the largest dedicated retro arcade in the southern hemisphere, is preparing to shut its doors.
The announcement came earlier this year, when founder and owner Stephen Holmes shared a heartfelt post on Facebook on February 28th, detailing the arcade’s incredible journey — from its humble beginnings to its rise as a community hub, and the immense challenges faced throughout the pandemic and beyond. If you haven’t read Stephen’s full message, it’s well worth your time [link].
Since the news broke, the retro gaming community has been in mourning — and with good reason. Running a small business is hard enough, but operating a venue filled with hundreds of rare, fragile, and painstakingly restored arcade machines is a monumental task. It’s a true labour of love, one that Stephen and his team poured their hearts into.
The story of 1UP Arcade was even featured on the acclaimed documentary Still Standing, showcasing the passion and resilience behind the scenes. (If you haven’t watched it yet, now’s the perfect time.)
Mainstream media also took notice, with A Current Affair airing a segment about the closure on April 23rd, highlighting just how much 1UP meant to Brisbane’s cultural and entertainment landscape.
source: A Current Affair on YouTube
Our thoughts are with Stephen and everyone involved with 1UP Arcade. It’s a massive loss not just for Brisbane, but for the retro gaming world at large.
image source: 1UP Arcade (via Facebook)
It’s time to press start on nostalgia! In a thrilling tribute to one of the most iconic video games of all time, Casio has unveiled the Casio x PAC-MAN Collection to celebrate PAC-MAN’s 45th anniversary. This limited-edition collection fuses retro arcade charm with Casio’s timeless digital watch design, creating a must-have accessory for gamers and watch enthusiasts alike.
PAC-MAN first hit arcades in 1980, revolutionising the gaming world with its simple yet addictive gameplay. Now, in 2025, Casio pays homage to this cultural phenomenon with a collection that captures the pixelated magic of the original game.
Casio’s Vintage series, known for its nostalgic charm, serves as the perfect canvas for this tribute. The collection features four distinct models—all adorned with PAC-MAN’s signature 8-bit graphics, classic maze motifs, and beloved characters, including Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde. The designs evoke memories of dodging ghosts and gobbling up pellets, all while keeping track of time in true retro style.
Each watch in the Casio x PAC-MAN Collection is a statement piece, seamlessly blending vintage aesthetics with modern craftsmanship:
All models feature Casio’s hallmark digital display, LED backlighting and an unmistakable throwback to the ‘80s era of digital watches.
For fans of PAC-MAN and retro gaming, these watches aren’t just timepieces—they’re wearable nostalgia. Whether you spent your childhood at the arcade or you’re a modern gamer who appreciates the classics, this collection is a perfect blend of gaming heritage and everyday functionality.
The Casio x PAC-MAN Collection is a limited-edition release, making it an exciting collectible for enthusiasts of both horology and gaming. With PAC-MAN turning 45, now is the perfect time to celebrate this legendary game in style.
Casio has once again proven its ability to merge technology with pop culture in a way that resonates across generations. The Casio x PAC-MAN Collection is more than just a watch—it’s a nostalgic journey back to the golden age of gaming.
Don’t miss your chance to grab a piece of arcade history. Whether you’re a gamer, a watch aficionado, or simply someone who loves a great throwback, this collection is a high-score-worthy addition to any wrist!
image source: Casio Australia