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LEGO Brings Donkey Kong’s Arcade Legacy to Life in Stunning New Retro Set

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Retro gaming and LEGO fans, prepare your wallets.

A brand-new LEGO x Nintendo collaboration has surfaced, and this time it celebrates one of gaming’s most iconic arcade machines – Donkey Kong. While LEGO has yet to make an official announcement, leaked images and reports have revealed what appears to be an impressive brick-built recreation of the legendary 1981 arcade cabinet

A Retro Gaming Icon Reimagined

The leaked set recreates the classic Donkey Kong arcade cabinet, complete with the instantly recognisable red-and-blue cabinet design, large marquee branding, pixel-inspired artwork and familiar gameplay elements. The build pays tribute to the game that introduced the world to Jumpman, the character who would later become Nintendo’s famous mascot, Mario.

According to the packaging visible in the leaked images, the set carries the name Donkey Kong Arcade and is targeted at adult builders aged 18+. The set reportedly contains 1,367 pieces, making it one of the larger Nintendo-themed LEGO releases to date.

More Than Just a Display Piece

The Donkey Kong Arcade appears to be more than a static display model. Promotional images suggest interactive features may be built into the cabinet, including a movable joystick and jump button that appear to control Jumpman as he navigates platforms and dodges barrels. Leaked images also hint at a mechanism that allows barrels to move through the playfield, recreating the famous challenge from the original arcade game.

If these features make it into the final retail version, the set could become one of the most interactive retro gaming LEGO builds released so far.

A Perfect Match for Retro Gaming Fans

Nintendo and LEGO have enjoyed a successful partnership over the last few years, delivering sets based on Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and other beloved franchises. The addition of a dedicated Donkey Kong arcade cabinet feels like a natural next step, especially given the character’s importance in gaming history.

For retro gamers, this set represents more than just another licensed collectible. The original Donkey Kong arcade machine helped define the golden age of arcades and remains one of the most influential video games ever created. Seeing it recreated brick-by-brick is sure to trigger plenty of nostalgia for players who spent countless hours dodging barrels and climbing ladders in search of a high score.

image source: r/Legoleak via reddit

Release Date and Price Still Unknown

At the time of writing, LEGO has not officially announced the Donkey Kong Arcade set, meaning there is currently no confirmed release date or pricing information. However, given the size and piece count, early speculation suggests the set could retail around the US$199.99 mark.

With leaked images now widely circulating online and reports of some shoppers allegedly spotting the set on retail shelves ahead of schedule, an official reveal from LEGO may not be far away.

Ausretrogamer Thoughts

As lifelong fans of retro gaming, we absolutely love this reveal. The LEGO designers appear to have captured the look and spirit of the original arcade cabinet beautifully, right down to the pixel-art style details and colourful cabinet artwork. If the interactive features live up to expectations, this could become one of the most desirable gaming-themed LEGO sets ever released.

For now, we’ll be keeping a close eye on LEGO and Nintendo for the official announcement.

Story Source: VICE Gaming [vice.com]

It’s On Like Donkey Kong – DK turns 45!

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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!

The Game Expo 2026: A Sunday Well Spent

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Crowds, geeky products, and classic consoles at Melbourne’s The Game Expo

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.

 

Virtual Boy is BACK (of all things)!

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🎮 Virtual Boy is BACK! Are You Ready For Some Headaches?🎮

Nintendo has officially dusted off one of its most infamous pieces of hardware – the Virtual Boy – and is bringing it back into the spotlight in 2026. Yep, that 90s red-tinted headset that gave everyone a weird mix of wonder and eye strain is getting a second life… on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2!

🗓️ Launch Date: 17th February 2026

Whether you loved it, mocked it, or just remember it as that red thing, the Virtual Boy is returning in a modern form. Starting February 17, Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers will be able to play the Virtual Boy classics under the banner Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics.

To actually play them, you’ll need:

  • A Nintendo Switch or Switch 2
  • An active Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership
  • And the special Virtual Boy accessory (more on that below)

🧠 The Games You Can Play at Launch

Nintendo is kicking things off with seven throwback titles that highlight both the quirky and the genuinely good stuff from the original 1995 library:

🎯 Launch Line-Up (17 Feb)

  • Teleroboxer
  • Galactic Pinball
  • RED ALARM
  • Virtual Boy Wario Land
  • 3-D TETRIS
  • GOLF
  • Innsmouth no Yakata (aka: The Mansion of Innsmouth)

This is a way better start than anyone expected. especially Wario Land and 3-D Tetris, which are genuinely fun even beyond the nostalgia factor.

🎁 More Games Coming Later in 2026

And here’s where it gets spicy: Nintendo isn’t stopping at the basics. Throughout 2026, more titles will roll out, including some classics and even games that never officially released back in the 90s!

🚀 Confirmed Incoming Titles

  • Mario Clash
  • Mario’s Tennis
  • Jack Bros.
  • Space Invaders Virtual Collection
  • Virtual Bowling
  • Virtual Force
  • V-Tetris

🔥 Unreleased Classics Making Their Debut

  • Zero Racers – a cancelled F-Zero spin-off originally meant for the Virtual Boy 30 years ago.
  • D-Hopper (Dragon Hopper) – another lost Virtual Boy adventure finally seeing the light of day.

That’s right — Nintendo’s pulling stuff out of the vault that never made it to retailers. Retro archaeologists are going to have a field day. 🦖

🥽 So What’s This Accessory You Keep Talking About?

To recreate that vintage stereoscopic 3D feel, Nintendo’s releasing a Virtual Boy accessory that you attach your Switch into — basically a modern take on the original headset.

They’ve teased:

  • A premium plastic version (harder wearing, classic vibe) – pre-order price: AUD$139.95
  • A cardboard version (budget Labo-style energy) – pre-order price: AUD$29.95

Both plug into your system and let you fire up these retro titles as intended.

🎮 Quality-of-Life Additions

Unlike the 90s original, this service isn’t just about emulating old binaries — Nintendo is including modern comforts like:

✅ Save states & rewind
✅ Control remapping
✅ …and possibly even colour options beyond red later in the year 👀

So even if the original gave you headaches, this version might be actually enjoyable — and worth dusting off that Switch. 😉

🧠 Wrapping Up

Is this a nostalgic gag? A genuine retro renaissance? Or just Nintendo poking fun at history? Probably a mix of all three — and we’re here for it.

Mark your calendars:
📅 17th February 2026 – Virtual Boy classics land on Switch Online.
👾 Retro fans, preppers, and weird 3D enthusiasts unite.

Stay tuned to Ausretrogamer for hands-on impressions once this bizarre comeback lands Down Under!🔥

image source: Nintendo

Lobos Collectables: Where Self-Control Goes to Die

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A Time Warp to the 80s: Our Visit to Lobos Collectables

We dropped into Lobos Collectables over the weekend and were immediately confronted with a very real problem: we are not as strong as we thought we were.

Within seconds of walking through the door, we were hit by a nostalgia blast powerful enough to send us straight back to the mid-80s – a time of carpeted lounge rooms, CRT TVs, and arguments over which Transformer was actually the best (it was Optimus Prime, obviously).

One Store. All the Universes.

Lobos Collectables is less a shop and more a carefully curated pop-culture time capsule. Everywhere you look, there’s something ready to trigger a memory you didn’t even realise you’d filed away.

Star Wars figures stare back at you like old friends. Aliens merch reminds you that the franchise used to be genuinely terrifying. Masters of the Universe is present in glorious force, instantly resurrecting Saturday morning cartoon rituals and backyard He-Man vs everyone crossovers.

Add in Star Trek, Transformers, The A-Team, classic wrestling gear, stacks of vintage comics, and a whole lot of “wait… I used to own that” moments, and you’ve got a store that’s basically weaponised nostalgia.

The Danger Zone

The biggest risk at Lobos isn’t tripping over boxes – it’s convincing yourself that buying just one thing is completely reasonable. Every shelf feels like it’s quietly whispering: “You’re an adult now. You deserve this.”

Resisting a purchase took genuine willpower. One wrong move and we’d have walked out with a bag full of plastic dreams and a sudden urge to watch cartoons before dinner.

More Than a Shop

What makes Lobos Collectables special is the vibe. This isn’t a sterile collectibles store – it’s a place to browse, reminisce, talk nonsense, and relive the days when toys were built to survive backyard warfare.

Whether you’re a serious collector or just chasing a hit of retro dopamine, Lobos absolutely delivers.

Final Verdict

If you love retro gaming, 80s pop culture, sci-fi, cartoons, comics, or simply remembering when life peaked at age 10, Lobos Collectables is a must-visit.

Just be warned: You’ll walk in “just to look” – and walk out questioning all of your life choices.

(Lots of photos below – scroll slowly! Wallet damage not shown.)

All images © ausretrogamer.com

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

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! 🎉🍄

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)!