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And finally… (including a few things to remember for next year)
I told myself beforehand, that when I get up early, I should leave the house early! I should’ve got there for 9.30am to make the most of the time cardholders can start gaming in advance of those paying on the door – they could gain access at 10.30 – but I faffed about too much and got there around 10.15. I still beat the queue, however, as cardholders paying in advance can walk straight in past the very long queue, so I heartily recommend for 2015’s event.
Buy your T-shirts early, so they don’t sell out. I would’ve bought a couple more of them, but there were only ‘medium’ left for the ones I wanted. And I am not a medium (ahem!)
Do a full recce of the site including all areas. I also completely missed the Mature Gaming Zone and the Rhythm Zone, both of which were situated within the main bar area, mainly because I didn’t need to go in there, so completely forgot about those, having been overwhelmed with everything else on display. This is why I need to go for both days next time, so in the evening, someone can inadventently remind me that I’ve not sampled those games.
Work out in advance which talks you want to attend and make a note of their times. As I mentioned, I wish I’d gone to the Ocean talk, as I even brought along my Ocean: The History book for signing. I’d not been there too long and I was still getting acclimatised. I need to be more organised for next year 🙂
The talks were only on the Saturday, but this is another reason to attend both days next time – I couldn’t get round all the games on the one day I did attend, so next year I’ll see more talks on the Saturday, while catching up with the games on the Sunday. And what about watching talks whilst also wanting to participate in the deathmatches and knockouts hosted by the Retro Lords? Well, I’ll just have to find a way to clone myself in time for next year 😉
Oh, and by the time the next Revival comes round, I’ll have a new phone, so it’ll be one which does NOT have the battery life span of a gnat’s fart… or I might just buy a proper camera.
Retro Zone’s Revival Special
There were a lot less game cartridges to swap over, compared to many more being available last year, but sadly there are those people who are light-fingered and will snaffle whatever they can, which apart from not being in the spirit of an event like this, it’s also downright illegal – it’s theft. Hence, I can understand the reason for doing this, but it’s a shame that it will be the few which will spoil it for the many. I can see Retro Zone, whose Revival Special is above and is well worth a watch, also thought along similar lines. Then again, I did just get caught up in the excitement of it all, so I think II’ll need a list of the talks tattooed on the inside of my eyeballs so I don’t forget next time, since I remembered hearing the Retro Lords making announcements early on, but once I’d got involved in the Pong and Doom tournaments, I lost track. Also, I forgot there were maps available listing the zones and the talks info, but then I also brought with me my copy of Ocean: The History, and forgot to get it signed at all. I would’ve remembered if I’d gone to the talk, but I’d have to have cloned myself to do Doom and the talk at the same time.
That said, I was still quite happy to try as many different machines as possible, and last year I generally went with the game that was in the machine so I could get round them without delay. This year, I think the only game I swapped over was one on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) so I could play Super Mario Bros. I can remember when this console was released and, my God, did I want one. I never did have one, though. But while I’ve played on various sequels over the years, nothing compares to playing the NES original.
There was a lot more on offer food-and-drink-wise. Last year, there was just the bar and rather a long wait for some, but this year there were at least three fast-food and similar outlets on-site, so there’s no waiting this time round and, like the name of the classic ’80s videogame, it’s Burger Time!
And, yes, there is a nearby McDonalds and KFC, but as long as the weather’s good, it’s very comfortable to sit out in the Racecourse’s food court and take in a breath of fresh air before heading back for more gaming action.
And as I was driving back on the A449 from Dunstall Park towards the M6, I passed someone wearing a Stormtrooper outfit, just walking back to wherever they lived! I so wish I could’ve stopped my car and taken a picture, but it was a dual carriageway with nowhere to stop. Curse you, road laws!
And like Arnie… I’ll be back! 🙂
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.