Even in today’s digital age, physical objects of our favorites are just as important. The Pinoy Hobbies and Retro Collectables Expo, which happened May 18-19, 2024 at the Ayala Fairview Terraces, Q.C., was there to remind us what we truly value. Classic video games, rare consoles, and vintage collections were all there in one place. This event is organized by the Vintage and Retro Convention Vintrocon and Game Selections.
Retro Gaming is alive and well
If you’ve ever been around the Philippine retro video game scene, you might notice a few sellers here. Gameboy Philippines, and Game Selection, were just some of the names we were familiar with as they helped us repair our consoles before! The community is really what makes retro collecting. You’re always making new friends whenever you’re troubleshooting an old console or just talking about your favorite games and that makes all the trouble worth it.
Just wading through the sea of cartridges, you may just find a rare classic hiding amongst them! Seeing a legitimate copy of Muramasa: The Demon Blade for the Wii was one case for us. It was one of the earliest games we got to play as a kid. One of Vanillaware’s earliest games and seeing them before hitting it big with Dragon’s Crown, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, and Unicorn Overlord puts into perspective the legacy these games have. They’re the starting point of all our favorite games today and that’s why they should be preserved. With all the variety of games and consoles that you could buy at the con, who knows what you’ll find?
The little treasures
Guest Exhibitor ‘Dekada TV‘ was also there showcasing classic coins and memorabilia. While looking at all of them, we had a funny discussion about the old 5 centavo coin and how we’d spin them around a thread. Imagine our shocked at the fact when we learned there was once a 2 peso coin. This is why we think vintage coins have their charm. You can always find little stories in each of them.
Fight!
One of the biggest highlights was the first Shoryu Retro Fighting Games Festival. Featuring Street Fighter 3: Third Strike on May 18 and The King of Fighters 98 on May 19. The Festival brought in veterans and newcomers together to hone their skills, celebrate their favorite game, and just have fun. Just from the highlights, you can tell they’re truly having the time of their lives.
When’s the next one?
If you missed it, don’t worry as there are more Vintrocon events coming up! The “It’s Raining Retro” event will be in Fisher Mall Malabon on June 6-9, 2024. Fisher Mall Quezon Avenue will run the “Retro Nimbus” on June 24-30, 2024. Will you be there?
