March 19th 2024.
The London Gaming Market was bustling with excitement as thousands of gaming enthusiasts flocked to the retro heaven of the event. While digital games may be the new norm, there's something special about the nostalgia of a Game Boy and Tetris that still draws a crowd.
As I walked through the event, it was clear that the London Gaming Market offered a unique escape from the digital-only world of modern gaming. Here, the focus was on keeping old consoles, games, and accessories alive. And based on the turnout at last Sunday's event, it's safe to say that retro gaming is still very relevant to a lot of people.
I had the chance to speak with both vendors and buyers, and one thing was clear - today's games and consoles simply can't compete with the nostalgia and memories of the past. The event was held at the Royal National Hotel in London, and it was almost too popular for its own good. A long line of gamers had formed outside the hotel well before the 11am opening time, and once inside, the overwhelming amount of retro games and consoles on display made it a bit crowded.
Despite the chaos, first-time vendor Daniel Booth couldn't hide his excitement. "It's intimidating, there's a lot of people here," he said with a nervous chuckle. "But I think it's very important. There's a big community around physical games that you can hold in your hands or see in your bedroom. Modern games are often downloaded and there isn't that same connection, but everyone here believes the same thing: that games should be physical."
Even rare items like Nintendo's 1985 R.O.B. made an appearance at the event. But according to many of the vendors I spoke to, it was the Game Boy and its classic game, Pokémon, that were the real stars of the show. Booth explained that while nostalgia is an obvious appeal, he believes it's also a way to reconnect with simpler times. "Modern games are very different from the more streamlined and focused games of the past," he said. "I think a lot of people, along with the nostalgia and memories, just really connect with that."
William Stott, a seller at similar events for the past 10 years, was helping his friend downsize his retro gaming collection. He estimated that they could make a couple of thousand at an event like this, and revealed that old Game Boy handhelds and the 1989 Mega Drive console were among buyers' favorites.
As we browsed through the stalls, we came across some valuable items, including a £500 Monster Hunter Stories amiibo figure (which was only produced for two weeks in Japan) and the game Snatcher on the 1991 Mega-CD for £700. But the rarest item had to be the PC Engine LT console - only released in Japan in 1991 - priced at a whopping £3,500.
But retro gaming isn't just for hardcore collectors. As I looked around, I saw everything from Atari 2600 consoles to PlayStation 1 through 4 and the first Xbox up to Xbox 360, with countless games for each format. And of course, there were various versions of the Game Boy and other Nintendo consoles, as well as Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering trading cards. Surprisingly, there was even a lot of crochet of popular video game and anime characters.
It was clear that nostalgia was a major driving force for many of the buyers. In fact, I overheard someone say they bought a £3 PlayStation 2 game simply because they liked the cover art when they were young. Beth Anderson, who was browsing the stalls in search of her old PlayStation and SNES games, explained, "Games now are more digital-only and we don't own things anymore. It's really nice to have something on a shelf. With online games, we have so many choices that it can be overwhelming. But at events like this, you can physically see the games and connect with others who share the same passion."
Huy Nguyen had a similar story. He was on a mission to fulfill his childhood dream of getting a Game Boy with Tetris. "When I was a kid, I wanted a Game Boy, but my parents never got me one," he said. "Now that I'm older, I can afford one without any guilt. Plus, modern games are great but they can be complex. Sometimes, I just want to pick up a simple game like Tetris without having to spend hours learning how to play."
It's a good thing that there are three of these events in London each year, with even more across the UK. Two hours after opening time, the queue outside still hadn't shrunk, proving that retro gaming's promise of simpler entertainment has a lot of appeal in today's digital age. And while nostalgia may be a big factor, many gamers are also looking for an alternative to the bloat and grind of modern titles.
As I left the event, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience this unique community of retro gamers. It was a reminder that even in the ever-evolving world of gaming, there will always be a special place for the classics.
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