Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Pack Light With Handhelds

Let's kick things off with some practical advice for packing light on your retro gaming getaway. While lugging your treasured Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis on vacation may sound fun, travel is already stressful enough without adding heavy, bulky consoles to the mix. Instead, go ultra-portable with a classic handheld system.

The Game Boy Original and Game Boy Color remain iconic options that barely take up any space. Their classic green-and-black or color screens still ooze retro charm, and you can snag good deals on used units online. Just stock up on AA batteries and cartridges of Tetris, Super Mario Land, or Pokémon Red and Blue. I've spent many lazy beach days hypnotized by these mini machines.

If you prefer something more modern, the Game Boy Advance SP flips open like a futuristic clamshell. It plays any Game Boy or Game Boy Color games, plus its own stellar library, from Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow to Advance Wars. With a bright backlit screen, it's a pleasure to game on. An SP easily slides into even the smallest purse or backpack.

You could also grab a DS Lite, which plays Game Boy Advance titles, too. Then experience the magic of early touchscreen games like Electroplankton or hotel WiFi multiplayer Mario Kart DS. Dual screens, a stylus, and innovative games made the DS a revolution in portable play.

Perhaps the ultimate option is the Sony PSP, which mimics a mini widescreen TV in your hands. It delivers PS2-quality visuals, whether you're steering cars in Burnout Legends or slashing foes in God of War: Chains of Olympus. The PSP's stunning graphics and multimedia features make it feel decidedly modern despite being a retro handheld now.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Seek Out Arcades in Urban Centers

While handhelds pack nostalgic punch in a portable package, nothing beats the magic of a vintage arcade. The cacophonous chiptunes, garish neon lights, and hulking cabinets of old-school coin-ops create an immersive experience no handheld can match. But these sanctuaries of retro arcade action are disappearing in the digital age. Your best bet for encountering authentic, working 80s and 90s games while traveling is in the urban jungle.

Major metropolises still boast bastions of classic coin-op gaming, if you know where to look. In New York City, Chinatown Fair on Mott Street continues dishing out dim sum and arcade fare into the wee hours. Grab a Mai Tai and get lost in Daytona USA's sick drifts and OutRun's sun-dappled California cruising. In LA, Japan-born Barcade dishes out craft brews and cabinets packed with 80s beat-em-ups and shooters. Get your fists flying against friends in X-Men or Sunset Riders.

Across the pond in London, heart-pumping cardio and adrenaline await at Namco Funscape. Dance Dance Revolution pads still see plenty of stomping feet, while racing rigs like Star Wars Podracer and San Francisco Rush prove that sitting can provide its own thrills. Even Canada's capital Ottawa hosts The House of Targ, where perogies and pinball pair deliciously. Its scores of lovingly maintained machines include hard-to-find tables like Fireball and Eight Ball Deluxe. Every tilt and ding sounds like the 80s and 90s never left.

Of course, no discussion of urban retro arcades is complete without mentioning Japan. While games like Street Fighter II and Pac-Man originated there, maintaining vintage cabinets has proven a challenge even in the medium's birthplace. Still, if you're eager to experience back-alley Japanese arcades straight out of cyberpunk fiction, venture into Tokyo's Akihabara district. Here Taito Hey stocks dedicated retro game floors attended by knowledgeable staff.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Visit Retro Gaming Stores

Beyond testing your claw machine skills and racing high scores at busy arcades, another mecca for game hunters is the retro gaming shop. While major chains like GameStop now deal mostly in new titles and consoles, small independent stores focusing on the good old days continue to pop up. Their shelves overflow with cartridges, discs, and memorabilia from gaming’s early days.

The thrill of browsing these stores comes from the sense of discovery. You never know what obscure, long-forgotten gem you might unearth between rows of familiar classics. My favorite local shop is Pixel Heart in Los Angeles. The bright pink store is bursting at the seams with trailers of Super NES and Genesis classics begging to be adopted. But venture further and you'll find oddities like Tak and the Power of Juju, Mister Mosquito, and Haunting Ground staring back.

Owners Michelle and Ahmed curate the inventory with care. Racks highlight hidden gems on Nintendo 64 and Sega Saturn worth playing. As Pixel Heart has grown more popular, they've expanded into publishing indie games in physical editions. But the retro focus remains strong. Chatting with the staff provides a fountain of gaming knowledge you won't find at major chains focused on what's new.

Beyond the games themselves, these hobbyist stores stock a wild array of related paraphernalia. Enamel pins featuring iconic characters like EarthBound’s Ness or Link adorn colorful displays. Figures, plushies, mugs and clothes help you externally express gaming passions, both mainstream and obscure. Limited edition collectibles like soundtrack vinyl and anniversary art books tap into fandoms.

While mom and pop stores may seem quaint, their personal touch provides an experience online shopping can’t match. Special sales and events build community. During COVID-19, Pixel Heart took its popular annual parking lot swap meet online. Gamers still gathered virtually from around the world to chat and trade. Physical stores engaging in creative ways with customers, even digitally, show retro gaming’s heart still beats strong.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Stay at Hotels With Vintage Consoles

After a long day exploring retro gaming spots, unwind back in your hotel room with more old-school fun. Several hotel chains now offer guests complimentary use of classic game consoles and titles right in their rooms. We're not talking cutting-edge PlayStation 5s here - these hotels let you dive back into the '80s and '90s through Nintendo, Sega and other vintage systems.

Most Millennials and Gen Xers still have fond memories of blowing into cartridges and eagerly awaiting those chunky logo screens. So hotels aim to tap into guests' nostalgia and provide a novel amenity to stand out. The consoles also encourage socializing if families or friend groups stay together. And you'll sleep better after an evening battling Bowser rather than doomscrolling away on phones.

Journalist Clint Henderson shared his joy at finding a Super Nintendo hooked up in his Hyatt Centric room in downtown Mountain View, California. He gushed "This brought me right back to my childhood when I got the SNES for Christmas." After tweeting photos of multiplayer Mario Kart sessions, Hyatt's social media manager responded that retro gaming would roll out across more properties due to the viral, enthusiastic feedback.

Meanwhile, Hilton Hotels installed Sega Genesis systems with over 50 games like Sonic and Golden Axe into suites at select locations. Design-focused Canopy Hotels outfitted rooms with wood-paneled Super Nintendos and ultra-hip controllers shaped like the brand's logo. A Canopy guest told me switching on Donkey Kong Country and hearing that unmistakable jungle ditty brought all the magic of childhood rushing back during an otherwise routine business trip. He ended up playing late into the night with his partner and woke up re-energized.

Of course, the gaming doesn't stop in your room - lobby and common areas also join in the fun at some hotels. Holiday Inn added an arcade section with multiple eras represented, from vintage pinball like The Addams Family to 80s classics like Pac-Man or NBA Jam. Lounging near the lobby bar at Aloft hotels, I've battled friends in Mario Kart 64 and Super Smash Bros. We drew a crowd of cheering kids, teens, and adults alike - no other activity brings the generations together quite like old-school gaming.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Plan a Retro Gaming-Focused Road Trip

The open road beckons retro gamers to embark on a pilgrimage to landmarks of gaming history across America. From humble garages where visionaries first turned circuits into magic to massive expo halls that hosted fierce arcade competitions, a retro gaming road trip blends nostalgia with the thrill of the drive.

Fellow gamer Patrick Scott Patterson has mastered this mix. He's hit notable spots like pioneering programmer Ralph Baer's basement. This "Father of Video Games" crafted the first home console, the Magnavox Odyssey, in a New Hampshire workshop. Patterson reflects on the significance when visiting: "It's amazing to sit in that very room, look at the same stone walls, and think 'Video games as we know them began in this very space.'"

Patterson has also rolled into the original Atari office in Sunnyvale, California. A nondescript building now, this modest workspace saw bushy-haired geniuses design classics like Pong, Asteroids, and Space Invaders that kicked off the arcade era. For Patterson, standing outside Atari's first home connects him to long-dead coders and simpler times when quarters lined electro-mechanical cabinets.

The road trip allows deeper insight into the history behind these creators and companies - it's about more than just snapping selfies with historic plaques. As Patterson notes, "Without the context of the times and stories behind the places, they remain mere buildings. But putting myself in the shoes of those who changed the world from these places gives me amazing perspective."

Of course, road trips centered around gaming promise fun beyond educational value. Arcade expos and conventions around the country congregate collectors to swap tales and engage in friendly tournaments. Patterson fondly remembers battling through the night in NBA Jam finals at California Extreme in Santa Clara. The shared passion for preserving arcade experiences bonds the community.

Meanwhile, the Midwest Gaming Classic pulls in tens of thousands to a sprawling retro gaming exhibit hall in Milwaukee each year. Hundreds of consoles and cabinets fire up for attendees to re-experience or discover for the first time. Legendary Nintendo composer Koji Kondo himself attended in 2022, demonstrating the event's clout and ability to attract VIPs. Beyond the rows of beeping and flashing machines, food trucks, local brews, and a raucous Saturday night auction provide a well-rounded weekend celebration of retro gaming culture.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Check Convention Schedules for Retro Gaming Events

Beyond your own DIY road trip, be sure to check schedules for some of the premier retro gaming conventions across America. These giant meetups of collectors, historians, casual fans, and competitive gamers make for an incredible crash-course in old-school gaming culture. Attendees immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of long-gone eras when heading to these nostalgic events.

The Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee has cemented itself as perhaps the heavyweight retro event after over a decade. The sprawling exhibit hall packs in tens of thousands every April to revel in rooms stuffed with aisles of functioning consoles. Just gazing over the endless sea of screens flashing familiar logos delivers a potent hit of nostalgia. Attendees can actually play the hundreds of set-up machines too. Trying obscure games seldom seen outside of conventions provides education on gaming history. Special guests drop by to sign autographs and share behind-the-scenes insight into classic titles. In 2022, famed Nintendo composer Koji Kondo himself made an appearance to perform live renditions of Mario, Zelda, and Star Fox songs on the piano. His iconic notes coming from the man himself left the crowd overcome with emotion. Beyond the beeping and flashing machines, food trucks, local beers, and a raucous Saturday night auction round out a full weekend celebrating vintage gaming.

Meanwhile in California, the annual California Extreme event assembles pinball wizards and arcade enthusiasts in Santa Clara every July. Competitive tournaments see gamers battling into the night attempting to crown kings of the joystick across classics like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter II, and NBA Jam. But newcomers and casual attendees find plenty to enjoy beyond the contest scene. Rarities like fully functioning Sega R-360 and Nintendo Virtual Boy simulator pods attract crowds and queues. Developers and expert collectors hold informative panels explaining the stories behind designing pioneering games. Carefully maintained machines from gaming's dawn like Computer Space and Pong provide education on the history. Acres of lovingly restored arcade cabinets and pinball tables beg for quarters and high score attempts. By bringing together both casual and hardcore retro fans, California Extreme keeps gaming history alive.

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Download Emulators Before You Go

While lugging along vintage consoles on a trip may not be practical, you can still experience retro gaming on the go by downloading emulators on your phone, tablet or laptop before hitting the road. An emulator allows you to play classic games by replicating the software and hardware environment of legacy systems. Of course, you’ll also need to legally procure digital copies of cherished game ROMs to load into the emulators.

I always fill up my phone’s SD card with emulators and a greatest hits collection of ROMs before any trip. My trusty cross-platform RetroArch app compiles emulators for everything from the Atari 2600 to Nintendo 64. Just flick through the intuitive interface, pick a system, select a game, and enjoy a portable retro gaming library anywhere. Plunging back into Super Metroid’s atmospheric alien world or Streets of Rage 2’s gritty brawls during airport layovers immerses me in nostalgia and makes delays fly by. Gaming YouTuber RGT 85 swears by RetroArch as an all-in-one retro gaming solution you can fit in a pocket.

Of course, standalone emulators work great too. On a recent Miami weekend escape, I used Nestopia to relive Tecmo Super Bowl’s thrilling NFL action poolside at the hotel. My girlfriend got hooked on the puzzle perfection of Tetris DS via the DraStic emulator. Open source options like Mupen64Plus accurately recreate treasured N64 classics from Mario Kart to Wave Race. There’s an emulator for every retro system under the sun, with hobbyist coders constantly improving accuracy.

Gaming historian Frank Cifaldi suggests focusing on quality over quantity with emulation. Carrying hundreds of ROMs you’ll never actually play just clogs up precious storage. Instead, thoughtfully curate a “best of” playlist tailor-made for quick play sessions while traveling. I choose about 20 all-time favorite games per system, like making the ultimate mixtape. Swap games in and out after each trip to keep the selection fresh. Consummate retro fan Jen Przepasniak loves the creativity of crafting a custom portable playlist. She told me, “Emulation lets me carry childhood faves like Mega Man anywhere while leaving the plastic and wires behind. It feels super futuristic!”

Pixelated Paradise: Finding Retro Gaming on Your Next Trip - Chat With Fellow Retro Gamers Online

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While nothing replaces in-person community, connecting with fellow retro enthusiasts online opens up gaming discourse globally. Swapping stories in forums and social media groups bridges generations of gamers across borders thanks to the internet’s reach.

Longtime gamer Cory Olson moderates the Game Collecting subreddit, boasting over 300,000 members. He explains the value of this virtual hangout: “Our community unites new collectors and veterans worldwide. We cheer each other’s rare finds, give repair tips, and share our triumphs and frustrations in preserving gaming history.” While collecting tangible cartridges and hardware provides tactile thrills, Olson stresses online community transforms retro gaming from a solitary to shared experience. Members trade tales of colossal pixelated adventures that shaped their childhoods, cultivating deeper appreciation.

Olson also oversees the Game Collecting Discord server, with live chat allowing more intimacy than forums. He recalls a heartwarming exchange when a member from Italy shared how a rare Japanese import game arrived damaged in the mail. Hundreds chimed in with sympathy and advice for securing a refund. The case showcases the genuine bonds formed between far-flung members. “It’s about more than just buying and selling,” Olson says. “We celebrate and support each other’s personal retro gaming journeys.”

Meanwhile, the Facebook group Women of Color in Gaming provides a space for often marginalized perspectives. Kishonna Gray, founder and director of the Illinois State University Game Research Lab, says the group gives women of color a nurturing environment to share their classic gaming experiences. “Growing up, arcades could be unwelcoming to those seen as outsiders,” she notes. “Having a private online group to reminisce about getting our start in gaming gives us a sense of community - it celebrates how far we’ve come.” Gray is warmed seeing members proudly post photos of systems they tracked down or high scores achieved. The support members give each other in collecting and enjoying retro games helps build confidence and connection.