EnglishConvention - Paris Games Week 2024: A Nostalgic Dive into Gaming History at the Retrogaming Booths
By Mulder, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 22 october 2024
Paris Games Week (PGW) 2024 has transformed the Retrogaming Booth into a nostalgic sanctuary for fans of all ages, inviting them to explore and celebrate decades of gaming history in a space that pays homage to the classics. From October 23 to 27, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is hosting this immersive experience that brings vintage titles back to life, with everything from 8-bit arcade machines to consoles from the 1980s and 90s. Designed for both hardcore gamers and casual fans, the booth serves as a reminder of the games that shaped the industry and continue to influence modern gaming culture.
The Retrogaming Booths bring the spirit of the past into a high-tech, engaging format. Booth designers have re-created an arcade atmosphere with iconic machines, refurbished cabinets, and pixelated decor that instantly transports visitors back in time. Featuring consoles from Nintendo, Sega, and Atari, the booth includes both well-known classics and niche titles that appeal to a broad demographic. This thoughtful design encourages not just gameplay but also exploration, as visitors weave through stations dedicated to different eras and consoles, each with their own set of standout games.
In addition to its wide variety of playable games, the booths include multimedia elements such as original game art and pixel animations, adding a layer of visual storytelling to the gaming experience. Curated memorabilia, including posters and character models, line the area, allowing fans to relive iconic moments. Retro consoles like the Sega Genesis, SNES, and original PlayStation offer up cult classics, while rarities like the Neo Geo or Commodore 64 give younger audiences a chance to experience lesser-known gaming milestones. With dedicated areas for each console and game generation, the Retrogaming Booth at PGW 2024 feels like a museum exhibit made interactive.
The Retrogaming Booths highlights PGW 2024’s commitment to creating a space where fans of different ages can connect. It serves as an opportunity for families to bond over shared memories, with parents passing on their love for games like “Super Mario Bros.,” “Pac-Man,” and “Street Fighter II” to the younger generation. With a catalog of games that spans genres and decades, this area has something for everyone, whether they want to play together or spectate. Multiplayer games—especially in the arcade section—encourage visitors to challenge each other in a friendly, community-driven environment.
In addition to being a family-friendly attraction, the Retrogaming Booth has become a community hub where fans can reminisce, trade tips, and discuss the evolution of gaming. The booths attract a diverse audience, with retro gaming enthusiasts, collectors, and newcomers alike exploring the classics that paved the way for today's hits. Its popularity highlights the timeless nature of these games, many of which remain just as engaging and challenging today as they were decades ago.
The booths offer more than gameplay—they also bring exclusive merchandise and collectibles that appeal to retro gaming fans and collectors. Curated specifically for PGW 2024, the selection includes limited-edition posters, apparel, and figures of iconic characters. Many items are replicas of original merchandise from gaming’s early days, providing an authentic touch for collectors. Some stations offer exclusive limited-edition collectibles, including miniature arcade cabinets and character models, making it a sought-after spot for attendees looking to take a piece of gaming history home.
Surrounded by the latest gaming innovations and high-tech demos at PGW, the Retrogaming Booths offer a refreshing contrast that reminds visitors of the industry’s humble beginnings. The booth underscores the massive leaps in technology since the days of 8-bit graphics and wired controllers, showing just how far the industry has come. This juxtaposition of retro and modern gaming is evident throughout PGW, as booths like these stand alongside the latest VR demos, esports competitions, and tech showcases from brands like Xbox, Sony, and Ubisoft. This contrast provides a more comprehensive view of gaming’s evolution and allows fans to appreciate the foundation on which contemporary titles are built
Beyond entertainment, the booths are an educational experience, spotlighting the historical significance of the games on display. The exhibit includes descriptions and background information on each game and console, giving visitors insights into the design philosophies and technological limitations that shaped early gaming. Many of the booth’s displays are accompanied by information on the developers, their artistic inspirations, and the cultural impact of these games. Educational talks and short video segments play on loop, allowing visitors to learn about the significance of pixel art, the development of game mechanics, and the role of early gaming icons.
This unique fusion of fun and education aims to inspire younger gamers, helping them understand the roots of their favorite hobby and recognize the value of early game design in shaping today’s industry. It also encourages conversations about how gaming has developed as an art form and a form of storytelling, adding depth to the immersive experience
Retrogaming’s popularity at PGW reflects a wider trend within the gaming industry, where old-school titles continue to find a place among new releases. The Retrogaming Booth underscores the increasing relevance of classic games in modern culture, as fans and developers alike look back to vintage games for inspiration. The booth illustrates how retro games influence contemporary indie titles and gaming trends, reinforcing their status as timeless masterpieces that continue to inspire new generations of players.
For anyone attending Paris Games Week 2024, the Retrogaming Booth offers an unmissable journey through the golden age of gaming, showing how far the industry has come while reminding everyone of the joy that simpler, classic games can bring.
You can discover our photos in our Flickr page
Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville