4/5 Thang 6 months ago on Google
★★★★★
Space/Layout
★★★★★
Event
Management
★★★★★
Ambiance
★★★★★
Value
★★★★★
Safety
★★★☆☆
Location/Accessibility
★★★★☆
Overall
experience
Date
visited:
11/11/2023
On
a
crisp
and
sunlit
weekend,
my
friend
KK
and
I
embarked
on
a
journey
to
the
Ohio
Expo
Center
and
State
Fair,
drawn
by
the
allure
of
the
TORG
Retrogame
Expo.
Our
pilgrimage
was
shared
with
another
duo,
my
friend
MW
accompanied
by
her
formidable
friend,
and
fellow
gaming
enthusiast.
The
clock
struck
9
am
as
we
approached
the
epicenter
of
nostalgia,
signaled
by
a
burgeoning
line
of
cars
stretching
into
the
distance.
The
anticipation
hung
thick
in
the
air,
but
the
efficient
procession
swiftly
led
us
to
a
parking
haven,
where
a
mere
$7
granted
us
access
to
the
realm
of
pixelated
wonders.
Navigating
towards
the
entrance
was
an
effortless
endeavor,
guided
not
only
by
directional
cues
but
also
by
the
gathering
throng
congregating
in
excited
anticipation.
The
eclectic
assembly
comprised
a
multitude
of
gaming
enthusiasts,
with
only
a
sprinkling
of
cosplayers
adding
a
dash
of
vivid
color
to
the
wintry
scene.
Amid
the
chilly
morning,
I
couldn't
help
but
admire
the
dedication
of
a
chubby
cosplayer
embodying
Juri
Han
from
Street
Fighter
6,
valiantly
braving
the
cold
with
a
considerable
amount
of
exposed
skin.
A
smattering
of
other
attendees
donned
less
conspicuous
Mario
character
costumes,
injecting
a
whimsical
charm
into
the
frosty
ambiance.
The
issuance
of
wristbands
marked
our
passage
into
the
warmth
of
the
expo
center,
unveiling
before
us
a
tapestry
of
vendors
and
stores
adorned
with
the
treasures
of
gaming's
yesteryears.
However,
the
privilege
of
early
exploration
belonged
solely
to
the
elite
holders
of
VIP
tickets,
leaving
the
rest
of
us
in
eager
anticipation.
As
we
bided
our
time
amidst
the
crowd,
I
couldn't
help
but
notice
the
impatience
etched
on
the
faces
of
some
cosplayers,
deciding
against
intruding
on
their
wait
for
a
coveted
souvenir
photograph.
The
gates
were
finally
unbarred,
and
the
surge
of
eager
attendees
flooded
the
expo
grounds
with
the
fervor
of
a
midsummer
tornado.
The
expansive
interior
unfolded
before
us,
organized
to
accommodate
the
myriad
offerings
of
the
retro
gaming
universe.
I
meandered
through
the
labyrinth
of
vendors,
pausing
intermittently
to
inspect
their
wares.
Retro
game
paraphernalia,
ancient
consoles,
vintage
comics,
plushies
immortalizing
beloved
characters,
and
an
assortment
of
mystical
charms
beckoned
from
every
corner.
A
particular
vendor
caught
my
fancy,
featuring
anime
accessories
and
pillowcases
adorned
with
the
visages
of
fictional
characters.
Meanwhile,
KK
found
solace
in
the
embrace
of
a
comic
vendor,
immersing
himself
in
the
pages
of
superhero
antiquities.
His
eyes
lingered
on
a
$1000
original
Spiderman
comic,
a
treasure
that
he
eventually
traded
for
a
more
modest
$40
alternative.
Personally,
I
abstained
from
purchases,
cognizant
that
the
allure
of
these
relics
could
be
sated
through
online
avenues.
Our
paths
converged
with
MW
and
her
imposing
companion,
M,
at
the
food
court.
The
duo
exuded
an
air
of
characters
from
a
crime
noir,
a
mistress
flanked
by
her
vigilant
bodyguard,
despite
the
absence
of
overt
costuming.
Life
stories
were
exchanged
before
we
ventured
forth
for
additional
exploration.
Before
bidding
adieu,
we
indulged
in
the
delights
of
antique
arcade
machines,
repositories
of
retro
video
game
magic,
all
graciously
free
to
play.
The
pull
of
these
pixelated
wonders
was
undeniable,
but
alas,
other
commitments
beckoned,
drawing
our
outing
to
a
close.
In
retrospection,
the
TORG
Retrogame
Expo
proved
to
be
a
well-orchestrated
spectacle,
providing
an
enjoyable
sojourn
into
the
realms
of
gaming
nostalgia.
The
ticket
price
was
justified,
the
venue
impeccable,
yet
a
yearning
lingered
for
more
immersive
shows
to
captivate
the
diverse
audience
that
congregated
beneath
its
gaming
banner.
