Welcome to the SoCal Gaming Expo in Pasadena, California! Stepping into the venue, I was immediately hit with a wave of nostalgia. Sponsored by my good friends at MechDIY, I went on what you might call a "covert mission" to explore the event. I knew this show would be great, but I never expected it to be this incredible!
This place is a retro gamer's paradise! From classic games and collectibles to cosplayers, CRT TVs, and vintage gaming booths, every detail was amazing. But what really stood out wasn't just the exhibits—it was the people. I met creators, artists, vendors, and retro gaming enthusiasts from around the world. Seeing the retro gaming community thriving and celebrating gaming's golden age put a huge smile on my face.
But I was here on a mission: to find a copy of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time for PS Vita. Let's tour this wild convention and see if we can track down this coveted game!
[Vendor interactions]
Me: Got any PS Vita games?
Vendor A: Nope, sorry.
Vendor B: I've got a few PS Vita titles...
Me: Do you have Sly Cooper?
Who knew it would be this hard to find? I got distracted by so many great games and ended up buying Gangs of London for PSP—not what I came for, but still cool! (Even though I blew $18 of my $50 budget.)
[Interviews with exhibitors]
Maggie: We're Game Realm from Burbank—we sell retro and new games, host tournaments, and organize meetups!
David: I'm David from Super Awesome Video Games. I sell my personal collection at pop-ups around LA—no online store, you gotta catch me in person!
Artisan Vendor: These game keychains are all handmade by me after I quit smoking. Find me on Instagram @JaysFlippingJunk!
[The big find]
After digging through stacks of games—success! Wait... is this the French version? (Checks) Phew, it's English!
The thrill of hunting for physical games beats online shopping any day. Huge thanks to the organizers for making this happen! East Coast residents, mark your calendars for the Retro World Expo in Hartford this September. And special thanks to MechDIY for sponsoring this adventure—stay tuned for my next video on retro gaming emulation!
