Video Game Tournaments


It's on like Donkey Kong

Classic game tournaments have always been one of the most popular aspects of the Portland Retro Gaming Expo. The competition is fierce and everyone has a great time!

There will be two separate classic game tournaments planned in 2010 - one for each day of the show. The Nintendo 64 competition is on Saturday and the Atari 2600 competition is on Sunday. Registration starts just before the tournaments and is limited to the first 50 players each day. There is no cost for tournament entry other than the standard Expo admission.

How do we pick the games for the tournament?

Because there is such high demand for the tournament, we have to select games that can be played quickly. This rules out most role-playing games and platformers. What works well in this time-constrained format is puzzle games, racing games, fighters and first-person shooters.

How does the tournament work?

Each tournament will have two gamemasters and multiple volunteers to oversee the competition. They will instruct the participants on where to be and when to be there. Please listen carefully for your name to be called - anyone late to a match will be disqualified at the discretion of the gamemasters.

There will be six tournament stations set up for each day of the show. All stations will have similarly sized televisions and fully tested game consoles and controllers. It is the player's responsibility to check their system and controllers prior to competition. Any problems with the game hardware should be immediately brough to the attention of the gamemasters.

All players must use the controllers provided by the Expo. No consoles, games or controllers brought from home may be used in the competition.

Glorious Prizes

Like last year we will have custom trophies for the winners as well as prize packages. There will be a separate set of first, second and third place prizes awarded for the N64 and Atari 2600 tournaments.

  • 1st Prize: $75 expo gift certificate and a custom trophy
  • 2nd Prize: $50 expo gift certificate and a custom trophy
  • 3rd Prize: $25 expo gift certificate and a custom trophy

In addition to the official show-sanctioned tournaments, some vendors may host competitions of their own. They will be posted here as they are confirmed.


Official PRGE Tournament Schedule & Game Listing

Saturday September 18 - Nintendo 64

  • Registration begins at 11:00 AM
  • Tournament play starts at 1:00 PM

The N64 tournament will consist of the following five games:

  • Dr. Mario 64
  • Mario Kart 64
  • Super Smash Bros
  • Episode 1 Racer
  • Perfect Dark


Sunday September 19 - Atari 2600

  • Registration begins at 10:30 AM
  • Tournament play starts at 1:00 PM

The Atari 2600 tournament will consist of the following five games:

  • Warlords
  • Combat
  • Surround
  • Video Olympics
  • Ice Hockey


Additional Tournaments

Sega Genesis NHL 94 Hockey Mini-Tournament

Are you a Sega Genesis sports game fanatic? Watch for a special NHL 94 Hockey tournament in the Freeplay room officiated by Mike a.k.a VW on Atari Age. The winner of this mini-tournament will win a brand new copy of NHL 11 courtesy of EA Sports!

Details on the location and time will be announced at the show.