PRGE 2023 Cosplay/Costume Contest

Portland Retro Gaming Expo Cosplay Contest
Cosplay judging at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo auction in 2017.

Bring your cosplay A-game to Portland Retro Gaming Expo for a chance to win some awesome prizes!
Costumes do not have to be from a video game, so grab your sewing machine, plug in that hot glue gun, unleash your imagination, and let your creativity fly!


Even if you’ve entered our contest before, please take a moment to re-familiarize yourself with the rules as details may have changed.



Register now!


Time and Location

  • Cosplay Pre-Meet Time: Saturday October 14, 2023 @ 3:00PM - must-attend for contestants!
  • Cosplay Pre-Meet Location: Room G-130, located in breezeway
  • Contest Time: Saturday October 14, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
  • Contest Location: Hall E Stage (near Arcade)

Cosplay Contest rules

  1. This is a walk-on costume contest.
    • The MC will ask for your name, and who you are dressed as. While this is not a skit contest, you will have approximately 30 seconds to show off your costume to the audience.
    • Feel free to be “in character” on stage, but keep in mind that no nudity, profanity, hate-speech or otherwise offensive language or costumes will be allowed on the stage & is grounds for immediate disqualification. This decision is up to the discretion of the judges and MC. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with PRGE’s Conduct and Harassment policy.
  2. You must register for the contest in advance to enter.
    • The last time to sign up will be at the Cosplay Pre-Meet - Saturday October 14, 2023 @ 3PM (Room G-130, located in breezeway).
  3. Store-bought costumes are not eligible for prizes, however you are welcome and invited to come on stage and have your moment in the spotlight!
    • Some portion of your costume must be hand-made either by yourself or with assistance from family and friends.
    • If you have questions about what would meet these requirements, please contact hairnet_fright.01@icloud.com.
  4. Costumes related to Video Games are preferred, but not required.
    • While we are a gaming convention, we welcome cosplayers of all fandoms as well as original designs.
  5. Costumes will be judged according to your level of expertise.
    • This is to keep things as fair as possible for everyone. Don’t worry if this is your first time making a costume, our judges will keep that in mind.
    • Bring a reference image for your costume so our judges can be as fair as possible. This is especially important if your costume is an original concept or character. Build books appreciated!
    • If you’re 13 or younger, you will be judged in the Kids’ category. Your parent or guardian must be present at the contest.
      • Parents: We do not expect your children to make their costumes entirely on their own.
  6. You may enter as an individual or as a group.
    • Keep in mind that if you choose to do this, there is only one prize pack per judging category, and you will need to split the prize with your group.
  7. Your costume must be self-contained.
    • No projectiles flying out of props, keep your finger off the trigger, no rocket fists flying out into the audience, no live steel OR sharpened edges. Confetti and glitter count as projectiles.
      TL;DR: Don’t make a mess on the stage.
    • If your costume is elaborate or has limited mobility or vision, please have a handler with you to help you on and off the stage. Please let us know in advance if you need assistance so we can make arrangements.
  8. PRGE admission is required for entry.
    • PRGE staff and Guests of Honor are ineligible to win prizes in the cosplay contest and will be excluded from judging, but are welcome to come up and strut their stuff.
  9. You must arrive on time.
    • Make sure you are present, in costume and prepared to explain your costume to judges at the Pre-Meet. If you miss or are late to the Pre-Meet you will not be able to participate in the contest.
    • Cosplay Pre-Meet: Saturday October 14, 2023 @ 3PM (Room G-130, located in breezeway)
  10. PRGE Cosplay Weapons Policy
    • While we here at PRGE love cosplay and props, we ask that you do not bring airsoft weapons (disabled or functional), live steel or sharpened blades, realistic replicas of real-life weapons, or any real weapons (disabled or functional) with you.

Register online now!