Retro Game Con (RetroGameCon, or RGC) is an annual video game convention held in Syracuse, New York. The convention was founded in 2013 by a group of gaming enthusiasts who wanted to create a space for people to come together and celebrate their love of retro video games.
The first Retro Game Con was held at the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse. The convention featured a variety of events, including a classic video game tournament, a retro arcade, and a vendor hall where attendees could buy and sell retro video games and merchandise. The convention was a success, and it has grown in size and popularity every year since then.
In 2014, Retro Game Con moved to the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. The convention continued growing in popularity, attracting over 2,000 attendees in 2015. In 2016, Retro Game Con moved to its recent location at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The convention has continued to grow in popularity and now attracts over 5,000 attendees yearly. 2023 Retro Game Con (RetroGameCon X) will be held October 7-8, returning to the Oncenter Convention Center in Syracuse.
Retro Game Con features a variety of events and activities for attendees of all ages. The convention features a classic video game tournament, a retro arcade, a vendor hall, a costume contest, and a variety of panels and presentations. Retro Game Con also features a charity auction, with proceeds benefiting local charities.
Retro Game Con is a celebration of retro video games and the people who love them. The convention is a great place to meet other retro gamers, learn about retro video games, and play retro video games. Retro Game Con is a must-attend event for any fan of retro video games.
Here is a list of events from each year the convention has been held:
2013
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
2014
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
2015
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
2016
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
- Live music
2017
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
- Live music
- Retro gaming movie marathon
2018
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
- Live music
- Retro gaming movie marathon
- Retro gaming cosplay contest
2019
- Classic video game tournament
- Retro arcade
- Vendor hall
- Panel discussions
- Costume contest
- Charity auction
- Live music
- Retro gaming movie marathon
- Retro gaming cosplay contest
- Retro gaming documentary screening
2020
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Retro Game Con was canceled.
2021
Retro Game Con was held virtually. The event featured a variety of panels, presentations, and live streams.
2022
Retro Game Con returned to an in-person format. The event featured a classic video game tournament, a retro arcade, a vendor hall, panel discussions, a costume contest, a charity auction, and live music.
Classic Video Game Competitions by Year
Retro Game Con features a variety of events and activities, including a classic video game tournament. The tournament is open to all skill levels, and there are prizes for the winners. The tournament is a great way to compete against other retro gamers and to show off your skills.
The classic video game tournament has been held at Retro Game Con every year since the convention’s inception in 2013. The tournament has grown in size and scope over the years and now features over 20 games. A committee of gaming experts chooses the games featured in the tournament, and they are all classic games beloved by retro gamers.
The classic video game tournament is a great way to experience the excitement of competitive gaming. It is also a great way to learn about classic video games and to meet other retro gamers. If you are a fan of retro video games, then you should definitely consider competing in the classic video game tournament at Retro Game Con.
Below is a list of Classic Game Competitions held during each annual Retro Game Con:
2013
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
2014
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
2015
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
2016
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
2017
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
2018
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
- Street Fighter III: Third Strike
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
2019
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
- Street Fighter III: Third Strike
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Sonic Mania
- Mega Man 11
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Celeste
- Cuphead
2020
- Retro Game Con was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
- Retro Game Con was held virtually. The event featured a variety of panels, presentations, and live streams.
2022
Retro Game Con features a variety of events and activities, including a classic video game tournament. The tournament is open to all skill levels, and there are prizes for the winners. The tournament is a great way to compete against other retro gamers and to show off your skills.
The classic video game tournament has been held at Retro Game Con every year since the convention’s inception in 2013. The tournament has grown in size and scope over the years and now features over 20 games. A committee of gaming experts chooses the games featured in the tournament, and they are all classic games beloved by retro gamers.
The classic video game tournament is a great way to experience the excitement of competitive gaming. It is also a great way to learn about classic video games and to meet other retro gamers. If you are a fan of retro video games, then you should definitely consider competing in the classic video game tournament at Retro Game Con.
Below is a list of Classic Game Competitions held during each annual Retro Game Con:
2013
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
2014
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
2015
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
2016
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
2017
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
2018
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
- Street Fighter III: Third Strike
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
2019
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- The Legend of Zelda
- Donkey Kong
- Pac-Man
- Street Fighter II
- Mortal Kombat
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Killer Instinct
- Tetris
- Galaga
- Frogger
- Donkey Kong Country
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Contra
- Castlevania
- Mega Man
- Earthbound
- Final Fantasy
- Street Fighter III: Third Strike
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
- Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
- Sonic Mania
- Mega Man 11
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Celeste
- Cuphead
2020
- Retro Game Con was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
- Retro Game Con was held virtually. The event featured a variety of panels, presentations, and live streams.
2022
- Retro Game Con returned to an in-person format. The event featured a classic video game tournament, a retro arcade, a vendor hall, panel discussions, a costume contest, a charity auction, and live music.
The classic video game tournaments at Retro Game Con have grown in size and scope over the years. In 2013, there were only four tournaments. In 2022, there were over 20 tournaments. The tournaments are open to all skill levels, and there are prizes for the winners. The tournaments are a great way to compete against other retro gamers and show off your skills.
Retro Game Con is a great place to celebrate retro video games and the people who love them. The convention is a must-attend event for any fan of retro video games.
