Gaming expo PAX 2023 packed with awesome and awe-inspiring stuff; fresh announcements

Annual gaming expo PAX is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, but rather than looking back in celebration, the event is putting the ‘pro’ into progressive – presenting the changes taking place in the ever-expanding world of gaming.

There’ll be plenty of surprise guests including delegates from the Zelda Universe, cosplay aficionados, game creators and even the odd muso and comedian.

Nintendo returns to the PAX expo floor headlined by Super Mario Bros. Wonder – playable before its release on October 20. Fans can also shop at the Nintendo booth with My Nintendo Store, which will have merchandise to peruse and purchase.

Nintendo is also inviting fans to play Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask, Detective Pikachu Returns and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Nintendo Switch. A heck of a lot to get excited about there!

Gaming icon, SEGA will be attending the event this year with a booth showcasing Sonic Superstars and Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Melbourne-based Ukiyo Studios will be presenting ‘SEA What I Made! (SWIM)’, the largest Southeast Asian indie games delegation of its kind to grace Australian shores with a whopping 15 original titles from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines on showcase.

And classic brand Atari have given us a sneak peek of the Atari 2600+ – a modern day faithful recreation of the pioneering console that first appeared in 1977. It’ll be on display at PAX Aus in the Classic Gaming area. (The Atari 2600+ is launching worldwide on 17th November 2023 and available to pre-order for $189.95).

For tabletop fans, Star Wars: Unlimited will be demo-ed for the first time in Australia, along with two icons in the tabletop world: Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, the former providing Dungeon Masters on hand to guide you on your quest. The tabletop major moments don’t stop there with Dragon Ball Z and One Piece showcasing their games and hosting tourneys at the event.

And here’s something we’ve been looking forward to: on the eve of the Five Nights at Freddy’s film release (which will be out October 27) a Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza corner will be set up with the full gang just dying to meet you – step into the scene and see if you can survive five nights!

PAX Aus 2023 takes place October 6-8 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. For more information and badges, visit the official website here.

Antonino Tati

www.thepopshop.shop