Gaming fans will be treated to full slate of all things video games this weekend as the Northern Game Expo returns to Sudbury.
Cambrian College will be the site of the one-day expo that features more than 90 vendor tables, video game tournaments, a cosplay masquerade, and giveaways. The event is Sunday, April 29 from 12-5 p.m.
Retro and modern games will be display, alongside comics, anime and much more. A unique highlight to this iteration of this expo will be special guest Syd Bolton, the curator of Canada's Video Game Museum.
Bolton is the owner of Canada's largest video game collection and will bringing some games and items that have never been seen. There will be a special event with Bolton one day early — from 7 - 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 — where attendees can get an up-close look at some of the rarest video games around and get a crash course in Canadian video game history.
"He's going to be talking about Canada's role in the video game industry," said Brad Davidson, organizer, Northern Game Expo. "Games like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed are made in Canada and he'll be talkin about the history of the Canadian gaming industry."
Bolton will also be bringing what Davidson describes as, "the worst Zelda game of all time" and the failed Game Wave console that was launched in Canada in 2005 but never gained commercial traction.
Admission to the exclusive event with Bolton is $30. Can't make it out to the Saturday evening event? Bolton will be on-hand on Sunday as well, showcasing his wares to those in attendance.
Feel like testing your mettle against fellow gamers? There will be a pair of video game tournaments at the expo, with Mario Kart 8 and Street Fighter Turbo 2 as the featured games. Prizes will be handed out to the top three finishers in each game. The tournaments are being put on by Comics North/Hidden Level Games.
If you're just there to browse, you'll have your plate full with more than 90 tables set up throughout the student life centre at Cambrian College.
"We're always adding more to this event and trying to grow," said Davidson. "The Caruso Club was a fantastic host for us for two years, but now being able to have everything on one floor at Cambrian, I think it opens up more possibilities being able to have everything on one floor."
VIPs can get into the expo 30 minutes early (11:30 a.m.) on Sunday to get first crack at some hard-to-find items. Doors open to the general public at 12 p.m. and admission is $5. Kids under the age of 10 get in free if accompanied by someone paying admission.
For more on what to expect at this weekend's expo, check out NorthernGameExpo.com or check them out on Facebook.
