About Us

What is the Portland Retro Gaming Expo?

Retro Gaming Expo, Inc. is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)4 non-profit cooperative organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for classic video and arcade games through the presentation of events and conventions that celebrate the historic contribution video games have made and continue to make in popular culture.

Our Goals

PRGE seeks to continually improve the quality and depth of our events. It is through events like our annual Expo that we will meet our goals:

Educate Our primary mission is to educate our visitors on the impact that video games have made on our society. Our main methods for doing this are through hands-on interaction with classic games and by hosting speaking engagemments from important figures from video game history. Preserve The first consumer video games were created over 40 years ago. As years pass and new systems replaced the old, it does not always occur to game manufacturers and owners to preserve examples of their games for the future. PRGE believes that, by demonstrating original game hardware and software in working condition, we provide a clearer example of video game culture through the years and a better experience for our attendees. Inspire Video games bring together multiple disciplines including mathematics, physics, art, music and drama. It is our belief that by highlighting video games of the past, we will inspire the game creators of the future in all of these areas.

What is a classic video game?

Our loose definition of a classic video game is any from a system released prior to the most recent generation by any game manufacturer. By this definition the Nintendo Wii, XBox 360 and Playstation 3 have moved into the classic realm (replaced by the Wii U, XBoxOne and Playstation 4 respectively). In regard to full-size arcade cabinet games we have, somewhat arbitrarily, chosen games older than 10 years as eligible for classic status.

Who is PRGE?

PRGE is operated by an all-volunteer board of rabid video game fans. In addition to our board, PRGE is supported by a small army of awesome volunteers, without whom PRGE would not happen.

How old is PRGE?

Our first event was held in 2006.

Diversity and Inclusiveness Policy

PRGE believes that diversity and inclusion are key drivers of our goal of educating the public about the history of video games. We welcome attendees regardless of age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, mental abilities or familial status. Learn more about our committment to inclusiveness by reading our Conduct and Harassment Policy