The Game Expo 2025 @TGX @TGX2025 @MCEC

A year ago today, I wrote about my first experience at the Game Expo. Noting that it was smaller than I thought it would be, despite it being my first time attending this event. I also mentioned that it didn’t seem to matter all that much because the organisers really nailed the layout down so well that every inch of the hall they had allocated for themselves. Was packed full of things to do, yet never did it feel claustrophobic like other conventions do. And I’m pleased to say that it’s exactly the same this year, the only difference being that I no longer view the venue or rather, the portion of the hall they booked out, as being too small. In fact, I’d go as far to say that I believe it to be the perfect size, for what TGX actually is.

For those who haven’t been before or don’t know what TGX is, the Game Expo has a high focus on gaming history, with dedicated zones for retro games and consoles from ages past. That’s not to say it’s a one trick pony and only for gaming veterans like myself and those before me. Not at all, TGX also boasts strong support for tabletop games and Indie developed games as well. With several sponsor and merch booths as well as stages for tournaments, cosplay, speedruns and much, much more. I really do think the organisers know just how to design a layout that just works so well despite packing the hall full of activities. It’s just large enough to enjoy for a full day, not too large that it needs more than that, or overstays its welcome. Perfect for me as sometimes I can’t attend Saturday events because of my boring day job.

So while I definitely don’t call it THE event for gaming. It’s definitely one of my favourites to attend.

As with every convention every year, I like to give the whole hall “a once over”. Checking out everything on offer at least once, before I sort out in my head where I’ll spend the most of my time. As has become my habit recently, one of my favourite places in most conventions is to check out the artist alley. I love art, I love supporting local artists and it’s a great way to network for me personally as I am a vtuber as a side gig. So I’m also scouting out potential artist commissions. Killing two birds with one stone, as they say. It’s always great to check out the Retro Rhythm and High Score arcade as well, as I get older and the games that I used to play are now considered the new “retro” games. It humbles me and makes me feel old in the same breath. But I do appreciate that young kids can still experience games like I did, before the internet and online gaming became so mainstream. And what better way to challenge them to see if they can handle the games we grew up on, than with a challenge in the high score arcade?

Indie games are getting insane, with newer tools making it easier for smaller teams of people to create new and amazing games at alarming rates. You’re never too far away from a great, affordable game. And with Triple A titles becoming increasingly expensive and bugged experiences. It’s no surprise that we’ve seen a spiraling downward trend in Triple A titles and popularity of Indie games sky-rocketing. It was definitely good to see a few familiar faces too, as there were some returning names but also plenty of new blood, new devs and new games taking centre stage. And rightly so, I’m very glad they have a space to really shine.

Some returning names from last year include the same three games that caught my eye back then; Footy Bash, Dolven and Crush Zone: Demolition Darby. But I wanted to point out a few new games this year as there was quite the variety this time around. Here are my top 3 picks:

Memory’s Reach

A sci-fi puzzle, exploration game. Explore alien words, with futuristic ruins and towering relics. Adventure to gorgeous floating cities and deep mysterious underground facilities. The game is very metroidvania themed, with fantastical alien technology and mind bending puzzles. The game plays pretty well for one still in development, with smooth controls, unique and interesting mechanics and UI elements. It very much feels like you’re some sort of explorer or scientist researching ancient, yet somehow far more advanced alien civilisations. I really like how eerie some of the levels appear, with dark purples, eerie greens. Some areas overgrown with vines from the local flora and the use of bright neons in dimly lit rooms. Definitely a game I’d be keen to check out on full release!

Spelly Cat

Another cute puzzle game, but this time about a cat trying to find their lost owner. Solve puzzles with words, jigsaws, mazes and block puzzles to find your lost owner and get fed! With a cute little nod to old school Mario overworlds, you travel between various worlds, solving puzzles to remove the curse on the spell books as you seek to find your lost owner. The game is designed to be playable for persons of all ages, with levels of varying difficulty but nothing overly hard for anyone to complete. I’d definitely say it’s an adorable, fun little game for parents to play alongside their young children as it can help them learn to solve puzzles and learn some words along the way. They may not even realise that you’re teaching them things while they’re having a blast! I for one found the 8 bit design incredibly charming and wonderfully easy on the eyes.

Aussie Bogan Hero

Our last game today needs absolutely no further explanation about its title. I’m Australian, we have bogans, what’s more to want in a game? You play as Aussie Bogan, Davo. A large mining corporation has taken advantage of a recent discovery; a vast opal mine, but these aren’t just any old opals. These gemstones harbor spirits that are mutating the local fauna! This corporation blames it all on the Bogans of Dusty Springs and the town is forced into lockdown, meaning that Davo and his mates can’t get a beer at the local pub! This prompts Davo to take action and he takes it upon himself to save the town and his country from this unnatural disaster! A 2D side-scrolling action game, with plenty of Australian iconic landscapes and animals. Like the Magpie and Bin Chicken boss fights, the Vegemite currency and the bottle of VB in Davo’s hand. It’s a mindless fun sort of game perfect to blow off some steam after working the daily 9-5 grind. I think the art style adds to the charm of the game as well. I don’t expect more than a few hours of fun, but it was probably the stand out for me. I just know this is the perfect game to switch off your brain and play.

If I had to pick just a few highlights from the day as a whole, it would come down to two things. Artist Alley and the Cosplay Cup. The former always manages to have amazingly talented artists peddling their arts, crafts and wares. It’s always just a great time interacting with wonderful people about mutual interests in anime, gaming and many more topics and the various ways in which they express their talent. Some make art prints, stickers and keychains. Some make jewelry and fashion items. And all the artists are super lovely to talk to, my partner and I have even made friends with some recently, sharing in those mutual gaming joys and our love of certain characters. I came away with some nice merch as always, though I came to this event determined not to spend anything, artist alley always finds a way to make me spend at least some of my hard earned coin on something nice.

Cosplay and the cosplay cup, the main event for almost every convention I attend. As someone who wants to get back into cosplay again after doing it in my younger years. It’s always amazing to see the quality of cosplay craftsmanship coming out these days. Not so long ago people were making cosplay with whatever material they could find or re-use from clothes or other sources. Nowadays, there are dedicated shops full of supplies that any crafter should definitely consider visiting regardless of your skill level. And the Game Expo is no different, plenty of amazing, quality cosplay was on show even though the Sundays are generally a lot quieter than Saturdays. Cosplayers from League of Legends, Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail, Final Fantasy, Batman, Helldivers II. The variety was on full display. And it is absolutely one of the highlights I look forward to every year.

I would like to give a massive shout out to some of the cosplayers featured here and in the gallery below for allowing me to feature them in this article; @candycosplays, @the_sidequester, @splinttar, @intimidation, @owldamone and many more!

Conclusion

The Game Expo is probably still in my top 3 of conventions. It’s perfectly sized for a good, full day out. With just enough to give you a great day out, but not too much that you absolutely MUST attend both days. With it’s user-friendly setup, it’s incredibly easy to get around and not feel claustrophobic. With plenty to see and do inside and amazing cosplay to catch outside. A great event to go with some of your friends, have a good time, maybe win some prizes or buy some merch and just enjoy a good day surrounded by the passion we all share; video games. I should very much hope it gets to stick around for many years to come, apart from PAX it is the only other Melbourne convention that is more geared towards gaming and what made games such a lucrative business. I’m already looking forward to next year!

You can find links to other articles like this one, here!