Replay FX

Replay FX is an utterly mind blowing retro gaming convention that comes to the convention center in Pittsburgh every summer. They somehow have close to 1,000 retro arcade games and pinball games in one place at one time, all set on "free play" for the enjoyment of all.

Since every single one of them is flashing, blinking and beeping to get your attention, it's hard not to get rapidly overwhelmed! I concentrated on the beauty of the pinball machines, which, like album covers, reveal a lost world of art from decades past. Most feature heroes and heroines in triumphant poses, and some are humorous, evocative of random historical periods, or veering towards the abstract. I suspect true pinball fans are more concerned about the unique play of each game itself, but I love the whole aesthetic experience: the colors, shapes, sounds, and movements of the game design. And especially the line art. There were  lots of old favorites, plus many, many games we'd never seen before. Here are some of the ones that brought me joy.