Midwest Gaming Classic 2011 - March 26th & 27th

Tatsujin · 03/28/2011, 10:58 PM

lol, turben and bemby could be one-egg'd twin bros!!

DHG Hunter · 03/29/2011, 04:06 AM

Hey folks,

Glad you guys had fun at the show this year! I'm sorry about being at the door like that (I seriously didn't think that door was open that much last year), but they had to move concessions and that pushed things further down the hall.

Attendance won't be known for at least another week as Dan & crew count all of the tickets sold, but my guesstimate would be that our Saturday attendance was either on par with last year or a bit off due to the snow in the morning, but our Sunday attendance was far greater than last year's. Overall I'd be shocked if we didn't break last year's attendance records.

I have *NEVER* seen the museum so packed as I did this year. Especially in the Console Arcade... It was great to see so many people enjoying the room, but it is a bit bittersweet because I wish I had gone with the game-centric format years ago. It seemed like people really like moving through the arcade and finding the game they wanted to play as opposed to finding the platform that may or may not have the game they are interested in. The Versus Room was also packed... So much that the Halo: Reach network was constantly encroaching on the space for WWF Wrestlefest and Saturn Bomberman. Pac-Man Vs. and X-Men Arcade also did surprisingly well.

I'm still majorly tired following the show... We got there Thursday night and some of us pulled an all-nighter already then. Friday I was up until 5:00 AM and we still didn't manage to open everything in the museum until 11 AM. Wanted everything PERFECT this year for our 10th, but regardless that was a lot of work this year.

That said, I announced months before the show and I'll reiterate now that this was the last year that I'll be able to do the show in the capacity I've been able to. Things are increasingly looking as if I'll find a job away from the area following school, so while I'll still likely help organize and become an "enabler" for others at the show, transporting what feels like a ton of game consoles, games, and TV's every year is unfortunately not going to be possible. That means that rooms like the Console Arcade and the Versus Room will likely change a great deal or all together next year, and hopefully the Family Game Room will also go back to its original team.

One option may be to turn the Die-Hard Gamer Console Arcade into several community tables like Marty has done with the E2M Museum. Basically, he only brings a few systems now and decorates the room while several other people and groups bring the rest of the content in that room. If that happened, Turbo Fest would likely move into the Console Arcade room or whatever we called it. Whatever the case, we'll talk about it and let you guys know hopefully in the next few months.

I got a chance to hit the vendor hall for a much longer period of time this year, but I still ended up grabbing a bunch of imports that I don't get a chance to see very often. I mostly found games that I wasn't familiar with and thought they looked like fun, but there were a few finds that I'd been waiting to pounce on:

> Samurai Deeper Kyo (PlayStation) - Actually not all that familiar with the anime, but this fighting game looked a lot like Samurai Shodown, so worth a shot. Gets good reviews...
> Angel Eyes (PlayStation) - Remember seeing the arcade briefly as well as I believe a Super NES version. All-girl fighting game that's supposedly really good.
> Nekketsu Oyako, aka "Hot-Blooded Family" (PlayStation) - Beat 'em Up that launched alongside the PlayStation. Brainless, but fun from what I hear with great graphics.
> Sokko Seitokai: Sonic Council (Saturn) - "Mostly" all-girl fighting game again that's not half bad. Think I remember this one in the arcade.
> Suiko Enbu: Fuuun Saiki (Saturn) - Data East fighting game that I'd never heard of. Has one of the characters from Fighter's History Dynamite in it as well. Supposedly pretty good.
> Kakuto Hao Densetsu Algunos (Super CD) - Reminds me of Revengers of Vengeance but apparently made by the folks that did Asuka 120%. Decent from what I hear, plus it is Turbo.

> Psychic Killer Taromaru (Saturn) - Yeah, my "big" purchase from Carlson. ;) Always wanted to pick this one up, but I figured this may be my last chance for a while so finally made the splurge. In case you aren't familiar with it, this is one of the most notoriously rare and desirable Saturn games out there. Pretty good 2D action game with great graphics. Think of it as a 2-player co-op Shinobi with a 360 degree firing range.

Anyway...

Great to meet everyone there, and I hope to see you folks again next year!

Later.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/29/2011, 07:43 AM

I dunno how many of you are on facebook, but - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2088540&id=1187240232 this is all the pics I've got so far, and some I stole from you guys ;)

I also have a 14 minute video that is currently being uploaded to youtube. I can hopefully post linky later, or you can look at my channel for the vid- https://www.youtube.com/user/shubibinman

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 11:13 AM

@DHG Hunter- We had such a blast this year! The guys and myself are already forming ideas for next year's round-up. Can't wait to see what comes of this!

If you need extra systems next year that are not NEC related please ask. I can supply Neo-Geo, Super Famicom (thanks to MGC), Saturn, etc. if need be. Just let me know.

Thanks for this opportunity John! This has been an experience of a lifetime for me! I'll never forget it!

BlueBMW · 03/29/2011, 11:41 AM

I can supply a Laseractive or two. Didn't see one this year to play. Also I can bring a better game than Ballistic for Nuon.

DHG Hunter · 03/29/2011, 04:54 PM

Hehe, LaserActive didn't go up mainly because we had two cars packed full of stuff and that was about the last thing I felt we could squeeze in there since it is so big. ;) Actually, I offerred it to David for use in the Underdog Chamber, but he didn't want it so it stayed home this year!

Later.

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 05:25 PM

John-Sorry about us not being able to hang until the very end. Blue, Turbostar, and turbografxfan had to catch a plane, and nectarsis had to drive them to the airport. Turbostar had a family to think of, and as for myself I had a 5 hour drive back to Indiana. I am hoping next year will be different in that regard.

nectarsis · 03/29/2011, 05:29 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 05:25 PMJohn-Sorry about us not being able to hang until the very end. Blue, Turbostar, and turbografxfan had to catch a plane, and nectarsis had to drive them to the airport. Turbostar had a family to think of, and as for myself I had a 5 hour drive back to Indiana. I am hoping next year will be different in that regard.

Sounds like many of us are already planning on being there for longer than the show (before/after).

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 05:36 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 03/29/2011, 05:29 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 05:25 PMJohn-Sorry about us not being able to hang until the very end. Blue, Turbostar, and turbografxfan had to catch a plane, and nectarsis had to drive them to the airport. Turbostar had a family to think of, and as for myself I had a 5 hour drive back to Indiana. I am hoping next year will be different in that regard.
Sounds like many of us are already planning on being there for longer than the show (before/after).

Man! It's only been a few days and I already jonesing for more! Waiting a year is going to be hard.

nectarsis · 03/29/2011, 05:38 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 05:36 PM
Quote from: nectarsis on 03/29/2011, 05:29 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 05:25 PMJohn-Sorry about us not being able to hang until the very end. Blue, Turbostar, and turbografxfan had to catch a plane, and nectarsis had to drive them to the airport. Turbostar had a family to think of, and as for myself I had a 5 hour drive back to Indiana. I am hoping next year will be different in that regard.
Sounds like many of us are already planning on being there for longer than the show (before/after).
Man! It's only been a few days and I already jonesing for more! Waiting a year is going to be hard.

Agreed.

TheClash603 · 03/29/2011, 07:16 PM

Psychic Killer Taromaru looks pretty damn cool. Once I get done with my U.S. game collecting, I'll have to get that game. Crows looks pretty cool too.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/29/2011, 07:41 PM

My favorite pic of the show- A WINNER IS YOU!!
/awinnerisyou.jpg

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 07:44 PM

Wow! He won a copy of Insanity AND a random security guard! ...I want a random security guard

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/29/2011, 07:49 PM

I hope random security guard joins PCFX like he said he would....lmao!

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 08:00 PM

Quote from: JoshTurboTrollX-16 on 03/29/2011, 07:49 PMI hope random security guard joins PCFX like he said he would....lmao!

He seemed very intent on doing that along with coming to the Chicago Turbofest

majors · 03/29/2011, 08:05 PM

All the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 08:14 PM

Quote from: majors on 03/29/2011, 08:05 PMAll the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.

I am definitely going to the Chicago Turbofest! I haven't heard of the others.

nectarsis · 03/29/2011, 08:17 PM

Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 08:14 PM
Quote from: majors on 03/29/2011, 08:05 PMAll the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.
I am definitely going to the Chicago Turbofest! I haven't heard of the others.

Same here..though longer traveling is pretty cost prohibitive for me for the foreseeable future.

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 08:38 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 03/29/2011, 08:17 PM
Quote from: Mathius on 03/29/2011, 08:14 PM
Quote from: majors on 03/29/2011, 08:05 PMAll the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.
I am definitely going to the Chicago Turbofest! I haven't heard of the others.
Same here..though longer traveling is pretty cost prohibitive for me for the foreseeable future.

Same here

Tatsujin · 03/29/2011, 08:48 PM

random security guard rulez! but does he also obey?

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 09:02 PM

Quote from: Tatsujin on 03/29/2011, 08:48 PMrandom security guard rulez! but does he also obey?

He formally Obeyed as a kid! Now he's reconsidering signing up again.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/29/2011, 09:08 PM

Quote from: majors on 03/29/2011, 08:05 PMAll the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.

ok, we need to figure out something here on going to more game cons. NC eh? hmmm, how far a drive is that, to hang with Majors again could be worth it...lol

I'll be at the VGS in Lombard IL in July. Its a small event, but very VERY fun!

henrycsc · 03/29/2011, 09:41 PM

Quote from: majors on 03/29/2011, 08:05 PMAll the chat about waiting a year...what about that Chicago thing? I assume most of you want to stay in the midwest...Philly Classic (?)or Too Many Games anyone? If anyone is gonna be in NC memorial day weekend, I run the gameroom at Animazement and we have retro section. Pics soon.

Hey Majors
Where in NC? I'm in SC. Give us some info.

BlueBMW · 03/29/2011, 09:53 PM

And I'm in east TN and Tsuran is in south east TN, Ope is in Alabama I think

We could make a little southeast get together

turbogrfxfan · 03/29/2011, 10:47 PM

Yeah I wish I could make it to chicago. Hmmmmmmmmm

henrycsc · 03/29/2011, 10:57 PM

Does Atlanta have a convention? It would be central to us BMW.

BlueBMW · 03/29/2011, 11:09 PM

I'm sure they have something there at some point... I'll poke around and see what events are happening down our way.

bartre · 03/29/2011, 11:31 PM

EVERY state has some kind of game/anime/scifi convention, plus if one ever dies, there's usually another one cropping up.
btw, does anyone else think that it would be a good idea to map out all of our users?
hell, maybe we could find the "perfect" place for a forum get together, something between all of us.
I'm in nebraska, bout a 10 hour drive from MGC, but it was totally worth it.

Mathius · 03/29/2011, 11:46 PM

Quote from: bartre on 03/29/2011, 11:31 PMEVERY state has some kind of game/anime/scifi convention, plus if one ever dies, there's usually another one cropping up.
btw, does anyone else think that it would be a good idea to map out all of our users?
hell, maybe we could find the "perfect" place for a forum get together, something between all of us.
I'm in nebraska, bout a 10 hour drive from MGC, but it was totally worth it.

That would be a good idea

bartre · 03/30/2011, 12:11 AM

Quote from: TheClash603 on 03/29/2011, 07:16 PMPsychic Killer Taromaru looks pretty damn cool. Once I get done with my U.S. game collecting, I'll have to get that game. Crows looks pretty cool too.

i hope you're prepared to sell your organs for that one.
i saw one at MGC, marked $350

that said, it's not a bad game, but nowhere near worth $350.
the levels are pretty bland, but the bosses are cool

Opethian · 03/30/2011, 08:34 AM

Atlanta has AWA(sept30-Oct2) and Dragoncon(labor day weekend)

Nazi NecroPhile · 03/30/2011, 10:11 AM

Quote from: bartre on 03/29/2011, 11:31 PMhell, maybe we could find the "perfect" place for a forum get together, something between all of us.

Omaha is pretty close to the center of the US, which is in Lebanon Kansas.

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 10:41 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/30/2011, 10:11 AMOmaha is pretty close to the center of the US, which is in Lebanon Kansas.

Of course, the only bad part about that is... well, it's Kansas.

Nazi NecroPhile · 03/30/2011, 10:51 AM

Quote from: The Old Rover on 03/30/2011, 10:41 AMOf course, the only bad part about that is... well, it's Kansas.

That's why I suggested Omaha, not that that's really any better. Unless maybe you really like corn.

Mathius · 03/30/2011, 11:10 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/30/2011, 10:51 AM
Quote from: OldRover on 03/30/2011, 10:41 AMOf course, the only bad part about that is... well, it's Kansas.
That's why I suggested Omaha, not that that's really any better. Unless maybe you really like corn.

I live in the middle of a field of corn. Does that count???

DHG Hunter · 03/30/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote from: bartre on 03/30/2011, 12:11 AMi hope you're prepared to sell your organs for that one.
i saw one at MGC, marked $350

Let's just say I didn't pay him $350, but I ended up picking up all of that other stuff and that dropped the price rather significantly.

Anyway, I got off the phone with Dan last night and I'm officially transitioning to another role and no longer doing the giant game room by my lonesome next year. Plan is that I will continue to stock the Versus Room and organize the museum in general, but that's about as far as I'm willing (and able) to go now.

Since I'm not stocking the larger game room any longer, we'll of course need some people to step up and fill it. Turbo Fest would be one thing that can go in there, but we also need a lot of other game consoles and games since the room is supposed to fill in everything from the NES to PS3.

A few of you mentioned that you would be willing to provide game systems and games next year beyond the Turbo... Well, since it is fresh on the brain now, I'm interested in learning just what stuff can be covered right now.

If you're willing to bring something next year, feel free to message me or post something here.

Later.

Mathius · 03/30/2011, 11:51 AM

As stated I could bring a Neo Geo AES along with some of my games. I only have about six, and none of them are the uber-expensive ones. I also have a Super Famicom, a Twin Famicom (identical to the one at this year's show), Saturn, etc. The Twin Fami's disc drive needs to be replaced though.

BlueBMW · 03/30/2011, 12:00 PM

I can supply the following less common systems...

Turbo Duo
TG16/CD
Supergrafx
Laseractive (sega and pce pacs)
Nuon

And maybe my Atari 800 if desired

Mathius · 03/30/2011, 12:08 PM

Quote from: BlueBMW on 03/30/2011, 12:00 PMI can supply the following less common systems...

Turbo Duo
TG16/CD
Supergrafx
Laseractive (sega and pce pacs)
Nuon

And maybe my Atari 800 if desired

Oh yeah! I can't forget Turbofest!

My Turbo CD will make a reappearance.

JoshTurboTrollX · 03/30/2011, 01:02 PM

I could easily bring Saturn/ Turbo DUo/ and Atari 7800 goods for showing! I'm actually contemplating bringing them all for this years VGS to test out how hard it would be for me to bring and maintain that many systems at a time.

And JD, anything else you think I could do to help would be fine with me. I felt so powerless on Friday night when you looked like you were dead tired with so much more work to be done. I would totally be available to help out with setting up/ carrying/ play testing/ transporting consoles/ 'cades/ games the day before, and early Saturday morning.

I was looking for something to do, Christ TurboFest was pretty much set up around 8am Saturday anyway!

OldRover · 03/30/2011, 01:04 PM

Since I will be going next year, I could perhaps bring a couple of consoles and screens along.

Mathius · 03/30/2011, 01:12 PM

Well, John, as you can see it looks as if the Turbo community is willing to stand up and help in any way possible. You came to the right place my friend.

majors · 03/30/2011, 01:33 PM

Quote from: henrycsc on 03/29/2011, 09:41 PMWhere in NC? I'm in SC. Give us some info.

Raleigh, now in the downtown convention center. Every memorial day weekend for 13 years now.

Some of last year
/7-dscf7458-stitch-sm.jpg

esteban · 03/31/2011, 02:45 AM

Quote from: turbogrfxfan on 03/28/2011, 08:37 PMOk heres my 3 part motion picture film of the MGC. I hope you like it!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/user/jomommasmelz?feature=mhum

I finally had a chance to view this! You have to tell me who was playing DIO in "MGC part 2". Was it one of the PCFX crew?

turbogrfxfan · 03/31/2011, 06:36 AM

Ha ha well actually at night they turned off everything except for a few christmas lights and turned on some 80s music. It was pretty cool. I'm happy ur watching the vid

DHG Hunter · 04/01/2011, 12:35 AM

Cool... I'll keep it all in mind and see what's possible for the future. Max (guy with long hair that did the tournaments) will likely help out as well with some of the newer-gen systems. From the sounds of it, we may be able to cover most of the systems from this year if not all!

Later.

Mathius · 04/01/2011, 12:41 AM

Keep us posted.

Turostar sounds like he really wants to try his hand at hauling around goodies. Way more than I am able to. Him, along with the rest of us, will always be around for backup if you need us.

DHG Hunter · 04/01/2011, 12:53 AM

Defnitely going to need everyone's help, that I have no doubt. ;)

Later.

Tatsujin · 04/04/2011, 09:29 PM

And here's what Bemby really found inside that DUO he opened at MCG:

/bembydiscovery.jpg

But due to his technical uberskillz and amateurish basic knowledge of nuclear physics, he could manage to disharm the dangerous device and therefore saved the whole MCG with all its obeying members

Now we have to find the one who set us up the dirty bomb

BlueBMW · 04/04/2011, 09:34 PM

I couldn't decide whether to cut the red wire or the blue wire! It was a matter of life and death!!!!