Gaming Zones
Play The Widest (and Wildest) Variety of Games at LI Retro
THE FINISH LINE - Driving / Racing Games
Shift into turbo this LI Retro with a fully dedicated zone to racing games, where you will be immersed in the driver’s seat. A wide assortment of racing games ranging from simulations to arcade-styled racers across multiple platforms will be playable at LI Retro, all featuring high-end steering wheel + pedal setups. Take the wheel in iconic racers like Gran Turismo and Daytona USA to unorthodox wheel-compatible games like Twisted Metal and Mario Kart. Push the pedal to the medal, and see how far you can go!
LEVEL UP - Platformers
Attendees to LI Retro will enjoy a bevy of classic (2D) and modern (3D) platform titles that will remind them of the genre most representative of the videogames medium. Players can expect to get their hands on the most recognizable titles within the Super Mario, Sonic The Hedgehog, Mega Man, Metroid, Kirby, Crash Bandicoot and Castlevania series, while also lesser known franchises and deep cuts throughout the weekend at LI Retro.
THE BLOCK - Puzzle Games
Puzzlers will be well represented at LI Retro with a wide selection of games for problem-solvers and puzzle-addicts to challenge their brains. Famous titles such as Dr. Mario and Tetris and its various iterations will all be on for play along with popular gems Pokemon Puzzle League, Columns, Yoshi’s Cookie, and more. Players can try out all of the puzzlers in both single or multi-player setups, and other unique arrangements specifically being put together at LI Retro.
LIGHT GUN ALLEY - Light Gun Games
Show off your accuracy and let loose on your trigger finger with an assortment of classic CRT light-gun games dating all the way back to the original Nintendo Entertainment System. LI Retro’s 2023 Light-Gun Stations will include the most iconic titles of the genre such as Duck Hunt and Hogan’s Alley to the last iteration of CRT shooters such as those utilizing the Sega Virtua Stunner and Namco GunCon.
THE MATRIX - Immersive Peripheral Games
Some games require more than just your typical controller. We’re setting up a number of gaming stations dedicated to those titles that simply can’t be defined by a genre but by the means to actually play them. Enjoy a variety of titles that use a special accessory to immerse players even deeper into the game such as Taito’s Densha De Go! series, mech simulations, various fishing games, and many more. You’ll never look at a controller the same way again!
THE QUEST ZONE - Role Playing Games (RPGs)
New to LI Retro 2023, a variety of role-playing games will be set up for play in a fully dedicated RPG zone. With a full weekend at their disposal, players will have ample time to dive into some of the most lengthy of RPG titles. Players will have the opportunity to seek adventure in iconic staples of the genre including The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Earthbound, to more popular modern contemporary franchises. Within the RPG Zone at LI Retro, players will also get the opportunity to try out the various sub-genres of the category, ranging from tactical-RPGs, action-roleplaying, and text-based titles.
FIGHT CLUB - Fighting Games
Go one on one with the heavy hitters in the fighting game scene. Blast out hadoukens and swing your hardest haymakers in solo and multiplayer setups for popular fighting game franchises such as Street Fighter, Tekken, Virtua Fighter, Killer Instinct, and many more. For added control, various set ups in the fighting game zone will also feature arcade joystick controllers, so there will be no excuse for dishing out wild super-moves on your opponents.
THE COCKPIT - Shooter / Shoot Em' Up Games
Blast your way through a plethora of popular and hidden gem shooters including shoot em’ up (“shmups”) titles that will absolutely test your reflexes. From staples such as Gradius, Contra and Metal Slug, to lesser known games, players will get to take on the finest of shooters and its sub-genres including bullet-hell, vertical shooters, run-and-gun, on-rail-shooters, and classic first-person shooters.
THE CANVAS - Creative Art Games
Attendees to LI Retro will get the chance to play games that encourage players to show their creative side. These are games that enable the player to craft a variety of artistic mediums and edit their own designs. Some of these games include the ability to import outside imagery and edit to your liking within the game’s toolset, while other titles allow the player to modify the game’s level design itself. Each of these games provide unique experiences not found anywhere else, with the Creative Art Zone including the GameBoy Camera, titles for the LJN Video Art system, and games for the Casio Loopy.
THE END ZONE - Sports Games
Step up to the plate or head for the end zone with a vast selection of retro sports games. Many of these sports titles have stood the test of time and aged well as solid examples of how fun, balanced gameplay can trump outdated rosters any day of the week. Players can will get the chance to get their hands on titles on revered sports gems such as NHL Hockey 94, NBA Jam TE, Bases Loaded, Tecmo Superbowl, and so many more. Get ready to pile up the stats and head for the Sports Games Zone to score big.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE - Oddity Peripherals / Physical Games
Some games just can’t be defined by a genre at all. Check out the Oddity Zone for a selection of games and hardware that are just too unique to pass up. Whether they feature a unique gaming mechanic that extends beyond the use of a normal controller or accessory, or they simply are games that are physical touch in nature, these selection of games will surely make you think differently on how to play. Players can expect to play with the light and sound game, “Sega Pods,” to titles requiring physical movement from the player.
