Retro Computing & Gaming Day 2026
About this event
Step back into the pixels, beeps and slightly worrying CRT glow of computing and gaming’s past.
Retro Computing & Gaming Day returns to TOG Hackerspace on Saturday 11 July for an afternoon of old computers, consoles, games and gadgets rescued from our exhibitors’ houses, attics and collections. Expect everything from 1970s machines through to Windows XP-era computers, with plenty of opportunities to play, reminisce and discover something you may never have seen before.
Whether you grew up loading games from cassette, remember the excitement of a new cartridge, or just want to see what computing was like before everything was a phone, come along and have a wander.
What to expect
- Retro computers and consoles from the 1970s to the 2000s
- Machines ranging from ZX Spectrums and early home computers to classic consoles and Windows XP PCs
- Games, demos and hands-on play
- Chats with fellow retro computing and gaming fans
- Proper CRTs, because flat screens just do not make the same noise when you turn them on
Activities
Hands-on demonstrations
Many of the machines will be available to try out. Please ask the exhibitor before touching anything, as some of these old machines are a little temperamental and have survived several decades already.
Random game tournament
We will pick a game on the day and run a relaxed tournament. No serious esports energy required, just bring your best button-mashing skills.
Want to exhibit?
We would love to see more machines, consoles, games and unusual retro technology on display. If you would like to bring something along and book a table, please get in touch through our contact form:
Let us know what you would like to bring, how much table space you may need, and whether you have any particular power or display requirements.
Event details
Date: Saturday 11 July 2026
Time: 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Location: TOG Hackerspace
Cost: Free, with optional donations welcome through Eventbrite
Afterwards: Open Social, Pizza and LAN Gaming
After the Retro Computing & Gaming Day finishes, we will roll straight into TOG’s monthly open social night. We will fire up the wood-fired pizza oven, have a chat, and set up a Quake III Arena or Unreal Tournament ’99 LAN party.
Bring your own laptop if you would like to join the LAN game, as we do not have enough spare laptops to lend out.
Come for the old hardware, stay for the CRTs, pizza and late-1990s multiplayer chaos.
Source: eventbrite