Retro Video Game Night

Beer and video games! Could there be any better way of spending an evening? Started doing these at the Centre for Computing History back in 2013, now doing some smaller ones with my own little collection of retro systems and games. Most of these events involve Lord Conrad's Brewery and Ian Guebert aka The Games Master.

Upcoming Nights

To be confirmed when things are back to normal.

Feb 28 Retro Video Game Night #022

Written by Aidy.

Date: 28th February 2020
Venue: The Hub, Cambourne
Tournament: Virtua Fighter (Sega Saturn)
Tournament Winner: Zack

First Retro Night of 2020! Awesome turn out and a few new faces. Local retro gamer Adam Sheik bought his brand new ZX Spectrum Next along for people to try our, which we set up next to an original model (Thanks to Chris Foulds for bringing that!).

16 people battled for supremacy in the Virtua Fighter tournament, which was eventually won by Zack and I played Fight Club on the original XBox for the first time.

Cheeky selfie with High and Michael
Virtua Fighter Tournament
Old games and beer
Zack - Winner of the Virtua Fighter Tournament!
Original Zx Spectrum Vs ZX Spectrum Next

Nov 29 Retro Video Game Night #021

Written by Aidy.

Date: 29th November 2019
Venue: The Hub, Cambourne
Tournament: Goldeneye (N64)
Tournament Winner: Mark Clifford

Third Retro Night in Cambourne and appears to be growing in popularity. Tried a different layout, which meant we could get more systems out. This was a Christmas themed night, with a few festive decorations and an old black and white Binatone TV playing Christmas adverts from the 80s and 90s.

Unfortunately, Ian couldn't make it down but a few of us managed to work out the logistics for the Goldeneye tournament and managed to run it fairly successfully.

New layout!
Goldeneye Tournament Final
Goldeneye winner Mark Clifford receiving his prizes
Lord Conrad pouring a delicious Golden Hare
Beer and Xbox

Oct 04 Retro Video Game Night #020

Written by Aidy.

Date: 4th October 2019
Venue: The Hub, Cambourne
Tournament: Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Wii U)
Tournament Winner: Ian Bolton

After the first ever Cambourne Retro Video Game Night the second one got a bit more publicity and some local press which resulted in the numbers nearly tripling. Was a great atmosphere and we even ended up having to put out another system mid-event. Luckily Ian brought his Mega Drive Mini along.

Another fellow retro nerd, Adam Sheik, got in contact after he heard about the event and was keen to get involved and bring a few bits along. Adam's awesome setup consisted of a Vectrex, a customised ZX Spectrum and his Commodore 64. Check out the photos!

Mike James host of Retrogaming Roundup (My favourite podcast) also made an appearance!

Lord Conrad very nearly ran out of beer. Luckily he just about made it through to the end of the night with a few bottles left.

Ian's tournament went down a storm with winner, Ian Bolton, walking away with a selection of beer and a hand held gaming console.

Adam Sheik's setup. Complete with Vectrex, Customer XZ Spectrum and Commodore 64.
It's Mike James from Retrogaming Roundup! #legend
Ian Bolton. Winner of the Mario Kart 8 Tournament.
Retro!
Ian Guebert aka The Games Master
Lord Conrad keeping the punters hydrated.

May 31 Retro Video Game Night #019

Written by Aidy.

Date: 31st May 2019
Venue: The Hub, Cambourne
Tournament: Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64)
Tournament Winner: Alex (Ian's chum)

The first ever Cambourne Retro Video Game Night! It was a lot of fun to organise this little event and to have it within walking distance of my front door. Ian made his way over and put on an awesome Mario Kart 64 tournament, for which I managed to source a reasonably sized CRT TV. Lord Conrad's Brewery also made an appearance to ensure that everyone stayed sufficiently hydrated throughout.

The Hub seems to be just about the right capacity for an event of this size. You can fit somewhere between 10 and 15 systems along with a bar and enough people to give the whole thing some atmosphere. Was great to find a few other retro nerds in the process of putting this on.

Nik Winchester enjoying a carbonated soft drink.
Quick photo before the punters arrived.
The tournament setup.
Retro Night isn't Retro Night without Lord Conrad!

Mar 02 Retro Video Game Night #018

Written by Aidy.

Date: 2nd March 2018
Tournament: Aquatic Games (Sega Mega Drive)
Tournament Winner: Mack

The first retro night of 2018! Food truck wasn't able to make it due to weather but the "The Beast from the East" didn't seem to seem to put off everyone and we still had a fairly healthy turnout despite the snow. Although by the time people started to leave there was a healthy settling on the ground.

This was also the first time we announced the main tournament game up front, giving people the chance to practice the obscure delights of Ian's latest competition in a bid to win prizes and/or his respect.