Gaming conventions have become a weirdly regular part of my life over the last decade or more. I was first introduced to them through the mega-event that is MAGfest in Washington D.C. I quickly began seeking out other conventions across the country. When offered the opportunity to trade November in Chicago for a Gulf Coast beach for a long weekend, and attend a gaming convention, it was a no-brainer.
A slice of the classic selections on offer
Really Rad Weekend is an annual convention put on by the fine folks over at RadJunk in Fort Walton Beach, FL. You’ve got your arcade, vendor room, panels, cosplay events, tournaments, and all the things we love about conventions, with the added bonus of being at a beach resort. The Florida panhandle offers some of the nicest white sanded beaches on the Gulf.
The Island Resort in Fort Walton Beach, FL
The trip started off on a bit of a sour note as I realized I had left my Odin 2 plugged into the charger at home. Thankfully, I actually had the foresight to know that I should always bring more than one handheld on any journey, so I had a Miyoo Mini+ for backup. As I contorted my freakishly lanky frame into yet another too-small airliner seat, it was only Chrono Trigger and the Miyoo to keep me company. I couldn’t have asked for a better travel companion if I’m honest. I had really missed this device!
Whether overlooking the beach or scrunched on a plane, the MM+ is a welcome friend.
After arriving at the con, dropping our stuff, and saying our hello’s, it was time to explore. The arcade that they had brought into the hotel for the event was an awesome selection of heavy-hitter classics that really offered up something for every taste. I even broke away from my beloved pinball alley for many sessions of Daytona, Cruisin’ USA, and the pièce de résistance, a full original Sega Ferrari 355 cabinet.
For those who might not be familiar, in 1999 game designer Yu Suzuki of Outrun fame was so enthused with his Ferrari F355 that he wanted to design an entire experience around it. What we got was a mega-driving cockpit that had three CRTs with a fully functioning clutch and gearbox. I can now safely say that I would destroy the transmission of a manual Ferrari! One of the most unique cabinets I’ve seen in a long time, and in fantastic shape too!
Sega’s F355 Challenge
The Friday night of our arrival saw everyone pile over to the conveniently nearby RadBar. In between drinks and rounds of Pulp Fiction pinball, I was able to hang out on the patio and meet a bunch of folks from around the country that I had previously only known as online buddies, as well as a few old friends. And that’s the neatest part about going to conventions for me. You make friends through shared hobbies and communities, and conventions offer a way to meet up with all of these other enthusiasts you’ve been chatting with for ages online.
The vendor room at this year’s RRW was cozy but loaded with good buys from some great vendors. Prices ranged fair to good on classic games and systems and I know that, while I’m out of the retro collecting world, some friends were able to cross off some hard-to-finds for their collections at deals they were happy with. There wasn’t much you wouldn’t be able to find. Just try your best to stick to your budgets!
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- Handhelds for sale in the vendor room
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- Custom gaming signs for sale
Pinball is one of my favorite things in the gaming universe, and the lineup at Really Rad Weekend knocked it out of the park. You had your modern Sterns, 90s classics like Shaq Attack, and some electromechanical classics to boot. I lost myself and the time on more than one occasion.
The pinball portion of the RRW arcade
So whether you’re a seasoned con-veteran or are looking for a good one to dip your toes into the space, I’d highly recommend checking out Really Rad Weekend. Whether you’re in the area or would be making the trek, it’s a fantastic convention that’s clearly run by folks with a passion for all the nerdy pursuits we all love so well. You can check out more about the event on the Really Rad Weekend website.
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