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Inside Manchester’s massive new interactive ‘hands-on’ gaming experience

The Science and Industry Museum's new event lets you experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 31st August 2022

Did you know that a massive interactive gaming experience has returned to Manchester for the first time in three years?

With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is now back at the Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre and it’s already been taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming.

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Everything from retro arcade games to state-of-the-art virtual reality are available to play at the hit event – and every ticket includes unlimited play all day too.

Power UP is taking place every weekend and school holiday up until December 2023.

From the Atari 2600 and the Dreamcast, to the Playstation 5 and the latest in virtual reality technology, Power UP is giving visitors of all levels the chance to live their best gaming life and experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years.

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Some of the other consoles at the museum include SNES, Wii, Mega Drive, N64, Xbox, and more.

Power UP is now back at the Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group

Visitors to the ultimate new interactive gaming experience can take a trip down memory lane by playing retro classics like Pong and Pac-Man, rocking out on Guitar Hero, and also trying their hand at the wildly-popular Fortnite.

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Power UP is also giving gaming fans the chance to follow the development of some iconic characters like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog through the decades.

Read more: A massive video game event will return to Manchester this summer

Visitors will also get to discover games made by winners and nominees from the annual BAFTA Young Games Designers Awards – which are open to children and young people, and celebrate the creativity, skill, and imagination of young games makers. 

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The interactive experience has more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play / Credit: Science Museum Group

And new for 2022, you can also be inspired by the local people behind the games and companies who have made a splash in the world of gaming in the new section dedicated to Manchester’s gaming industry.

From early success stories like Ocean Software and Software Creations, to contemporary indie developers like Acid Nerve.

“Power UP has always been a big hit with our visitors,” said Mark Cutmore – Head of Commercial Experiences at the Science Museum Group.

Read more: There’s still time to explore ideas that ‘change the world’ at the Science and Industry Museum this summer

“[The experience] offers a fun space to enjoy past and present gaming technology, experience the latest developments and reminisce about old favourites as the gaming industry is a key component of Manchester’s creative, digital and tech industries.

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You can experience first-hand how far games and gaming technologies have advanced over the years / Credit: Science Museum Group

“This interactive exhibition will help to inspire game designers and software engineers of the future.

“We’re excited to be giving so much time to enjoy and keep returning to this experience during its longest run ever at the museum [and] we’re also really proud to be showcasing our city’s amazing contributions to the industry through the new Manchester Made section. 

Tickets to Power UP grant each person unlimited access to the gaming experience on the day booked.

Tickets will set you back £6 per child and concession, £8 per adult, £7 per senior, and there is a £1 discount per ticket for families.

Grab yours on the Science and Industry Museum website here.

Featured Image – Science Museum Group

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A massive Manchester United fan zone is being set up for the Europa League final – if they make it…

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester United fan zone Europa League final

With the second leg of the Europa League semis looming, in which Manchester United could make it through to the final, a massive fan zone is being tentatively set up.

In truth, they should make it to the conclusion of the UEFA competition – a decider that could see them qualify for the Champions League – given that they took a 3-0 lead back to Old Trafford following the impressive away fixture, but if Man United have proved anything of late, its that they’re unpredictable.

Touch wood, if they make it to the final, supporter park specialists 4 The Fans – the same team behind the huge sites at the likes of Manchester’s Secret City, Love Factory and the Progress Centre for Euro 2024 – are putting one of the biggest fan zones yet.

As always with football, nothing is quite guaranteed, and despite a health advantage that should see them over the line, we’ve seen this side do the unlikeliest of things with leads in recent times. Case and point, that frankly ridiculous Lyon comeback.

man united fan zone manchester europa league
A massive Man United fan zone is on the cards for this year’s Europa League final. (Credit: 4 The Fans)

Provided the Red Devils get the job done on their end, 4 The Fans are committed to putting on a huge fan zone over in Stretford, and with well over 50,000 fans attending their events over the last three years, it’s sure to be a mega atmosphere.

4 The Fans are giving us real Euro vibes with their upcoming plans.

Set to take over the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena over in Stretford, the enormous events space will be transformed into one of their biggest fan zones to date, with the biggest screen in Manchester. 

VIP seated tickets are also available, and parents are welcome to bring their kids along to the family-friendly event.

Once again, this all hinges on whether or not Man United make it past Athletic Club and book a return trip for the Europa League final, which also happens to be taking place in Bilbao.

However, one of the best bits about all of this is that, in addition to the strong chance of going through, tickets are already available, and supporters are guaranteed their money back if Ruben Amorim’s side manages to capitulate.

No harm, no foul.

bec arena football fan zone
man united fan park bowlers stretford
Past scenes from international tournaments. (Credit: Supplied)

If the idea of being surrounded by fellow Reds for the game isn’t an attractive enough prospect on its own for you, United fans, the event is also set to be hosted by a club legend (still yet to be announced), with DJs and music, as well as special effects throughout.

Of course, there’ll be plenty of pints and scran to fuel the promoter’s famous fan energy on offer too, so you really will be sorted from start to finish.

Doors to the BEC open at 5:30pm, with last entry at 7:30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off; tickets start from just £8. Until then, you can watch back the highlights from the previous match down below. You can grab yours HERE.

How are you feeling for the game – do you think they’re going all the way?

Surely they can’t blow it from here, can they?…

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — 4 The Fans Events

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A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again

After a successful run last year, the Salford-based Middlewood Locks Fest is returning for a second time with the promise of an even bigger and better programme of entertainment, food and fun. 

Taking place on Saturday 10 May from 2pm-10pm, the free festival returns to Middlewood Locks..

Whether you’re local or just looking for a great day out, the festival will have something for everyone. There’ll be plenty of activities and pop-up stalls for you to get involved with, including a daytime market as well as children’s interactive workshops.

Get Living is proud to support the festival for the second year, which celebrates local creativity, community spirit and culture. The event is set to take place on the doorstep of New Maker Yards, Get Living’s canal-side neighbourhood.

With a range of one-three bedroom homes available for rent, New Maker Yards blends spacious, stylish apartments with green open spaces, complete with an on-site cafe and a strong community feel – all at the heart of the vibrant Middlewood Locks neighbourhood, where  the festival action is taking place.

For Middlewood Locks Fest, a Makers Market will be taking place throughout the day with items on offer from local makers, artisans, performers and creators, including plants, jewellery, artwork, clothes and produce.

The Canal & River Trust is organising explorer’s activities for kids and families alike, while St Philip’s CE Primary School has worked with artists to create bespoke decorations for the event too.

A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again
A completely free canal-side festival is coming back to Salford again. Credit: Karen Wright

If that wasn’t enough for you, how about a special appearance from a canal-side regular as a giant Canadian goose puppet will also be making an appearance to meet festival-goers.

Everything really is catered for here. On top of the makers market and masterclasses, there will also be live music courtesy of a brass band – that sounds like music to my ears.

There’s even the opportunity to go on the water yourself as a handful of rafted canoes will be in use for activities throughout the day.

And of course food is in safe hands too. Street food vendors including Taka Taka Mam will be bringing all the flavours of the Mediterranean and stuffing them into their famous hearty gyros, while city favourites Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium is popping up from Afflecks to soak up the sun and provide dreamy desserts direct from the canal-side pop-up.

Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest in Salford
Middlewood Locks Fest, a canal-side festival in Salford. Credit: Karen Wright Photography

And when the sun’s out it would be rude not to treat yourself to a tipple, so good thing that the Adams & Rose Bar is making an appearance to fill up your glass with the finest gin and rum selection.

As the night comes to an end, you can dance the night away to some epic tunes thanks to a live DJ while being surrounded by a mesmerising fire and sound installation to close this spectacular celebration.

Kim Quickfall, Regional Director at Get Living, said: “Last year’s Middlewood Locks Fest was
a huge success and we’re excited to be supporting the event again in 2025.

“Bringing people from across Salford and the wider area together, the day will celebrate the best of local culture, enterprise and creativity with activities and events for all.”

Middlewood Locks Fest is returning to Salford on Sunday 10 May from 2pm to 10pm and more information can be found HERE.

For those that can’t make the festival fun, there are plenty of other things to see and do in the area. From the delicious treats at 97 Degrees Coffee to the landmark Aviva Studios cultural hub,  there is plenty to discover in this buzzing neighbourhood.

Explore the 1-3 bedroom homes for rent at New Maker Yards and discover more at getliving.com.

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Featured image: Karen Wright Photography

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