A massive video game event will return to Manchester this summer

A huge gaming event is set to return to Manchester next month, with more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play.

The Power Up event will be back at the Science and Industry Museum for the first time in three years, taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming.

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

Power Up will be taking place every weekend and school holiday from 18 June all the way through to December 2023.

Consoles at the museum will include SNES, Wii, Mega Drive, Atari 2600, Playstation 5, N64, Xbox and more.

Visitors will be able to take a trip down memory lane by playing retro classics like Pong and Pac-Man, rock out on Guitar Hero, and play the wildly popular Fortnite.

Power Up will allow people to follow the development of characters like Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog through the decades.

A new section for this year will celebrate Manchester’s gaming industry, from early success stories like Ocean Software and Software Creations to contemporary indie developers like Acid Nerve.

Young talent will be showcased too, with games made by winners and nominees from the Bafta Young Games Designers Awards, which are open to children and young people.

Mark Cutmore, head of commercial experiences at the Science Museum Group, said: “We are over the moon to welcome POWER UP back to the museum.

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“It has always been a big hit with our visitors so 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.

“We’re also really proud to be showcasing our city’s amazing contributions to the industry through the new Manchester Made section.

“POWER UP offers a fun space to enjoy past and present gaming technology, experience the latest developments and reminisce about old favourites. The gaming industry is a key component of Manchester’s creative, digital and tech industries and this interactive exhibition will help to inspire game designers and software engineers of the future.”

Tickets to Power Up include a full day of unlimited gaming, and are priced at £8 for adults, £7 for seniors, and £6 for children and concessions. There’s a £1 discount per ticket for families.

Tickets are available now at scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/power-up.

Featured image: Science Museum Group