“NYC Gaming Revolution 2024: Unleashing the Power of the Big Apple!”

This year has been momentous for gaming, with numerous events occurring around the globe to honor this medium. From Jeff’s Summer Games Fest to the indie-centric PAX East, and many more. Gamers from all over had venues to celebrate their passion for gaming.

As a New Yorker, it marked my first experience attending various events and discovering local spots that embraced gaming in unique ways.

Join me, Lord Sonic, as I reminisce about my favorite moments from 2024 recognizing gaming close to my residence.

The Sacred Symbols – Last Stand Media Meet Up & Sacred 300

At the beginning of 2024, a gathering paying tribute to Last Stand Media’s Sacred Symbols podcast celebrated a significant achievement: its 300th episode, hosted in New York City.

Attending the event was a tremendous highlight for me since it was my first opportunity to meet many online friends face-to-face. Discovering new locations around New York City and meeting the Iron Lords in real life was thrilling.

The event was hilarious, with the Iron Lords as the main attraction, followed by an entertaining Jeopardy show hosted by the Sacred Symbols team. While I enjoy listening to podcasts by individuals I admire, witnessing and hearing them live creates a distinctive experience—adding a personal touch that I genuinely value.

Participating in this was one of my top highlights of 2024, with many more exceptional experiences to come.

Inserting the Quarters – NYC Barcade

Throughout the year, I made several visits to this venue. The Barcade, with locations across the United States, showcases a plethora of classic arcade games and pinball machines for patrons to enjoy.

My initial trip to the Chelsea location in NYC was part of a large group attending Sacred 300, where I connected with many acquaintances from Discord. Putting names to faces and profile pictures was fantastic.

However, the greatest thrill came from playing various arcade games, some of which I experienced for the first time, alongside my online friends. Enjoying games like Daytona USA with my pals was a blast, and demolishing all our quarters with a team of four battling through Konami’s TMNT Arcade was truly delightful.

During my second visit, I explored different games and dived into the pinball machines. I even helped a couple navigate through a challenging game of X-Men Arcade, as it featured one of those six-player setups, which was a great time.

Treasures from Japan – Bookoff Store in NYC

This location became a staple of my NYC trips, first visited during Sacred 300; it’s the NYC outlet of Bookoff. Initially launched in Japan and branching out internationally, this store is a paradise for gamers and anime enthusiasts.

Its extensive gaming section encompasses various console generations. The NYC branch possesses an impressive selection for those wishing to expand their PS2, GameCube, Original Xbox, and Wii U collections. The store even features some rare titles and collector’s editions.

If you are more inclined towards figures, manga, or retro CDs, Blu-rays, and DVDs, the NYC Bookoff has an excellent assortment. On my latest visit, I acquired the 2007 TMNT and Rango Blu-Rays at a remarkable price.

Musical Moments

As a video game music aficionado, I seized the chance to attend incredible video game concerts.

Sonic Symphony NYC

Having experienced the DC Sonic Symphony earlier in 2024, I was eager to attend the NYC performance. The setlist boasted more tracks than the DC event, including pieces like Sonic Adventure 2’s Pumpkin Hill and Knuckles’ Theme Unknown from M.E. from Sonic Adventure. My personal highlight was the inclusion of two additional Sonic Frontiers Titan themes—Find Your Flame and I’m Here (Revisited).

I sang along passionately and relished being part of an enthusiastic audience. During the intermission, the new Sonic X Shadow Generations trailer premiered from Jeff’s Summer Games Fest, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

One of the most poignant moments for me was the rendition of Sonic Frontiers ‘One Way Dream at the conclusion of the concert.

This track from the Sonic series is incredibly moving, conveying the message that anyone can pursue their dreams, regardless of obstacles. My personal growth in 2024 amplified the resonance of this song with me. The performance was deeply heartfelt, with the band playing it solely on an acoustic guitar.

Exiting the event, the experience of riding the subway alongside fellow Sonic enthusiasts was surreal. We exchanged our favorite tracks, speculating on what might be featured in future performances, and more. I sincerely hope that the Sonic Symphony makes a return and continues to offer such amazing experiences.

shows in NYC.

Distant Worlds – Final Fantasy NYC Concert

It’s well-known that I’m one of Lords of Gaming’s most devoted Final Fantasy XVI enthusiasts. I adored the narrative, gameplay, and universe of that game. A significant reason for my fondness for it is its remarkable score. With an emotional soundtrack, when Square Enix revealed Distant Worlds featuring music from FFXVI, I couldn’t secure my ticket quickly enough.

Upon attending the concert, I didn’t engage with fellow fans as I did during the Sonic Symphony events, since I’m a casual Final Fantasy admirer. However, getting my setlist and relishing the performance, I cherished every second. Melodies from the entire series were performed, showcasing classics like ‘Dancing Mad’ from FFVI, ‘One Winged Angel’ from FFVII, and even a comical tune celebrating the Chocobo theme.

Yet, when the collection of FFXVI tracks began, I felt a surge of emotion. Listening to Ascension, as Joshua battled Bauhaumt in the backdrop, was followed by Sokken himself taking the stage with a DualSense controller, pressing L3 & R3 to ‘accept the truth’ before the orchestra beautifully played Find The Flame. It was enchanting.

One performance that completely surprised me was a stunning interpretation of My Star with the original vocalist on stage alongside the orchestra. I began to tear up, watching Jill and Clive’s journey unfold on the big screen while the performance reminded me of why I adore their characters so much.

Exiting the concert, I treasured every moment and eagerly anticipate forthcoming Final Fantasy concerts in NYC.

Revisiting My Roots – Long Island Gaming Expo

A standout event of 2024 was the Long Island Gaming Expo.

Collaborating with Lord Petey and Lord CUnit, we had an incredible time exploring the venue. Across various gaming generations, there was something for everyone.

As Lord Sonic, I cherished all the SEGA appreciation at the Expo. An entire floor dedicated to the SEGA Dreamcast and its legendary games, accessories, and more was delightful to experience. Additionally, numerous consoles, including rare ones, were available for play.

Some memorable moments included playing Gex on a 3DO, engaging with Sonic 2 on a rare SEGA Genesis VR Unit, trying out some Japanese arcade machines, and enjoying Donkey Kong Jungle Beat with the iconic bongo controller. It was an extraordinary experience that I would recommend to anyone passionate about video games.

Moreover, if you’re aiming to enhance your retro game libraries, this was an excellent opportunity to shop at reasonable prices. CUnit, Lord Petey, and I had a great time browsing the offerings. I managed to procure physical copies of Sonic 1, 2 & 3 along with a comfortable grip for my Switch.

Land of Culture – Anime Expo NYC 2024

My greatest achievement of 2024 has to be covering Anime Expo NYC. Attending the Expo solo, I aimed to capture the various games available on the lower floors, becoming part of Play NYC.

Many exciting indie titles were playable. Some were still in development, others were aimed for release in 2024, and each was uniquely different. It was a collaborative effort to gather coverage for Lords of Gaming, but being the sole contributor conducting my first interviews, connecting with developers, and more felt incredibly rewarding.

Honestly, I didn’t believe I could accomplish something like that. But I did and am eagerly looking forward to covering Anime Expo 2025. Games I’m excited to see updates on in 2025 include Silencer, Skate Story, Starlight Re:Volver, and Kids of Karendow. Major shoutouts to other games at the Expo, such as Hyper Light Breaker, Inkression, and Bitter Silver.

Of course, games weren’t the only attractions at the NYC Anime Expo. Numerous booths, vendors, and more were present, providing ample reasons for attendees to spend their money.

Punching Through the Pages – NY Comic Con 2024

The final major gaming event in NYC was New York Comic Con. The expo speaks for itself, showcasing an incredible array of global pop culture.

Anime such as Dragon Ball and One Piece had enormous booths, major storefronts like eBay had small booths for attendees, and even film productions like Paramount showcased a significant presence. One of their booths was themed around TMNT, where many played TMNT: Mutant Mayhem. It was one of the games we covered, alongside Little Nightmares 3, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Mecha BREAK.

Comic-Con was also the first time I encountered individuals like Everborne in person, and witnessing the Iron Lords in action was incredible. I was proud of the coverage I provided on both Monster Hunter Wilds with Lord Gene and holding my own during an interview for the recently launched Secret Level.

Unlike Anime Expo, I attended Comic-Con for most of its duration to fully enjoy the experience. I had a wonderful time visiting various vendors, buying some fantastic merchandise, and battling in fighting games with other attendees.

Some standout moments included conversing with voice actors from the Sonic franchise, visiting a booth displaying vintage animated cell sheets from early SpongeBob episodes, going to the SpongeBob booth, and navigating the expo with Lord Gene.

Thanks for the Memories – Conclusion

Reflecting on my experiences throughout 2024, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride. I stepped out of my comfort zone and represented Lords of Gaming admirably with my coverage this year. I am excited for more adventures in 2025 and stay tuned for fantastic content from us!

What were your highlights throughout 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below!