LI Retro Gaming Expo returns to the Cradle of Aviation in Uniondale

West Babylon native Joel Albino inadvertently created a monster. In 2015, he took a Facebook group centered on old-school video games and turned it into an annual Long Island event known as the LI Retro Gaming Expo, which comes to the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Uniondale Aug. 9-11.

"We were looking to hang out, play some games and talk about the culture. Just a bunch of hobbyists coming together to share their passion," says Albino, 44. "The goal was not to create a convention but that’s what it ended up turning into. Last summer, we drew over 6,000 people."

Now in its eighth year, the expo celebrates more than 50 years of video gaming history driven by sheer nostalgia. Here are the highlights of this year’s event.

TOURNAMENTS

Feeling competitive? Take on a tournament by choosing from more than 20 games to play including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Smash Bros. Ultimate, Wii Bowling, Tetris, Puyo Puyo, Mario Kart 64, Twisted Metal III, Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes, Power Stone and Shaq Fu.

"You don’t have to be a video game expert to play in a tournament," says tournament organizer Bob Hayes, 32, of Bellmore. "The tournaments are free to enter and there’s nothing to lose. You might even make new friends while doing it."

Prizes are awarded to the top three  finishers. Each game has a two-hour window and participants must arrive 10 minutes before their match.

CONSOLE HISTORY EXHIBIT

Imagine taking a journey through the entire history of video games with 50 playable home consoles paired with TVs from the same era. This is the basis of the Console History Exhibit, which is set up in a timeline fashion.

"We have a working example of every video game console released in North America from 1972 to 2014," says chief preservationist George Portugal, 44, of Glen Cove. Rare consoles include Neo Geo from the early '90s as well as 1976’s Fairchild Channel F and the Philips CD-i from the mid-90s.

PANEL GUESTS

Hit the museum theater to catch panels featuring talks from Frank Cifaldi, president of the Video Game History Foundation, Lucas M. Thomas, editor-in-chief of Nintendo Force magazine with Jeremy Parish from the Retronauts Podcast, Coury Carlson and Marc "Try4ce" Duddleson from "My Life in Gaming" YouTube channel and Gail Tilden, the former editor-in-chief/founder of Nintendo Power magazine and former vice president of brand management for Nintendo.

RETRO GAMING MUSEUM

Come see the strange, oddball systems that weren’t released in the United States, rare games and development consoles at the Retro Gaming Museum.

"It’s a very interactive museum where you can get your hands on this stuff," says museum coordinator Brendan Bailey, 36, of Patchogue. "This might be the only time you get to play these systems."

New this year will be an exhibit featuring the Nintendo World Championship memorabilia collection from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Plus, a gallery of original paintings of the artwork used on game boxes for Sega Genesis, Nintendo, Sony PlayStation and more.

HIGH SCORE CHALLENGE

Take the High Score Challenge where you can strive to get a high score on games such as Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, Vib-Ribbon, Space Invaders ’95, Mischief Makers, Tetris and Just Dance.

"Although it’s competitive against other people’s scores, no one is going head-to-head," says High Score Challenge coordinator Chrys Debus, 33, of Hicksville. "It’s more friendly and casual."

FREE PLAY SECTION

Walk right up and start playing games in the free play area without any signing in. There are well-known titles to choose from like Super Mario Bros. to Keyboardmania from Japan to the simulation-based game Steel Battalion.

"The games are split into different sections based on genres like light gun, platform, racing and role-playing games," says freeplay coordinator George Smith, 35, of Huntington.

PC GAMES

Go really old-school by playing video games on antique PC computers ranging from 1981 to the early 2000s.

There will be an entire display surrounding the MECC game, Oregon Trail, which is an entertaining education game from the early ‘80s.

"Many people played it in school when they were kids," says PC freeplay coordinator Anatoly Shashkin, 38, of Kings Park. "It’s so popular I’ll have three tables with six machines just for the Oregon Trail."

COSPLAY, ARCADES & MORE

Dress up as your favorite video game character for the Cosplay Contest for adults (14 and older) on Aug. 10 at 3:30 p.m. and for kids (13 and under) on Aug. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

Play video games on some throwback arcade cabinets in the Arcade Age exhibit on the second floor or check out the Japanese Candy Cabinets at the Hangar Arcade on the first floor.

Need some gear? There will be video game vendors selling equipment, game titles and paraphernalia all throughout the main lobby.

Additionally, video game music gets recreated live by the Bit Brigade, ConSoul, 88Bit and Sad Toy Cats.

Take a breather from gaming to grab some grub at an array of food trucks outside such as Extreme Empanadas, KongBab Korean Food, No Good Burger, the Little Sicilian and Wild Bill Soda. The museum’s cafe will also be open.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.