Power Hall: After Hours event at the Science and Industry Museum

Visiting the Power Hall: After Hours event at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.

We recently attended the Power Hall: After Hours event at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester - and I spent a lot of the evening in the Power Up exhibit playing a lot of old videogames on original hardware.

We first visited the Power Up exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum back in 2019 - where I got to play a Philips CD-I for the very first time. We didn't know it'd reopened until we heard about the Power Hall: After Hours event.

Find out more.

Check out the Science and Industry Museum website for more information.

Today is National Video Game Day.

Happy National Video Game Day.

The 'national day' is also celebrated on the 8th July each year.

Personally, I try to celebrate videogames on as many days of the year as possible!

Emirates Inflight Entertainment - Mini Golf Country Club Videogame

A look at the Mini Golf Country Club videogame on the Emirates inflight entertainment system.

My brother Christopher recently flew from Dubai to Thailand with Emirates and noticed that one of the games on the inflight entertainment system was a mini golf game!

It's the first time that any of us on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour has experienced a game of minigolf while mid-air!

Happy National Video Game Day

Today is National Video Game Day.

The 'national day' is also celebrated on the 12th September each year.

Personally, I try to celebrate videogames as often as possible!

GameStop in Sorrento, Italy

A look at a GameStop store in Sorrento, Italy.

Emily swung by this GameStop store while in Sorrento, Italy recently.

GameStop is the largest video game retailer in the world - however, it's never had much of a footprint in the UK, with the last of the few stores here closing back in 2012.

In Italy there are only a few GameStop branded stores remaining following the sale of the brand in 2024. The new owners, Cidiverte, are in the process of rebranding the GameStop stores to Gamelife stores. With the last signs of the GameStop brand disappearing this summer.

According to Wikipedia there are currently 3,203 stores around the world, with 2,325 in the USA.

GameStop in San Antonio, Texas

A look at a GameStop store in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

Emily swung by this GameStop store while in San Antonio earlier this year.

GameStop is the largest video game retailer in the world - however, it's never had much of a footprint in the UK, with the last of the few stores here closing back in 2012.

According to Wikipedia there are currently 3,203 stores around the world, with 2,325 in the USA.

Packri Monster game at Retro Replay

We spotted this nice old handheld game from Bandai on display in the window of the Retro Replay Arcade, Gaming Lounge & Bar at the Castle Quarter shopping centre in Norwich last month.

Check out that Woolies price sticker on the box too

It's one of a number of retro gaming items in the window at the arcade bar.

Visit the Retro Replay website for more information.

Happy National Video Game Day

Today is National Video Game Day.

Nu Game Arcade in Southampton

It was a nice surprise to find the Nu Game Arcade in Southampton last month. It was also brilliant that we happened to be the first customers on the opening day too!

We spotted the sign for the Nu Game Arcade on the first floor as we were leaving the Marlands shopping centre. We're glad we did as it's been a while since I've played at an arcade.

It was brilliant to have a go on two of my favourite games - Metal Slug on the Neo Geo MVS and Robocop.

Check out the Nu Game Arcade Facebook Page for more information.

WINNERS DON'T USE DRUGS

Who is your favourite Director of the FBI?

I'd have to go with William S. Sessions.

Show me a better arcade game attract screen. I'll wait

Happy National Video Game Day!

Happy National Video Game Day

Today is National Video Game Day.

This is some of the video game graffiti art at the Ghetto Golf indoor minigolf courses in Birmingham and Liverpool.

Resident Needle

I don't think I could've seen a better business name, sign and shopfront during my pandemic lockdown daily outdoor exercise than this one in Woodley Precinct, Stockport!

What voice would you use to say this shop name out loud?

Link:
- Resident Needle Tattoo Studio

A new Putting Pencil

One of the nicest things about visiting a new minigolf course is seeing what scorecards and branded pencils they have. Not all courses have them and at present some courses have stopped giving them out. Other courses use apps for players to use as scorecards while others use a mix of the old-school approach mixed with technology and offer both scoring options.

On our travels to 948 miniature golf courses we've collected quite a few putting pencils.

Earlier this week I blogged about the fact you can now play Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge from The Simpsons! It's available as an online game as well as a download.

Do you think you can reach the Parking Lot with a Putter?

I bought the downloadable version and as a nice bonus you receive a scoring pencil.

It's something different to add to my collection of minigolf ephemera.

Toys R Us at the Central Retail Park in Manchester

A look at the old Toys R Us store at the Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester.

While looking through my photos during lockdown and prompted by my recent look at the old Woolworths store in Brunstane, Edinburgh I found these views of the old Toys R Us store at the former Central Retail Park on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester.

The old Toys R Us unit at Central Retail Park in Manchester

The snaps were taken in February and March last year following the demise of the brand and the closure of the retail park.

How the store looked in early February 2019 

The demolition work had really begun when we passed by a month and a half later

A look at the entrance to the store in March 2019

Geoffrey was the last to leave the Ancoats store

Working at Toys R Us

My first job during my time at university in the year 2000 was as one of Geoffrey's helpers at the Luton store. I worked on the video game and electronics section.

Shopping at Toys R Us

It was a real shame to see the brand go under. It was always a treat when me and my brothers would visit to buy games for our SEGA Master System in the 1990s. I've still got those games, some have the Toys R Us stickers on.

A nice piece of ephemera

Other lost brands

Our travels around the country have seen us spot the remnants of a number of old and defunct brands, including Woolworths in Stoke-on-Trent, Tandy in Hitchin, RadioShack in Lytham Saint Annes, Kwik Save in Barrow-in-Furness and Blockbuster Video in Fallowfield, Manchester.

Do you have a favourite 'lost shop' from years gone by? Maybe the remains of an old brand are still visible on a building near where you live or work? Do let me know.