For one day only, Singaporeans can revisit the 90s at a free retro gaming event happening at Bras Basah Complex on 21 June. Visitors can play classic titles on original consoles, complete with old-school CRT displays.
12 retro gaming stations packed with classic consoles
The event will feature 12 gaming stations with hardware from the 1980s to the early 2000s. Visitors can hop between different generations of gaming and see how games looked before HD graphics became the norm.
Some of the featured setups include:
- PlayStation 1 running the party favourite Bishi Bashi Special
- Sega Saturn stations with arcade-style Virtua Sticks
- Nintendo GameCube featuring four-player Mario Kart: Double Dash
- PlayStation 2 setups running Time Crisis 3 with original light guns
1-metre custom-built Game Boy
Among all the retro hardware, one attraction stands out: a custom-built Game Boy measuring about one metre tall.
The giant playable installation turns Nintendo’s iconic handheld into a photo-worthy gaming station. Visitors can try classic titles featuring familiar characters such as Mario, Sonic and Donkey Kong.
More than just gaming
The event will also have a small marketplace where visitors can browse vintage-inspired collectibles, art pins and nostalgic merchandise.
There will also be oversized Nintendo-themed controller plushies brought back from Kyoto’s Nintendo Museum, giving visitors another reason to stop for photos between gaming sessions.
Images adapted from @retrogamingsg
Retro gaming meets competitive Tetris
The timing of the event is no coincidence. It will take place alongside the Singapore edition of the 2026 Classic Tetris World Championship, held at the same venue.
Entry to the retro gaming showcase is free. However, those interested in competing in the Tetris tournament will need to register separately.
For gaming fans, this creates an unusual chance to experience both the casual and competitive sides of retro gaming culture in one visit.
Why retro gaming is having a moment again
Retro gaming has quietly become popular again as players rediscover the appeal of simple controls, local multiplayer sessions and games that can be picked up in minutes.
These events offer something modern gaming often cannot: a shared physical experience. Instead of chatting through a headset, players gather around the same screen, compete side by side and relive childhood memories together.
The event also falls on Father’s Day, making it a rare chance for parents to introduce their children to the games they grew up with.
Event details
For anyone who remembers rushing home after school to play Mario Kart or spending afternoons in front of a CRT television, this might be the closest thing to a time machine Singapore has this month.
