Washington State Gaming Expo 2026: 3 Days of Retro Gaming, Arcades & More in Puyallup

If you’re a retro collector in the Pacific Northwest, mark your calendar: the Washington State Gaming Expo is back February 6–8, 2026 at the Washington State Events Center in Puyallup, WA. This year it teams up with Anime Washington for a single “3 Days of PLAY” weekend—more games, more guests, and more floor space than ever.

Here’s what retro and SNES fans can expect, and why it’s worth the trip.

What Is the Washington State Gaming Expo?

The Washington State Gaming Expo is a locally owned, family-friendly gaming convention built to cover video gaming, tabletop, RPGs, retro, and board games all under one roof. The 2026 edition runs across 170,000 square feet at the Washington State Events Center, so there’s plenty of room to browse, play, and meet other collectors and players.

Whether you’re into original hardware, arcade cabinets, or modern indie games, the Expo aims to have something for everyone—hardcore and casual alike.

Why Retro & SNES Collectors Should Go

Retro Gaming Stations & Arcade Cabinets

The Expo highlights retro gaming as a core pillar. You’ll find:

• Retro arcade and pinball cabinets — classic arcade games and pinball on real hardware.
• Retro gaming stations — consoles and setups for older systems.
• Console mega stations — modern and legacy consoles for free play.
• Handheld and tablet gaming — including retro-style and portable setups.

For SNES and Super Famicom collectors, that means chances to play on period-appropriate setups, try games before you buy, and chat with others who care about 16-bit and retro hardware.

Video Gaming Across Eras

Beyond retro, the video gaming area includes:

• PC gaming stations
• Console mega stations (modern + retro)
• Retro gaming stations
• Arcade and pinball cabinets
• Handheld and tablet gaming

So you can bounce between Super Metroid on a CRT, Street Fighter on an arcade cabinet, and newer indie or console games—all in one weekend.

Tournaments, Panels & Guest Voice Actors

The Expo also runs gaming tournaments, panels, and guest appearances—including voice actors from popular games and anime. Past messaging has emphasized “over a dozen” gaming voice celebrities; check the official site for the latest guest list and schedule.

Tabletop, TCGs & RPGs

If you also enjoy tabletop:

• Trading card games — Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and others, with sealed tournaments and casual play.
• Board games — from gateway games like Catan to broader library options.
• RPGs — demos, one-shots, and pop-up games.

Use the tabletop area as a change of pace between arcade and console sessions.

Practical Info for Attendees

Tickets and vendor/sponsor info are available on the Expo website. The event is promoted as family-friendly and locally owned, with a focus on bringing exhibitors, artists, and special guests together around gaming, anime, manga, and Asian pop culture.

Bottom Line

The Washington State Gaming Expo 2026 is a strong option for retro and SNES collectors in Washington and the broader Pacific Northwest. With dedicated retro stations, arcade cabinets, console free play, tournaments, and a sprawling show floor, you get a full weekend of playing, browsing, and connecting with other fans—without having to fly across the country.

Get tickets and full details →

See you in Puyallup, February 6–8.