Since debuting in 2023, The Game Expo in Melbourne has been a celebration of all things gaming. This year, MKAU Gaming had the opportunity to attend, and with camera in hand, our resident Melbournian Jrol went on our behalf. Here’s what he had to say once the weekend was over.

What a weekend it was, with everything from cosplay to old-school games and hardware on display.

Walking in, the first thing I encountered was the merch stand, and to quote Boromir, “One does not simply leave without buying merch.” From there, it was straight into the ever-popular Just Dance stage, where a constant stream of dancers lined up, ready to show off their moves. Thermaltake was also heavily represented, with racing sim rigs giving virtual racers the chance to put their lap times to the test.

My wallet was quietly sobbing in my pocket as I passed the hardware vendors, with keyboards easily the flavour of the weekend. There were countless designs on display, from typewriter-inspired builds and retro PC styles to more quirky creations, but the aluminium alloy boards were the real standout. I’ve always been a fan of a heavy, solid-feeling keyboard, and there was no shortage of them here.

It wouldn’t be a convention without the usual vendors either, with crowds browsing pop vinyls, Poké Ball terrariums, cosplay items, and all manner of collectibles we love to display at home. Artist Alley was just as impressive, featuring over 174 local artists showcasing their talents through custom artwork, prints, stickers, and magnets. Safe to say, my wallet wasn’t deep enough for everything I wanted to take home.

Attendees could also take part in The Stamp Quest, a treasure-hunting megagame that guided players across the convention floor through a series of clues. Each stop encouraged exploration of different booths, displays, and zones, with successful participants earning a spin of the Prize Wheel, adding a fun and rewarding layer to the experience.

With gaming at the heart of the event, the PC LAN tournaments were another major highlight, featuring titles like CS2, Fortnite, and Marvel Rivals. The weekend also marked the launch of the first-ever Oceanic Marvel Rivals Live LAN Tournament, complete with a $5,000 prize pool.

On top of that, attendees had the chance to meet and chat with creators from around Australia, including Pestily, Loserfruit, ASAPJoey, and more.

The indie presence was another standout across the weekend, with developers from all over Australia bringing their projects to the show floor. It offered a fantastic opportunity to go hands-on with a wide variety of titles, and the quality on display highlighted just how strong the local development scene has become. For a full breakdown of the tabletop and video games featured this year, you can check out the official event guide here: The Game Expo Indie Games Line-Up

Before long, The Game Expo 2026 had come and gone, and it honestly felt like the weekend flew by. Since its debut in 2023, the event has grown at an impressive pace, with this year’s showing reinforcing just how much bigger and more ambitious it continues to become.

TGX continues to carve out its place on the Australian gaming calendar, and if this year is anything to go by, the future is looking incredibly bright. We’re already looking forward to seeing what comes next.