Retro Games Are Getting In On The Showcases This Summer

2026 will see the debut of a brand-new showcase dedicated exclusively to retro games. It’s called Pixel Arcadia, and while it’s separate from the main showcase crowd, it’s no less important if you want to know what should be on your radar over the year to come.

To be fair, most retro games have probably already had their time in the sun at showcases past. Many of them will have been coming out when E3 was still a thing. However, there are at least two generations of players who haven’t experienced a whole host of games that are regarded as nothing less than incredible. This showcase aims to change that.

Don’t Miss This Showcase For Great Old Games

Save the date right now and mark your calendar for watching Pixel Arcadia and doing very little else on August 24, 2026, at 20:00 CEST / 19:00 BST / 14:00 EST / 11:00 PST. The showcase is going to put a spotlight on everything that falls under the umbrella of retro, and to a degree that also includes new games.

Independent retro projects will be highlighted alongside major revivals of classics that old farts like me played when we were kids. There will also be features for preservation projects and exclusive reveals that you’re not going to see anywhere else. The aim is to move away from the high-octane trailer reels and focus on what developers are saying while diving into the details of the projects being shown.

So, what are these games? I have absolutely no idea. More details will be revealed as we get close to the event, but I’m sure that there’s going to be at least one game that sparks nostalgia for everyone, making them want to pick up their original copy and replay it while anticipating the release of a remaster, remake, or entirely new title in what they thought was a long-dead franchise.

If you want to hear more about Pixel Arcadia when details are released, make sure you sign up to our free Patreon membership. That way, you’ll get email alerts for our articles and be in the loop on everything retro-showcase-related.

About the Author

Jamie Moorcroft Sharp

Editor

Jamie adores the indie games that you don’t hear about until you’re on a video essay binge at 3AM and suddenly the sound of them changes your life. He’s played games all his life and loves looking at the intricate details that make them magical and different. If there’s a wierd list, embarrassing feature, or something else far too out there on Bonus Action, there’s a good chance he wrote it. But that’s not all! He’s also an absolute fiend who never knows when to stop when he puts on his dirty robes and takes on his D&D persona as a Mud Warlock who acts on that tiny voice in your head when it wonders what would happen if you did something really dumb right now. He’s easy to beat in a TGC, though, just keep an eye out for his crazy card combos.

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