A local arcade is going to have some of their machines at the Calgary Stampede this year.
Retro Oasis Escape Rooms and Arcade will be participating in the 8-Bit Roundup that will be happening in the downstairs of the Big Four Roadhouse.
According to Oasis Escape Rooms and Arcade owner, Steve Smith, they have partnered with three other businesses to bring roughly 40 pinball machines and 40 arcade machines to the Stampede.
"We're grouping together and we're all donating some of our machines too," Smith explains. "So, in the downstairs of the Big Four, where they have that nice food court now."
Smith says the machines will be set so it only costs a quarter to play.
"It's just going to be a whole bunch of fun. It's good promotions for us, and it'll be a fantastic event at the Stampede that we're really excited to be participating in."
This is the first time anything like this has happened at the Stampede.
On top of there being roughly 80 machines for people to use, there will be pinball tournaments on both Saturdays of the Stampede.
According to Smith, they will be sending 15 machines to the 8-Bit Roundup.
"Most of our four player games are going, ironically. So, our Simpsons and our Sunset Riders, Turtles in Time is going. Our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is currently offsite. It's going to come back to our space for a few weeks to fill that gap. OffRoad's going. Rampage is going, and then some of the other classics like Karate Champ, Mortal Kombat, Mario Brothers, 1942, Ms. Pac-Man, Centipedes' going to go," says Smith.
They picked the machines that were most finished from an out of the box perspective in terms of artwork.
At this event, it's all classic arcade machines from the 1980's and 1990's.
Retro Oasis decided to participate in the Stampede, because they thought it was cool and a great advertising opportunity.
"I mean, there's going to be 1.6 million people they expect flowing through the gates this year. If only 1 per cent find our place, find the area and play the games and are excited about it and hunt us down later, that's a lot of advertising."
Even though Retro Oasis will have machines at the Stampede, their arcade in Okotoks will still be open.