Barcelona's new three-day gaming festival combines independent developers, Nintendo's Switch 2, Japanese arcade classics and retro collectibles, while also finding room to discuss the challenges facing the industry.
I spent several hours at SAGA Barcelona Game Fest on Friday, and came away with a few bargains, some interesting conversations and the realisation that I'm nowhere near as good at Street Fighter as I used to be.
Running from 9 to 11 October at Fira de Barcelona's Montjuïc venue, the new festival brings together three established events, BCN Game Fest, SAGA Saló del Gaming and RetroBarcelona, creating more than 14,000 square metres dedicated to gaming.
And there's plenty to like.
One of the biggest strengths is the variety of exhibitors. Alongside the bigger names are dozens of independent developers demonstrating their games, including several made in Catalonia.
For me, these are some of the most enjoyable stands. Being able to speak directly with the people creating the games, hear their ideas and understand what went into making them is something you simply don't get from browsing an online store.
There's a genuine enthusiasm about these projects, and it's encouraging to see so much local talent given a platform.
Japanese arcades, Street Fighter and Switch 2
Japan has a particularly strong presence, with an impressive selection of arcade machines, fighting games and shoot-'em-ups.
I spent some time revisiting Street Fighter, where I discovered that years of experience don't necessarily translate into much ability. I'm still mediocre, although I like to think I was much better once.
There were also some unfamiliar games to discover, including a thoroughly enjoyable shoot-'em-up, and I revisited the classic Alien 3 arcade game, which takes considerable liberties with the film's storyline. Apparently, the developers felt the original film didn't contain nearly enough aliens.
Nintendo has a major presence too, with two large inflatable demonstration areas showing off the Switch 2, while tournaments and competitive gaming are scheduled throughout the weekend.
The event combines more than 500 gaming stations with a substantial retro arcade section, giving visitors plenty to do beyond watching demonstrations.
Retro gaming and a few bargains
Naturally, the retro gaming area occupied a fair amount of my afternoon.
There was an excellent selection of classic games and consoles for sale, from Japanese imports to familiar European releases, alongside specialist retailers including Japan Game Online, Vinako Store, Airun Retro Games and Consola Colección.
Collectors willing to have a proper rummage can find some worthwhile bargains. I managed to pick up a few things myself, including some useful reference items for some new RetroShell applications.
It's also good to see the preservation side of gaming represented.
The Museu del Videojoc de Catalunya, or MUVIC, is among the exhibitors, helping visitors appreciate gaming history through original systems, displays and exhibitions.
Another particularly interesting initiative is My Famicase Exhibition, an international art project originating in Tokyo in which artists design labels for imaginary Famicom games. The exhibition brings together 250 beautifully inventive cartridge designs, demonstrating how much creativity can be packed into something as simple as an old game box.
These are the sorts of touches that make SAGA more interesting than a conventional gaming trade show.
Gaming's less comfortable conversations
Not everything at SAGA is about entertainment, and that's a positive.
Among the stands was the Coordinadora Sindical del Videojuego (CSVI), representing workers concerned about employment conditions in the gaming industry.
Its leaflet highlights an ongoing dispute at Ubisoft Mobile Barcelona over the company's return-to-office plans. Workers have been taking strike action, and the union says previous attempts to negotiate have not produced an acceptable resolution.
With the industry experiencing widespread redundancies and restructuring, it's encouraging to see workers' concerns represented at an event celebrating the games they help create.
There are also talks examining the state of the industry, including the extraordinary number of new titles competing for players' attention.
One presentation I attended discussed the thousands of games being released every year. It's a reminder that making a good game is only part of the challenge. Getting anyone to notice it is another matter entirely.
A festival that celebrates Catalonia
What I particularly enjoyed about SAGA was that, despite its international outlook, it still feels distinctly local.
Catalan developers, specialist retailers, cultural institutions and gaming publications such as Lúdica all contribute to an event that celebrates both the broader world of gaming and the community here in Catalonia.
Friday also seemed like a sensible day to visit. There was enough room to explore the stands, play games and speak to exhibitors without battling the larger crowds likely to arrive over the weekend.
After several hours, I still hadn't seen everything, and I'm considering returning for another look.
Full credit to the organisers, Plataforma per la Llengua, BCN Game Fest and RetroBarcelona, along with the institutions supporting the event, for putting together something with this much variety.
Is it worth going? Absolutely. Whether you're interested in the latest independent releases, competitive gaming, obscure Japanese arcade machines or a nostalgic rummage through classic games, there's enough here to justify several hours of your time.
And if nothing else, you might discover that you're still surprisingly bad at a game you've been playing for more than 30 years.
SAGA Barcelona Game Fest runs from 9 to 11 October 2026 at Fira de Barcelona Montjuïc.
