For three chaotic, neon-drenched days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (10–12 October), fans, developers and tech giants came together at PAX Australia 2025 to build a living, breathing video game world.
From racing simulators to retro consoles, RGB-lit lounges to cosy campsites, this year’s event blurred the line between digital and physical play.
Here’s a look at the booths and activations that stole the show. And in some cases, the spotlight itself.
Clever Gear × Govee: Lighting Up the Game
Clever Gear turned its booth into a glow-up zone, showcasing Govee lighting that made even the most minimalist setup look stream-ready. Pixel panels, neon walls and the AI TV Sync Box transformed the space into a colour-drenched spectacle that pulsed in time with on-screen action.
Exclusive show offers made the display irresistible, proof that mood lighting might just be the new performance upgrade.
Watch our Highlights Video here:
Thermaltake: Racing, Rigging, and Rare Pins
Thermaltake arrived with the energy of a boss fight: roaring racing simulators, pastel-lit PC rigs, and the pastel-powered ASUS ROG × Hatsune Miku × Thermaltake build that had crowds circling back for selfies. Mystery merch drops and limited-edition pins drew collectors in droves, creating a booth that was equal parts show floor and treasure hunt.
No one left empty-handed or unimpressed.
Watch our Highlights Video here:
Aftershock PC: Hardware Hype Unlocked
Local powerhouse Aftershock PC treated its booth like an esports arena. Towering builds, flight-sim rigs and live streamer showdowns drew huge crowds, while charity events for the Starlight Foundation kept the feel-good factor running alongside the frames per second.
With DOOM-themed PCs glowing red-hot and instant PC pickups available, this was one of PAX’s busiest (and loudest) corners.
Watch our Highlights Video here:
Xbox: Game, Chill, Repeat
Xbox leaned into comfort and community this year, turning its space into a lounge fit for marathon sessions. Recliners, massage chairs and ambient lighting gave attendees a place to rest or test-drive the ROG Ally X | S handheld, play Ninja Gaiden 4, and recharge before the next queue.
A tongue-in-cheek banner reading “This is a bloody huge Xbox” set the tone for a brand confident enough to embrace both power and playfulness.
The Sims: Camp Vibes, IRL
EA’s Camp Gibbi Gibbi brought The Sims’ life-sim charm into the real world. Wooden cabins, bug-catching quests and cheerful “camp counsellors” made the booth a wholesome standout. Visitors earned stamps on physical quest cards to redeem exclusive merchandise, creating an experience that felt as interactive as the game itself, minus the plumbobs.
Sony INZONE: Stream, Create, Conquer
Sony’s violet-lit INZONE & Streaming Hub catered to the creator crowd. Rather than showcasing titles, Sony spotlighted tools: headsets, microphones and cameras for the next generation of streamers and content makers. Attendees went live on the spot, effectively turning the booth into a working studio.
It was a smart play: an activation that didn’t just show off tech but showed what it could do.
eBay Collectors Club: The Ultimate Loot Quest
In Tabletop Hall, eBay proved that treasure hunts never go out of style. Visitors picked up collector passports, earned stamps across exhibits and cashed them in for rewards.
Vintage arcades, trading cards, and display cases packed with rare items added a museum-meets-marketplace feel: a reminder that collecting remains gaming’s most timeless side quest.
CentreCom: Build It, Play It, Win It
CentreCom’s booth was a shrine to custom PC builders. Visitors tested rigs, competed in demos and queued for giveaways featuring the highly anticipated Lenovo Legion Go S.
With walls of components and a non-stop crowd, the space captured the hands-on excitement of building something powerful and making it your own.
Keychron: Click Clack XP Stack
Few things are as satisfying as the perfect mechanical keyboard click, and Keychron knew it. Rows of models, including the Q1 HE and K15 MAX, sat ready for testing, and giveaways kept hands on keys all day.
The booth’s sleek design and tactile focus made it a minimalist oasis amid the chaos. For keyboard enthusiasts, it was nothing short of bliss.
Blackmagic Design: Lights, Camera, Respawn
Blackmagic Design brought Hollywood to PAX. Multi-camera setups, live production rigs and professional broadcast gear turned attendees into instant streamers and filmmakers. Visitors tested real-time editing tools and experienced firsthand how to capture their gameplay like a pro.
It was the perfect bridge between gaming and content creation, a reminder that for many, playing is only half the fun.
Nintendo: Next-Gen Nostalgia Unlocked
Nintendo’s signature red-and-white pavilion drew crowds from open to close. Hands-on demos for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Kirby Air Riders and Metroid Prime 4 gave fans a glimpse of what’s next, while limited-edition pins and posters fed the collector craze.
The vibe? Familiar joy wrapped in fresh excitement. Nintendo once again proved it’s the master of mixing innovation with nostalgia.
8BitDo: Retro Energy, Modern Moves
For pure fun, few could top 8BitDo. Retro-style controllers, live tournaments and throwback beats created an arcade atmosphere straight out of the 90s—only sleeker, wireless and far more competitive.
With daily prizes and lively commentary, 8BitDo’s booth was a love letter to the golden age of gaming, remastered for a new generation.
The Verdict: Level Unlocked
This year’s PAX Australia captured the culture of play itself. Each exhibitor found new ways to connect through creativity, comfort, competition or community.
In a landscape where the line between gaming, tech and entertainment keeps blurring, PAX 2025 made one thing clear: the game isn’t over. It’s only just getting started.