(Continued from Part 1 of my adventures through the annual Portland Retro Gaming Expo, 2019)

This next part is dedicated to an awesome featured part of the PRGE, its video game history room. This mini-museum is presented by the Video Game History Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving interactive entertainment’s past. Their focus for this show was the 30th anniversary year of Nintendo’s Game Boy handheld, and Nintendo’s pre-Internet game counselor service. 

So, many amazing treasures on display here, I took some pictures, of which I am proud to share below…

A display of company jackets worn by the Nintendo Game counselors…

Just who were these Game Counselors? Well, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s, players could call via their telephone, and speak to a human being on getting through the hardest part of their video games.

The game counselors had a variety of aids, handbooks, demo copies, whatever it took to deliver that awesome service with a smile.

And more interesting Nintendo treasures from within

An example of a game counselor station, which in its prime had over 400 ready to take calls.

One of many subtle touches to build company pride, among the service.

Many counselors had their own maps, some hand-drawn and their own notes to help callers

And there is the Game Boy portion of the PRGE history museum. Lots of ads and posters, showcasing its past aesthetic.

More past relics, and merch tie-ins

And of course Tetris, which helped make the Game Boy a smashing success.  it’s main launch title which initially came with the Game Boy.

But before the Game Boy, Nintendo had other handheld products which helped paved the way for company success.

The Nintendo Game Boy had more than just games!

Including a sewing machine peripheral.

Overall, this was an awesome experience for fans of Nintendo and game history. Check out www.gamehistory.org for more on the Video Game History Foundation.