Mission
The Retro World SeriesTM, being the premier retro esports tournament, offers players of all skill levels the chance to compete and relive the fun of classic gaming from the greatest titles and consoles of that era.
Meet the OWner
For Hal Hawkins, retro gaming was never just about nostalgia—it was about competition.
Growing up as an accomplished athlete and living in the era of arcade high scores, couch rivalries, and winner-stays-on matchups, Hal developed a deep respect for the competitive spirit that defined early gaming. Before online matchmaking and global leaderboards, competition was raw, immediate, and personal—and that intensity is what stuck with him.
As modern esports evolved, Hal saw an opportunity: bring that same structured, high-level competition to retro gaming—but without losing what made it special in the first place.
That vision became the Retro World SeriesTM.
By merging the authenticity of original hardware and CRT displays with organized tournament formats, Hal created something entirely unique—a place where skill, not nostalgia alone, takes center stage. Every event is designed to capture the pressure, fairness, and excitement of true competition, just as it was experienced decades ago, but elevated to today’s standards.
For Hal, it’s not just about playing old games—it’s about proving they still stand up as competitive platforms. It’s about giving players a stage to master mechanics that haven’t changed, in an environment where every frame, every input, and every decision matters.
The Retro World SeriesTM reflects that philosophy: honoring the past, but competing in the present.
Because to Hal Hawkins, retro gaming isn’t just history—it’s unfinished competition.
Official Retro Game Definition
We know the argument over what is considered retro or classic will rage on for eons, but for the Retro World SeriesTM we define a retro game as:
“Relating to or denoting a style of computer game programs of the late 20th/early 21st century that is characterized by pixelated artwork and text or lower polygon counts, recorded to disk storage or Read-Only Memory chips, and primarily intended to be displayed on standard-definition televisions or analog computer monitors.”
Basically, this means the sixth generation of video game consoles and older (maybe the Wii, since its just the GameCube 1.5).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my own controller?
Yes! Although we generally provide controllers, we do allow players to bring their own. Please check each tournament’s rules to find out which controllers are allowed and when you are required to use your own.
What is the Player of the year award?
Retro World SeriesTM players can earn points in each tournament they play during a season, including sanctioned tournaments. The number of points you earn increase the better you place and when turnout is higher. The player with the most points after all tournaments at the end of a season will be the Player of the Year of the Retro World SeriesTM.
How do I sign up?
For live tournaments, registration is in-person. Once you are inside the event, come to our section to sign up!
For online tournaments, we will provide a link to the form for the tournaments where you can sign up.
Can you Host a tournament for [Insert game]?
Each season will bring different games based on expected turnout and demand.
Can you come to [insert location]?
We are constantly looking to partner with new conventions / events in new locations. If you know of a convention / event that might be a good fit for us, reach out to them and share our booking info!
What are the rules for [Insert Game]?
You can find out tournament rules for each game here.