Kai Tak AIRSIDE | AIRSIDE GATE33 New Art and Culture Exhibition 'Unlimited Resurrection! It's Not Just a Gaming Exhibition' Six Major Exhibition Areas to Explore Hong Kong's 'Gaming' Time from the 1970s to the Present

Description

What does gaming mean to you? Leisure entertainment? Pop culture? Or does it provide emotional value? To Hong Kong people, gaming... is not just gaming! This summer, GATE33 Art and Culture Museum, under the flagship landmark of AIRSIDE of Nan Fung Group, presents the exhibition 'Unlimited Resurrection! It's Not Just a Gaming Exhibition'. From a literary and design perspective, the exhibition revisits Hong Kong people's collective memory of 'gaming' from the 1970s to the present, inviting audiences to press the Restart button and rediscover the deeper significance of gaming culture.

The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from 1 August to 9 November 2025. The six major exhibition areas will discuss and explore 'gaming' under the themes of 'memory and pop culture', 'collection', 'craftsmanship', 'relationship', 'upgrade', and 'anytime',整理整理ing gaming culture into categories such as HE CHAO's entertainment. It has become a unique cultural carrier in Hong Kong.

Five highlights of the exhibition

1. Classic game console collectibles and giant tape wall

Precious game console collections provided by several veteran collectors and local 'modding and repairing' expert Mr. Hung, including the 'Atari 2600' from the 1970s, the 'Nintendo Family Computer' from the 1980s, and the 'real and fake' Nintendo consoles, as well as a giant photo wall composed of more than 300 tapes from the 1980s and 1990s classic game consoles. The design is arranged like a 'brick-breaking' game, showcasing the creativity and aesthetics of game design in the past.

2. Recreating the classic arcade scene, free coins for arcade gaming

The exhibition recreates the soon-to-disappear arcade scene, where visitors can experience classic arcade games such as 'The King of Fighters '98', 'Puzzle Bobble', and AIRSIDE exclusive 'Little Friends 2'. Visitors can exchange coins for free and form teams to battle it out, recreating the thrilling atmosphere and social interactions of the old-school arcades.

3. Instant play of 'Little Friends 2' with AIRSIDE exclusive new Kowloon Walled City scene

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of 'Little Friends 2', the Remaster version released this Saturday (19 July) will feature an AIRSIDE exclusive scene for the first time, showcasing the popular Kowloon Walled City background and an AIRSIDE signature plane flying overhead, adding a touch of local flavor to the game. Visitors can experience the game on-site and are welcome to squeeze around the same keyboard with friends to unleash their full potential, reliving the passionate times of yesteryear!

4. 'Little Friends' special area: Reliving the classic and conversation with the creator

A special exhibition area for 'Little Friends' will display the original electronic character drafts by Marti Wong, the creator of the game, and share through an exclusive interview the creation journey of this classic game from its development 30 years ago to the release of the Remaster version today. The exhibition will also sell the official novel of 'Little Friends 2' - the '25th Anniversary Collector's Gift Box' to celebrate with all gaming enthusiasts.

5. New interactive experience: Transform into characters from three gaming eras

A local art team has designed an innovative interactive installation for the exhibition, where visitors can transform into characters from three different gaming eras: the 8-bit pixel era, the 2D 'Street Fighter 2' style, and the early 3D 'Winning Eleven' style. Visitors can personally experience the classic gaming fun through a motion-sensing interactive setup!

Through this exhibition, GATE33 Art and Culture Museum invites the public to revisit the status of 'gaming' in the growth and culture of Hong Kong people by combining precious collections and creative interactions. The exhibition is free and open to all, so come and explore the story of Hong Kong's unique gaming culture.

Six exhibition areas to explore the significance of gaming culture in the growth history of Hong Kong people

Starting from a pile of old game consoles, GATE33 Art and Culture Museum leads us to ask questions, press the Restart button, spark curiosity about the cultural history of old game consoles, and initiate a conversation with 'gaming' to explore its possibilities. What else could gaming be if it's not just for fun?

Exhibition Area 1: Gaming is Memory and Pop Culture
Restarting Memory: Trendy Old Objects, Personal Memories, and Pop Culture

This area displays home game consoles from the 1970s to the 2000s, including the 'Atari 2600' from the 1970s, the 'Nintendo Family Computer with Hong Kong Antenna' and 'Arcade Motherboard with Supergun Adaptor' from the 1980s, the 'Super Nintendo Super Famicom' from the 1990s, and the character design drafts of 'Little Friends 2', a Hong Kong original computer game that was popular among secondary school students in the 2000s. Witness the flexibility, creativity, and execution of Hong Kongers through home video game consoles and computer games from different eras. 

Exhibition Area 2: Gaming is Collection
Value of Old Object Collection: The Design World Stored in Old Game Console Tapes

Borrowing over 300 Nintendo game tapes from the 1980s and 1990s from collectors, this area creates a stunning exhibit wall. The classic game-like arrangement visually showcases the importance of physical game tapes in players' hearts, allowing the public to appreciate the unique flat designs and illustrations on the old game tapes and packaging. During the booming era of gaming culture, each designer and illustrator had to showcase their creativity within the limited space on the tape covers, thus constructing a generation's gaming design aesthetics.

Exhibition Area 3: Gaming is Craftsmanship

After the industrial era in Hong Kong, many electronic factory repair technicians brought their experience and skills to the community, extending the lifespan of countless home appliances and game consoles. They not only prolonged the life of game consoles through repairs but also modified the formats or outputs of game consoles through modification techniques, allowing players to enjoy classic games. Veteran game console modding and repairing technician Mr. Hung uses game console parts to create an art installation, revealing the invisible yet profound connection between video game consoles, repair technicians, and players. It also reflects the trajectory of electronic industrial technology transfer after the prosperous electronic industry in Hong Kong from the 1970s to the 1980s.

Exhibition Area 4: Gaming is Relationship (1)

 
Arcades used to be where countless young people hung out, forged friendships, and connected with society. This area gathers multiple classic arcade games, including 'The King of Fighters '98' and 'Puzzle Bobble', to recreate the once ubiquitous gaming centers. The exhibition invites game console modding and repairing technicians to recreate the exclusive joysticks and buttons of various arcade games with their rich experience. Through visual and tactile elements, the area recreates the tense and exciting atmosphere of gaming centers and the subtle social relationships formed while queuing up to join arcade battles.

Exhibition Area 4: Gaming is Relationship (2) - 'Little Friends 2' Special Area with AIRSIDE Exclusive Kowloon Walled City Scene for On-site Battles

This special area will display the original drafts and animations created with character Sprite Sheets of 'Little Friends 2', as well as the official novel gift box. It also includes an exclusive interview with the creator Marti Wong about the development of this game.
'Little Friends 2' will make a grand appearance in a 25th-anniversary high-definition remastered edition, revisiting the classic four-player co-op battle using a single keyboard. Visitors can try out the AIRSIDE exclusive scene: the Remaster version introduces the popular Kowloon Walled City scene for the first time, along with an AIRSIDE plane flying overhead, creating a unique landscape!

Exhibition Area 5: Gaming is Upgrade

Just as gaming requires upgrading to pass levels and defeat bosses, gaming skills also evolve and reshape over time. The three old-style 'Big Bull' electronic displays in this area divide the exhibition into three major regions: the 'Pixel Art Era' from 1970-1980, the '2D Sprite-Based Era' from the late 1980s to the 1990s, and the 'Early 3D Era' from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. The digital art team adds interactive elements to the exhibition, with instant scanners transforming visitors standing in different era zones into video game characters. These characters will move, jump, and punch along with your actions. Immerse yourself in the virtual worlds of different gaming eras.

Exhibition Area 6: Gaming is Anytime

From the moment visitors enter the exhibition, they become a part of the gaming creation! The team electronically records your image at designated spots in the exhibition and transforms it into a pixelated avatar. Together with other visitors' avatars, your image will form a part of an electronic exhibition piece. Including interviews with ten individuals, such as game console repair technicians, video game collectors, social workers who are also veteran game center players, and game column writers, the exhibition offers a multi-angled glimpse into the gaming world of the past, present, and future.