Nekocon 2009

[Yukima]

So... I'm planning to attend Nekocon this year! (Hampton, VA, from November 6-8) Anyone else going? I'm most looking forward to the dealer's rooms, and wondering if there's a chance I'd find any older games or systems, especially modded systems (Saturn!) and imports. This will be the first anime convention I'm going to, so I'm not quite sure what to expect. What's likely to be there? What should I look out for? Anything that I should absolutely check out?

[Mod_Man_Extreme]

Cons are a great place to pick up imports (Especially Saturn stuff!), and other odds and ends that don't show up too often.

I just went to my fist con earlier this year at Animazement (NC Racketeers represent!) and definitely recommend you sit in on some panels and check out any other big events that may be happening as well such as Concerts, etc...

I got to see and meet Spike Spencer (The voice of Shinji Ikari from EVA among others) and his panels were great, the guy is seriously hilarious and really down to earth. Also go to the Artist's Alley, check out the Cosplay show and Game Room, and other little places like the Manga library (If the con has one) and opening or closing ceremonies.

Also read the Dramacon Manga, it's a pretty funny romantic comedy Manga that gets the atmosphere and feel of a first time con-goer just right. I read it after I went to Animazement unfortunately, but when I did I found it captured my reaction to all of the goings-on at the con almost spot on to what I felt when I first saw it in action.

EDIT!: Also if you want a modded Saturn and already own a stock one Racketboy actually sells modchips for the Saturn (Model 2 Saturn's are recommended for ease of chip installation!) in his store for $25, the link to which is at the top of the page.

[Dakinggamer87]

Cons are a great place to pick up imports (Especially Saturn stuff!), and other odds and ends that don't show up too often.

Yeah, I have found some great deals on retro games,consoles, and imports.

[fastbilly1]

Its a small con - about 4000 people, but it is fun. Several of my friends up in that neck of the woods attend it as their vacation con (one they dont work). Expect costumes, lines, and like minded people. I am not sure how things are handled up there anymore (I havent been in years), but Yaoi paddles may still be ok, if so expect stupid kids running around hitting eachother with them. Also people may be being led around on leashes. Dont let those turn you off, it is a small subsection of the congoing group for an anime con (a scificon on the otherhand...).

The most important part of a convention is for you to have fun. I hit 20 something cons this year, and the most fun I had at one thus far (still have three to go), was sitting with one of my college friends, one of my post college friends, and some others who work for my con just watching people walking by and talking about Super Nintendo games. That or hanging out with Neil Kaplan...but thats a story for another time (ironically those events were only hours apart).