Milwaukee hosts a gathering of gamers at the Midwest Gaming Classic

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Do you remember your first gaming experience? Was it a tabletop game? Maybe a pinball machine or the original Nintendo system? Whatever it was, the Midwest Gaming Classic was sure to have it.

The sounds, the lights, the chance to win! So many turned out for the 2015 Midwest Gaming Classic.

"It's just a blast. It's a bunch of collectors coming together to share their passion and love of the hobby," said Dan Loosen, Midwest Gaming Classic co-founder.

What started out as a small gathering...

"We had maybe 15 tables and maybe 20 games for people to play," said Loosen.

Has grown to 150 consoles, 300 arcade games, and 1,000 tabletop games. That first year they drew 100 people -- this year they expect 10,000.

There's such a large following for the Midwest Gaming Classic that nearly an hour before the show started, a line was forming outside.

"I wanted to be here at 10 a.m. just so I can race in," said Eric Johnson, game store owner.

Eric Johnson owns a gaming store in Minnesota. He came to the show looking for new stock.

"I love games, I don't play anymore, I just collect," said Johnson.

And this is the place to come to find collectibles with more than 100 vendors and countless games to choose from. And no coins needed each and every game is free to play.

From old classic computer games to new games that aren't even on the market yet.

And the classic game of pinball was made right here in Wisconsin.

"It's been a lot of hard work but we've got a heck of a good little team in a very tiny little town in Wisconsin," said Charlie Emery, with Spooky Pinball.

Charlie Emery quit his job of 21 years and started Spooky Pinball with his family 2 years ago. And this year they've sold out of their game 'America's Most Haunted.'

"There's been so many companies that have tried to do what we're all doing and to be one that has survived and grown over the last couple of years is absolutely amazing," said Emery.

The Midwest Gaming Classic runs through Sunday, April 12th, from 10 a.m. until 5 pm.