The Science Museum in London has announced that its popular Power Up exhibition will now be a permanent fixture, following five successful seasons. The interactive experience allows guests to get hands-on with video games and consoles from the previous 50 years.
Visitors of all ages and skill levels can enjoy a journey through gaming history, from the Atari 2600 to the PlayStation 5, with over 160 consoles and hundreds of titles now accessible all year round. The fun includes Mario Kart races, classic Pong and Pac-Man arcade games and new hits like Fortnite, as well as perennial favourites Super Smash Bros and FIFA.
Something for everyone
Mark Cutmore, head of commercial experiences at the Science Museum Group, says: “We are incredibly excited to give Power Up, one of our most popular experiences, a permanent home at the Science Museum.”
“Video games transcend age and skill level: we truly have something on offer for everyone, from intergenerational classics to the latest releases by up-and-coming developers. Power Up is an opportunity to explore the history of gaming first-hand. Its permanent return at the Science Museum showcases the UK’s thriving games industry and will help inspire future games makers.”
Visitors can browse through 20 themes and sections. They can choose from their favourite franchise-focused games, including those from Disney and LEGO, move from one Mario, Sonic, or Zelda generation to the next, or challenge friends and other players to Street Fighter IV battles and Gran Turismo racing contests. There are also physical games like Wii Sport, Guitar Hero and even Sega Bass Fishing as well as VR games.
Meanwhile, in the dedicated PC area, guests can enjoy favourite titles like Minecraft and Monkey Island 2. When it comes to multiplayer games, there are choices like Splatoon and Madden NFL 2003 or even a 16-player Halo 3 tournament.
The science behind gaming
The learning experience is enriched by accompanying content that covers the science of gaming. There is also a timeline wall that highlights significant milestones in gaming, from the 1970s Binatone TV Master through to the Nintendo Wii and Xbox One.
The future of gaming is another focus of Power Up. Winning games from the BAFTA Young Game Designers Awards are on exclusive display with several of this year’s winning titles alongside those from the last five years, all of which are playable. The BAFTA award showcase area will be updated yearly to welcome new games from the award programme, which is open to children and young people.
Visitors will be able to enjoy Power Up in a more quiet setting during sensory-friendly sessions, including an adult-only nighttime session on Saturday, November 18, and family sessions on Saturday 23 September and Saturday 28 October.
Power Up fans also have the opportunity to visit repeatedly thanks to new annual passes, allowing them to play as often as they’d like for £15 all year round.
Power Up returns permanently to the Science Museum with support from OMEN and HyperX.
Last year, the Science Museum opened a new exhibition entitled Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination, which runs until 20 August 2023. This puts visitors in the centre of an interactive science fiction tale. It is packed with artefacts and experiences that explore how scientists and science fiction writers have been inspired by one another throughout history.
Top image: Families and friends enjoying a 4-player game in Power Up, the Science Museum’s hands-on gaming experience. © Science Museum Group
