The lights dimmed and the crowds drifted out of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, but the buzz hasn’t faded. PAX Australia 2025 might be over, yet it’s still being talked about in group chats, social feeds, and over coffees across the city. This year’s show didn’t just return it exploded, bigger and more immersive than ever.

Over three packed days, fans, creators, and industry names came together for what’s become the most anticipated weekend in the Australian gaming calendar. It was a mix of new tech, long-awaited demos, heartfelt panels, and the kind of energy that makes you forget what time it is.

Nintendo and Xbox drew some of the biggest lines on the floor, with playable builds of Pokémon Legends: Z-A (Switch 2 Edition) and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond drawing endless excitement. The new Joy-Con 2’s mouse-style control setup turned plenty of heads, while the debut of Kirby Air Riders gave people another reason to linger. Over at the Xbox booth, players tested both the ROG Xbox Ally and the upgraded Ally X, two devices that might just change how we think about portable console gaming.

Hardware brands didn’t hold back either. MSI rolled out its sleek new RTX 5070 Ti Project Zero GPU, while Aftershock teamed up with @broxh_, who literally carved a wooden side panel for one of their PCs on-site. It wasn’t just impressive it was hypnotic to watch he is amazing at what he does.

The competition side of PAX stayed strong, with the Australian Esports League Nationals bringing serious intensity. Fans filled the stands for the Rainbow Six Siege APL Major Qualifier finals at PAX Arena, where every headshot drew cheers like a footy goal.

Tabletop fans weren’t left behind either. Partnered with eBay, the tabletop section had its largest footprint yet. Warhammer was everywhere, along with learn-to-play sessions for Magic: The Gathering and Disney Lorcana. The new League of Legends: Rift Bound trading card game( even if they didn’t have enough tables) turned out to be one of the weekend’s sleeper hits. Two mini paint-and-take zones one run by Warhammer gave attendees a hands-on creative outlet between dice rolls.

Of course, PAX Rising and the Indie Showcase once again reminded everyone that innovation often starts small. Dozens of local and international developers showed off their work, with NZ’s CODE studio earning attention for Middle Management, a game with a tentacled boss that seemed to haunt players long after the demo. And for myself personally I haven been able to stop thin king about shatter rush

And then there were the show floor experiences the ones that make PAX feel like another world entirely. Bethesda recreated a Fallout diner, The Sims brought a summer camp-style hangout, and Devolver Digital teamed up with Massive Monster for Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven Chapel, easily one of the most photographed booths of the weekend.

Panels were as much a part of the story as the games themselves. From discussions on accessibility and creative process to Gearbox’s deep dive into Borderlands and PlayStation’s celebration of 25 years of the PS2, there was no shortage of insight or nostalgia. There were laughs too especially during Pokémon Family Feud – Creator Edition and the unforgettable D&D: But Donations Make It Spicier, where fans sacrificed their taste buds for charity.

Big names graced the stages, including Magic: The Gathering designer Gavin Verhey, who opened the weekend with a talk on “15 Lessons from 15 Years.” He later joined in on a 64-player Pauper event and hosted an Australian-themed Command Zone session. Baldur’s Gate voice actress Amelia Tyler, comedian Ify Nwadiwe, and Obsidian’s Josh Sawyer rounded out the guest list, each bringing their own kind of charisma to the show.

The cosplay scene, as always, was nothing short of stunning. The Crown Championships of Cosplay drew gasps from the crowd, with Giorgia Costumes taking home the top honour for her gorgeous Rococo Bunny design. The win also earned her a ticket to represent Australia at the World Championships in the UK next year a well-deserved moment of recognition.

For anyone needing a breather, the Together Lounge offered a quiet space to chill, chat, and meet new people. It summed up what PAX has always been about: connection. Whether through competition, creativity, or shared fandom, the weekend brought thousands together under one roof for the same reason to celebrate what they love.

When it was all over, the feeling that lingered wasn’t exhaustion. It was warmth. That familiar mix of inspiration, joy, and nostalgia that makes you start counting the days until next year’s PAX before you’ve even unpacked your badge. I for one Can Not Wait.