Gamers book now: Power Up! at the Museum of Science and Industry

Manchester’s premier platform for gaming culture is back with the Power Up! festival at the Museum of Science and Industry. Test your thumbs to the limit with over 160 consoles, including retro big-hitters Pong, Pacman, Minecraft and Mario. Seasoned gamers can plug themselves into the matrix with £15 full-day passes, while families can opt for 90-minute drop-ins for only £5 a session. Accompanied children wanting to power-up their skills should head for gaming workshops held several times a day – choose from hacking Game Boys in the Chipmusic for Beginners workshop, or BASIC programming using classic ‘80s BBC Micro computers. Into gaming but don’t have children in tow? Night owls have the choice of adult-only evening sessions from 7pm on Fridays 18 and 25 August. Check the website for full session times and prices.

Fri 11 – Mon 28 Aug, Great Western Warehouse, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Manchester M3 4FP. Tel: 0161 832 2244, 10am–5pm (& 7pm–10pm on 18 & 25 Aug), www.msimanchester.org.uk