Vancouver’s influence on the video game industry stretches from Nintendo’s arrival in North America to some of today’s biggest console, mobile, and independent games.
That history is now being explored at Press Start: A Vancouver Game History Pop-Up, a temporary exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver presented in partnership with the Canadian Video Game Museum.
Currently open and running through fall 2026, Press Start highlights the people, studios, technology, and games that helped establish Vancouver as a global centre for game development.
The exhibition covers everything from mobile titles such as Marvel Contest of Champions and blockbuster games produced by publishers including Electronic Arts and Microsoft to acclaimed independent releases such as Celeste and Darkest Dungeon.
Visitors can also discover some lesser-known pieces of local gaming history, including Vancouver’s role in Nintendo establishing its North American headquarters and a Burnaby company that became a leading video game controller manufacturer during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Vintage video game systems, playable arcade cabinets, game demonstrations, and interactive looks at the development process give visitors a chance to experience that history firsthand.
Research for the exhibition began a decade ago with Canadian Video Game Museum founder and executive director Ryan Dunnison compiling a database of game companies that had operated in Vancouver. The project later expanded to cover companies throughout British Columbia and evolved into a broader effort to document Canada’s place in the global gaming industry.
“For decades, Vancouver has been a global hub for video game development,” Dunnison said. “Press Start will spotlight, celebrate, and document the people, stories, and games that make up the city’s ever-changing video game landscape.”
The exhibition also reflects the crossover between Vancouver’s gaming, film, and visual-effects communities—three industries that have helped the city develop an international reputation for digital storytelling.
“The Museum of Vancouver exists to share Vancouver’s stories, and the people who’ve built Vancouver’s video game industry have made an indelible mark on global storytelling,” said MOV CEO Ryan Hunt.
Admission to Press Start is available through either a standalone ticket or a combination ticket that includes general admission to the Museum of Vancouver.
