Inside Leicester’s Retro Computer Museum: A Haven for Classic Nintendo and Video Game History

Leicester’s Retro Computer Museum: Showcasing Nintendo and UK Video Game Legacy The Retro Computer Museum (RCM) in Leicester, UK, stands as a testament to video game history and culture, with a strong focus on platforms like Nintendo and a commitment to preserving classic gaming experiences.

Recently, the museum transitioned to a new venue, expanding its ability to showcase a robust collection of gaming hardware, including renowned Nintendo systems and other significant pieces of video game history. Since its founding by Andy Spencer, the RCM has become a notable destination for UK gaming enthusiasts, offering hands-on access to iconic hardware such as the Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and legendary consoles like the Vectrex, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Xbox, and Nintendo 64.

The expanded premises—just moments from the original site, which still houses additional storage—provide more space to display and interact with these machines. A highlight of the new RCM site is its main exhibition floor.

Here, visitors can enjoy various home computers and consoles, including a rare Nintendo PlayChoice arcade cabinet and GameCube development kits—an especially rare treat for Nintendo collectors.

The adjacent building is dedicated to arcade classics and virtual reality history, with machines such as OutRun 2, Street Fighter II, and Rare’s first arcade game, X The Ball.

Although X The Ball was not operational during the recent visit, museum staff are optimistic about restoring it soon. The upper level houses an extensive library, boasting shelves stacked floor-to-ceiling with games, books, and magazines illuminating decades of gaming culture.

Unique to RCM is also a fully functional recording studio, used by founder Andy Spencer to compose original music featured throughout museum events.

During gatherings—like their recent 'Legendary Gathering' event, which ran from 10 AM to 8 PM—guests enjoyed food and drinks while exploring both nostalgic and rare gaming treasures. A particular point of interest is the museum’s collection of Virtuality machines—early 1990s virtual reality systems, which were themselves developed in Leicester.

The RCM features two stand-up and two sit-down Virtuality pods, allowing today’s generation to experience pioneering—albeit rudimentary—VR technology firsthand, with frame rates reminding seasoned players of just how far the industry has advanced. Notably, the RCM regularly welcomes prominent figures from the British game development scene.

During the recent event, respected UK game developer Jim Bagley, whose portfolio includes titles like Hudson Hawk, Midnight Resistance, Cabal (Spectrum/Amstrad), Doom (Saturn), and Super Dropzone (GBA/PS1), was in attendance.

The museum’s collection also holds artifacts signed by industry legends such as Simon Butler, the Oliver Twins, and the late Oli Frey, further cementing its status as a hub for gaming history. For Nintendo fans, retro enthusiasts, and historians of interactive entertainment alike, the Retro Computer Museum in Leicester offers a genuinely immersive experience.

The institution upholds the legacy of classic platforms, celebrates the evolution of companies like Nintendo, and serves as an essential stop for anyone passionate about the medium’s past and its pioneers.

To plan your visit, refer to the RCM’s official website for location details and opening times.

Nintendo Retro Computer Museum Leicester consoles UK Inside