Another PAX Australia has come and gone, and this year’s edition was nothing short of a sensory overload (in the best possible way). Over three packed days at Melbourne’s Convention & Exhibition Centre, gamers, creators and fans of all stripes gathered to celebrate the full spectrum of gaming culture.
From blockbuster panels and next-gen demos to indie brilliance and world-class cosplay, PAX once again proved why it’s the beating heart of Melbourne International Games Week.
One of the weekend’s biggest draws was the Gearbox Software team, who flew in with serious firepower. Fans of the Borderlands series packed the theatre for a deep dive into Borderlands 4, where the developers dropped some exclusive news that had the internet buzzing. This panel discussion included a first look (world first, mind you!) at the new content pathway, including a new level of Ultimate Vault Hunter and the game’s first raid boss.
The team took questions, swapped stories from the trenches of development and reminded everyone just how strong the connection is between this franchise and its fiercely loyal fanbase.
Nintendo also pulled out all the stops with a show floor presence that was hard to walk past. Their stand was a sea of colour and excitement, with several Mario Kart setups running simultaneously and hands-on demos of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the Switch port of Hades II.
While the big players brought the spectacle, the true magic of PAX always lies in its indie and homegrown talent, and 2025’s showcase was one of the strongest yet, in my opinion. The PAX Rising and Indie Showcase zones were teeming with creativity from across Australia and New Zealand, giving gamers a glimpse at what’s next from the region’s brightest minds.
First up, Against the Horde, a roguelike deckbuilder where you can customise your deck with thousands of unique cards. I love the art style, and I’m a huge fan of the genre. The developers, a small Melbourne-based team, were on hand chatting with players all weekend, and the buzz around their booth was constant.
Trivia Deal, another ANZ product, bills itself as the world’s first trivia roguelike, and that description doesn’t overpromise. In the short demo I had, every run is a high-stakes balancing act and I love it. The theme among these first two games is clear: I love roguelikes, and I’m loving this post-Balatro world where developers are adding a neat spin on classic games.
You navigate randomised columns of question categories, build your “trivia deck”, and make strategic choices about lifelines, relics and swap cards to stay alive. The deeper you go, the tougher things get and questions get stranger, the risk vs. reward decisions get sharper and you find yourself chaining effects or gambling on a lifeline when you’re desperate.
Next up was, Chessplus: Combine + Conquer, another game that fits the bill of a post-Balatro developer world. It’s a clever evolution of the centuries-old strategy game that had even seasoned players scratching their heads (in a good way). The premise is simple: Combine chess pieces to create hybrid units with new abilities and suddenly the game opens up to an entirely new level of tactical depth. It’s fast, cerebral and deeply satisfying.
And finally, I have to give a special shout-out to Pro Jank Football from the folks at Umbrella Entertainment. As someone who’s always been a big movie guy, seeing a film distributor dive headfirst into game development instantly had my curiosity, and after finally getting my hands on it, I’m happy to say it’s every bit as delightfully unhinged as I hoped.
Imagine a physics-based footy game where realism takes a backseat to chaos, complete with over-the-top commentary and B-movie energy. It’s scrappy, self-aware and absolutely hilarious in motion, the kind of game that doesn’t just make you laugh but makes you want to drag your mates over for a round.
Of course, no visit to PAX would be complete without a trip through the tabletop hall — and 2025’s was its biggest and busiest yet (I need to stop saying that, but this show keeps growing, so I will have to keep writing it!). Warhammer took centre stage with sprawling displays and live painting demos, while newcomers like League of Legends: Rift Bound TCG had fans lining up for a sneak peek.
As always, there were Magic: The Gathering showdowns, relaxed Disney Lorcana games and interesting Star Wars: Unlimited duels. There was something for every level of player, and more than a few learn to play sessions meant plenty of newcomers were welcomed into the fold.
Then there was the cosplay. PAX has always been a showcase of creativity and craftsmanship, but this year’s Crown Championships of Cosplay took things to another level. The attention to detail, the dedication, the sheer artistry on display, it was staggering.
Giorgia Costumes, who took home the national title with her breathtaking Rococo Bunny design, absolutely stole the show. The piece was an explosion of texture and precision, the kind of work that belongs in a museum as much as on a stage. Her victory earns her a spot at the world championships in the UK next year, and it couldn’t be more deserved.
But beyond the competition, the thing that makes PAX cosplay special is the community itself: Hundreds of fans swapping sewing tips, posing for photos and celebrating their shared love of character design.
I would like to say that my favourite was a lone cosplayer out front of the MCEC dressed as Ness from EarthBound (minus the baseball bat over the shoulder), checking his phone.
It was such a perfect little snapshot of what PAX is all about: That guy isn’t winning any cosplay competitions, and everything in his Ness outfit looked like it was bought from an op shop, but it’s a nice encapsulation of the passion, playfulness and a shared love of the games that shaped us.
I look forward to next year.
