The world's largest collection of playable computer games has gone on display covering five decades of gaming technology.

Game On 2.0 will take fans on a gaming journey from retro consoles and arcade games to the very latest developments in virtual reality.

Running at Newcastle's Life Science Centre and organised by the Barbican, it will feature some of the best known classics such as Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Daytona USA.

It will also document some of the most important games of recent times, such as Mario, Pokemon, Sonic, Uncharted, World of Warcraft, Tomb Raider and the Sims.

Neil McConnon, head of Barbican International Enterprises Department, Barbican Centre, London, said: "The Barbican is delighted to work with Life Science Centre to stage Game On 2.0 in Newcastle. Game On 2.0 celebrates games culture in all its myriad forms.

"We think it is particularly relevant that the exhibition will travel to the North East - an area that has made an important contribution to games development."

The exhibition runs until November and visitors will have the opportunity to meet animators, artists, programmers and designers working in the region's gaming industry.

Linda Conlon, chief executive at Life, said: "We're very excited to be bringing this world-class exhibition to Newcastle which I'm sure will appeal to all ages. It's a delightful retrospective, tapping into nostalgia and highlighting the role gaming plays in our society today."

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