The eGames Expo is like E3 or the Tokyo Games Show only smaller and a lot closer to home.

Does the headline sound dirty? It shouldn't. Honest.

There was actually quite a bit more cosplay strolling around the show floor than what I managed to snap, but I like to think I got the best of the bunch.

After the jump there's a guy in a blue robe and a chick with a fan. I know they're from something, but my exile (nasty situation with the furries, gave a whole new meaning to the expression "Let sleeping dogs lie") from the cosplay scene means I have no idea who they're supposed to be.

Tell you what - first person to detail all four characters presented in the photo above and the one past the jump, will win themselves a copy of Mario Party DS (thanks Nintendo!), just because it's a nice thing to do. Just post your answer as a comment, and we'll be in touch.

Specifically, we want to know the name of the character, and any one game/anime they've appeared in.

Retailer Gamerz Bunker put on a nice spread of old-school consoles during Melbourne's eGames.

It had been a while since I last saw a Sega Master System, and having my cockles warmed by the sight of my first games machine (ignoring my Amiga 500) was extremely pleasant. Technically, it wasn't the exact same one I'd owned, but it was close (and crusty) enough to trigger memories long bashed into oblivion by the likes of Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo.

Actually, I had to pretend the Mega Drive was the Master System. It kind of worked.

Take a squiz at the photos after the jump, and you'll see everything from the Atari 2600 to the (ugh) N-Gage.

Ubisoft, not to be outdone by Nintendo's moustachioed mascot, had a dude dressed up in a Haze suit trolling the eGames expo hall for gamer arse.

Okay, I made that "arse" bit up.

I'm trying to decide if the pose is meant to be menacing or dashing. I know the "hands-on-hips" stance is a classic with the ladies, but I didn't want to say anything unless he got the wrong idea. It's also why I didn't put my arm around him for a group shot.

Speaking of Haze, the game was playable at both the Ubisoft and Sony stands during the event. Seeing as Ubisoft yesterday pushed the game from December this year to early 2008, I'd say those who had a chance to play should be treasuring that moment right about now. Envy of your friends and all that mush.

Can't say I've played a Mario game where the famous Italian plumber had a hair fetish, so there's no explaining why the guy in this costume at eGames had to put his hands through my mane - and that of everyone else's - during his trips around the expo floor.

Didn't stop me from getting a snapshot with the big fella. So cuddly and all.

I tell you though, getting an arm around that massive head of his almost dislocated my shoulder. And I like my shoulder.

Anyone else get assaulted? I'm sorting out the details of the police report...

What's huge, scary and green?

Yes, there's the Hulk, but the inflatable Master Chief helmet that was at eGames fits the bill nicely as well. It pretty much was Microsoft's stand at the event, and despite my prayers for it to be filled with Spartan armour-wearing supermodels, it was sadly empty.

Or...at least, remember people living in or very close to Melbourne, that eGames kicks off tomorrow. You may remember GO3, held in Perth earlier this year. It was rubbish. This looks a lot better! Loads of games and other things to do are on offer for you, the average punter. Including loads of games that aren't out yet and you've never played, even. Games like Haze, Assassin's Creed, Link's Crossbow Training, GT5 Prologue, Mass Effect, Super Mario Galaxy, God of War Chains of Olympus, Uncharted and Time Crisis 4. And that's just a few. Really, Australia doesn't get enough of these kinds of events, so if you're in or near Melbourne over the weekend, do pop round to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Adult tickets will set you back $16, concession/child tickets are $13 and you can get a family pass (2 adults, 2 kids) for $38.

Editor's note: I know I'll be there. Starting from tomorrow, Kotaku AU's regular Oz content will be replaced with my ramblings from Game Connect/eGames, so be sure to tune in.

Over the weekend, I'm going to attempt to cover two gaming events down Melbourne way - at the same time. I'll be channelling Red Dwarf's Arnold Rimmer from that sexy episode where he gets jiggy with another hologram.

Ahem.

The events in question are the eGames and Entertainment Expo and Game Connect (the event formerly known as the Australian Game Developers Conference). Both are transpiring at roughly the same time, from the 15th to the 18th - give or take a day.

If you'd like to have a chat, feel free to flag me down, or throw random pieces of confectionary at my head. If you're not sure who to look for, I'll be the guy with a big camera round his neck, a notepad in his back pocket, and a look of pure terror plastered to his face.

Imagine you've just been ambushed by a H.R. Giger painting with teeth and a taste for scrawny 23-year olds, and you're halfway there.

Drop a comment and let me know if you'll be going to either event, so I don't feel so alone.

You could play Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and Big Brain Academy at Melbourne's eGames next week. And you'd probably have fun. Or you could take the opportunity to play a few Wii games Nintendo has waiting up its sleeves for the next 6-12 months.

Before you ask, Battalion Wars 2 isn't one of them.

However, Super Mario Galaxy, Link's Crossbow Training and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles will be doing the rounds at eGames. Oh, and Pokemon Battle Revolution for those of you who must "catch them all".

Apparently Crossbow Training will be there complete with Wii Zapper, so peripheral lovers have no excuse not to go.

Jupiter-sized press release after the jump-a-whatsit.