A look at Game On Expo 2024’s best costumes and cosplayers

Some of the many cosplayers at Game On Expo 2024 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Benjamin Leatherman

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Joystick jockeys, gaming fiends and esports competitors weren’t the only people who attended Phoenix’s Game On Expo 2024. Local cosplayers were also in abundance at the three-day multimedia and gaming event from Friday to Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center.

And they were wearing some fantastic costumes inspired by video games, anime and other geeky subject matter. Game On Expo attendees dressed as characters from the “Halo,” “Metal Gear” and “The Legend of Zelda” franchises, as well as popular anime series like “Chainsaw Man.”

There was even cosplay inspired by historical figures at the Expo. Katherine and Joshua Tongret of Surprise, for instance, came as Catherine the Great, the 18th-century empress of Russia, and her husband, Peter III. Both wore intricate and elegant formal wear.

Here’s a look at all of the impressive and amazing costumes Phoenix New Times encountered at Game On Expo 2024.

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This group came dressed as characters from the "Super Mario" series. Clockwise from left: Gael Jimenez as Luigi, Zachary Reyes as Mario, Nahyma Loya as Princess Peach, Faustino Loya as Bowser and and Nia Montes as Toad.

Benjamin Leatherman

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A scary character from "Five Nights at Freddy's."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Streetlight Cosplay of Phoenix as Light Dragon Zelda from "The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom."

Benjamin Leatherman

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This cosplayer created the Evangelion Unit-01 armor from the anime "Neon Genesis Evangelion."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Race Michael of Scottsdale spent two to three months creating his fantastic-looking cosplay of Gabriel, Judge of Hell from the video game "ULTRAKILL."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Queen Creek resident Yajaira Eve’s original cosplay was a “humanoid representation” of the ocean.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Admit it, you'd love to see a crossover between "The Legend of Zelda" and "Borderlands."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Scorpion from "Mortal Kombat."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Members of local "Halo" cosplay group Fireteam Phoenix.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Dr. Mario makes an appearance at Game On Expo 2024.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Phoenix cosplayers Jesus Watson (left) as Venti Barbados and EeveeChan (right) as Raiden Shogun, both characters from the video game "Genshin Impact."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Jake McCormick of El Mirage dressed up as legendary Nintendo character Donkey Kong.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Chandler cosplayer Schrei205 as a Blood Elf Priest from “World of Warcraft.”

Benjamin Leatherman

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Texas resident Beau Autin as Kano from the "Mortal Kombat" series.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Lady Dimitrescu (left) and Karl Heisenberg from "Resident Evil Village."

Benjamin Leatherman

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A fursuit version of Majora's Mask from "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Little Mac from the "Punch Out!" series.

Benjamin Leatherman

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ThermoCosplay as Sofina, one of the the Red Wizards of Thay from the 2023 movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”

Benjamin Leatherman

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Chandler cosplayer king_zotic as a character from the indie video game "Cult of the Lamb."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Chicago resident Ceekaycosplays won the “Best in Show” award at Game On Expo’s costume contest while portraying Orin the Red from the fantasy role-playing video game "Baldur's Gate 3."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Shadow the Hedgehog and Tails from the "Sonic the Hedgehog" series.

Benjamin Leatherman

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This Los Angeles-based cosplayer portrayed the dwarf warrior Senshi from the Japanese manga series "Delicious in Dungeon."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Laura Gwynn from Maricopa crafted this cosplay of Lute from the Amazon animated series “Hazbin Hotel.”

Benjamin Leatherman

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This Phoenix cosplayer, who called himself "The Last Samurai," came to Game On Expo as Seto Kaiba from the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" anime series.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Local cosplayer Dauphine Clara as a lamb version of Haru Okumura from the video game "Persona 5."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Fans of the Netflix anime series "High-Rise Invasion" will recognize this cosplay of the anti-hero character Sniper Mask.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Albuquerque-based cosplayer NocturneCrow as Bad Girl, an assassin from the video game “No More Heroes III.”

Benjamin Leatherman

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This attendee of Game On Expo came as Shorty from the 1988 cult classic film "Killer Klowns From Outer Space."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Local cosplayer Mayah_Damage as Sandrone from the video game "Genshin Impact."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Mooncat Peach from Litchfield Park says she cosplayed Bowsette from the “Super Mario” universe because it fit her “brazen personality” and helped boost her confidence.

Benjamin Leatherman

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A cosplayer at Game On Expo dressed as Ball Guy from “Pokémon Sword” and “Pokémon Shield."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Tucson artist and cosplayer DuckyAfterDark as Beatrice from the anime and video game "Umineko When They Cry."

Benjamin Leatherman

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Evey.c0sp14ly of Phoenix created this amusing cosplay of Azura from the action role-playing video game series “The Elder Scrolls.”

Benjamin Leatherman

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A cosplay of the character Jester Lavorre from popular tabletop gaming web series “Critical Role" we encountered in the exhibitor hall.

Benjamin Leatherman

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Detroit resident Sadie Huggler as Starfire from the DC Comics fighting game "Injustice 2."

Benjamin Leatherman