The best and worst of Phoenix Fan Fusion 2025

Phoenix Fan Fusion 2025 was nonstop geekdom writ large. This year’s edition of the annual pop-culture and comic con in downtown Phoenix attracted a record-setting crowd with its epic celebrity guest list, a legion of cosplayers in attendance and three days of nerdy fun.

What else did Fan Fusion 2025 offer? A weekend of famous names like Hayden Christensen and Marissa Tomei, enjoyable activities like film screenings and gaming sessions, aisles of merch you justified buying and enough geeky pursuits to fill the Phoenix Convention Center.

Attendees could hop from a “Doctor Who” deep dive to a “Dungeons & Dragons” crash course without breaking a sweat,  unless they happened to be sporting full cosplay armor in the triple-digit heat. Basically, if it was nerdy and fun, Fan Fusion had it covered.

There were a few issues throughout the weekend, though. The enormous crowd led to panels being delayed and other glitches. And some con-goers forgot basic hygiene or how to respect the personal space of others. Here’s a look back at the best and worst parts of Phoenix Fan Fusion 2025.

Best: Arcade Oasis levels up

Fan Fusion leveled up its Arcade Oasis this year, adding even more games to the mix — and joystick Jedi and families couldn’t get enough. The expanded lineup featured iconic titles such as “The Simpsons” and “Golden Axe,” each in free play mode. Sure, most were 3/4-scale Arcade1Up cabinets instead of full-sized vintage coin-ops, but the attraction lived up to its name by offering a break from the chaos of the con. Some other highlights of the button-mashing fest included old-school pixelated classics of the NES variety and a fleet of “Mario Kart” racing simulators. Benjamin Leatherman

Worst: Not all the machines were working

There were a few glitches found with the Arcade Oasis, primarily with the state of some of the hardware. When we played “Time Crisis,” the Namco first-person rail shooter we enjoyed playing at a nickel arcade as kids, the gun controller and foot pedal were not calibrated correctly, resulting in the game being stuck in a menu loop. (Even the classic “turn it off and back on” trick didn’t help.) By the end of the weekend, a few custom controllers on the NES games — including the original “Mega Man” — had stopped working. Eric Vanderwall

Best: The Public Pantry Grab and Go Market

The acquisition of food is always a headache at Phoenix Fan Fusion. Around mealtimes, the lines for sustenance are long, slow-moving and utterly frustrating. But we've cracked the cheat code to getting fed quickly at Fan Fusion. The Public Pantry Grab and Go Market is an oasis on the ground level of the West Building. Just as the title implies, it sells drinks, salads and sandwiches that you choose from a refrigerated case, plus chips, candy and other little snacks. Our turkey and Swiss sandwich was nothing to write home about, and it didn't cost any less than options in the food hall, but when we were hungry and needed something quick before a panel, it was by far the best option. Jennifer Goldberg

Best: The return of Hall of Heroes

After a year off, the Hall of Heroes returned to Fan Fusion 2025 with a major upgrade: its own dedicated ballroom in the convention center’s North Building. Previously located within the lower level exhibitor hall, the area — which hosts booths for local costuming groups like the Marvel Comics-focused Arizona Avengers or the “Halo”-inspired Fireteam Phoenix — was a popular destination all three days. “We were worried about it being away from the (exhibitor hall), but it worked out well,” says Fireteam Phoenix’s Ben Wheat. “We had lots of traffic and did really well with our outreach.” The ballroom’s carpeting also made standing around while dressed in cosplay armor easier on the knees. “That was a plus,” Wheat says. BL

Best: Armored combat

The Hall of Heroes featured a massive combat cage where fighters in full medieval armor clashed with swords, axes, and shields. The clang of metal on metal, the grunts of armored warriors straining under the weight of chainmail, and the roar of the crowd—it was music to the ears of many fans. EV

Best: Water bottle filling stations

The Phoenix Convention Center is thankfully equipped with dozens of drinking fountains, some of which also offered bottle-refilling stations. Although you never know how clean these are — since some people placed the mouthpieces of their bottles onto the spigots without wiping first — at least there was a way to stay hydrated without having to pay exorbitant prices for bottled water. EV

Best: A place for everyone

In a world that currently feels pretty dark and ugly, Phoenix Fan Fusion was once again an environment where people of all ages were allowed — nay, encouraged — to let their quirk flag fly. Whatever your race or sexuality or fandom, there is a place for you at the con. Whether you've spent thousands of dollars on an elaborate "Hazbin Hotel"-inspired cosplay or you and your friends strapped on some cardboard shells and declared yourselves Ninja Turtles, your costume is awesome and we're glad you wore it. Because the panels and the vendors are a wonderful and essential part of the con but truth be told, we go for the people: the weird, wild, creative people who are the heart of Phoenix Fan Fusion. We'll see you next year. JG

Worst: The lack of spatial awareness

When you put tens of thousands of people in a convention center together, traffic is going to move slowly. When you're dressed like Bumblebee from "Transformers," you're going to take up extra space. None of it is ideal, but we would have gotten around Fan Fusion much easier if people would have just moved the hell out of the way. It's driving rules, people: If you want to stop, pull over. If you're not exactly sure where you're going, pull over. Instead, we dealt with three days of nearly crashing into people over and over again because they thought a central walkway was the ideal place to discuss lunch options. JG

Worst: Hygiene

We don't get it. You know you're going to be walking around all day in huge crowds of people at an event in Phoenix in June, and the thought of, say, starting the day off with a shower and some deodorant doesn't cross your mind? The stinky con cliché is real, and it was in full effect this year as always. But personal hygiene at Fan Fusion reached a new low this year: We saw a guy popping his pimples while sitting at a gaming table. There are no words. JG

Best: Humorous and referential slides listing rules for Q&A panels

Fan Fusion’s organizers definitely have a sense of humor. Case in point: Slides shown on giant screens in both of the two main ballroom displayed the rules for Q&A panels with fan-friendly twists. Some humorous examples: “No, don’t call me a hero. Do you know who the real heroes are? The ones who keep the aisles clear and free of clutter.” “You shall not pass … up the opportunity to ask a question if you want to!” EV

Worst: Unprepared moderators

We're not here to call anyone out or to name names. It's not always easy leading a conversation with a celeb; you don't always know what you'll get. Sometimes they're not as friendly as hoped. Other times, they're pleasant AF but you don't keep the conversation flowing, it leads to awkward silences, and in those giant convention center ballrooms, the awkward factor cranks up to cringe level 10. Know your subject and make some choices about what questions could lead to interesting answers and weed out the others. We aren't all Girl Scouts over here, but their "be prepared" motto is a good one to hold onto. Amy Young

Worst: Very late starts to some panels

Some panels began and ended right on time, but Hayden Christensen’s jam-packed Q&A started an hour late, and this after much herding of attendees from one room or queue to another. Kevin Smith’s event also had an hourlong delay before the filmmaker, podcaster, writer and geek icon made it to the stage and he only spoke for a meager 25 minutes long. EV

Best: Dog Vader

It's one thing to notice a dog making its way through the crowd carrying a lightsaber, but it's another to follow it and find out that it's in full Sith gear and sits up for a perfect pose, saber intact, while a crowd gathers to take pictures. The dog is Sidney, who her caregiver describes as "a gift that was given to me" a few years prior. The force is strong with that pooch. AY

Best: Relaxation station

There was a room on the first floor in one of the buildings where people could go for a quiet escape. The amplified sound from nearby rooms still bleed into this sanctuary, but at least there was one room free of electronic stimulation. The tables even had checkered blue tablecloths, which dressed up the folding plastic tables nicely and made it seem like a real room instead of a waiting area. EV

Best: Kids in costumes

Arguably, the best part of Fan Fusion is seeing the costumes of the attendees. But you know what's even better than a big, badass Darth Vader? A tiny one trailing behind her dad. Call us softies, but there's just something magical about the younger generation embracing the fun of dressing up for the con. Princesses, Jedis, little hobbit babies — they all melted our hearts when we saw one during the weekend. And while children at big events aren't usually our cup of tea, the magnitude of the event seems to awe a lot of the kiddos into silence. JG

Best: Cosplayers who incorporate their mobility aids

Jenni Sue Morris wasn’t about to let a walker stop her from enjoying Fan Fusion. The Maricopa resident, who was diagnosed with severe migraines last year, turned the mobility aid into Lucy’s iconic psychiatry booth from "Peanuts." She completed the look by dressing as the character while her husband, Michael, went as Charlie Brown. “People have really loved it,” Jenni Sue says. She wasn’t the only con-goer to use their mobility device as a cosplay prop. After a recent surgery left him in a wheelchair, Mesa resident Tyler Doyle still wanted to attend Fan Fusion. His fix? Dressing up as Lieutenant Dan from "Forrest Gump." BL

Best: Random musicians playing throughout Fan Fusion

Thumping dance beats and various movie score snippets weren’t the only sounds filling the air at Fan Fusion. Local musicians were scattered throughout the con, performing for fellow attendees and injecting an extra dose of fun and energy into the weekend. Arizona violinist Exelerate played bits of video game and movie soundtracks for others, while on Sunday afternoon, theatrical folk-punk artist Vox Manicka set up outside the West Building’s Third Street entrance, lifting spirits with a lively set during the con’s final stretch. BL

Best: Third Street as a people-watching destination

Pretty much anyone who attended Fan Fusion had to cross Third Street at some point, either while entering the event or trekking between the West and North buildings. Hence, the one-block stretch between Washington and Monroe streets was a prime spot for people-watching. You could purchase a drink from an outdoor bar and catch a parade of eye-catching attendees: Superheroes and villains. People with their pets. Even the occasional celebrity passed through. It was chaotic, nerdy and wildly entertaining — pretty much Fan Fusion in a nutshell. BL

Worst: Beef jerky couple

I wish that "beef jerky couple" was referring to a pair of people with a really funny costume idea. At the Vincent D'Onofrio panel, a couple plopped down just as he was starting his talk and whipped out a bag of beef jerky and started going to town. I get it, you're hungry. There was a ton of snacking going on all around that venue, but dang, that stuff was pungent. When they slid the little zipper lock shut on the package, the smell still lingered. It got a little better until I hear some rustling and look over, and they're chomping on some other kind of smelly meat sticks. There were like leathery, skinny hot dog-looking things, and they also packed a powerful nose punch. AY

Worst: John Rhys-Davies’ warning about the rise of the machines

If Hollywood happens to be cooking up any new sci-fi projects about rogue A.I. taking over the world, give John Rhys-Davies’ agent a call. After all, he’s already of the mindset that the machines will lead us to ruin. The classically trained British actor spent the last 15 minutes of his opening-day Fan Fusion panel warning that A.I. will likely plunge humanity into a dire, dystopian future. Nothing against the iconic star of “The Lord of the Rings” series, as we’d listen to him recite a phone book in his booming basso profundo voice, but the room’s vibe definitely nosedived after his rant. BL

Best: The 'Mallrats' 30th-anniversary screening

It was super fun to relive this quotable, hilarious Kevin Smith movie stuffed into a theater at the AMC Arizona Center 24 with fellow fans. The frosting (not chocolate, IYKYK) on top of the whole shebang was that actors Jason Mewes, better known as Jay, and Jason Lee, who played protagonist Brodie Bruce, hosted a preshow Q&A that was a laugh riot. Mewes started by saying he wasn't going to talk a lot and was tired. He ended up channeling his inner Kevin Smith and blabbing up a storm. AY

Best: Programming and vendors focused on the natural world

Fan Fusion’s wealth of programming and vendors included some fun educational activities and exhibits. We particularly enjoyed seeing the beautifully pinned and framed insects available from Broms Bug Box. At another booth, a young woman showed a little girl bones and skulls from birds. It’s refreshing to see the beauty of the natural world. EV

Best: The Daddy's Here/Totes Thirsty booth

We like Pedro Pascal just fine: He's handsome, a trans ally and a solid actor with a great sense of humor. But we don't love Pedro Pascal, so we're not really the target audience for the Daddy's Here booth at Fan Fusion, purveyor of the Pillo Pascal pillowcase. But con-goers certainly appreciated the novelty item, along with a wide selection of tote bags for fans of attractive male celebrities. A Pascal bag read "I'll Hold Your Things, Baby Girl," while a Robert Pattison "Twilight" bag read "this is the bag of a killer." (We were tempted by a bag picturing Bill Hader's "Saturday Night Live" Stefon character that read "This Bag Has Everything.") It just goes to show that there's room for every kind of fandom at Fan Fusion. JG

Best: Penis Man merch

Superheroes are the lifeblood of Fan Fusion and can be found everywhere at the annual event. Cosplayers roam the convention center in capes, cowls, armor and wings, bringing iconic heroes and villains to life. Meanwhile, the exhibitor hall is a treasure trove packed with comics and collectibles bearing the likeness of all manner of heroic figures, even lesser-known heroes. Case in point: Local shop Kei Collective was selling Penis Man T-shirts at its booth, championing the infamous Tempe graffiti icon and urban legend. The shirts were created by Arizona designer Cube U and were available in, um, multiple sizes for anyone bold enough to support the Valley’s most notorious tagger.