Nick Thorpe, the respected writer and editor associated with Retro Gamer’s Nick Thorpe, has died aged 38. The news was confirmed by Retro Gamer editor Darran Jones and reported by Time Extension on 2 December 2025.
Thorpe’s work connected his lifelong interest in console and arcade gaming with detailed journalism, interviews and features. He also wrote for an arcade-focused publication between 2008 and 2012, building friendships with people across the wider arcade community.
A career built around arcade and console history
Born in the 1980s, Thorpe remained an enthusiastic player throughout his life. A photograph of him enjoying Namco’s Final Lap R with his sister offers a glimpse of that personal passion. He later interviewed many of the developers and industry figures behind the games he admired, including Sega’s Yu Suzuki.
Before joining Retro Gamer, Thorpe documented arcade visits, including a tour of the arcades in Clacton-on-Sea in the United Kingdom. He also gained behind-the-scenes access to Sega Amusements Europe, where he reported on arcade releases such as Sega Rally 3 and GRID.
That combination of reporting, technical interest and genuine enthusiasm is familiar to anyone who follows the history of arcade gaming news. His coverage showed how much insight can come from looking beyond the games themselves and examining the people, venues and machines that support them.
A photograph of Thorpe playing Namco’s Final Lap R with his sister remains a particularly warm reminder of his love of the arcade experience.
Remembered by the gaming community
Thorpe’s final Retro Gamer feature covered the 25 best PS2 games of all time. He also filmed arcade material at EAG, continuing the hands-on approach that defined much of his work.
Although some colleagues knew him only online, he was remembered as generous, knowledgeable and easy to speak with. His enthusiasm was clear in conversations about games, while colleagues also understood that he had devoted attention to his mother during her various health difficulties.
A photograph shows Nick Thorpe with Patrick Michael of Sega and Peter Harrison of Codemasters, reflecting the breadth of his connections across the games industry.
Thorpe’s writing preserved practical details, personal stories and industry history that might otherwise have been lost. Our condolences go to his family, friends and everyone who worked with him. His contribution to gaming journalism will be remembered by the communities he supported.
For readers inspired to explore the hardware behind the history Thorpe covered, RETROCADE’s racing arcade collection and guide to choosing a home arcade machine offer useful starting points.
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