Retro Consoles: Hooked Up or Displayed?

[Polygon]

So, I recently took a trip to Ikea and as such found a bunch of crap I wasn't looking for. One of which was a new entertainment center. I'm going to be putting it together today and before I tear everything down I wanted to get an idea of what everyone else does. I currently have all my system connected and ready to go. That means they're scattered about in the setup. I've been thinking about having one connected at a time in a specific spot and when they're not in use, they're simply on display.

So, do you have all your systems hooked up and ready to go? Or, do you just have one connected at a time and the rest on display?

[ProjectCamaro]

Every single console I own is hooked up and ready to go at anytime. I don't want to have to pull them out, all their hookups, etc... just to play them.

For example I had a friend over yesterday and we jumped from the Sega Master System, to the N64, to the Gamecube and we just had to hit one button to make each one play. Sometimes I like to jump from console to console myself and I just don't see the point in having all these consoles and not having them hooked up ready to go.

[DK1105]

My classic gaming tv has 9 console connected to it at all times. It is a lot of daisy chained rf switches and 2 composite but it all works.

[8-Bit Archeology]

My 42" has the sega genny 2, cd, 32X, ps1, ps2, xbox, xbox360, 3do, jaguar, tg16 and wii hooked up. On that 3 glass shelf walmart stand for panel tvs.

On my retro roll around. I have my sony trinitron with my sega master system, nes, snes, sega genny 1 and my gamecube ( for the gameboy player) all hooked up.

My goal with my game room is to have all hooked up to one huge custom built entertainment stand with 2 retro monitors and one large panel or projector for modern gaming. One retro monitor would be assigned for light gun games.

[Dashopepper]

I have 12 systems currently hooked up and ready to go, but I think it's a little overkill. Really 3 or 4 is all you need because It becomes such a mess with wires and the 6 power strips I'm using that it becomes more of a hassle then it will be worth.

[Aussie2B]

Half and half. My collection long ago grew beyond my ability to have everything in my entertainment center at once, and even if I had the room, that would just be more than I'd want to constantly look at and dust and such. NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Genesis, Sega CD, PC Engine Duo, PlayStation, PS2, Dreamcast, MVS, and Wii are pretty much always ready (although some are admittedly rarely touched). Xbox 360, PC-FX, Virtual Boy, Colecovision, Master System, Saturn, 3DO, and TG-16 are packed away until wanted. The handhelds are obviously easily accessible.

[xelement5x]

I keep most of mine hooked up to the AV parts of my TV using switches, but I also use power strips to prevent them from draining juice when I'm not using them. So I have two button presses normally (AV, and then powering the applicable strip). The only unique one is the SNES/N64. Since they're right next to each other and use the same AV cable I just swap between them.

I will say, I only keep my daily player units hooked up. Like, I've got both version of the Sega CD, but I keep the Model 1 boxed up on display, and only use the M2 for playing because it's like a million times more reliable.

[Tanooki]

They're not all together but what I have is all plugged in somewhere.

My LCD 720p tv with no issues on old games has a top loader, snes, gc w/gb player, wiiu and ps3 on it. Have a Sharp NES TV with the N64 on it so it works right. Back bedroom has the Wii, really just there as a netflix box basically. I don't keep systems around as wall hangers as that's silly.

[ApolloBoy]

I don't have the room to keep them all hooked up, so I keep them on my shelves and take one out if I feel like playing it. I have various AV hookups coming out from my PVM to the front so I have a common set of cables I can use (including a SCART adapter for RGB). For power, most of my consoles use a model 1 Genesis PSU (or have been modified to use one) so I keep one of those hooked up at all times as well.

[Trebuken]

I have been contemplating a new Room of Doom and how to handle this situation. I am determined to have all but the most obscure systems hooked up at once. I think I am going to go with multiple TV's...a TV for every two console generations; CRT's for the older systems, I have an RGB for the RGB ready systems I have, and an HDTV for the last two generations preceding the Wii-U.

I have considered the possibility of some sort of coffee table creation to hold the systems in front of the sofa, while running extensions on the video cables to the TV and power-chords hidden inside with extensions; thus all the controllers would be in arms reach. This still seems cluttered so back to my other thought.

[lkermel]

I only have my current gen consoles hooked up, but all the retro stuff is all ready to go inside shelves next to my TV. When I feel like playing, I just hook up the one I wanna play. I just have too many systems, I can't have them hooked up all the time...

[sloan]

Massive collection means it is in no way feasible to connect them all simultaneously.

All are on their own shelves and I hook them up individually to play.

[Polygon]

Thanks for the input everyone. I've decided what to do. I'm going to have all the current gen consoles connected since they go directly into the receiver. However, everything else is going to be on display and one hooked up at a time. With the entertainment center I just got I don't really want to cut holes in the back. So what I'm going to do is have all the cables hooked up and ready to go. I'm going to have them hanging on the back so I can quickly grab them from the top to hook them up to whatever system I get out. Here are some pictures so far.

Here's the empty unit.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1015562_10200671161972907_1880364554_o.jpg

Here it is as of right now.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1014499_10200683186833521_1443290869_o.jpg

I still need to get the other side in there for the 360, PS3, and the Wii. But all the older system are there and ready to go. So the idea is that the one system that's in use will go up top on the left of the T.V. and the cables will all be ready to go right behind it, out of view. I'm going to mount the switches on the underside, I still need to get another one. Hopefully, I'll have it all done tomorrow. I'm too pooped to finish it right now.

[wiggyx]

Every single console I own is hooked up and ready to go at anytime. I don't want to have to pull them out, all their hookups, etc... just to play them.

For example I had a friend over yesterday and we jumped from the Sega Master System, to the N64, to the Gamecube and we just had to hit one button to make each one play. Sometimes I like to jump from console to console myself and I just don't see the point in having all these consoles and not having them hooked up ready to go.

For me, there's no way to have ~20 consoles hooked up at one time, no matter how much I may want to.

[Ed Oscuro]

Even if I could have 20 consoles "hooked up and ready to go" at once, eletrical storms and the possibility of detail downgrades from this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_termination) tell me not to.

My ideal situation is to have consoles packed up in safe storage when not in use...I'm still working on that.

[wiggyx]

Just keep the power strips turned off until you need to use them.

[ProjectCamaro]

For me, there's no way to have ~20 consoles hooked up at one time, no matter how much I may want to.

I have 16 consoles and they are all hooked up at the same time. Just takes some extra time and effort when you first set them up. Then you'll save a ton of time and effort whenever you decide to play games.


Even if I could have 20 consoles "hooked up and ready to go" at once, eletrical storms and the possibility of detail downgrades from this (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_termination) tell me not to.

My ideal situation is to have consoles packed up in safe storage when not in use...I'm still working on that.

There are other ways around it over having to hook everything up one at a time. The power cord that comes from the outlet to the consoles that I use have a switch that I turn switch off so no power goes to the consoles when not in use. They then go to the surge protectors so they are protected when they are in use.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

I have all of mine hooked up because I like the convenience of walking into the room and being able to play whatever I want. It took a lot of work to get it to put together though, and I had to buy a lot of extra devices like switchboxes. It's definitely not for everybody.

This is a "tour" of the setup as it looked two years ago:


http://youtu.be/G5XI5uKi82k

Here's another tour with less talking and better picture quality:


http://youtu.be/Enfjub_abzY

[The 1 2 P]

So, do you have all your systems hooked up and ready to go?

Doing that would probably burn my house down as I have around 15 systems or so. I keep six hooked up at a time, although I'm going to try and get that down to 4 or 5. I also got my entertainment stand from Ikea after seeing it used for a feature in an old game magazine. It works nice but it's a pain in the ass to move(which I've had to do twice). The next time I move I'll most likely just get a new entertainment stand. As far as classic systems, I currently have my 3DO and Saturn hooked up.

[Einzelherz]

Too much switchwork for me. I just have them all on a rack and I get the cables out as I need them. Or since 90% of what I play is emulated on my Wii, I just use the Wii.

[wiggyx]

I have 16 consoles and they are all hooked up at the same time. Just takes some extra time and effort when you first set them up. Then you'll save a ton of time and effort whenever you decide to play games.

Just don't have the shelving space near the TV for 20 or so systems, and I don't really care to build something to house them that way. Plus I don't play them often enough to care.



I have all of mine hooked up because I like the convenience of walking into the room and being able to play whatever I want. It took a lot of work to get it to put together though, and I had to buy a lot of extra devices like switchboxes. It's definitely not for everybody.

This is a "tour" of the setup as it looked two years ago:


http://youtu.be/G5XI5uKi82k

Here's another tour with less talking and better picture quality:


http://youtu.be/Enfjub_abzY

Ever consider something like this so you don't need 6 or 7 crummy Radioshack switches?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTRON-CROSSPOINT-12X8-BNC-RS232-RGBHVA-RGBHV-AUDIO-VIDEO-SWITCH-SWITCHER-ROUTER-/290884048323?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43ba0a55c3

[Emperor Megas]

Here it is as of right now.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1014499_10200683186833521_1443290869_o.jpg

Those are pretty nice. They look a lot like the game cabinet I made. They make me want to add 'feet' my mine.

http://www.imageshack.com/scaled/large/829/e6j9.jpg

[FieryReign]

Don't understand the point of putting systems on display. I've always put shit away that I wasn't currently playing. Was never too lazy to pull them out and hook them up when I wanted to play a particular system.

[Emperor Megas]

Don't understand the point of putting systems on display. I've always put shit away that I wasn't currently playing. Was never too lazy to pull them out and hook them up when I wanted to play a particular system.I don't mean this to be snarky, but do you understand the point of displaying anything? It's the same concept, really. Also, when you say you're not too lazy to just pull your system out when you're going to play them there's an implication that systems SHOULD be put away, and if they aren't it's because people are too lazy to. Why do you feel consoles should be put away rather than out (if you do)?

[The Adventurer]

Currently I have all of my consoles hooked up.

NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, PS2, Dreamcast, Genesis/Sega CD, and Saturn. I have them hooked up though a pair of AV switcher boxes, and keep their power strip tuned off when not in use.

I also have by Wii hooked up to a different TV.

At this point I'm just about out of room for new consoles. So be been trying to keep consolidated as best I can (part of the reason I'm tryingbtonget hands on a Power Base Converter is I so I won't need a Master System). But there are still a few gaps I need to fill, like the Turbographix-16.

[needler420]

I keep two consoles hooked up at one time on two different TV's. One retro and one modern. 42 in HD for the modern and a 19" inch CRT for the retro.


Keeps the mess of cords out of my way.:vamp:

[Polygon]

Here's what I ended up doing. They're going to be on display, with one being able to be hooked up at a time. So, I just set the one up I want to play to left of the TV, grab the right A/V cables, push the corresponding button on the switch and I'm ready to go. I just didn't feel like cutting all sorts of holes in the back. I think this should work great. I agree that I will be keeping the power strip they're all hooked into off unless in use. The 360, PS3, and Wii are all hooked up to the receiver and are ready to go. I also got another unit for when I get more systems, so I have room to expand.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1025644_10200705166743005_872763330_o.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1009584_10200708807274016_1663211257_o.jpg


Those are pretty nice. They look a lot like the game cabinet I made. They make me want to add 'feet' my mine.

http://www.imageshack.com/scaled/large/829/e6j9.jpg

I really like that. It would look great with some legs. The one I'm using is parts of the Besta series from Ikea. I just picked out parts and put them together. They didn't come with the legs, you had to get them separate.


Don't understand the point of putting systems on display. I've always put shit away that I wasn't currently playing. Was never too lazy to pull them out and hook them up when I wanted to play a particular system.

Because, some people enjoy just seeing things as well. The same reason to have ANYTHING on display. Besides, I feel like if they were put away I might forget about them and not play them as much. The space is there, I see no reason to not use it.


I keep two consoles hooked up at one time on two different TV's. One retro and one modern. 42 in HD for the modern and a 19" inch CRT for the retro.


Keeps the mess of cords out of my way.:vamp:

I have a CRT in storage and as soon as I have the space, I'm going to do the same.

[Emperor Megas]

I really like that. It would look great with some legs. The one I'm using is parts of the Besta series from Ikea. I just picked out parts and put them together. They didn't come with the legs, you had to get them separate.Yeah, after seeing what you've done I'm definitely going to put some legs on it. I love topics like this and seeing what other people are doing.

[RP2A03]

Guys, forget about all the other setups in this thread for I have just found the ultimate setup:






























http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/n64/my_setup4.jpg

[Emperor Megas]

*Floored and awestruck!*

[JSoup]

Due to a lack of space, I tend to keep my not in use systems in storage, with the exception of my N64. Back when that was a new system, I got a case for it from the old Nintendo Power mail in shop. By the time they sent me the damn thing, I already had more games than the case was designed to handle and the blasted thing doesn't close all the way (crawl space around the lid to keep the system from overheating). So, instead of taking up a huge section of a storage bin, I just keep it on my entertainment system.

[XYXZYZ]

Hooked up or displayed? Why not both? All my consoles are displayed on the shelving around my gaming setup, but only the ones I play (12 or so) are actually hooked up. Only I know which ones work and which don't!:fist:Even the labels on the switch boxes are wrong! (not intentionally)

[Collector_Gaming]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/941100_10201079483327587_2050588412_n.jpg

Here is my current setup right now. I know a lil dusty but they are all hooked up and ready to rock and roll. 2 tv's and 9 consoles. The old JC Penny (you read that right) TV I am using for super old consoles (the tvs from like 1981 sooo yea). So anything Atari 2600 era or older really (currently only have a 2600 that fits the bill)

For those of you looking to do a crazy custom build setup but wanna plan it out ahead of time.

I should suggest the program "Sketch Up" which was originally released by google but sent to a 3rd party company to run is the perfect solution. Its free to have and super powerful as a 3d modeling program with measuring capabilities. Right now I am using it to construct a possible large camera rig for shooting videos I got planned in my head. So you don't have to have any knowledge in CAD software to use it and I think its almost just as powerful on a engineering perspective.

[TheRetroVideoGameAddict]

All of my consoles are hooked up and ready to be played at any time. I like to keep things as neat as possible so I have a lot of cord concealers and wire management behind my entertainment centers and I have things color coded to keep track of it all along with a list of what goes to where and so on, it's a nice system and it keeps everything clean and crisp. It just took a while to set it all up, lol.

[Polygon]

Hooked up or displayed? Why not both?

I figured being displayed was implied if they're hooked up.

[JSoup]

I figured being displayed was implied if they're hooked up.

Could have them hooked up in a closed entertainment center, so they are technically not displayed.

[FieryReign]

Because, some people enjoy just seeing things as well. The same reason to have ANYTHING on display. Besides, I feel like if they were put away I might forget about them and not play them as much. The space is there, I see no reason to not use it.
Who? Yourself? Have you honestly ever had company over and had an itch to look at a games machine? They're game consoles, not art. They're only collecting dust just sitting there on a shelf.

I can understand your point of filling shelf space with that monstrosity, but I would never buy something that big to begin with. You tend to minimize and economize when you have babies and young'uns running awild the house.

[JSoup]

Who? Yourself? Have you honestly ever had company over and had an itch to look at a games machine? They're game consoles, not art. They're only collecting dust just sitting there on a shelf.

Not familiar with the concept of a conversation piece, are you?

[Polygon]

Who? Yourself? Have you honestly ever had company over and had an itch to look at a games machine? They're game consoles, not art. They're only collecting dust just sitting there on a shelf.

I can understand your point of filling shelf space with that monstrosity, but I would never buy something that big to begin with. You tend to minimize and economize when you have babies and young'uns running awild the house.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-We1wfpMhSWM/UOSqQ6BwApI/AAAAAAAAENM/VE7aCgGFzK0/s1600/christian-bale-wtf.gif

As Jsoup said, I guess you're not familiar with the concept of conversation piece. And yes, I've had people visit that see my game consoles and ask about them. Also, a lot of the people I hang out with are into video games, so when they come over we talk about it as well. Imagine that, people with like minded interests! There are other people besides myself that are into retro gaming. Which should have been evident to you by the existence of this, and other communities. To answer the other half of your question, yes, for me. That's why I collect games and consoles. For myself, and nobody else. And I do enjoy seeing them there. To answer your next obtuse question, no I don't just sit there and stare at them as if they were art. I enjoy seeing them what I walk in the room, or when I'm cleaning, or when I'm actually playing them. And yes, I play them. I don't collect anything I don't use for it's intended purpose. Having them out makes it more convenient for me to grab one and hook it up. I don't have to go find it, drag it out of the closet with all the cables and controllers, and then hook it all up. That's just a pain in the ass. Besides, had you read my entire post you would have seen that I like having them out because out of sight is out of mind and I might not play them as much if they were put up. So my systems aren't just sitting out for the sake of being on display. I use them, and they don't just sit there collecting dust.

Now, I'm sorry that you can't make the effort to have yours out, but don't blame it on being married or having kids. Just say what it is. You don't have the room. You can't be bothered. Whatever. I for one don't have kids and I'm not married. If I did have kids and I were married, they would still be out. Then you use the term, monstrosity, what are you referring to? I wouldn't call any cosole I have a monstrosity. If that's how you feel, perhaps you need to take up emulating? Thanks for the idiotic question, but it begs the question why you're even posting here.

[Mangar]

Not familiar with the concept of a conversation piece, are you?

Bingo. Not all of mine are hooked up, however a good portion are. Amusing story, I actually once got laid due to my old consoles.

What happened was a group of us were going out on a weekend near St. Pattys day, and since i live near all the bars (One block from the beach also) everyone sort of gathered up at my apartment. While there, one woman who was a friend of a friend happened to see all the consoles and pointed at a Colecovision said "OMG - I remember playing that as a kid, does it still work? Do you have Smurfs?" which of course I do. She begged to play it, everyone wanted to leave, and I said to her and some other interested parties that we could come back here later and play some games. Long story short: She came back, we DID play Smurfs, and she spent the evening. May have been the only time in history that Nerdery facilitated sex as opposed to preventing it. :)

[needler420]

Bingo. Not all of mine are hooked up, however a good portion are. Amusing story, I actually once got laid due to my old consoles.

What happened was a group of us were going out on a weekend near St. Pattys day, and since i live near all the bars (One block from the beach also) everyone sort of gathered up at my apartment. While there, one woman who was a friend of a friend happened to see all the consoles and pointed at a Colecovision said "OMG - I remember playing that as a kid, does it still work? Do you have Smurfs?" which of course I do. She begged to play it, everyone wanted to leave, and I said to her and some other interested parties that we could come back here later and play some games. Long story short: She came back, we DID play Smurfs, and she spent the evening. May have been the only time in history that Nerdery facilitated sex as opposed to preventing it. :)



I get laid a lot because I'm a cool wise ass not because I have a colecovision and smurfs.

[JSoup]

I get laid a lot because I'm a cool wise ass not because I have a colecovision and smurfs.

You really do go out of your way to enforce the "I'm just here to troll" image, don't you?