Game Controllers and Accessories
Game Boy Carts Storage Guide - viewtopic.php?f=52&p=605190#p605190
An issue for game collectors is storage of various controllers and accessories. The controller cords are especially bothersome due to tangles. The cord can be wrapped around a controller, but it might put a strain where the cable goes into the controller. Wrapping a separate loop with a twist or zip tie is cleaner but not useful for gaming sessions.
- Gamecube Wavebird DOL004 - PS2 Game Elements GPS2RCP.jpg (90.98 KiB) Viewed 18263 times
The ideal controller to avoid cable tangles would be wireless with standard easy to replace batteries such as a Gamecube Wavebird. Wireless have a disadvantage of the additional cost for batteries or waiting for a recharge. Another option is a controller with a retractable wired cord such as one made by Game Elements GPS2RCP, an uncommon feature for game controllers. The retractable cord used to also be a standard feature in vacuum cleaners, now one has to wrap the power cord around two hooks, but I'm getting side tracked again.
Have care when storing controllers with anything of malleable plastic. Though a rare chemical reaction, it can happen.
This makes sense. I had some controllers such as the Game Elements pictured at the very top that would get a sticky coating buildup just sitting on the shelf which I suspected was from the controller plastic reaction itself. After a very difficult cleaning with Alcohol, LiftOff and even Ajax, I finally managed to scrub the controller shell free of the gunk. The stickiness has not returned, maybe the same effect described in Wiki; the new car smell of the plastic reaction settling down.RevEng wrote:My guess here is the extension cord had some out-gassing of softeners (used to keep the cord pliable) that reacted with the case, instead of the plastics themselves actually reacting together.Uzumaki wrote: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/21 ... -psx-case/
While I was digging out my PSX stuff to play games, I found the controller extension (some 3rd party brand) had fused into the case for Final Fantasy IX game. I was able to separate it and the cord looked OK but the plastic around the melted indention on the case feels very soft, almost rubbery. The indention goes almost completely through the case.
Was it due to weird chemical reaction from 2 different plastics or something? The case and the cord both looks clean otherwise and no funny smell. I don't store chemical in my room where the game stuff were stored, the strongest stuff is probably a glue stick or rubbing alcohol.
Wiki Outgassing - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outgassing
Controller Storage Still Plugged In Console
What of controllers left plugged in each console ready for the next gaming session? For each console, I first unplug the controller. Next I start from the controller base and get all the snake windings out all the way back to the plug. I then plug the completely uncoiled cable into the console. Finally, I leave the controller plugged in and wind the cable loosely around the controller. The cable will want to twist in "garden hose" coils, but will be straight when I fully unwind the cable for the next session. For the primary console that I will play later on the day, I simply lay the unwrapped cable coils and controller on top of the console.
I don't know why some play a game with a tangled twisted cable, they are only damaging the cable by putting a permanent "memory tangle" in the cable. I hinted before on how the N64 is my only console where the controller cables do not retain "memory" and remain tangle free. Something about the wire and insulation allowing an almost loose string affect with no issues of getting tangled. I swear if the N64 controller cables could be bought in bulk with different strand totals inside, I would mod all my controllers.
elabit wrote:I coil my cords by hand then use velcro ties then slip them over the controller. I do the same thing for unused power and av cords. It keeps things nice and tidy and doesn't stress top part or twist the wire wrong.
Dance Pad
The biggest controller though flat, still takes up a lot of room. If the flexible pad is folded to store, the creases might break the flex circuit inside. The best way is to lay flat and store under the couch or bed.
Arcade Stick, Flight Controllers and Driving Controllers
All very large and bulky, there really is not an easy way. One option is to place a Metal "Basket" Shelf sized to fit above the game console. This works if there is a room on top as in game consoles that sit on an end or coffee table. A different and unique bracket is two metal plates with a single steel rod in the middle.
Two steel plates hold an Arcade controller above a PS1 game console. A smaller Metal "Basket" Shelf holds a PlugnPlay Atari Flashback between the two. Note that there is air space between all the components, only the controller or console selected has to be pulled or slid out to operate.
- Zaxxon Arcade Controller Steel Plates and Rod Top - Atari Flashback Wire Shelf Middle - PS1 Bottom.jpg (152.58 KiB) Viewed 18263 times
The steel plate is a good space saving option that can easily be adjusted sideways to accommodate different sized consoles and Arcade Sticks. The steel plates can be welded up to a single sized matched steel rod. Note the bottom steel plate is smaller so that the console below can still sit flat. As an alternative to welding, a size matched threaded rod can be used. Include thick rubber feet to prevent marring from the mounting nuts of the threaded rod. Just a single rod per side helps in lighting and allows room for better access to the console underneath.
Wired Game Controllers Storage
These include regular controllers, gamepads, lightguns, cables, controller adapters and memory cards. So many that get tangled up with each other.
Storage Tubs
A storage tub is a low cost way to contain a large amount of controllers. Since there are not separate compartments and the tubs tend to be deep, controllers can stll get tangled. Still, it is a better solution versus controllers piled on a shelf or stuffed in a large drawer.
fastbilly1 wrote:I second this. I have a bunch that are sloped, and I wish I had thought about that. Also buy some that are opaque.Hobie-wan wrote:Try to find some with sides that aren't too sloped and bottom corners that aren't too broadly rounded. It's annoying to have neatly packed things flopping back and forth because the top is wider and if you're putting boxed stuff in there, rounded bottom corners keep the boxes from sitting flat and you might ding up a box corner with heavy stuff put on top or if you forget and are trying to get 'just one more thing' in.
Door and Bed Shoe Organizer
A multiple shoe pouch that hangs on the door keeps each controller separate which eliminates the cable tangle. Not an ideal storage for the living room, but great for a gaming room.
rbl.134 wrote:Controllers <Over The Door Shoe Pouches>
vash23n wrote:Definitely love it since controller clutter is something I hate! I need to keep things tidy.
Under the bed shoe storage pouches or roll out plastic tubs work great for the bedroom. Unlike regular storage bins, the shoe tubs are shallow which prevents piling controllers on top of each other.
http://www.squidoo.com/video-game-system-organizers
I came across this great way to organize your Game Controllers in an article written on eHow. It is a simple solution that is inexpensive and effective. All you do is purchase a Shoe Organizer and hang it on a wall close to your gaming system or even hanging out of sight on the inside of a closet or on a door. Some of the organizers will come with 20+ pockets - now that is a lot of storage. I really like this idea and I also use it myself for organizing stuffed animals in my daughter's room on the wall.
There are many choices too when it comes to the shoe organizers, but it seems the clear is a great option so you can see what is in each pocket.
shallowgamer wrote:Closet maid shoe shelves from Target. Organized chronologically (for the most part) so it's easy to find what I need.
Doll or Model Display Cases
I wanted something smaller in the order of four controllers per container. Just enough per console for a given genre of gaming session. The Doll cases bring in the right sizes, made out of clear hard plastic, these can store two to six controllers. This allows just enough controllers in a compartment and not too many to become a tangled mess. An issue of the bottom that will tend to drop out so it would have to attached somehow.
Folding Flexible Plastic Shoe Box
As in the Doll cases, an ideal size to store a few controllers and not an overwhelming tangled mess. Unlike the brittle plastic of the doll cases, the folding stackable shoe boxes have a flexible durable plastic. This is handy for squeezing in just one more odd shaped controller into a box.
Each box can be used to store a set of controllers for a specific game console. Boxes can also be designated to house just lightguns, cables or special adapters. I set aside a box that stores a specific brand of "RC Driving" controller for two different consoles.
Another very beneficial gain is the remote sensor for a given wireless controller is no longer misplaced, both are kept in the same compact box. Raise your hands, how many have lost their Gamecube Wavebird Receiver or DVD Remote Sensor buried unknowingly in the bottom of a drawer.
The advantage of the plastic shoe box sized storage is if a specific genre of controller is desired, only that box is pulled from the shelf. The boxes are also compact enough to be placed in various locations, depending on needs. If the higher used boxes are stored under the coffee table, they are at arm's reach, I do not even have to leave the couch.
Right Click the pic below for a larger view
Can you identify all the different controllers?
- Controller Storage Plastic Shoe Box.jpg (252.76 KiB) Viewed 18263 times
Video Game Organization - https://www.pinterest.com/explore/video-game-organization/
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