Coolest purchases/items in gaming collecting

[Anapan]

Power Glove - It's so bad.
Virtualboy - bonus if it's strapped to your face.
Konami Hyperboy - pimp your DMG.
Steel Battalion Controller - If you have this, you win. (oh, breaks rule 1 - still...)
Check out crux's collection of novelty controllers. (pics gone? )

I don't own the Powerglove anymore and I never owned a VB or a SB control center but I wish I did - Even just to try them out at least once. The Power Glove is definitely either a conversation piece or a fashion accessory unless you mod it for USB. I'm using the Konami Hyperboy to play through FFL2 right now. I'm the only one I know who thinks it's cool.
Mostly I'm actually trying to make my entertainment center have the best quality graphics and sound. A conversation is one thing, but a sit down to enjoy some good games is the goal. If I can get one of my friends or relatives to play something other than my PS3 or Xbox 360 with me I'm even happier than usual.
This just arrived in the mail today and I got some positive comments.

[Gunstar Green]

Dsh let me try out his Steel Battalion controller and I can safely say it's one of the coolest video game peripherals that exists. Flicking those metal switches is soooo satisfying.

[Tanooki]

If you're looking for unique fun stuff that shows off well, step away from just cartridges. A good example of stuff are some items I have below here.

Tabletop arcade games of the early 80s.


Or you could make a NES cart clock ($6 in parts from Michaels for the clock motor I made a few years back.)


You could end up with the Sharp NES TV, fairly rare, best 'classic' output for the old games.


Or you could find some hanging or shelf/standing style advertising piece.



Things like this stand out and they're both fun to see and where applies, use. My work at home office/personal room has some gaming in it sure, but also spread around is a nice healthy pile of vintage/antique toys too on some shelves.

[Gunstar Green]

Or you could make a NES cart clock ($6 in parts from Michaels for the clock motor I made a few years back.)

Hey, that's a neat idea. I wish I would've kept my busted Super C cart.

[fastbilly1]

At my house the three gaming things people care the most about are:
1. Arcade Cabinets
2. Vectrex
3. Console boxes

I have most of the NES console boxes and a couple of them are on display and people ALWAYS ask about them. Especially the ROB one.

[cha cha]

Common conversations starters in my game cave:

Japanese arcade cabs
MVS carts/arcade boards laying around
VG character figurines/statues
Tall glass display case with a bunch of rare/valuable collectors edition and CIB copies of games I like etc etc. (my 1st shelf has every tekken game ever made, it's quite crowded)

and to be honest, the most people remark about me having all 3 Zelda CD-i games on display and are miffed at how much they are worth now.

...That's if I let people in my game cave to begin with. After being robbed, you lose a lot of trust in new people and become more careful about who you tell about certain things. /tmi

[fastbilly1]

...That's if I let people in my game cave to begin with. After being robbed, you lose a lot of trust in new people and become more careful about who you tell about certain things. /tmi

Aint that the truth.

[DonSilvestre]

If I want people to think my collection is cool, the most helpful thing I do is bust out the weirdest games I can find, or teach them to play a game that is simple and addictive.

So basically I bring out Katamari, my Virtual Boy, my Power Glove and Dr. Mario

In terms of immediate "cool factor," the minimalist mario posters below and my new sexy upright chess board have helped take my man cave from high school to grad school:

[mjmjr25]

@Don - Dig the art and chessboard - both tastefully done; neat stuff.

@chacha - you need more guns and less cabs.

@That R2D2 - thing is revolting; to me. Each his own.

[cha cha]

funny you should mention that mike, I got on that almost immediately after it happened. But still, after being robbed happens, no amount of insurance or weapons to defend your home with will ever make you feel safe against B&Es when you are away from home or at work. I do take many precautions now though... many

That vertical chessboard is awesome! Dunno how I feel about Luigi being the queen LOL, but you gotta work with what you have access to! Good job if you made that yourself. Donsilvestre!