Retro Game Room
Here is my retro gaming arena. The TV is a 27" Sony Trinitron with component inputs. Got lucky and found this at a Goodwill before they stopped accepting CRT TV donations in my town.
A closer up image of the necessities. NES is far and way my favorite. I grew up with Contra and Mario! My wife bought this buffet table, removed the back and front doors, and painted it to make a nice TV stand for my old consoles. The two shallow drawers up top hold (originally for silverware) work great at holding controllers.
The retro collection! Here is N64, SNES, Gamecube, and some Genesis. My favorites are Conker's Bad Fur Day and Gradius 3 on SNES. I also have the Everdrive Flash Carts for Genesis and Super Nintendo--best purchase of all. I don't really want to spend over $40 for games, so these allow me to play the greats like MUSHA and Earthbound in *nearly* the most authentic way.
The bottom half of my retro game shelf. Here is Playstation, NES, and Xbox. Crash Bandicoot, Tekken 3, and the greatest game of all--Contra are my favorite on this portion. The NES have the most playtime of all my consoles. Also, there is my lone Turbografx game, Cadash. This and Sega Master System are the two final consoles I'd love to add to my collection.
PS2 and handheld games here. I own all of the HD collections on PS3, so my PS2 collection is a bit smaller than most. Hopefully I'll be able to print out covers for the GBA games soon.
My battlestation is right next to my retro setup. A great PC with a nice 32" monitor. My arcade is in this room too.
Individual Retro Games
Nintendo Entertainment System
I'm really happy with my NES collection. So far, I really would like to add Mega Man 2 and Double Dragon. Snagging a NES flash cart is another must for me so that I can play Little Samson and several of the $60 or higher titles that are worth playing. I found a great deal on Gun-Nac in the $5 bin of my local retro game store.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
I'm not sure if I'll ever have Wild Guns, Metal Warriors, and Earthbound, but I do have a flash cart! Actraiser and UN Squadron will hopefully be ny next 2 SNES additions.
Nintendo 64
I enjoy the fewer quantity of titles for the N64. It really exemplifies the quality of the Nintendo and Rare games. F-zero and Paper Mario to add here.
Sega Genesis
I didn't play my first Genesis game until about a year ago. I'm loving how there can be so many unique differences between Sega and Nintendo's 16-bit systems. This collection is very small and I need several more games. So far, the Everdrive will have to suffice.
Sony Playstation
I may have grown up on the NES, but it was the Playstation where I began to take an interest in upcoming releases and sequels. I'm happy with what I have here. Tomba has always been a favorite that seems to allude my grasp.
Nintendo Gamecube
Gamecube is a blast to collect. Like the N64, the Nintendo created titles really stand out against the pack. I'm pretty much done here. However, a Skies of Arcadia and Fire Emblem (wishful thinking) would nicely round of my collection.
Xbox
Xbox is pretty much done! I love that the original Xbox became the spiritual successor to many of SEGA's games. Between Gamecube ports and Xbox sequels, I don't think I will add a Dreamcast any time soon.
Playstation 2
PS2 was the first console I purchased on day one. Back when Circuit City was in business, I waited in line on the Sunday it was released. With all of the HD remakes, I've regained most of my PS2 collection on the PS3. Now, my PS2 is mainly for hunting hidden gems.
Gameboy/Color and Advance
The Gameboy Advance is a modern Super Nintendo and I love it. It feels like a SNES with proper save mechanics. I'll get proper covers for these cases soon. I'd liek to add Buu's Fury and Astro Boy, but these older handhelds are pretty much complete.
Nintendo DS
I originally wrote off the DS while is was in its height of popularity. It wasn't until the 3DS release that I really began playing DS games. I as thrown by the dual screen at first, but I'm slowly enjoying it more and more. I need several more DS games. They are getting a bit harder to find complete with the box.
Handheld Systems
The XL Nintendo systems got me back into handheld gaming. I'm loving the 3DS, and the Vita is a nice little portable indie machine. I replaced the metallic pink shell of my AGS-101 GBA with the orange on you see here.
Current Game Room
My current game room. All my HD consoles and Wii are here. I play on a 46" TV with a nice little sound bar. Not too expensive, the sound bar adds quite a bit to the experience. A must have if you are unable to add in a full surround system.
A closer shot of the modern setup. Nintendo is great with keeping their consoles cool, so I'm able to keep the Wiis in the cabinet. My PS3 runs a little hot and is hidden behind the TV on top of the entertainment center. Lately, the Wii U has been my go to system.
Baskets. Never underestimate the power of open baskets as controller storage. They offer easy enough access to always be able to put away controllers when finished with the plus of keeping everything nice and neat.
The current games! This shelf holds Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Wii, Wii U, and my handhelds.
Individual Modern Games
Xbox 360
My largest collection by a long shot. Again, this one is pretty much complete. My last few wanted games are Japanese imports of SHMUPS like DeathSmiles, Raiden, and Otomedius Excellent. Luckily, all of these are fairly inexpensive now, so I should have 360 completed shortly.
Playstation 3
Due to the silliness of console exclusives beginning in this era, I had to find a better reason to justify owning both consoles (360 and PS3). I buy the more Eastern/Japanese inspired games, platformers, and long running franchises on the PS3. Generally, shooters will be played on 360. Of course, all the HD collections are amazing (even the more hated ones like Silent Hill and Dragon Ball Z). PS3 has much more later cycle releases like Dark Souls 2, FFX HD, Tales HD, Kingdom Hearts 2, etc. that I need to still purchase. In total, about 8 or 9 more titles to own. I am slowly gathering these as they hit the <$20 price point. For whatever reason, it seems I have been more picky with my PS3 additions, and because of that, I value my PS3 collection a bit more than my 360 one.
Playstation 4 and Xbox One
As all of you know, we can't own 500+ games if they are $60 a piece. This collection will grow, even if now it is slow. The platform breakdown switched form last generation. Now, the PS4 will be my go to console with select titles being purchased for Xbox One. So far, I'm happy with both consoles. We just need a few more new releases!
Nintendo Wii
Like the DS, I somewhat wrote off the Wii during its prime. Boy was I wrong! I love how motion controls work in Mario Galaxy and the fun rails games like House of the Dead and Sins & Punishment. While there are fewer "must own" titles, the hidden gems are amazing. I feel that I have every Wii game I desire now. Maybe I'll snag some bargain bin titles down the line, but I'm mostly happy with what I have.
Nintendo Wii U
My most played current generation console. I see quite a few similarities with how the 3DS launched to how the Wii U is currently doing. I'm guessing the Wii U will be just fine. Lately, I've been trying to force myself to use the gamepad as my main controller. It's really opening up to me as a resourceful 2nd screen. I've managed to keep up with ever must have (in my opinion) title thus far released.
Nintendo 3DS and Playstation Vita
I didn't get into the Vita and 3DS until their 2nd iterations. XL is the way to go, and the rounded edges of the Vita 2000 are much more comfortable to play. I don't do as much handheld gaming lately, but these two are such great consoles, I want to play more. I'd like to get Persona 4 for Vita and Kirby for 3DS. What is the consensus on Kid Icarus?
Ready Player One Arcade
This is my pride and joy. Entirely made from scratch, this is a 2-players bartop arcade inspired by Ernest Cline's Ready Player One. It runs Hyperspin front end with and excellent selection of MAME arcade games and numerous pinball games (notice the flipper and nudge buttons on the side). It also has all the major retro systems. I tend to play my favorite shmups like Truxton and Gradius emulated on here instead of their home consoles.
I hope you enjoyed my collection!
