Gaming Storage/Game Room

**magnifiedplaid** · 05 Feb 2012, 12:37 AM

Before I start this thread, I just want to say that I ran a search for this topic on the boards, and I came across a rather large thread about this, which seemed to quickly devolve into an argument about why having a game collection is considered hoarding, and how people should just give their games away. So, since I didn't feel like reading through 15+ pages of that shit, I decided to start a new thread....here it goes:

Basically, after I was hit with my chronic vertigo, I had to stop playing newer systems/3-D games completely. I recently started playing my older systems, and buying 16 bit systems that I never owned, because they don't seem to bother my vertigo as much. So, I've spent the last few months digging my 8 and 16 bit systems out of storage, as well as purchasing a Genesis and Turbo-Grafx 16.

Naturally, this has left me with an overwhelming cluster fuck of different sized AC adapters, controllers, game cases....etc.

Meanwhile, at the moment, I only have one entertainment center, with room to hook up my Blu-Ray player, Cable box/DVR, and one gaming system. In fact, even if I had room to put more than one system in the entertainment center, I really prefer to have only one system hooked up at a time, to avoid a mess of wires behind my T.V.

I also recently bought a 4 bedroom house, and I have two bedrooms that aren't being used for anything at the moment. One of them is a "guest room" for guests that I never have, so I've been kicking around the idea of just turning it into a "retro gaming room." So, with a whole room free to store these systems/controllers/games, what would be the best way to go about organizing everything? How do you guys go about storing your collections...especially the accessories? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Storing these controllers, systems, and their accompanying wires seems to be my biggest conundrum, so ideally I would like to figure out a better organization than just throwing them all in boxes and letting them become a tangled mess.

P.S. - I'm one of those people who enjoys collecting various items, whether it be baseball cards, CDs/vinyl, video games, or movies. Even if I'm not actively playing the games or watching the movies, I enjoy looking at the artwork and instruction manuals. This is one of the reasons why I can never go digital on anything, and why I can't just give my stuff away (hell, I still have a box full of my G.I. Joes in my garage for Gods sake). So, please respect my decision to collect games, even if you don't share the same opinion, and try your best to offer some constructive feedback in this thread. Thank You.

**Josh** · 05 Feb 2012, 12:44 AM

Adjustable shelves, man.

**Yoshi** · 05 Feb 2012, 09:08 AM

You've already identified what I consider the biggest problem: accessories. An entertainment center works for almost any number of consoles, and, as Josh said, adjustable shelves work great for all the games. It's the odd shaped accessories that suck.

The lowest cost but highly functional solution is to get some of those plastic storage things with slide out drawers. You can label each drawer by console and put controllers, extensions, and other crap in there. If you have a closet in the room, you can shove these plastic things in there without making the room look like a dorm.

Another option, which is what I have right now in my closet, is to get those metal hash shelves that have the little plastic connectors. I built a structure that is three wide and four high out of those to store all kinds of crap. If you go this route, buy some zip ties to reinforce it if you're going to put anything remotely heavy on it.

For the record, I have that same collector gene, but it is possible to convert it to digital eventually. But that's immaterial to this discussion, since a lot of 8/16-bit games aren't available digitally and, in the case of licensed ones, likely never will be.

edit: I'm adding links in case my descriptions aren't clear.

**GohanX** · 05 Feb 2012, 10:45 AM

Yoshi has some good suggestions, I use a plastic drawer for a lot of my miscellaneous cables as well. For normal sized controllers, I use some velcro cable ties from Monoprice to wrap the cables neatly and I stick them into a storage ottoman. That way, all the controllers are within easy reach, and I can set whatever system I'm playing on top.

I'm still working on how to store all the games. I recently put all my DVD based games into these sorted by system but I'm looking for a solid rack or something to put them on for permanent storage. I'm also working on putting all my cartridge based games into universal game cases for storage, but that's a huge project. I've got most of SNES and 32x done, but that's about it.

**Josh** · 05 Feb 2012, 11:09 AM

Oh. I have this little footrest that hides all my controllers and rock band mics and shit. I think it was $15. Chux has a larger more luxurious one that you should ask him about.

Anyone have a reasonable Steel Battalion storage solution?

**magnifiedplaid** · 05 Feb 2012, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Yoshi

The lowest cost but highly functional solution is to get some of those plastic storage things with slide out drawers. You can label each drawer by console and put controllers, extensions, and other crap in there. If you have a closet in the room, you can shove these plastic things in there without making the room look like a dorm.

Thanks for the suggestions Yoshi. I do have a closet in the extra room, so I think I might start with these plastic storage drawers for the controllers and miscellaneous crap.

And you hit it right on the head Yoshi, a lot of the licensed games are never going to make it onto VC or Xbox Live Arcade, and the ironic thing is that licensed games actually used to be great in the 8 bit and 16 bit eras. A lot of the games I'm getting like Duck Tales, Chip and Dales Rescue Rangers, Goof Troop, Darkwing Duck....all of these will never see the light of day

And thanks for the idea of the Velcro Cable Ties Gohan. Another problem I was having, was just throwing these controllers/wires into boxes...and then all the cables would get jumbled up. These will help keep things more organized!

But yeah, keep the ideas coming guys. If you know of any good sized/nicely priced adjustable shelves, let me know.

**Bacon McShig** · 05 Feb 2012, 02:01 PM

I'd suggest just getting a nice big dresser to store all those pheripherals and bits & bobs in, if you've got some excess space. They hold a ton and look classy, you wouldn't have to banish it away to the closet like the chintzy stuff Yoshi suggested.

Gives you a nice big shelf to display some things on top of, too.