Gump's Retro Gaming Corner
#1
Posted 30 September 2015 - 07:35 AM
It was around that time that me and my brothers got a PlayStation, the original. With my dad, we ventured onto eBay and came across a PlayStation with a device on the back (plug 'n play actually) that allowed copied games to be played. I mentioned we had PCs, and that included being one of the first people to actually copy games onto CD-ROMs. Croc was one of those PC games I loaned from the library and copied onto a CD-ROM to play it longer than the 2 week loan term (don't worry, I now have a genuine copy for the PlayStation). Back to the PlayStation... We checked our bid on eBay every couple of hours and we remained top bidder until someone outbid us right before the deadline, which was during the night. The day after, my dad called the guy and arranged a deal so we could still pick up the PlayStation, including the copied games device and a couple of games (including both genuine and copied games). I remember this day being so awesome, I finally had my first video game console (I just realized I totally forgot about handheld systems, we did have Gameboys). My favorites back then were Driver and Driver 2.
Years later, during the last years of the Nintendo 64 (in retail, that is), I had to get a blood sample taken and I really disliked needles (I still do). Afterwards, my mom and I went to the toy store (whereas other people would get an ice cream, I convinced my mom to go to the toy store). I promised to chip in and I got... the Nintendo 64 that included Super Mario 64. Oh... my... god... that game that I always wanted to play (but never really could) was now mine. I seem to have a memory of the toy store clerk to try to convince me to get Ocarina of Time too, but I was so focused on Super Mario 64 that I did not care about Ocarina of Time. And another memory is that my mom decided to get it nevertheless, without me knowing. I'm not sure if that's really the case, but I'd like to remember it like that.
This opened the floodgates and now we have so many video game consoles. I remember picking up the NES and the SNES (at different moments) together with one of my brothers. The GameCube was something we got from a store, the limited edition including Mario Kart Double Dash (oh how many times I played that... I owned everyone I played against) AND a special Zelda Collector's Edition including older Zelda games (the NES games and the N64 games - my first encounter with Majora's Mask). I played the shit out of this console and I still love it and its wonderful controller. The Wii was something everyone got at one point, because well... everyone got it. I don't have many memories of it, however. I did play half of Twilight Princess, though (don't worry, I have bought and finished the GameCube version).
Then there's other consoles. There's the PS2, which cost 1100 guilders when it came out. We did get it, but waaaay after it came out and I believe it was second-hand, too. It's not as special to me as the older Nintendo consoles are, but there's been many awesome games released for it. In line with the modded PlayStation 1, at one point we got a modded Xbox (original, not 360). This one could play copied games, too. I most fondly remember Shenmue 2. I also got a second-hand Sega Megadrive a couple of years ago. Just to play Sonic, mainly.
At home we do have the Xbox 360 (I believe we have three...) and the PS3 (although a brother took it with him when he moved out) and an Xbox One. No PS4, though. At this time I'm not really interested in those game consoles, as I want to focus on the older ones, first. However, we do have a Wii U upstairs. I play the occasional Mario Kart 8, but I won't really play on it until the new Zelda comes out (damn, I still never played Skyward Sword...).
For the older consoles, I wanted to build a retro gaming corner with all video game consoles hooked up to one big CRT television. And so I did. I have hooked up: NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Sega Megadrive, Xbox, PS1 and PS2. Eight of nine consoles have a dedicated electricity switch (individual triggers per console) and a dedicated AV switch (three RCA connectors per console of which one is routed to the Philips 28PW8651/12 television). It's really awesome to have a setup like this.
Let me show you some pictures...
Here's the retro gaming corner. One side is specifically for the game storage and the other side is the comfy two-seater with the television and all game consoles.
Here's the game collection. From left to right, top to bottom, it starts with a few Sega Megadrive games, a couple more NES and SNES games, a bit more N64 games, a couple of GameCube games, a few Wii games (some where missing in the picture), just a few Xbox games (including copies), maaany PS1 games (again, including copies), a couple of PS2 games (I picked up Kingdom Hearts recently, can't wait to start with that) and lastly a whole bunch of GameBoy (Color/Advance) and (3)DS games. I boxed all GameBoy games in DS boxes for the looks (and because everyone threw the cardboard box away). I want to do the same with NES/SNES/N64, I want Universal Game Cases for those.
Here's the side where I'm sitting as we speak. I ordered a few cables from China, because this setup required a specific set of cables. Once they arrive, I'll be able to play all systems. Right now I have the SNES, N64 and GameCube working.
So this is what I'm looking at right now. You can see all the systems in and on the TV cabinet and the abundance of switches (really neat though) on the floor. Well, time to continue with Dragon Warrior II for the GameBoy Color.
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#2
Posted 30 September 2015 - 08:53 AM
#3
Posted 30 September 2015 - 05:46 PM
In 2013, I finally got Super mario galaxy 2, I was hooked automatically. I completed the game, but never got to getting the green stars. In 2014, I just stopped playing entirely, and just quit playing the wii. We still have it, but we can't find the remotes. Sorry if this is not "Retro" It just feels nostalgic to me. More to come later. -Spaghetti
Oh, and by the way, Holy crap! Gump is a freaking hoarder! He collects everything Childhood related...
Bonus link:
Somebody use it for a winter coaster...
#4
Posted 03 November 2015 - 10:46 AM
I'm quite excited to start with the Final Fantasy series. For some reason I feel the need to play them in order. I decided not to go and try to play the original NES game(s), as they are too archaic, hard to find in Europe (no PAL releases) and therefore expensive.
I had seen Final Fantasy I and II for the PSP, but often they were part of the PSP Essentials re-releases and I think their covers look worse than these originals. Now someone was selling them, so I had to get these. However, I didn't have a PSP until today. I was hoping to find a cheap second-hand PSP console, but the same seller also had a brand-new PSP-3000 from Japan, boxed and everything. It was quite expensive compared to a simple second-hand one, so I had to think hard. It so happened that he also had VII and VIII for the PS1 available, for a very decent price. I just had to get them too. Then it happened: right after paying him, he gave me a fairly large discount on that brand-new PSP...
But before I can start on this wonderful series, I have to finish Chrono Trigger, which might be the best game I have ever played.
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#5
Posted 25 December 2015 - 12:18 PM
image.jpeg 221.7KB 1 downloads
My uncle gave me a game gear for Christmas.
#6
Posted 30 December 2015 - 11:18 AM
Including a 100-pack of batteries?
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#7
Posted 19 February 2016 - 11:54 AM
I will be building a new gaming corner and it'll be big and suited for the future as well. Today I ordered the wood and once I have it, I'll show you.
In the meantime... check the QuickPics for a picture of my new LCD-LED television, which I will be using for my computer and HDMI-capable gaming consoles.
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