Slashdot Mirror
Converting a Garage into an Arcade?
The ever curious AtariDatacenter asks: "I'm finally going to get my wish, and upgrade my two car garage to an 80's style arcade room. I've found some good ideas in the RGVAC newsgroup. But for those who aren't hardcore into collecting, what are major aspects of an arcade gameroom that you'd put into your own home? Would this make a home more or less marketable?"
Well, you probably wanna make this a just a cool 'hang-out' place. So, I'd throw a couch and some lazyboys in there. Probably, wanna throw a mini fridge in there with your favorite drinks, too. While you at it might wanna put a big screen in there, and hookup a XBox, DC, Gamecube, PS2, etc. too it.
Thats what *I'd* put in mine. But you seem to want to have a 80s theme also. In this aspect, I'd get a couple of pinball machines, and a couple of your vintage arcade standups (i.e. classics like Pac-man and your personal favorties, mine all time fav being D&D: Tower of Doom). Then, you should look into making a standup MAME box (similar to one Taco has).
Of course, thats what I'd put in my game room. Its all dependent on how much space and money you have really. Good luck and have fun!
How did you manage that, divorce, third DUI? Inquiring minds want to know :-)
I would get pinball tables, a CD juke box, and then I'd set up a couple of mame cabinets, with switchable controllers.
It would definetely make the home less marketable, unless you find a sad geek with a _VERY_ understanding missus.
MP3 Jukebox all the way man!
Mame cabinet with Nintendo/atari games.
perhaps use one of those RGB projectors for the Mame cabinet. Mario would be as tall as you! That'd be cool.
If you're going for complete realism, you need to have at least 15% of your cabinets broken at any time, a surly manager and a handful of early teens that hog the cool games, and can kick your ass in all of them.
On a more functional note- spend some time on lighting- you want to use diffuse, indirect light that won't cast a glare. Most arcades I remember were painted some very dark color inside, and kept pretty dim. Put some padding and carpet down on the floor, a smooth concrete floor (typical of garages) can be really ugly acoustically, especially if you just want to hear the game you're playing. Also, it can be really painful if you are planning on spending a lot of time in front of that game going for the new world record. Acoustic tile on the ceiling would also be good. For the sake of your neighbors, consider some decent soundproofing in the walls.
Lots of machines, both video and pin. If you're planning on throwing parties you don't want your friends waiting in line. Get some competitive machines, too. It's a blast playing Crusin' USA/World/Exotica on a four-seat linked system when you don't have to worry about feeding it your life's savings in quarters.
Where do you live? If it's a cooler climate, is the garage insulated and heated for the winter? If it's a warmer climate, is the garage cooled in the summer? In any case, a few ceiling fans would go a long way.
As for resale value... This will definitely decrease it. Think -- You'll probably want to take the games with you when you move. Even if you don't, there really aren't that many people out there who want a full-blown arcade in their garage. Even as a geek and gamer, I'd rather have a place to keep my car than a garage full of games. Plan on converting the arcade back to a usable garage before you sell.
Chelloveck
I give up on debugging. From now on, SIGSEGV is a feature.
Just to lead you in the right direction, I'm buying a home that has a garage that has already been converted into an 18'x18' living space. (They have an attached carport which I am tempted to turn THAT into a garage!) There's only so much you can put into a slashdot question, you know. ;)
I like what I read to far. Any more good tips on how to get the right atmosphere?
If you do decide to put in a pool table, make sure that you put some thought into lighting. Pool tables need good light, but you don't want to get glare on the glass of your games nor do you want to interfere with the dark and dank look of the room.
In terms of getting the dark and dank look, I'd go for a very dark green flat paint. Dark green is going to be more appealing to the "normals" than black will, but under dim light should look just about the same.
I don't want free as in beer. I just want free beer.
convert to run on quarters? why? why not jsut add a "credit" button so you dont have to make change for all your friends/kids...
Also, a link with pictures would be great when youre finished!
.sig wanted: Must be concise, funny, and display my cleverness.
As someone who has 13 video games and 2 pinball machines, put in LOTS of power and on different circuits. Also GOOD ventilation, A/C, and kill the lighting....much better to play in the dark.
I'll tell ya, it's great fun to have a bunch of people over and playing. The sound of the arcade on full brings you back in time 20 years
I wish I had room for more pinball machines. I wish my wife would let me get rid of the dining room table to put an air hockey table in. I wish I had room for a pool table.
Most of all, I wish it was 5 years ago when RGVAC was the only place to get machines, and the prices were far better (til eBay came along)
Good luck in your endeavor! It's LOADS of fun!