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Help for the Ultimate Multi-Console Gaming Setup?
punkrockgeekboy asks: "In our recreation room we have an NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, and a PS2. In the next few months I plan to replace the PS2 with a PS3, and also add a WII, and an Xbox360. Most of my consoles just gather dust because it's too much of a hassle to hook them up when I just want a quick Mario fix. How do people manage all of these console? In a perfect world there would be some nice, attractive rack system with 10 shelves that has clean wire management, and some sort of a built-in console switcher, so I can just power one on, hit the 'shelf 2' button, turn on my tv & surround sound, and start mashing buttons. Does anything like this exist?"
It's not 100% exactly what you're looking for (I don't think, I didn't actually read the article) but it's pretty close. Ultimate DIY Gamer's Cabinet.
I saw one at some pay as you game store (bogus!). You connect all your consoles up to one unit, sound cables and all. Find the number which corresponds with that console flip that switch and turn on your console and you're ready to game! Forgot what it was though, just thought I would tell it exists and it's out there (do I sound like X-Files yet?).
Eat sleep die
The Wii already replaces the Gamecube, and probably all of the other Nintendo systems you listed (via downloads).
Backwards compatibility, not monstrously large rackmounts for ten and twenty year old hardware. Seriously, we're just talking about running one computer's software on a different (but vastly faster) computer's hardware. That's not an intractable problem. There's no reason why playing old console games on a new console should have to be any harder than playing old computer games on new computers, and in fact it's kind of sad that often the best way to play old console games is *also* on new computers.
You only need three consoles, the three from the new generation: the Wii, the PS3, and the Xbox 360.
The Wii replaces your NES, SNES, 64, and GC (full backward compatible with GC, virtual console for the rest).
Now that you only have three you have to deal with the wires of, it will be easy to buy a switcher box (even auto-switcher if you like) at a radio shack or somewhere that can handle all three, along with your satellite or cable box.
do {print "Mini-Geek Rules!\n";}
until ($TheEndOfTheWorld);
If you don't want to buy all your old games again, a computer (think mini-ITX or Mac mini) with a set of emulators and ROMs is definitely the way to go. I haven't tried it myself, but Google for MythGame.
LOAD "SIG",8,1
I don't know if this is any help, I haven't as many consoles setup as you but I have a desk setup where I do work/gaming (rather than a living room TV setup) and use the following:
;)
- A Samsung 244T 24" TFT
- 4 port KVM into the DVI port of the above which I have my computers plugged into
- XBox 360 in the 15 pin analog VGA port (can play XBox games)
- Wii in the composite in (can play my old Gamecube games)
One of my machines on the KVM is on 24/7 and I put audio into the line in of this machine and have 5.1 surround on the machine so all consoles go into line in using some decent stereo audio splitters to get them all to go through the one line in port.
The Samsung 244T also has s-video in and the old yellow phono style connector in (can't remember what it's called) so theoretically I could send 2 more consoles in through that. Switching display is then just a simple case of pressing the source button on the monitor to switch video sources or using the menu to cycle through the video sources to choose a specific one.
This setup could be adapted to most screens I'd think, I don't think the Samsung 244T is particularly rare in having so many possible different inputs. Also, having a PC in the setup opens the option for emulators too so it's probably one of the more versatile options.
The key is simply about using lots of adapters and splitters as required, but this does require some planning however because for example the 360 needed to use the VGA cable as component in looked crap. Still, as I say, extension cables, component in and a display system with multiple input types is the key I think
Joytech (among others) make a few devices which will switch between various audio/video inputs. The manufacturer's page is at:
n t.htm
http://www.joytech.net/1/products/av/9/AV-Equipme
I use the European version of the AVCC2, and I like it!
As for a rack, all 3 of the new consoles will stand vertically, which may save you some space. The Wii will replace your GC, and the older Nintendos if you can stand to pay for them yet again.
If anyone remembers the Screen Savers on TechTv, I believe Yoshi's "Yoshibox" was exactly what you are looking for.
the Political Inquirer
Get a preamp or integrated amp with every connector from composite on up - for general stuff like this, Denon makes some kickass integrated amps on a good scale of power and connectivity - they have upconversion from composite and s-video to component and analog to digital hdmi, which is sweet for cutting out some monitor cables, and you can go as basic or fully frilled out along their product line, with various power steps (the AVR-887 has a good pile of connectors and is fine for video game systems). If there aren't enough connectors, get a break-out switcher box such as the Pelican System Selector Pro - everything from component on down to composite with digital audio inputs (there are a bunch of different, older versions that you can get for cheaper too).
As for actual physical layout, well, if you want it to look nice, you'll really just have to get a custom install, though you can get away with messy with a false wall, or just buy something that looks good, wire up really well in the back, and never move the systems.
I have an Xbox 360, Xbox, PS2, GCN, Dreamcast, Saturn, SNES and Genesis + Sega CD (tray loading) + 32x, and it's all set up very cleanly on a generic shelving unit in the corner, next to a smoked cabinet for all the actual audio/video components... but god help me if I ever move one of the systems.
Now I don't have nearly that many consoles hooked up, so my tv's inputs can mostly handle what I need without switching around cables, but I've seen a bunch of video switchers that can take care of the logistical end of what you need. Do a search on amazon for video switchers to get an idea. There's a lot of them out there, depending on what kind of connections you're using, it could go anywhere from $30 to $125 for a device that will switch between 5 or so devices to a tv at the press of a button. Considering that those older consoles certainly won't be using component or hdmi devices, you're probably only looking at the low or middle ends of that range. Anything that doesn't fit on there could use alternate inputs on your tv, since most tvs these days come with 3 or 4 input channels. If you're desperate for more than 8 or so ports I suppose you could daisy-chain input selecters.
The cable management you'd have to handle yourself, but once you know you won't be moving the cables for a while, it's fairly easy to neaten it up with some wireties or velcro.
Also, if you get the wii, you could keep it from causing more clutter in there by doing the same thing as your ps2/ps3 swap and eliminating the gamecube, as it will play all gamecube games natively using the gamecube controllers and memory cards.
that's just a cabinet... with game consoles in it... how could that be ultimate ?
When I think of Ultimate (with capital U) DIY Gamer's Cabinet, I think of neon-lights, plasma flow around the cabinet, totally useless smoke coming out from behind the cabinet in at least 4 different colors, actuators that move the cabinet around when you're playing a game - just for the fun of it ! - , smoke-glass that changes state electrically so while gaming, you can light up the console you're playing with (ofcourse with light in the cabinet to accentuate them).
But this ? This is just IKEA's idea of a gamer's cabinet (with the blue fans as only discerning feature) !
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As someone pointed out, the Wii completely replaces the GC, so take that out of the equation. Depending on what you play on the NES/N64/SNES, the virtual console may or may not be for you. Nintendo looks like they're going to have a slow and arduous release schedule with no real indication of when anything is coming out. Stupid if you ask me.
I guess some kind of receiver with lots of inputs would work well. I'm not sure how many you can get on one receiver, but most of them work on those RCA deals. As far as high def goes for those systems, well I have no knowledge. Use cable ties and get a nice cabinet.
I use a receiver. You can hook all yours game systems and speakers up to it.
Alternative option. They do make stand-alone RCA switches. The only one I could find past 5 or 6 ports was this: Pelican System Selector HD, which holds 10 devices.
"To be is to do." --Socrates
"To do is to be." -- Aristotle
"Do-Be-Do-Be-Do..." --Sinatra
In our family room we have an N64, a Gamecube, a PS2, an XBox, an XBox360 (it lags playing Ninja Gaiden Black which is why the original XBox is hooked up), a LiteOn DVD writer/player, an additional region-free DVD player, a HD cable box, and a DVD changer which is also the surround sound controller. The consoles and DVD player are hooked up to the surround sound via a Pelican System Selector, which has something like 8 sets of component inputs (yes, I have a component cable for my Cube even). This way I can play anything in the highest video quality and surround sound by just selecting which input the System Selector uses at any time. ... Actually the setup is a bit tricker than that at this point. So that nearly everything can be recorded onto DVD (including my playing Smash Bros. for instance) an additional system selector sends stuff to the DVD writer. It's all a bit scary and I'd have to look at it again to remember exactly how that is all set up. A guy came over to replace our cable box one time, intending to install it for us real quick and be on his merry way. He took a look at the collossal mass of cables in the back of our setup, and basically ran away. At least he left the cable box for us to hook up ourselves.
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The ps3 will be able to play all of your ps2 games eliminating the need for one. The Wii will play all Nintendo games before it, and the Xbox360 can play most Xbox games. You really only need those 3 systems...
That the Wii replaces the NES, SNES, N64, let's keep in mind that not all of the classics are currently available on the Virtual Console and there's a chance that there will be a good number of them that will never make it in the future. Don't throw your consoles away unless Nintendo puts every one of those old games that you would ever want to play on that service.
At least for all your retro gaming needs(NES, SNES, N64) you could just get a media PC plus emulators.
Replace your NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, Atari, Mame with a hacked XBox. It can run all of the mentioned systems pretty much flawlessly, and it's all-in-one.
I had a similar problem but my situation was audio/video devices, not game consoles. DVD player, Digital cable box, VCR, 200-CD changer, HTPC, and maybe a console or two in the future; all of these devices wanted to be plugged directly into my TV. Since these all varied in terms of their video connections (i.e. some are RCA-composite, some are SVideo, and some are Component), and, actually, they varied in terms of their audio connections as well (stereo RCA, 5-channel RCA, digital coax, digital optical) I skipped a basic RCA A/V switchbox and went with a full stereo receiver. It has several inputs on the back, so I can connect 3 component video sources, and something like 10 SVideo or RCA sources, along with the corresponding digital and analog audio inputs.
My system isn't real high-end; it was about $500 CDN for the receiver. If you have different devices you may need a better receiver, but the beauty of a nice setup like this one is that you get one remote control (programmable) that controls all your devices, and you hit a selector button on the remote and it switches audio and video all at once. Your TV becomes a simple monitor; everything else goes through the receiver.
I have a similar dilemma myself. I have a PS2, 360, and (hopefully soon) a Wii. Unfortunately, my HDTV only has so many component inputs.
I finally purchased a component switcher recently, the Audio Authority 1154A. It's powered, which keeps the quality very high, and even better, will automatically sense which console is on and send that signal to the TV. No more messing with extra remote controls or having to press a button on the unit to switch. It's very nice feature, especially since the next-gen systems should allow you to wireless turn on the console (well, I know the 360 does at least).
That said, I've heard some people may have problems with auto-sensing units in general. I'm not sure if it's a problem with their TV or the other units they plug into the siwtcher (certain DVD players, etc. I imagine). I do know, though, that the PS2 and 360 play along very well.
-- jchenx
No way will Nintendo put all of the games in my collection on the Virtual Console, and if they do, I'm still not paying $5 a pop to re-buy them. A subscription service would be nice, but a better option would be a USB add-on where I could plug in my NES, SNES, N64, GB, and GBA games. I'd pay $60 for that, but I doubt I'll spend that much on games I already own. Downloading enhanced remakes or new original games over the VC is a different story though.
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We have an NES, N64, Game Cube, Wii, Atari 7800, Genesis, VSmile and PSOne hooked up to one TV, plus the cable box, DVD and tape player. The TV has an RF input that the Atari and Genesis hook up to, and two RCA inputs. Each RCA input goes to a switch box, one 4-port auto-switching and one 6-port manually switched.
So I have at most two things to hit to select a console: the TV input selection if it's on a different input, and the switch box if the console is on the manual one.
On the Xbox you can use emulators. My brother has the SNES emulator on his Xbox, it works good. He also has a Nintendo 64 emulator, but it doesn't work so good as the SNES emulator.
All consoles sucks except Super Nintendo, its the best console ever!
Well for starters the SNES N64 and Gamecube all share a common A/V connector, so that should cut down on cables considerably. NES uses and Wii use a different connector, so you'll have to connect them to the switch box seperately. PS3 and XBox2 can both connect to the switch box directly (they don't share their A/V connectors with their direct predecessors)... that still leaves you with your TV in, assuming you're using S-Video and not component (which is only better when using greater than 480p). Video switches are less than $20 at gamestop. A few $$$ more if you want one with a remote.
moox. for a new generation.
Definitely not ultimate, but for my old consoles, I have a couple of these daisy chained together:= 15270&I=158SBV55A
g =15270
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g
Since I don't have a HDTV, I just have my Tivo, DVD, etc all going into them. Whichever I turn on gets auto-switched to, be it the Tivo receiver, dvd player, or gamecube. They due great for me as far as ease of use. I have an older TV and I've found that these do a better job of downgrading S-video to Composite then my DVD players' internal converter, so I feed S-Video to them where possible.
There might be options with more inputs and component support there as well:
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?
I have the following systems:
These are in a rack next to the 32" Olevia I use for my PC's monitor:
Atari 2600
Odyssey 2
NES
SNES
N64
Genesis/32X/Sega CD
Saturn
Dreamcast
3DO
PS1
PS2
XBOX
In addition, I have the Wii hooked up to the main 57" in the living room. I also have a bookshelf that holds the Virtual Boy, Game Boy, GBA SP, DS, PSP, Game Gear, and Lynx. I have two very packed shelves dedicated to holding the games.
I expect that for Christmas, I would be receiving at least one more console system, and possibly another handheld...perhaps even more.
The metal rack I picked up has 8 shelves, and it's about 3' across, so it works perfectly to hold the consoles. The biggest problem is the A/V switch. I've not found a solution that has enough inputs for all the systems. I'd love to not have to unplug/plug in a system when I want to play it, but I've just not found a way to do that yet.
Uh, I hate to say it, but that's what a "receiver" is for. Get a good stereo receiver that handles video in addition to audio, and use that. I don't really know how this made it as a Slashdot article. I've had this set up at my place for, jeez, I dunno... a decade?
There is more to life aside from playing video games.
No it doesn't.
First, the Wii will play Gamecube games, but it does not have the ports to be able to use the network adapter (for the 6 games that support it) or the Gameboy Player.
Also, the Virtual Console, while nice, is not a replacement for an existing NES/SNES/N64/TG16/Genesis collection. First, you have to purchase *every* game seperately at a cost of $5 to $10. Also, as you mentioned, you will have to deal with Nintendo's slow release schedule. Plus you can only have so many games on the list at once; if you want to have more you will need to delete some to download more. Once you pay for a game, you can download it indefinately.
I haven't had a chance to test out the emulation but I can attest that the wildly tumphed Xbox emulation is really not all it's cracked up to be. Some games play milliseconds off which can cause any timing dependant game to become less playable. Emulation is not the end-all-be-all that some people hope it is.
I think its going to depend heavily on what games the person plays. If they don't play the 6 online games or use the gameboy player, not an issue. Same with the virtual console. As far as emulation goes, my wife has been playing super monkey ball on it and hasn't mentioned any issues.
I don't see anyone gushing about the Wii's ability to replace all your Nintendo gear (you just have to buy the games again, thats all...). Seriously, do you really need all those consoles hooked up at once? We all know you don't, but we all know it "would be cooler if you did". It does sound like you have it already planned out, I think your best bet is going to be DIY.
Shift happens. Fire it up.
All you need is a nice A/V receiver bud. one with multiple inputs. like a yamaha or onkyo
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I would, but there are too few PC games designed specifically for home theater PCs. When I have friends and/or family over, I want to be able to play a multiplayer game with them without having to buy extra PCs. Unfortunately, most multiplayer PC games do not take into account the possibility of HTPC gaming with four USB gamepads and thus require one PC per player. (There are exceptions, such as Serious Sam.)
But how does a fellow copy his NES, Sega Genesis, Super NES, and Nintendo 64 cartridges to the Xbox console's hard drive or to a CD? Tototek sells copiers for some (not all) of the above, but they're more expensive than the console.
So i dont feel like googling, but i know at work we have this cable that has composite, L and R audio and S-Video on one end, and Xbox, PS2, Gamecube and 360 connectors on the other for like $15. Not a panacea, but itll help. You can find switchboxes with 5 ins for everything from coax to s-video for around $30 though.
Ok, i did search, they have 2 listed on amazon, but neither are in stock and neither have a brand name listed...
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Well one thing to do is to group your SNES, N64, and Game Cube together and just use one a/v hookup between them. All three Nintendo systems use the exact same output on them for audio and video and the cables are compatible. Doing this I keep my PS1/PS2 hooked up in one a/v port on my TV and all Nitendo systems share another.
Unless he has some obscure 'I'll Bet they won't re-release these' games then the Wii is attractive from the standpoint of simplicity, ease of use, lack of clutter, and yes some games are improved. Improved, not in better sprites or textures, but in better framerates and if you have the component cables, progressive scan. Mario 64 despite being emulated still looks cleaner and crisper on the Wii than the original N64.
I actually just sold my Genesis and SNES on ebay with games that I already turned around and repurchased with that money (Golden Axe in particular). Part of what I'm buying is the cleaner look from the improved hardware, and cabling. Some for the suspend feature (I can bounce out to home, and it puts my game in a sleep mode) and some for the ability to simply bounce from game to game (I'm a bit twichy) without pulling apart my set up, or moving systems out. So far the Wii has been a great 'party console' and has traveled with me a bit. I like the fact that (despite not being able to 'loan someone' a virtual game) I can take my retro collection with me in that sleek little system.
The Genesis, SNES, were replaced by the Wii and The NES will be once they put my Light gun games on the VC. I don't need all my games to be on VC, simply the 'important ones' and for everyone that's different. Even at $5-$10 they aren't priced for 'Impulse buy every title' They are priced so you pick the best ones for you.
Barely half of my original XBox games are playable on my 360 (ex: The Castlevanias). People should not consider the 360 a replacement for the original XBox yet.
At $750 to $30,000 a piece. The fact that you own a copy is no defense. Only using a copier yourself is the lawful way to get commercial games into a PC based emulator.
Two things:
First, as somebody else has already said, you are wrong with regards to the Cube. You can in fact put Metroid Prime into your Wii and play it. You won't have to buy it again.
Second, I bought games I already own on the virtual console. The reason is simple: It's convenient and not too expensive. If I take my Wii to a friend's place, I have all the games I want with me. Wanna play Bomberman? Sure, it's already in the console, no cartridges to take along, no console to dig up, no cables to change, no issues with my SNES who won't play nice with my beamer (shaky picture, have no idea why), no wired controllers, no dead batteries with lost savegames, everything just works. It's convenience, and while it might not be worth it to you, it is to me.
make a number of switches http://www.joytech.net/1/products/av/9/AV-Equipmen t.htm that do scart and component switching - there's even a specific 360 one if you click the link.
Really nice of kit that just do what they say on the tin. Bit that I like is that as well as SCART or composite switching, they'll switch a TOS link as well (TV might have many inputs, but decoders are sometimes a bit more limited).
Click one button on the little remote and you can flick between your consoles at will. If you get a decent remote, you can just stick the switch IR command into your Macro.
Oh and whilst I'm plugging it, the insulation on each channel is perfect (I have worked my way through a number of vile and cheap switchers).
Yeah, I misread the part about the Cube. Sorry about it.
I agree with what you said about the VC.
Super Monkey Ball (original Gamecube?) would not be emulation.
The Wii hardware was designed to be a faster Gamecube which allows those games and APIs to run by simply slowing down the system timing.
Running the Virtual Console games is pure emulation. I'm assuming that it would be very similar to the emulation used in The Legend of Zelda collection and Metroid Prime but cleaned up and a few features like save state added. I just can't bring myself to spend money on games that I've already purchased once.
Right. The Wii doesn't technically emulate games, since it has the same architecture as the Gamecube, only severely beefed up. I'm not sure about Zelda/Metroid on the Cube, though... I was under the impression that the 3-d Zelda games, at least, were actually converted. In fact, they must be reformatted because of the GUI/text changes made due to controller differences. You could be right about the NES Zeldas and Metroid, though.