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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.
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
Circumcision is child abuse.
Joytech (among others) make a few devices which will switch between various audio/video inputs. The manufacturer's page is at:
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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.
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.
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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BTW, there is already instructions on how to load an emulator and old games into the Wii. And if one actually owned the old games I don't think they should have to feel guilty about doing this.
What's with this weird idea that the Virtual Console has every Nintendo, Super Nintendo, et al game ever made already available for (paid!) download? Have you missed the people complaining about the selection at launch?
I wasn't going to say anything but you're not the only person claiming the Wii can fill in for all the old systems; you're just the highest rated at the time I hit "reply".
It's a good thing this isn't a home forum.
Q: Help, my heating bill is enormous! How can I best winterize and save energy?
A: You should sell your house and move into a one bedroom apartment.
I have a collection of old consoles as well. If I just wanted to play the games I'd have an emulator set up (although I do as well). The point is that people who collect old consoles like the old consoles. People aren't keeping old consoles in their living room because they think there's no other way to play Mario. We're not idiots, we're all very familar with emulators.
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
A modded XBox is a better choice if you're looking to emulate old systems. Throw in a big hard drive, all the emulators you want and go to town. You don't have to worry about which titles will be released, when, and how much they'll cost.