Gamer culture: Can I get an adaptor, please?

by Blake Snow { Sep 4th 2006 at 12:45PM }

If your living room setup looks like the above picture, then you might be considered a "hardcore" gamer by some. But who has the highest number of platforms actively connected to a TV, and what do you use for the connection? Send us a line and picture of your rig using our tips form, and we'll post the most impressive setup.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

puh_fifer @ Sep 4th 2006 12:54PM

I only have my 360 and my PC hooked up, but I love that damned projector. I just got it ceiling mounted and it works much better too.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=14566614

FooAtari @ Sep 4th 2006 12:56PM

Power Glove!!

Crazylink @ Sep 4th 2006 12:59PM

My SNES, N64, Gamecube, and PS2.

brandon_r87 @ Sep 4th 2006 12:59PM

That might not necessarily be a hardcore gamer. That could just be someone who has to play every year, every version of Madden and also happens to like the Power Glove. It's so bad!

I've got a 360, Xbox, Gamecube all hooked up through my computer monitor and 5.1 surround stereo. No room for a TV here because of my ultra small dorm room, but TV tuners are really great things to have at college. In the living room (my dorm is set up apartment style) we got another 360, another Gamecube, and my PS2 which is mainly for Guitar Hero.

Jigen @ Sep 4th 2006 1:02PM

It looks more hardcore because he has 3 or more controllers for every system he owns all strewn about.

I don't see a SNES, Saturn, or even a PS2 (let alone all the other systems).

sam @ Sep 4th 2006 1:24PM

hmmm, can't be the maddedn suggestion because ea didnt make games for the dreamcast

geekRECON @ Sep 4th 2006 1:12PM

You can get those adapters at most electronic stores that allow hooking up the GameCube, XBox, and PS2, to an A/V device (in my case projector and DVD player speakers) at once. The adapter has composite and S-video. Of course after the pet foxes chewed through one of the audio cables, my Dolby Pro-Logic II died, then they chewed through one of the speaker wires, and that further dropped the sound output until splicing came into play. And I bought the Gamecube component cable and a VESA adapter for the projector, so the afore mentioned adapter is only used for the right speaker for the GameCube and my wife's PS2 (which she never plays) with its S-video. Oh well, the adapter is still worth the cash.

Demi Adejuyigbe @ Sep 4th 2006 1:10PM

PS2 is below the TV, so is the saturn, and the SNES is in the middle.

Nevertheless, pretty hardcore.
Including the power glove.
[powerglove joke here}

dsub @ Sep 4th 2006 9:21PM

I used to have one of the AV switch boxes back in the day that allowed me to connect 8 systems at once and change them with the puch of a button. Since the HD era has moved in, I only have two Component HD inputs on my TV, and one HDMI input. The two components are used for my 360 and my DVD player, and the HDMI is used for my HD Cable Box. Because of the fact that I have an HDTV, when I connect the PS2/GCN up with the regular RCA video cables, the text is nearly impossible to read. This really makes it tough to play a game like Kingdom Hearts 2 where there is alot of stuff to read on screen. I have the component video cables for my PS2/GCN, but I have no more jacks left to connect them to. I wish my TV had a front component video connection, but almost none do.

Come this fall when I get a Wii, I'm going to need some extra Component inputs, so I'll have to break down and get a switch box. I saw a 4-way switcher at Walmart the other day made by philips that supported 4 component HD inputs for $20. That should do the trick.

iceatcs @ Sep 4th 2006 1:12PM

PS2 is on the shelf below the tv where next to the dvd player or DVR on the right.

PodMonkeys @ Sep 4th 2006 1:15PM

Sigh. I used to have an xbox, GameCube, PS2, and PC hooked up to one TV, and an N64, a Magnavox Oddessey 300, and a TRS-80 CoCo 3 hooked up to another. Alas, my divorce cut that all down to an xbox, PC, and FC Game Console (NES clone).

El Hajjish @ Sep 4th 2006 1:16PM

Actually, the PS2 seems to be within the glass case. ...at least I think that's a PS2.

I've got an NES, SNES, N64, Cube, and PS2 hooked up to my TV.

Jigen @ Sep 4th 2006 1:18PM

#6, that's a Dreamcast not a SNES. Also, I upped my monitor brightness and can see the PS2, but not the Saturn. It looks like there is a "NES Advantage" controller where you said the Saturn is.

Mitsuo @ Sep 4th 2006 1:19PM

Yes that's a PS2, because you can see the little blue square on the lower left of it. Anyways, I got a 360, xbox, N64, PS2 and a DVD player hooked up to one TV.

iceatcs @ Sep 4th 2006 1:20PM

By the way.

If I was him, I would mods all of the old systems into one full custom tall tower.

But no point for me at the moment, I’ve sold many old systems for PC version emulators on my media PC connected on my 42" TV. The emulators quality came better than it alones.

adrian @ Sep 4th 2006 1:39PM

ps2, gamecube, xbox and dreamcast and pc hooked up to my projector. Although the pc is only used for media, until i can get the xbox modded to use XBMC.

I'll get a 360 soon. (settlers of catan on live was the nail in the coffin)

sam @ Sep 4th 2006 1:23PM

#6 do you know what an SNES look like?how about a saturn?

InvadErGII @ Sep 4th 2006 1:24PM

I don't have a pic of it, but I once had 15 systems hooked up to my main TV:

Xbox 360
Xbox
PS2
GameCube
N64
SNES
Dreamcast
Saturn
3DO
NES
Genesis
Sega CD
32X
Master System
Atari 2600

-the_mole- @ Sep 4th 2006 1:27PM

well, i happen to have a few connectors that allow you to connect multipl consoles,. on top of that i have more than one standard definition tv, because appearance is not something i concern myself with, i actually have it setup so that i have complete access to all cords and cables, meaning i can just walk back there and switch it out. oh, and all of this is in a 9' x 10' room (my bedroom).

lilbak @ Sep 4th 2006 1:27PM

i used to have a saturn,snes,nes,genesis,32x,sega nomad,nintendo ds,psp,gamecube,xbox,dreamcast,playstation 1&2,sega master system, gamegear, atari jaguar,sega cd,gameboy advance with about maybe 20 to 30 games for each system except the jaguar but sadly i had to sell most of it b/c of bills

adrian @ Sep 4th 2006 2:16PM

fwiw.. i also favour wireless controllers where possible. It cuts down on the clutter incredibly.

the new logitech ones are well awesome.

The only one i can't get wireless controllers for is the dreamcast.

MMurdock @ Sep 4th 2006 1:33PM

Currently I have the following:Nes, SNES, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Sega Genesis, Dreamcast, GameCube, Plastation 1, Playstation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360. While not connected to the TV I also have in my gaming rig a Virtua Boy, DS lite, Original Gameboy, GBA SP, Neo Geo Pocket Color. In the closet (hopefully I can find it to include in the picture later) is Sega Nomad, a Game Axe, GBA regular, and a Master System.
Bringing my grand total of gaming systems in my house, not including my PC to 19. I'll send in a picture when I get home from work.

Nate @ Sep 4th 2006 1:41PM

I use a RF cable for my nes and snes and RCA cables for my N64, psone, ps2, and gamecube.I'm thinking of getting a dreamcast soon and whenever the Wii comes out that too. I have like a normal 20inch or so tv.

bassbeast @ Sep 4th 2006 1:36PM

Here's a older pic of my rig before I got the 360, digital cable and Neo Geo. It's also before I got new fronts, and made the system a lot cleaner. I've also since moved, so everything's much nicer. I'mstill unpacking, so I'll post a pic with the digital camera once I unpack it. Otherwise, it's basically the same idea.

http://i8.tinypic.com/286xvo9.jpg

Today, I've got 16 systems hooked up simultaneously, running through the surround receiver and all upconverted to at least 480p through signal boosters (that means you, NES!). All you need is the Pelican System Selector Pro. Get two of them. It's the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the quality of the switch is wonderful. Yeah, it doesn't have a remote, but who cares? Every input is component, composite or S-video. Three of them use optical audio cable, so the 360/PS2/Digital Cable audio all fit on one switcher. It's pretty sweet.

MMurdock @ Sep 4th 2006 1:39PM

BTW all systems connected with RCA switchers and coax adapters. The power squid is the best invention ever for those old brick adapters. Radio Shack FTW!

dizzle @ Sep 4th 2006 1:53PM

the ps2 stands above all where it dam well whould mwhuahahaha lol at the power glove i almost died from that thing

J.T. Mill @ Sep 4th 2006 2:24PM

I've got a 4 way MadCatz™ System Selector that I bought years ago that takes the three little red white yellow cords (seriously, I would love to know what those are called) and plugs it into a little box. From there, you take one more cable and slap it on the TV. That's what I use for my SNES, PS2, N64, and Gamecube. I also use two RF Modualtors for my NES and Genises. My PSX just kinds of sits there...

Devine @ Sep 8th 2006 11:15AM

SNES, N64, PS2, Xbox, 360, Gamecube. Not crazy, but relatively busy with wires back there. Got the 360, 'cube, PS2 going into the stereo, Xbox, SNES, N64 with RF cables to the TV. Hoping to acquire at least an NES soon (along with a Wii...will wait a few years to see the PS3 price drop). Hopefully a Dreamcast and maybe a 3DO and a TurboGrafx16 soon after.

Chris Larson @ Sep 4th 2006 1:59PM

I've got about 30 consoles hooked up at any given time. I use zip lock baggies and rubbermaid buckets to keep controllers organized.

N0Skillz @ Sep 4th 2006 2:00PM

xbox 360
Xbox 1
gamecube
PS2
plus a DVD player
soon to be a Dreamcast.
just use a 3 channel switch thingie and a stereo reciever to condense the 2 inputs into 1 output to the TV.

goverland @ Sep 4th 2006 2:02PM

Xbox, Atari Flashback, Gamecube, N64, SNES, NES, Genesis, Dreamcast, and 2600 using Pelican switch.

Jelly @ Sep 4th 2006 2:08PM

I have gamecube, xbox and xbox 360 hooked up to one tv. Not that impressive really, but i got into gaming when i was 11 with a Dreamcast, so missed all of those old consoles. I use my xbox for all of the older system's games anyhoo...

I will also have a Wii hooked up when i get it, possibly replacing the gamecube. Oh, and my PC and DVD player are hooked up to it.

Corbo @ Sep 4th 2006 2:24PM

I've got my set-up split between 2 TVs, a modern-ish one for N64, Gamecube and Xbox, and an older one with two NESs, SNES, Mega Drive 2 + Mega CD 2. I've also got an Amstrad CPC 464 and its monitor slowly killing my desk. As for cabling, I now generally resort to plugging in a random cable, turning on everything and playing what's on the screen. I also have at least one version of every Game Boy (no Game Boy Light but I've considered getting one), DS Lite and Sega Game Gear strewn around the place.
I really should get out more, but with that lot in one place, there's really no need.

TECHSev @ Sep 4th 2006 2:31PM

i have 27 systems in total, 21 connected to my tvs at once,

basically I daisy chained all the rf adapters togeteher and have 1 component 4 port switch and 1 5 port composite switch, all the games plays through my surrond sounds.

it's messy, it works, but I wish there were a better way, since no matter what system i want to play I know I have to go hit atleast 2 buttons on my switches

Kevout @ Sep 4th 2006 3:14PM

I AM GOING TO WIN THIS

Jay @ Sep 4th 2006 6:57PM

A pic of my consoles not connected. Can you name em all?

http://i1.tinypic.com/2870psk.jpg

The Dude @ Sep 4th 2006 2:40PM

Skies of Arcadia FTW!!!

nonesuch @ Sep 4th 2006 2:51PM

I can't match some of the posters above (30? WTF?) but last semester my roommate and I had a good few consoles. We had NES, SNES, N64, PSone, Genesis/SegaCD, Dreamcast, and Xbox all hooked up to a freebie Viewsonic monitor with a scan convertor. All in a tiny, tiny dorm room with 3 people living in. It was awful, but we had games! (Not counting all our Gameboys and DSs and PCs) I think either the SNES or the Dreamcast got the most playtime...

Josh @ Sep 4th 2006 3:29PM

DVD
PC
PS2
GC w/ GBA Player
N64
SNES
NES
Segs Genesis
Sega CD

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/TheRodersAbides/DSC05797.jpg

boobah @ Sep 4th 2006 3:03PM

meh, anything before n64/saturn hooked up is redundant, i use my emulators. So... I have a dreamcast, n64, xbox, ps2, gamecube all hooked up on mine. And ya dunno if this is the best way but I just have a 4 port switch and the dreamcast hooked up to the front of the tv :-p

Littlegadgets @ Sep 4th 2006 3:03PM

The only one I have is Atari 800 :). But 15 years ago it served me well...

1TLRMS @ Sep 8th 2006 8:50AM

I got that exact same fuc'ing cat tower! LMGDAO!

Daymond42 @ Sep 4th 2006 3:05PM

I have a few systems in storage, and only two in my room, with the others in the living room (since that's where my roomie's HDTV is..), but my whole setup is as follows

SNES (the redesigned one)
Jaguar (and no good games for it, yet..)
Saturn
Dreamcast
PS2
Xbox (clear case)
Gamecube
Original Gameboy
Nintendo DS
Neo Geo Pocket Color
... and if I wanted to make the picture look extra nice, I suppose I could throw in the Steel Battalion controller and the Xbox Silent Scope rifle.

Sure would make a neat picture, all of that..

OTAM @ Sep 4th 2006 3:33PM

That's what it looks like behind my entertainment center sadly.

Enzo @ Sep 4th 2006 3:40PM

Right now, connected to my lcdtv I have:
Gamecube
Dreamcast
Xbox 360
Xbox
Hitachi Hi-Saturn
Sega Saturn
Nintendo 64
Sega Genesis model 1
Sega Master System model 1
PC

I cleared out some space in the past year, in addition to all that, there used to be a Neo Geo AES, a consolized Neo Geo MVS, a 3do, a jaguar, and a Pioneer LaserActive.

Needless to say, it's always a goddamn mess.

Tahngarth @ Sep 5th 2006 12:51AM

Before I got my big screen I had a NES, SNES, N64, Gamecube, PS2, Xbox, Genesis (with Master system adaptor), Saturn and Dreamcast. Involved multiple switch boxes. After I got the big screen I had to thin it down basicly just for space reasons to a Gamecube, Xbox360, Xbox, Dreamcast, Saturn and PS2. Now just one switchbox, one of those 7 port ones.

Enzo @ Sep 4th 2006 3:48PM

I should have posted a pic in the last post. but here it is.
I forgot to mention the turbo grafx, but it's in the box and not hooked up for now. i use the reciever, or daisy chain rf switches for the older systems. there's probably a famiclone lying under the coffee table that the tv is on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/iFinishLast11/IMG_0608Medium.jpg

Mike @ Sep 4th 2006 3:57PM

Did anyone notice that the Power Glove did not have the TV attachment? Remember you had to hook up that L-shaped "motion sensor" to the top and the side of your TV? Hardcore... I don't think so...

Dark Morford @ Sep 4th 2006 4:09PM

I've got an XBox, X360, PS2, and Gamecube hooked up to my 27" CRT SDTV via S-Video through a switch. The rest of my consoles (Genesis 1, Genesis 2, 2x NES, SNES, N64, Dreamcast, PSone, Atari 2600, Atari 2600 Jr.) are all in a closet about 3 feet away.

I'm looking at one of those 7-way JoyTech switches for when Wii comes out; I'll probably add the Wii and DC to my current setup.

Kevin @ Sep 4th 2006 4:31PM

I swear to god I thought that was my room.

I have currently set up and connected:
SNES
Genesis
Gamecube
N64
Xbox
Xbox360
PS2
DreamCast
NES

All with multiple controllers in a small ass roomm lol