The Search for Video Game Perfection (my retrogaming setup)

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

As a lot of people here I suppose, over the years I have set my goal to play games in the most authentic way possible. People here are used to play in original hardware, which is a must for accurate experience, but I have set my goals further. I present you my setup as of today.

General overview: I got 14 distinct consoles (plus the M82 which is mostly for shows), everything is contained in an original NES M82 stand up kiosk, and 2 towers with glass shelves. I chose them on what I think are the most representative and with the best game libraries. 

Original PlayStation, first model. It both plays original games and ISO files from a PSIO (ODE). Connected via RGB cable for video.

N64 with Expansion Pak, RGB modded. Hacked Wii late model, outputting component video.

"Breadbin" Commodore 64, outputting SVideo. For games and programs I got the Ultimate II+ Cart, which is really a FPGA floppy/cart and tape emulator. It emulates special carts, has modem and more. For controller input it has a PlayStation controller adapter. New PSU by Ray Carlsen.

RGB modded SNES Jr. with jailbar fix. Softmodded PS2 with IDE 250 gb HDD, component video. Plays discs too.

Game Cube with GCloader (ODE), component video, Game Boy Player. Does not play discs as the laser needs to be removed. Same with Dreamcast + GDEMU. The DC also has internal fan mod so it's really quiet. Outputs RGB video.

First model NES with RGB mod.

Model 1 Sega Genesis (best audio) outputs RGB video.

4 switch "Woody" Atari 2600, RGB modded.

RGB modded/ jailbar fixed PC Engine Duo R. Plays both discs (originals and backups).

Japanese Neo Geo AES outputs clean RGB video.

Softmodded OG XBOX with HDD, outputs RGB video. Plays original discs.

Every console has a flashcart, HDD or ODE. The Genesis can also play Master System with the Mega Everdrive, so technically I have 15 consoles (16 to 17 if we count the Game Boy Player).

For controller input, each one has its original controllers, but it is also possible to use my custom made all Sanwa arcade controllers. They have PlayStation connector. I did not mod the kiosk btw, I'm not stupid. They stay in place with strong velcro that can be removed.

They can be connected to all the consoles with different lagless adapters. This one is from Tototek. Great for fighting games and arcade ports. Actually any 2d game plays well with them.

For sound, all the consoles are connected to this Yamaha RX-V659, which has great reviews in audiophile websites, with digital audio input for the PS2, and lots of settings. On top of it is my Retropad32 controller adapter (allows almost any controller to connect to almost any console), I can also connect a wireless 8bitdo controller to all my consoles with it.

2 Monster Power power centers, all consoles are connected all the time.

All the RGB consoles are connected to an Axunworks Switchbox SCA101 (10 inputs, 2 simultaneous outputs), and component video consoles with a Shinybow SB-5460 (4 inputs, 2 simultaneous outputs). Both offer clean video output, no brightness loss.

One of the jewels of the crown: a Sony PVM 20M2MDU. This is an early 2000's model, with lots of inputs, geometry and color adjustment available via onscreen menu, 600 lines of resolution (common TVs are 400). For those who are not familiar, these are some of the best CRT monitors in terms of video quality and signal compatibility. 20 inches big, and it has very few geometry flaws. It even supports both NTSC and PAL signals, though all my consoles are NTSC, I may mod the Commodore 64 to support PAL later.

Both switchboxes are connected simultaneously to my LED TV via a Retrotink 5x pro. I also use it for downscaling (mostly to play fighting games on Steam on the monitor for less lag and arcade controllers).

Some luminous signs to set the mood.

My trusty ROB in case I'm in the mood for some Gyromite. Mostly for looks.

All the consoles have a dust cover by Printer boy. They do not take away the look of the consoles!

The reason for the title of this topic is because I strive for the following:

- Best video output. All the cables are good quality. SCART ones are from Retroaccess.com, and a couple from Retro Gaming Cables. Component cables are third party with better shielding. Most cables are 15-20 dllrs a piece.

- Original hardware.

- Any games I want (original or backups)

- Best audio

- Best controllers

- Best accessibility (No need to connect anything every time I want to play any game, quick access to flashcarts and controllers).

- Maximum space saving: all of this is contained in a 60 by 37 inches space.

Thanks for looking!

Edited January 10, 2023 by buttheadrulesagain

[AirVillain | 490]

Some radical stuff there. Great work. 

Incredibly specific on the sizing of the space you're in there. 60 x 37 inches. Very compact. 

 

[MrWunderful | 2,927]

Love the 20m2mdmu. I had one and only gave it up because of space. 
 

Amazing job on the rgb for everything, its a bigger pain in the ass than people think.  Outstanding setup I strive for highest video quality on original hardware as well (unless there is an analogue option )

Edited January 10, 2023 by MrWunderful

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

10 hours ago, AirVillain said:

Some radical stuff there. Great work. 

Incredibly specific on the sizing of the space you're in there. 60 x 37 inches. Very compact. 

 

Haha, that's all I have as my mancave (more like a Man-wall :v ). 

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

11 hours ago, MrWunderful said:

Love the 20m2mdmu. I had one and only gave it up because of space. 
 

Amazing job on the rgb for everything, its a bigger pain in the ass than people think.  Outstanding setup I strive for highest video quality on original hardware as well (unless there is an analogue option )

It is an amazing monitor. I got it from a medical equipment supplier for 250 dollars, 1 year warranty and all. Best purchase ever.

Having RGB for all the consoles is a PITA, but it's worth it. Fortunately a found a modder that has made a great job with them (he had never done RGB mods, so I took a risk there  ). I made a mistake by choosing JP21 vs EuroSCART cables, some stuff is harder to get, and until recently there was no SCART switcher for JP21. The Axunworks switcher solved that issue and it takes both formats simultaneously.

Analogue is nice, but I hate how their stuff is so scarce. I'd go for MiSTerFPGA instead. Way cheaper than go all original hardware, and you get the same performance mostly, but that did not exist when I started.

[YOURTURN | 1,256]

It's that nice. So nice that I cannot do my Monty Python skit.

Mostly because I used to have Commodore 64 with both the original monitor, the original tape drive, the original disk drive, and copies of a number of games I never finished.

Yes, I am that old.

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

42 minutes ago, FenrirZero said:

It's that nice. So nice that I cannot do my Monty Python skit.

Mostly because I used to have Commodore 64 with both the original monitor, the original tape drive, the original disk drive, and copies of a number of games I never finished.

Yes, I am that old.

The Ultimate II+ is great, cycle accurate so it will run everything, even without fixes, and even sounds like a real driver and floppy. I have an original 1541 but sadly it came broken.

[Hammerfestus | 3,860]

Very cool.  That kiosk is giving me impure thoughts.

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

8 hours ago, Hammerfestus said:

Very cool.  That kiosk is giving me impure thoughts.

I plan to make it my coffin XD

[T-Pac | 7,560]

On 1/8/2023 at 11:50 PM, buttheadrulesagain said:

For controller input, each one has its original controllers, but it is also possible to use my custom made all Sanwa arcade controllers. They have PlayStation connector. I did not mod the kiosk btw, I'm not stupid. They stay in place with strong velcro that can be removed.

They can be connected to all the consoles with different lagless adapters. This one is from Tototek. Great for fighting games and arcade ports. Actually any 2d game plays well with them.

Wow - what a great game center, @buttheadrulesagain!

Can you tell me a bit about the arcade-stick adapters you mentioned here?
I've got an arcade control panel that I'd love to hook up to my NES / SNES / Genesis / 2600, but I didn't know that was possible.

-CasualCart

[buttheadrulesagain | 41]

19 hours ago, CasualCart said:

Wow - what a great game center, @buttheadrulesagain!

Can you tell me a bit about the arcade-stick adapters you mentioned here?
I've got an arcade control panel that I'd love to hook up to my NES / SNES / Genesis / 2600, but I didn't know that was possible.

-CasualCart

I suppose your arcade panel has a Jamma connector. I don't see how to make my adapters compatible with your panel. The Tototek ones are playstation controller to SNES, GENESIS and 2600. The retropad takes most controllers as input, PC keyboard and 8bitdo wireless, but not Jamma. Only if you somehow convert the Jamma connector to pc keyboard maybe it'll work.