pitfallaimee Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 In a few short months I'm off to college, and I'm having trouble with only one thing--and it's not grades. To me, this is much worse. Can any one think of a way I could set up my 2600/NES/SNES/ETC that would take up little space? I've had a number of suggestions, but most of them aren't feasable. To make matters worse, my only TV is a 1982 Sears Solidstate 13"! I know I'll have to sacrifice most of my systems (of 11 not including duplicates) in order to make the move, but I'm not leaving them all to the mercy of my parents! Thanks, Aimee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liveinabin Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 well if being a college student in USA is anything like UK, you'll probably have so little furniture in your room anyway, that 11 consoles will fit in quite happily. Though if space is tight there are always those cheap little TV/VCR stands on castors. They usually have 3 or 4 shelves on each, buy 2 or 3 of those cheap (if you can get em flat-packed they'll be easier to get to wherever you're staying), stick the TV on top of one of them and you'll be able to have 11 consoles connected up, all no more than 2 1/2 feet from the TV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubersaurus Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 Box up the ones you leave behind and hide them somewhere as for bringing systems, If your dorm is as small as my friend Rudy's then your best bet is that stand idea. 2600's dont take much room, and if you need an adaptor for the tv, those dont take much up either. I'd just suggest takin your most played systems and games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 I just boxed everything up very carefully and turned half my room into an Atari shrine (it helped that I had a single). For 4 years I was known as "The Atari Guy" on my floor. I had people popping in all the time looking at my games saying "Hey I had this one when I was younger" or "What was that game where you...". Sometimes we got a few people together and had a Air-Sea Battle tournament. Taking my Atari up to college was a blast, it was also a great way to relieve stress after classes. If your at a minimum for space I'd recommend taking a Atari 7800 since it can play both 2600 and 7800 games (with a few exceptions), and leaving the 5200 at home Taking a Colecovision and an Intellivision up is a must since they're usually fan favorites (along with the 2600). Take up the big three and I gurantee you'll have a stream of people knocking at your door to play a few rounds of something with you. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomyou Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 Nothing a few well placed Blocks and a few pieces of cut board wont cure. It would take much room at all to put 11 systems in the corner of a dorm room. Of cource this would turn your room into a "hang out" and study time would greatly be affected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 I had 8 systems with me up at college (Michigan State in case your all wondering). Atari 2600 (I suppose I could have left this at home, but people freaked when they had to play 2600 games on a 7800) Atari 7800 Atari 5200 Atari 800 Intellivision Colecovision Arcadia 2001 Genesis (I was into Shining Force for awhile) It was a little cluttered but it worked fairly well. Tempest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquid_sky Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 If you are willing to throw down a little money i say go for a VCSp. Very compact, yet big enoughh for all your atari needs.. im not for sure but i think the vcsp gold he made has a tv out aso you can hook it up to a bigger tv but thats just what im thinkin im probally wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcprs1 Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 Be prepared to become very popular. I brought my 7800 to college and you wouldn't believe how many people wanted to play it. We use to have all sorts of contests and such. We actually had a pool going on combat for a while. Just make sure that no one steals them on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slapdash Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 You MAY have problems with heat, but if you have a 2600 Jr, you can put the NES on the TV and the 2600 on the NES. That won't take up too much space. Other than that, you can always keep some stuff boxed until you want to use -- only keep one or two systems hooked up at any given time. The rest can be stacked in a corner somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Night Phantom Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 How can you take your 2600 to college? Indeed, how can you not?!? quote: Originally posted by pitfallaimee: I'm not leaving them all to the mercy of my parents! Smart move. When I went off to college, I had to sort through all my things. You see, my mother would soon be moving across the country, and I had to designate not just what I would take but also what she would take to keep for me. I think I did a good job of paring down my childhood belongings (though I do occasionally wince in regret of some of the things I got rid of). Even so, I couldn't take everything left to my dorm. So, I asked my mother to hold onto my video games. This modest collection of a couple of consoles and a few dozen games was the bulk of what I asked her to drag 2000 miles with her. And she complied. But for some reason she later threw it all out anyway, without the merest thought of consulting me. When I found this out (upon “establishing” myself after school and asking for the games back), she pointed out with pride that she had dragged my piano across the 2000 miles and kept it. Even though I'd stopped playing years before college and never showed any interest in resuming (just as I'd never shown any talent). So, take it from me, young pitfall-lady. Do find a way to take those treasures along. Even if you can't play with them for the meantime. You don't want to have to rebuild your collection...nor be incited to parricide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian M Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 Bring a PC or laptop and run emulators. That's the easiest and most practical way to play classic games while at college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomyou Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 the emulators take all the nostalga out of it. everyone can do that. Be the best in the dorm and have the real deal !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfallaimee Posted January 7, 2002 Author Share Posted January 7, 2002 These are some great suggestions! I'm starting to feel as though I might be able to get them all *intact* to the dorm. Thanks! Now all I have to worry about is having Satan for a roomate. I have a feeling I'll be enjoying the Pitfall II music through headphones quite a bit... [ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: pitfallaimee ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric_ruck Posted January 7, 2002 Share Posted January 7, 2002 quote: Originally posted by pitfallaimee: These are some great suggestions! I'm starting to feel as though I might be able to get them all *intact* to the dorm. Thanks! Now all I have to worry about is having Satan for a roomate. I have a feeling I'll be enjoying the Pitfall II music through headphones quite a bit... [ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: pitfallaimee ] Oh, one thing...you probably want to leave the rare stuff home. Security can be a problem in dormitories. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitfallaimee Posted January 7, 2002 Author Share Posted January 7, 2002 Naturally. I worry about it enough, anyway. I wasn't really planning to take anything I couldn't replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ze_ro Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 quote: Originally posted by The Night Phantom: But for some reason she later threw it all out anyway, without the merest thought of consulting me. My advice is to pack up everything that you leave behind into a nice big box, and write on it in a big black felt marker: "Don't throw this out or give it away! This means you, mom!", otherwise, you can kiss them goodbye. For some reason, mothers have very little respect for 80's technology, and unless you get it across to them that it's still important to you, she'll be throwing it out before you've even closed the door. As for setting up your systems in a dorm room, I really doubt you'll have enough space for all 11 systems... I have about as many systems set up in my (small) room, but I still think it's too big for a dorm. Of course, it all depends on the sizes of your dorms... the ones at my university are pretty small (at least, my friend's dorm is). I'd say check out the size of the place first, then decide what you can bring. If worst comes to worst, you can keep all the connections plugged into the TV, and just toss your systems under the bed (or in the closet or whatever) when you're not playing them. Or here's another idea... join a student organization that has a student lounge (IEEE, CSME, and CSIE all have lounges in the engineering building where I do my book lernin'), and if they have a TV, just hook up one of your systems there... or get some friends on your floor, and hook systems up over in their rooms. I suppose you'd have to settle for other people playing with your toys, but as long as you can trust them... (Keep in mind I haven't actually tried this...) --Zero Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari70s Posted January 8, 2002 Share Posted January 8, 2002 they dont do VCSp's anymore i heard. ( if this isnt the case i might delay my game a few weeeks and getmeself one of those Mr Atari70s what is the answer to #47 F off i think i finally have defeated pitfall. ( he looses ) ok now what the hell did you want. you can see im a good student that takes things in stride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noble Kale Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 quote: Ze_ro wrote: For some reason, mothers have very little respect for 80's technology, and unless you get it across to them that it's still important to you, she'll be throwing it out before you've even closed the door. As an example of parental stupidty, a family friend joined the army.. when he came home, his parents had moved house without his knowing (imagine the feeling of walking in to find complete strangers!). When he got to their new house, he found that his mum had thrown out his Phantom comics (which were *all* original, and ranged in a straight set from #1-#1000). He cried a lot that day. As for space... I should point out that you shouldn't forget the space under your bed! I have 2 inty's, a nes, 2 2600's, a sms I, a colecovision & a mega drive under my bed (along with my slot-car set...) & it's only a single bed Try and get some shelving put up in your new room... easily store boxed games, systems... and displays well too Have fun at college Noble Kale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquid_sky Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 quotethey dont do VCSp's anymore i heard. last i heard ben was just backlogged with the amazing demand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari-Jess Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 atari70's if you want one get ready to pay a couple hundred bucks they are NOT cheap, And I thought you were trying to make money? not 'a.... [ 01-08-2002: Message edited by: Atari-Jess ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atari70s Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 yes i am currently trying to make some money but if i get the job and it is 450 lets say to do my game with manual and box i might but 200 or 150 away ( i think its 200) ( or 1 weeks pay check to get one). I AM GETTING THE FIRST ROM OF MY GAME it looks like it might be my game. but anyway if it gets to the point where in January i only need the carts burner and box manual conbo. i have nothing to sell till april. and i have a job i might wait. ( no reason getting 100boxed to go Mad Atarians done like Jan 19th to sit here till april 26th. right???) . granted if this takes me into late march early to complete andi just then get a job no im not going to rush out and get a VCSp. im gonna put the money into my game. about the not making it anymore. i heard from one of the atari memebers i can recall who off the top of my head (2:55am est i am not at my brightest) said he got an order in for one before christmas. and he said that was the last one he was making. i asked you mean for now i was told that was the last VCSp system ben was making. maybe the atariage memeber i talked to got confused but by the statement he made (above) i can almost deduce if it isnt flawwed that he isnt making them anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malix Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 Here is what you do. Go buy ten to twenty cases of beer. It is expensive but you need to start drinking heavily anyway. This is not only training for your college years but they will work as boxes or suitcases to bring your consoles up and you can stack them to create a cheap entertainment center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liveinabin Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 But dont invite Malix round, cause he'll get drunk and break your stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malix Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 That was not me....it was my evil twin Louie!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Atari Posted January 11, 2002 Share Posted January 11, 2002 70's, you have inspired me: Here's a peak at days gone by... NOTE: ANY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE HAS BEEN "BEEP"ED TO RETAIN SOME KIND OF CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE -King Atari (A young King Atari is sitting in the classroom with a portable TV, 2600, and a stack of games, with all the kids gathered around placing bets on "Warlords") Teacher: King Atari, just WHAT do you think you're doing?!?! KA (King Atari): What's it look like stupid, I'm running my own personal casino! Teacher: (looks dumbfounded) KA: Kids are placing bets on a game, Einstein! Teacher: I'm pretty sure that's breaking some kind of law! Stop at once! KA: Make me, I'm about to show Billy the meaning of defeat! Billy: You can't beat me! (Has one block protecting his castle) Teacher: If you don't stop at once, you'll have to go to the principal's office! KA: (Wings a "Combat" at her). BEEP that! Teacher: OH! (falls to the floor) KA: Bye, Billy! (Destroys Billy's castle) Billy: You cheated! WAAAAAAAAA! KA: Okay people, pay up! (receives about $50) HEY! Someone's holding out! (Kid reluctantly hands a $10 bill) Teacher: (with big bruise on forehead) That's it! PRINCIPAL! PRINCIPAL! KA: Shut the BEEP up! I'll play as long as I want! Principal: What's the problem here? Teacher: What's it look like, moron? That young BEEP is disrupting class with his video contraption! Principal: Hey, is that a 2600? KA: NOOOOO! It's an Intellivision! Really, what's it look like, BEEP? Principal: Hey! You kids are betting! (talking quietly) Can I get in on that? KA: Sure, everyone throw there money down! Me vs. the Principal in "Xenophobe"!!! (all kids look in shock) Teacher: That's it! I quit! Principal: Shut up, BEEP! (KA proceeds to kill the principal in "Xenophobe". Kids automatically hand over their money to KA) Teacher: I'm outta here! The End And that's how it happened. It's the truth, every word of it, give or take a lie or two... NOTE: you can fill the BEEP spots in with anything you like. [ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: King Atari ] [ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: King Atari ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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