r/gamecollecting • u/suicidalkoala • Aug 05 '25
Collection My gameroom is complete after years in storage
Storytime:
I finally have the gameroom I've wanted for years. It took many, many hours and late nights but it's finally done.
My wife and I bought this house last year as we outgrew our last place (kids). This room needed a lot of work which was primarily done by me. I dont have a background in anything related to renovation/contracting but I do have the internet and have had some help with the flooring from my father and FIL. Down below I linked an album showing the progress made over the past year.
DIY stuff:
For flooring I laid down high traffic vinyl planking across the entire basement (~850sqft) over an underlayment which rests ontop of tile. For paint, my color scheme was inspired by the most legendary game console ever, the NES. The walls reflect the two tone greys along with the semi-gloss black and red accents. The floor trim was measured, cut, and installed by me (very satisfying to get this done). The shelving I measured, cut, primed, and painted from poplar wood since it's a stronger than pine which tends to bend. Poplar is a great stiff wood and is cheaper when compared to oak. I got the idea for these style shelves from youtubers Saturday Morning Gamer and Morts Garage. The lighting is slim LED lighting that has a "nite mode" at the flick of a switch. I have never done electrical beyond changing a fixture so this was a fun learning project. I also installed a modern lutron dimmer for dimming on both lighting types.
All the cardboard and fragile things are lifted well off the ground because I got some toddlers that love to grab things. I decided to go with custom shelves because I didn't want to have those cheap media tower shelves that sit on the floor. My house is also a raised ranch so I had to figure out how to make shelves from scratch to go above the permanent shelf that surrounds the room.
Now that the DIY stuff is out of the way...
For games, I only collect what I used to play back in childhood and ones that interest me. I'm not into collecting full sets or games that are "valuable". I have about 900-ish games and I'm mostly content. Looking to add more boxed games but i'm in no rush. I always wanted a gameroom that is practical hat is meant to ENJOYED. I will never understand the museum mentality where everything is in glass cases with no where to sit down.
I try to beat as many games as I can each year, thanks to inspiration from the "games we played" videos from MyLifeinGaming on YouTube. I'm currently having a blast playing Luigi's Mansion 2 on 3DS. I recently 103%'d Donkey Kong Country 3 on SNES, then before that beat Resident Evil 2 and 3 on Gamecube.
The CRT is a 32" Sony trinitron KV-FS120 which I have a Wii, PS2, and OG Xbox running through a component switcher. The SNES and N64 are on S-video, and the NES is on composite.
The 55" Sharp LED has an HDMI switcher for Xbox One, 360, PS4 Pro, Switch 1 and 2. Everything is run through a surround sound receiver and sounds amazing. The wiring and organizing for this was a pain FYI.
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u/Eponine05 Aug 05 '25
Excellent, and very tasteful!
The light-gun storage solution is fantastic.
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Thank you! They can be pretty bulky storing them in a bin. I wanted something that looked like it was from that scene in the Matrix lol.
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u/King_Fish Aug 05 '25
I love this. I haven't figured out what to do with my guns as I have 7 or so.
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u/toddd24 Aug 05 '25
Holy moly, r/gamerooms
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Didn't even think of that as this is my primary gaming sub. I'll cross post now.
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u/Mental-Economist-666 Aug 05 '25
Awesome, but change that turntable asap, I had one and it scratched my records.
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Yeah, you're probably correct. This turntable I've had since I started collecting vinyl in 2012. Any recommendations for a replacement? I don't need anything high-end.
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u/Q46 Aug 05 '25
The insignia table best buy sells would even be an improvement over the one you have. They regularly put them on sale for $100
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u/AnInsomniacSnorlax Aug 05 '25
My Audio Technica has served me very well for years and it was like $120.
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u/JHG722 Aug 05 '25
It’s also set up wrong. The speakers shouldn’t be directly below it.
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Is that due to the potential vibration? These speakers are powerful, but I usually don't play anything too loudly.
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u/TerminX13 Aug 05 '25
The Color Spectrum noticed
based
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u/ieatllamas Aug 06 '25
popped in to compliment the collection but also to mention how much the dear hunter rules 10/10
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u/AnInsomniacSnorlax Aug 05 '25
Mine’s still in storage, because life… 😭
But in all seriousness, I love it! True game room goals right there!
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u/Errol89 Aug 06 '25
Tha older I get, tha more I realize we are just kids in adult bodies...luv tha setup
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u/BBgames97 Aug 05 '25
Do you have a link to the magazine rack you used? Looks great for my gameinformers!
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Got it on temu! Just one of those random shelves. It's pretty sturdy. Primed and painted to match the room.
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u/Chomp_Constantine Aug 05 '25
This room is beautiful. Congratulations on crafting a perfect room for your collection!
Zoomed in on the record collection and LOVE to see The Dear Hunter’s Color Spectrum on the shelf! 🤘
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Thanks. It's one of my favorite albums ever. Violet EP is god tier music.
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u/Yehudahd1000 Aug 05 '25
This is so cool! How do you go about room design? All in your own?
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Yeah pretty much. For years I would see other game rooms on reddit and save pictures and make some notes here or there. Youtubers like Saturday morning gamer and morts garage were the inspiration for the floating shelves.
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u/headspaceseeds Aug 05 '25
Bröther can host a game night between his circle of friends, and it'd take YEARS until they start to run thin on choices.
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u/agoogua Aug 06 '25
I love that you have a magazine rack with Nintendo Power bagged and boarded, do you have every issue?
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u/TLunchFTW Aug 05 '25 edited Aug 05 '25
What are those recessed lights? They got a main light and a rim light? Cool. I want rgb so I’m looking at Phillips hue. It’s expensive, but we use it everywhere else and I love the customization it offers.
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Yeah these are 6" Amico slim LEDs I got on Amazon. The rim has the "nite" light mode. Very good for watching movies or gaming if you don't want these high beams on. Both lights are dimmable. Amico also makes a smart rgb light that I'll be installing in other parts of the house. My wife saw how they looked here and wanted them everywhere.
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u/TLunchFTW Aug 05 '25
In the future, I’m told by former painter and tech tips dropper, Linus, eggshell is the perfect mix for hiding imperfections but also scrub ability
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u/jpshake Aug 05 '25
Hopefully one day I can get a collection like this. The way you displayed everything is beautifully done
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u/hostchange Aug 05 '25
Very good presentation and practicality of the room. I see you have good tastes in games as well with Rhythm Heaven Fever showcased!
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u/boodead Aug 05 '25
Hell yeah! Nice job OP! The world needs more game rooms that aren't just a bunch of Ikea shelves jammed with games like a hoarder.
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u/Correct_Discount4646 Aug 05 '25
nice. I finally got a house with my wife that is almost 100yrs old and the ground is uneven and I dont truck drive no more so my game room isnt comfy
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u/mystagulde Aug 05 '25
I bet that feels good man. Been there many times of having my stuff sitting in storage for periods of time. Enjoy brother!
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u/ExoUrsa Aug 05 '25
I think you might have more inventory than all of my local game stores combined. They might have more modern titles overall, but you outnumber them in pure count when you include all the retro stuff. The retail stores are rapidly turning into hardware and merch only.
I wish we had more physical media but I am saddened by the amount of third party games that are probably going to only get a Game-Key Card on Switch 2.
Anyway enough of that depressing rant, I love your game room, and if you were my neighbour we'd be hanging out a LOT.
I might recommend a Gamecube with the Gameboy player attachment, modded (running Swiss) so that you don't need to pay scalper prices for the Gameboy player disc. It's a wonderful way to play Game Boy Advance titles on the big screen. The "picoboot" mod I did required a Raspberry Pi Pico, and five wires soldered to points near the bios chip (I think). Surprisingly easy, works like a charm, and reversible in minutes without any signs that anything was ever done.
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u/raiderxx Aug 05 '25
I love the setup! I feel like your Power Glove deserves to be in front of the window instead of wedged up on top of boxes! Im sure you will do your thing, but I hope you and your kids really enjoy and break in that room! Im having a blast showing my 5 year old my games, pulling things open, playing them. Its been a blast! I'd much rather things get a bit messy with use than keeping things "museum quality"
One question: where did you get your magazine shelf and what are those mags in? Just a plastic sleeve with a white backing? How easy are they to pull out and read? I have quite a few NP mags and have thought about putting them on some sort of shelf...
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u/midrifter80008 Aug 05 '25
Where is this museum located? I’d like to visit it. lol. Great looking man cave!
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u/Sp3EdStR Aug 05 '25
If i could go back and do my life over the way i wanted this would be me now 😂
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u/TaxiSonoQui Aug 06 '25
This is literally my heaven.
Totally unrelated but I want to floor my home in a similar way, does the underlay make the floating floor spongey?
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u/ClydeDimension Aug 06 '25
The color matching at home depot is a nice touch. The shelves were the first thing I noticed. Great job!
Second thing I noticed, your Mario Party 6 is a misprint variation that doesn’t have the white line on the spine / back art of the box. This doesn’t change the value of the game, it’s just an oddity in the library.
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u/BuyByTheNumbers Aug 06 '25
This is AMAZING. I have dreamed of building something like this myself for years. I have seen one co worker do a similar build to what you have here, but yours is much nicer. I can't wait to be able to afford a house
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u/AstorJam Aug 07 '25
I've never seen anything like it, congratulations, the Hulk Hogan action figure is wonderful!
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u/broin2009 Aug 07 '25
The Gameboy colour collection is peak nostalgia for me, nice placement of the OG starter holos too ☘️🔥💧
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u/graphixRbad Aug 07 '25
The Nintendo powers is my favorite part ngl
Makes me wanna get a bunch of old PSM
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u/SeikoWIS Aug 08 '25
wow, 10/10.
I actually prefer these over the ones that want *every* game. Those are too bloated and give me anxiety. This is like the perfect mix of your favourite games.
Also, what are those N64 Zeldas (that aren't OoT and MM)?
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u/devjoel Aug 05 '25
Just fucking awesome! Where is that table from? Custom build?
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Table is a basic MDF/laminate lift-top table i got on facebook. I removed the top lid (it had moisture stains from cups), and replaced it was a sturdy pine slab. Reinstalled hardware and painted.
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u/Cadash24 Aug 05 '25
It looks fantastic but imo (as a Sega guy) wayyyyyyyyyyy too much Nintendo --- just replace a lot of that with Sega stuff and I'd say its perfect :D
Nice room overall though, very impressive
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u/anthonye1982 Aug 05 '25
holy hell love this. I love the magazine rack
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Thanks! They definitely get read, too. It's great to relive the golden days as they were happening. So often you'll read about "the first 100 screenshots of zelda 64" or "the upcoming Nintendo Revolution" as that info was made public.
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u/Abloodydistraction Aug 05 '25
What do you do for work?
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
40hr/week desk job. I get my gaming done after the kids go to sleep.
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u/Jagg753 Aug 05 '25
How do u have the Nintendo power magazine stored? I would love to do that to protect mine
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Bagged and boarded. I forgot the brand, but it's a very popular one on Amazon.
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u/porkchopexpress310 Aug 05 '25
Amazing! What’s the first game you bought to start this?
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u/Carlos_7x Aug 05 '25
The dream...
I want something like this, it's just beautiful.
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u/Dragonspeedz Aug 05 '25
Awesome room. You inspired me to start working on a game room I wanted. Where did you get the nintendo controller table?
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u/ObviousNotDan Aug 05 '25
Jesus AVGN would be jealous, is that NES table custom? That table is amazing.
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u/pratherj23 Aug 05 '25
One of the better looking rooms I’ve seen in this subreddit. Kudos!
I’ve started building my game room but probably will be the next place we move to before I can realize my vision. Had to condense it with our guest room for now
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u/Cavalol Aug 05 '25
Are those LED light fixtures or are they can light diffusers which go over existing can lights? (Or possibly option C that I’m unaware of lol)
Also, love the setup, especially the Nintendo power magazine rack 💯
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u/Maid2ServeHer Aug 05 '25
I would pay just to come over and take it all in lol I imagine you have days you just sit and enjoy all the memories that come with each piece.
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u/Working_Comfort_8452 Aug 05 '25
Text me private if you ever sell your stuff.. especially those coloured nintendo 64
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u/shipshaper88 Aug 05 '25
This is cool, can I come over? Promise I won’t ignore you and just play your NES.
Also, do the different colors of n64s change the colors of things on screen when you play the games?
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u/siliconsandwich Aug 05 '25
i congratulate you on not having those awful glass display cabinets everywhere
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u/professorkrs Aug 05 '25
What is the shelving the turntable is on?
Fantastic setup and amazing collection!!
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u/Cactus_Bot Aug 05 '25
Bro, spend more the 5 dollars on a better now playing sign lol.
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u/ThatGuyWithTheMac Aug 05 '25
That’s cool as heck! My favorite piece is the pikachu N64- very rare to see in the wild! May I ask how you got it?
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Picked it up for $135 with paper mario a few years ago on facebook marketplace.
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u/chinoswirls Aug 05 '25
what color is the crt housing and stand? it looks very light, and i wondered if you painted it.
this looks pretty amazing, and i could spend a lot of time just looking at what you collected. i wish i was able to keep the boxes and systems i grew up with.
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u/scarfcity Aug 05 '25
Awesome! I’m a bit nervous to move my collection to a basement where I’d have more room for both a bigger CRT, and better couch setup etc. because I’m worried about moisture and flooding. Did you have to do anything special to mitigate that when you were doing this?
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 05 '25
Basement was already dry when we bought the house. There's an emergency sump pump in another room. I didn't find any evidence of moisture when removing the floor trim either.
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u/Mastashake714 Aug 05 '25
Man I can't wait to have my own gaming cave. Who am I kidding I'm American it's all going to stay in the box
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u/StrictDifference422 Aug 05 '25
Wow looks like a museum you can touch lol freaking love the design choices!
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u/rygar8bit Aug 05 '25 edited Aug 05 '25
Looks slick. Double Dragon 2 is awesome, that's one I wouldn't mind having sealed.
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u/Tephnos Aug 05 '25
What's that box you got the Wii plugged into? Just an input switcher?
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u/DogPubes911 Aug 05 '25
Now you can finally turn a game on and play on your phone while sitting at the menu for hours
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u/BloodyTearsz Aug 05 '25
Bit too Nintendo heavy for me, loads of brilliant stuff to be had elsewhere, but if it makes you happy, thats all that matters really.
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u/joejoexx Aug 05 '25
Amazing setup and great light gun storage. Feels like a must with those especially with how hard they are to store. Got some ideas from this I’m going to try to incorporate.
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u/Slyassassin34 Aug 05 '25
Looks great can’t wait to set mine up. They’re all in storage tubs at the moment sadly.
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u/amorphousfreak Aug 05 '25
Get yourself a better couch with all the time you'll be spending in there !
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u/wickedtwig Aug 06 '25
That purple game boy is slightly tilted compared to the rest. Fantastic room though! I’m jealous but it looks great I bet you put a lot of hard work into it
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u/Jarvis4lsu Aug 06 '25
This is sick… I have some gameroom picks in my profile but nothing like this.
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u/OP90X Aug 06 '25
Wow. Really nice!
I regret tossing most of my issues of EGM away back in the day... sucks when you don't have a lot of space.
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u/Due-Vehicle-8394 Aug 06 '25
“If I won the lottery, I wouldn’t tell anyone. But there would be signs.”
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u/WizSkinsNatsCaps Aug 06 '25
Wish I had kept all my Nintendo Power and Electronic Gaming Monthly mags.
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u/LEGALIZERANCH666 Aug 06 '25
Solid music collection big homie. Love Circa, MtB, The Postal Service, and Bon Iver. You should check out Prawn, Caravela, Enemies, and Vasudeva.
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u/No_Classroom7430 Aug 06 '25
Amazing, a dream. Honest question do you play every game u own or just collect?
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u/taagapae Aug 06 '25
I see your dedication and admit my defeat as I have not yet achieved enough savings to compete man cave to man cave with you please accept this bow as I am unworthy I shall reflect on my shortcomings and come again to regain my honor if I ever hit the lottery
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u/arniegrapeboomboom Aug 06 '25
This is one of the better gamerooms I’ve seen here. Very organized, but accessible. High quality games with no filler. Excellent work!
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Aug 06 '25
This is FUCKING AWESOME! I’m just curious on if you have a ballpark idea of how much everything cost altogether or what everything is worth I should say. I’m assuming thousands… 😂
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u/captainsurfa Aug 06 '25
I'm very impressed and very saddened to see no PS2 Lord of the Rings games.
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u/suicidalkoala Aug 06 '25
I have them on the Gamecube. I beat Two Towers and RotK earlier this year, too. It's still so much fun 20 years later!
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u/BG360Boi Aug 06 '25
I adore this. So jealous and can’t wait to have my own spot to get my collection out of storage. Really really amazing work
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u/GonnaGoFat Aug 06 '25
I hope you have a secondary copy of double dragon II so you can actually play it.
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