Mancave

Arcade Raid Over Dubbo

February 12, 2020 By ausretrogamer

Have you ever dreamed of raiding a warehouse full of arcade machine we used to play back in the day?

Well, that dream is now a reality, thanks to Dubbo Arcade and Amusements! From looking at the photos on their Facebook page, we reckon they may have pretty much what most of us are after, either an old school arcade machine from the 80s or 90s, those hard to find arcade game boards, Hankin cocktail tables, or perhaps a jukebox or a pinball machine to tickle your nostalgic nerve.

Whatever you are after, we reckon a visit to Dubbo may be in order 😉

image source: Dubbo Arcade and Amusements via Facebook

Games Room Delights: Nintendo_Master1

June 28, 2018 By ausretrogamer

There is something about seeing people’s gaming rooms that invokes our inner voyeurism, in a good way.

We are always fascinated and intrigued of each unique games room setup we see, just like Nintendo_Master1’s – you’ll have to agree (once you check out all of the pics) that it is pretty darn awesome!

Let the drooling begin!

image source: Nintendo_Master1 on Facebook

Evolution Of The Ausretrogamer Fun Factory

May 11, 2018 By ausretrogamer

This post has been a long time coming!

Not content with the home office acting as our games room, Ms. ausretrogamer came up with the idea to transform the garage into a fun factory – a place where all of our retro gear would be setup to be played and enjoyed.

Once the overall design was pitched, it took a while for me to come around to convert the garage into a gaming space. The garage was basically going to provide an idyllic setting for all of our computers, consoles, arcade and pinball machines in the one space so that they could be enjoyed by anyone at anytime – no more fetching stuff out of cupboards and wiring them up to be used!

With the garage already sporting painted walls and ceiling, the next step was to make it secure from the elements – we didn’t want dust to come in and damage the delicate old school gear. Once the garage was secure and weather tight, the interior design was kicked off by Ms. ausretrogamer. Her eye for detail and use of space was second to none! I must admit, I had trouble picturing how the whole thing would look like, but I should not have had any doubt. Ms. ausretrogamer’s vision for the room was exactly what both of us had wanted, I just didn’t know it till I saw it done!

The games room, now called the ‘ausretrogamer fun factory‘ started taking shape once we relocated the computers, consoles and the Dreamcast kiosk on one side, the cupboards holding the precious software on the opposite side and the larger items (pinball and arcade machines) utilising the rear of the room. Every inch of the room was used to its fullest extent – no waste of space in this fun factory!

The ausretrogamer fun factory has evolved over the last few years, with old items making way for newer old items, with the overall design and function remaining true – which is an ideal space for friends and family to get together and have fun!

All great ideas start with a mess!

Starting the building process

Starting to take shape

Getting the console area setup using a Data Centre grade power-strip!

Testing 1, 2, 3 – we have POWER!

Getting the artwork setup

A comfy chair is a prerequisite!

Fun Factory MK I – console area

Fun Factory MK I – panoramic view

Fun Factory MK I – the pinball and arcade machines area

Fun Factory as it is TODAY! There have been quite a few moves and changes!

Fun Factory – the current pinball and arcade area. Fun times ahead!

If you intend on using any of the photos from our Ausretrogamer Fun Factory, please credit them back to this article – thank you.

NYC Apartment Turned Into An Arcade

August 28, 2014 By ausretrogamer

Chris Kooluris, a Manhattan PR Exec, has a great eye for interior spaces. While unsuccessful at selling his apartment, Chris decided to transform the under utilised space into an arcade for himself and friends to use. Chris even had his former fiancée assist in the design of the arcade room!

Chris went with the dark, cave-like arcade feel of the 80s, while his former fiancée added the bright colours and art work. Having dropped USD$32,000 on the project, we reckon it was money well spent! Now, where is our invite?

Before the transformation

After the transformation

Oh yeah baby, gimme some Street Fighter II action!

Classic Nintendo arcade machines

Miniaturised Arcade!

The Street Fighter II Roster

A Lovely View

image source: abc News – Lifestyle

For Sale: House Of Dreams

May 19, 2014 By ausretrogamer

If you had all the money in the world and were after a property to suit your (inner geek) needs, perhaps this house in South Florida would be ideal. Marc Bell, a successful financier, producer and former head of FriendFinder Networks is selling his palatial home for a cool $USD35 million. You better befriend your bank manager!

Instead of focusing on the normal things people look for in a home, you know, like how many bedrooms, the façade, the number of bathrooms and is the kitchen bench-top made from granite, let’s cut to the chase and head straight to the recreational areas that will get your heart racing. If you are like me, you better get some napkins to wipe away the drool.

The 2000-square-foot ballroom converted into an arcade paradise. Oh yeah baby!