Decorating a game room

jow

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I know this is all personal preference, but I figured I'd ask opinions. Being a kid who was born in '81, I missed the whole arcade scene. Most of my arcade game playing was done at movie theaters. I also played games at pizza shops, batting cages, mini golf places, etc but the movie theaters were where I got most of my arcade gaming in. I am getting ready to move in a few weeks, and I was thinking about my new space where my games were going to go. I was thinking last night that it would be cool to decorate the new space with movie posters from my favorite 80s flicks to kind of recreate how I used to go to the movies and play video games. I guess the only downside would be that the movie posters aren't video game related, but I could also throw up some flyers, banners, etc from Atari, Nintendo, etc. I like the movie poster idea though. Thoughts? Suggestions? Bad idea?
 
My suggestion: Do what ever makes YOU feel good. Do you have enough room to go with a theater/arcade theme? If the theater arcade is where your memories are... go with it! Hell, CALL it "Theater Arcade" or something... and go all out with the theme.
 
I agree with Fritz, do whatever makes you happy. Hell, I have a whole wall dedicated to theater; 2 original Creepshow one-sheets, 80 year old auditorium/theater seats, and I don't even have a TV in my arcade to watch movies.

Some say it's wasted space because I could fit 3 or 4 more games there, but others love it because it's something different and you have a place to sit. Since these pics were taken I made both posters even with each other.

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Some people think my tiki-bar theme is ridiculous, but I like it because it combines two of my favorite things. I also remember when mall arcades would create adventure themes to lure people in. Remember the "Gold Mine"?

Variety is good...go for it! Anything is better than blank walls.
 
My space is a work in progress, but my original thought was to do themed walls of things that I loved growing up: I have the beginnings of a comic book wall and a Star Wars wall now, but I'm sure it will change. (Believe it or not, the Ben and Hines fatheads have plans for each of my kids' rooms!)

I think your movie theatre theme is sweet.
 
Do whatever's cool to you. My game room is mostly horror-themed, but I have arcade stuff and things from Star Wars, The Dark Knight, and Back to the Future on the walls as well.

I think an 80's movie theater theme sounds awesome.
 
Second on the "feels good man" sentiment.

My memories of hanging out in arcades are more about how I remember feeling. For me it's not about recreating the experience exactly, but more like surrounding myself with things that remind me of how I felt. For some it's Star Wars stuff... for some it's Movie posters... maybe you were really into the Mets in the 80's and you have NY mets stuff everywhere. it's different for everyone.

Go with what makes you enjoy the space.
 
A pizza place theme would be cool. Have a couple of booths and a counter, some tables in the middle. The Pizza Hut I remember had a jukebox with 45's. They didn't have much for games but there was a Pole Position (I think).

There was a short lived hot dog place that had a large number of games. The food was terrible but the games were great. That was around 1991 ish, so there were less classics and more mid to late 80s stuff. I can remember playing Double Dragon, Tetris, Rampage and TMNT there.

I really want to do a bar theme with my new space and include a pool table but I won't have the room after the new bedrooms are put in. I've got some time to come up with ideas until then. I want some bar neon signs. They should go with pretty much any theme. I've got 9 sets of old (not real old) liscence plates and some NIB late 90s kiss figures to display. I should be able to come up with something.
 
Hmmmm, I think it would be OK. That was my original intent, Arcade in a theatre lobby. There's lots of cool shit you can do when mixing arcades and movie theatres.


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jow, do whatever feels right to you for your space. You can always change it up if you don't like it. My arcade space changes a little every year. My biggest change came last year when all the games moved into their own section. That made a huge difference decor-wise.

A movie theme is great! I'd love to see what you do with it.
 
Being a kid who was born in '81, I missed the whole arcade scene.

You are only 6 years younger than I am, but it makes a huge difference. I remember the arcades very well, when Chuck E Cheese first opened near me, getting scolded as a 7 year old to get out of the arcade...

Personally my arcade is a dark basement, and I am jealous of you guys with those beauties of home arcades. :D The important part is the games first, decorating 2nd.
 
when Chuck E Cheese first opened near me, getting scolded as a 7 year old to get out of the arcade...
.

See, I always thought of Chuck E Cheese as a pizza place w/ games. Maybe I'm all wrong about it. I remember CEC, and Bullwinkle's very vividly.
 
See, I always thought of Chuck E Cheese as a pizza place w/ games. Maybe I'm all wrong about it. I remember CEC, and Bullwinkle's very vividly.

The one in Colonie NY back in 1982 was a arcade with food. I remember the huge crowd around the Dragon's Lair. It was kid heaven back then.
 
I decided to go for clean/simple. Games around the perimeter with original arcade flyers for each hanging behind them. The rest is bar/sitting area.
 
The important part is the games first, decorating 2nd.

Totally disagree. Then you just have some games in a room, big deal. Believe me, if you really want 4-8 games to throw in a room somewhere, they are out there on CL right now. You could have a bunch of beat to shit but working games in a matter of hours. The beauty is buying the games you want and already having a space to place them in that has ambiance and a bit of class. A place you want to hang out in and be proud of. Not a place where you have to have the lights off cause you're embarrassed of it. People can argue all they want, but to me, get your space figured out first, then fill it with games.
 
Totally disagree. Then you just have some games in a room, big deal. Believe me, if you really want 4-8 games to throw in a room somewhere, they are out there on CL right now. You could have a bunch of beat to shit but working games in a matter of hours. The beauty is buying the games you want and already having a space to place them in that has ambiance and a bit of class. A place you want to hang out in and be proud of. Not a place where you have to have the lights off cause you're embarrassed of it. People can argue all they want, but to me, get your space figured out first, then fill it with games.

+1........
 
Totally disagree. Then you just have some games in a room, big deal. Believe me, if you really want 4-8 games to throw in a room somewhere, they are out there on CL right now. You could have a bunch of beat to shit but working games in a matter of hours. The beauty is buying the games you want and already having a space to place them in that has ambiance and a bit of class. A place you want to hang out in and be proud of. Not a place where you have to have the lights off cause you're embarrassed of it. People can argue all they want, but to me, get your space figured out first, then fill it with games.

+1........

I am just jealous of you guys. But if I had to choose decoration or games, I would take the games.
 
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