How to Set Up Your Gaming System

There are many gaming systems available, each with its own following and style. Also, with each system there are setup concerns which should be addressed. The following breakdown will help you adjust for each type of gaming system.

Wii

In 2006, Nintendo released the Wii, a game system that users stood up to operate, with motion sensors and remotes allowing users to communicate their movements to the console directly

If you plan to incorporate this system into your home entertainment system, you'll need a clear area in front of your media cabinet, about 8' by 8', depending on the number of people who will be using the Wii at any given moment. If you intend to watch movies or use other gaming systems in your entertainment system, you'll want to have chairs that can be moved out of the way for Wii, and moved back for everything else.

Console Games

Including the Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Sega, Game consoles use a controller to, well, control the game. Most controllers use a cable, but there are wireless ones available. For the cable controllers, position seats no further than about five feet away from the console. Wireless controllers, by their very nature, allow for great flexibility in positioning your seating, although you have to be careful not to block the signal from the controller to the console or exceed the range of the remote.

Guitar Hero/Rock Band

Originating in 2005, Guitar Hero and its later counterpart Rock Band incorporate gaming versions of real instruments such as guitars and drums. A certain amount of floor space is required depending on how many instruments you will be supporting. As with the Wii, about eight feet square floor space is sufficient, although if you plan on having anything else in your entertainment system, make sure your seats can be easily moved back when your gaming session is over.

Card, Cartridges, and Disks

When storing your collection of games, there isn't really much to take into consideration except that you will want to keep magnetic items and direct heat sources away from them. Sorting options include alphabetically, by gaming system, by age, or a combination of the methods. They can also be sorted by format, i.e. cartridge, disk, floppy, etc., although most games today are on disk format.

Your ultimate layout should depend on your individual gaming configuration and usage, both the type and number of systems you use. With the proper setup and the right equipment, you can easily and safely support several different gaming systems along with whatever else you put into your entertainment system. Have fun!