poker_plus Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 (edited) What's this a picture of? If you said a complete set of Atari colored boxes you would be mostly correct *. When I recently finished this collection (Math Gran Prix is a PITA!), I didn't want to just display the ends on a shelf or in a cardboard box. I want to see that groovy '70's artwork. I also can't afford that awesome reproduction Atari Kiosk. Read below if you are interested in a super cheap way to display Atari boxes. I looked at lots of display pictures here on Atariage, but I could never find exactly what I wanted to do with boxed games. If someone else has done this, I'm not trying to take credit. I just thought posting pictures might be useful. At the hardware store I picked up some roof flashing. It's made of galvanized steel, and it's about 30 cents a foot. I bought 4 10' pieces for $12. It's rigid enough to hold a box, but thin enough to cut with heavy duty kitchen scissors. The key quality is that it has the perfect "lip" to keep boxes from tumbling off. I simply cut 8 4' pieces and screwed them into a basement wall. At 7.5 inches apart they provide the perfect amount of tension to "grab" the boxes. They are held securely, but you can easily remove them. Original 9: all gatefold Stupid kid. Get a Haircut! Another view The only downside I have found so far is that the flashing isn't finish quality material. You can end up with sharp edges, so it might not work if you have kids around. I also looked for the cheapest wall mounted shelves I could find at IKEA. At $9 for a 3" piece of shelf, this project would have cost me several hundred dollars. I have thought of covering the front with big, swing out plexiglass doors. Hmmmmmm. BTW, I was only interested in the colored boxes because that's the timeframe when Atari was still pretty exciting to me as a kid. I saved up to buy some great silver label games (Vanguard!), but I was really disappointed in many others. We didn't say "Jumped the shark" back then, but that's exactly how Atari seemed to me after spending my allowance on ET and the Swordquest nonsense. Next up: Sears games with alternate artwork. *OK, I have Championship Soccer instead of Pele's soccer, AGOC instead of Hunt 'n Score, Basic Math instead of Fun With Numbers. No Racing Pack, Action Pack, etc either. But I'm looking... Edited January 21, 2008 by poker_plus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red 5 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Very sexy. I have recently gotten the box bug myself. Congrats on a nice lookin' room! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homerwannabee Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Wow, fantastic collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rom Hunter Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Very impressive, poker_plus! If you have the space, this is a very nice way to show them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 That's awesome. I actually had never considered using boxes as a sort of decor, as opposed to just putting them on shelves or something. Wish I'd thought of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Nice! I've recently wanted to collect all the color boxes, but planning a 1000+ mile move in a few months, it's bad timing. Maybe after that! Just be careful that no sunlight is shining directly on those boxes, cuz if it is, they'll be faded before you know it. That's the only problem displaying stuff like this. Well, that, and the pretty colors are attractive to children... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 That looks great! Thanks for taking the time to describe exactly what you did and for taking pictures and sharing them. I couldn't help but notice the Tempest machine also. Makes me nostalgic for the one I had 15 years ago.. ..Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Psionic Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 If someone else has done this, I'm not trying to take credit. I just thought posting pictures might be useful. bfstats has you beat by about 20 years (and several hundred games). Looks cool though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jboypacman Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Awesome just awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 If someone else has done this, I'm not trying to take credit. I just thought posting pictures might be useful. bfstats has you beat by about 20 years (and several hundred games). Looks cool though. I just wet myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tremoloman2006 Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 (edited) Very nice! Thank you for posting these pics! I'm drooling! One word of advice: I STRONGLY suggest installing window film on your windows to protect this priceless collection! Here is a link to one I found at Home Depot for $29.99 that blocks 99% of UV rays: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores...ocStoreNum=8125 Cost is minimal and it will keep your boxes from fading whether you close the shades or not. It applies simply by spraying your windows with Windex then using the included squigee to flatten it smooth. When it dries, it applies. If you don't like it, peel it off. It is 100% reuseable and also reduces energy costs if you use a tinted version. I've installed this on all the windows in my home. It makes keeping my home cool easier in the summer, looks sharp, and keeps my autographed movie poster collection safe from being ruined from the sun. Edited January 21, 2008 by tremoloman2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poker_plus Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share Posted January 21, 2008 If someone else has done this, I'm not trying to take credit. I just thought posting pictures might be useful. bfstats has you beat by about 20 years (and several hundred games). Looks cool though. Sweet! You know, I remember seeing that picture of bfstats room, but I couldn't find it again despite lots of searching. Any more info? Oh, and to answer tremoloman2006's post, my display wall is in a dark corner of my basement. Anyways, I live in Seattle where we have no sunlight. What could possibly go wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 Nice work. I like the overall appearance. If somebody else is planning this, that flashing is also available coated in a less industrial looking brown or white at home improvement stores like Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. I wonder if you might be able to use ceiling grid "T" and "L" pieces to do something like this with a shallower projection. (Not that I'm criticizing what was done here, this is just the sorta good idea that gets me to thinking of other ideas) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted January 21, 2008 Share Posted January 21, 2008 I was just thinking it'd be really cool to make wallpaper with all the different Atari boxes on it. Then you wouldn't have to use the actual boxes. I've no idea if that's possible, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tremoloman2006 Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I was just thinking it'd be really cool to make wallpaper with all the different Atari boxes on it. Then you wouldn't have to use the actual boxes. I've no idea if that's possible, though. If somebody ever created that, I'd wallpaper my entire home with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Psionic Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Sweet! You know, I remember seeing that picture of bfstats room, but I couldn't find it again despite lots of searching. Any more info? http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=129555 http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...st&p=155910 http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s...t&p=1251240 Sadly, last I heard, he was in the process of moving and was forced to disassemble "The Great Wall". He hopes to rebuild it someday soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigO Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 (edited) As you wish, BassGuitari: http://www.greatwallonline.com/ "Whether it's a photographic wall mural or a one of a kind custom wallpaper pattern, we create digitally printed wallcoverings and giclee specifically tailored to your décor or interests" Edited January 22, 2008 by BigO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirage Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 (edited) As you wish, BassGuitari: http://www.greatwallonline.com/ "Whether it's a photographic wall mural or a one of a kind custom wallpaper pattern, we create digitally printed wallcoverings and giclee specifically tailored to your décor or interests" EDIT: nevermind, I'll start a new thread, it's a new enough thought. Edited January 22, 2008 by Mirage1972 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 I love to see what you guys made with your collections..... This kind of wall art is wonderful!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toymailman Posted January 22, 2008 Share Posted January 22, 2008 Thanks for sharing! What a nice collection of Atari boxes. I see you have some box variations too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
video game addict Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 I like this alot but the sheet metal makes me a bit wary. I think the plastic corner protectors would work better just from a safety standpoint. The way they are sitting on there though they look as if they are about to fall off the edge. I think this would be nice for a subset or for smaller collections, but for an entire wall/room it's overwhelming. I'm using 4 bookcases for my collection right now, bookcased they take up around 10' of wall for around 600 boxed games. Laying flat against the walls though, I'm not sure I could fit them all. But for boxes like Zellers & some Tawians this is really nice since they often have no spine text. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwan-iwanowitsch-goratschin Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 It´s one of my dreams to make a "bfstats memory wall" in my own basement! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahfish Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I was just thinking it'd be really cool to make wallpaper with all the different Atari boxes on it. Then you wouldn't have to use the actual boxes. I've no idea if that's possible, though. If somebody ever created that, I'd wallpaper my entire home with it. it is possible ... there is a few companies that offer digital prints onto wallpaper ... it's just a bit expensive ... and you would need high resolution scan of all the boxes ... your entire home might costs a few thousands ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Phruby Posted January 24, 2013 Share Posted January 24, 2013 The box walls remind me of how some Star Wars collectors display their carded figure collections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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