A Spotter's Guide to Gaming Shrines

Alright, so picture this:

It's a dark, snowy morning. The wind is biting and the path is treacherous, but this doesn't deter you. You make the long trek to your mailbox/post office/mom's house and... lo and behold, the game you ordered off of Amazon has finally arrived! You race back home and enjoy countless hours in perfect gaming bliss. Once sated, you fondly replace the disk/cartridge in its respective case and prepare to store it in your gaming shelf until you're in just the right mood to pick it up again.





There's no room.





There's no room.

*And scene!*

Shelf Envy

We'd like to imagine that, when we've graduated from college and actually have money, that we could own one of those amazing gaming shelves that you see on the internet. Everyone knows the kind: those sleek, ebony surfaces, the stunning amount of games, the sheer beauty of the action figures assembled neatly into rows... We both have some serious shelf envy going on. This inspired (in one of our numerous procrastinating sessions) some research into the glorious culture of gaming shelves. As we considered these majestic sights with muted awe, we realized that there are a few cardinal rules to follow when planning your shine to the gaming Gods. We've assembled (from Google) some of the best (and worst, and obscene) shelves for you to feast your eyes on as we comment on their strengths and their faults (and their faults (fertility statues, we're looking at you!))

Example One:
The Fort

Okay. You don't put games in front of other games. In fact, you don't put anything in front of games. Not only is it aesthetically displeasing, but you also cannot tell what half of the games are on the shelf when you look at it. The point of the shelf is to have things organized and easily accessible, you don't want to spend twenty minutes taking your shelf apart just to find one game. Also, having your charger sprawled in the corner of the shelf is just messy. You want your friends to admire your shelf, not comment on your poor housekeeping.

Example Two:
Broaden Your Horizons, Don't Stack on Them

While you can clearly perceive all of the games on this shelf with just a glance, there are still a few things that take away from its gaming glory. The clutter that is surrounding the shelf as well as the sheer amount of cases present (are they almost hitting the ceiling? I think they're touching the ceiling) just makes this arrangement messy. I mean, they don't even have room on the wall for the clock; and really, don't use your shelves as a hat rack (it will anger the gaming Gods.) Also, horizontal stacking is scary. What if I wanted a game from the bottom? Would I just rip it out and hope for the best? This isn't a table cloth, and I'm not a magician!

Example Three:
The Stockpiler

I (Player Two), am a firm believer in removing action figures from boxes. Now, I know this may be blasphemous to some (I mean, Player One still has her phaser in the box as I type this), but I think in a setting like gaming shelves, it just looks better without the boxes. This person even has their PSP box on the shelf! Doesn't that seem just a bit excessive? Besides that, they have a great system here. All of their games are neatly in place, and some of them even look alphabetized. (Player Two has a bit of a problem with alphabetizing things...and with spelling the word alphabetizing.)

Example Four:
Shrine on, Bright Eyes (Glory to the Gaming Gods!)

This is beautiful. It's not just storage space, it's a fully functioning entertainment center. It is obvious that this person is a hardcore gamer (and a Final Fantasy VII fan; Player Two approves), but their adoration for gaming is understated. It's presented in a very mature and thoughtful way, which is very hard to find. Their love for gaming is expressed very simply, and it is not the overwhelming message of the room. You could easily entertain business associates here without worrying unduly about shoving your PS2 under the couch and hiding your games in the shower. This room seems like a fun, organized space that allows for maximal gaming time with minimal effort. It almost says: "I'm a gamer, and a CEO! Now where are my bonuses?"

Unfortunately, here at Smith, Player Two is forced to use a binder due to the lack of shelving in her dorm room, and Player One is limited to two measly shelves to hold all of her games, books, and movies. What kind of shelves do you use to store your precious games? Is there a cheat code? Do you need to use a strategy guide? Is better or worse than the Water Temple? Let us know!