Ibrahim Al-Nasser, a video game collector from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has set a highly extensive record in the Guinness World Record for connecting 444 different video game consoles to a single television. The achievement really says it all regarding the huge collection and dedication to the annals of gaming history, going as far back as the Magnavox Odyssey. The first video game console was released in 1972, the PlayStation 5 Slim, which was released in late 2023.
This man connected over 400 video game consoles to a single TV
This earned him the Guinness World Record for the most consoles connected to a TVpic.twitter.com/WJ58hEIYXH
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) August 13, 2024
Al-Nasser has set up multiple switchers and converters to handle such a large amount of consoles. There is even an Excel document with which he keeps track of which switcher applies to which console so that he can choose whatever console he wants to play at the push of a button. His collection is incredibly organized, with cable management that will keep the setup presentable and clean-looking, resembling some sort of mini-museum of gaming.
Imagine walking into a room and running into something nearly like a video game wonderland. Behind Al-Nasser’s TV is a neatly arranged heap of over 30 RCA switchers and 12 HDMI switchers, all hooked up to suit his extraordinary collection. It isn’t some jumbled mess of cables but rather, so to speak, a mini-museum dedicated to the history of gaming.
via-X
“All of these consoles had to be connected, which was both challenging and joyful,” Al-Nasser said in an interview. “I just wanted to do something unique that expresses my love for gaming.” The enthusiasm is infectious, and this does indeed seem to be a labor of love.
Al-Nasser took the organization of this massive setup to the next level. He created a detailed Excel spreadsheet that matches each console with the appropriate switcher. Want to play this or that nostalgic Sega Genesis game? No problem! He looks through his trusty spreadsheet and is off in past gaming times. Like a conductor at an orchestra, each cable has a role in a wonderfully engineered performance.
Of course, it wasn’t quite all plain sailing. Al-Nasser hit several technical rocks along the way. The biggest? Well, limited TV ports. He was put through a couple of tight spots—either unplugging consoles or adding more switchers and converters. He chose the latter to make sure he could keep his entire collection connected and ready to play immediately.
This meant that the integration of both modern and classic consoles was also a careful balancing act. Al-Nasser needed to ensure that every one of the connections was compatible; at the same time, he poised to ensure that the setup remained aesthetically pleasing. “It’s all about the details,” he explained. “I wanted everything to appear tidy, organized while still being functional.”.
Unrewarded, his hard work has not been. Al-Nasser’s achievement inspires collectors and gamers worldwide. That is what shows how great a passion can be to push boundaries and create something beyond expectations. It is much more than a hobby to others, for gaming is an art, connectivity, and a journey through time.
Now, out of those 444, which one would he consider as his favorite? Ibrahim proudly tells us, “The Sega Genesis simply is always the best in my book!” He just couldn’t hide that love for this classic machine, special in the history of video games.
