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The basement is a great area in the house for a gaming setup, home theater, or just casually hanging out. However, a lot of underused or unfinished basements still feel more like storage rather than an actual usable area. Practical upgrades like paint, lighting, and seating help, and once you have those practical matters sorted out, some extra gear along the way can add a bit of character. There's a lot of interesting tech out there, but retro tech gadgets with that old-school look can inject a hearty nostalgic flair into the area.

There are plenty of ways to turn your basement into a home theater or man cave, but we'll be focusing on the gadgets themselves here over furniture and decor. We'll be looking at products that are immediately eye-catching without sacrificing overall utility and fun ... or nostalgia.…