I would say at this point any type of management would be good lol

Good lord it’s like the physical embodiment of one of your comments

Here’s my idea: manage the cables.

You don’t need ideas, you just need to start.

I can’t get the cables looking good

It’s because you plan and do cables in the early stages, not in the end stage, if you ever want it to look good.

The only thing I can think of now:

Powerful golden spray paint on all cables. Make it shine, make it look like it was all intended like this.

You could start by actually trying first.

Not sure if it’s an option for you but, make a cabinet hidey-hole thing on the other side of the wall, run cables through wall and plug in somewhere over there, profit. That is, hide the mess somewhere else.

Do you have attic access over that wall? A really long HDMI/RCA could go from behind the TV into the wall, up to attic, skip a few studs, then down to a brush faceplate behind the consoles

Professional electrician and AV tech here.

Personally, and this may be overkill, but an HDMI/video matrix would do wonders to cut down the number of cables you’re working with. You’d be able to group your cables within that shelving unit, so that you can run a single HDMI to your TV. You analog consoles would need a digital converter between the console and the matrix, but since the TV itself has to do the conversation anyway and will already introduce input lag, you’re up a creek there anyway. I’d cut a plug behind the TV, as well as low volt passthrough. If you’re handy and can patch drywall/paint, I’d run smurf tube from that shelving unit through the wall to behind the TV. And as many others have said, velcro straps, not zipties.

If you don’t want to go bananas with all that, then velcro strap everything as neatly as you can. You’d also be wise to separate power and data/video cables.

Assuming you can cut into the wall… This is likely the cleanest option without doing electrical work.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Flat-Panel-TV-Cable-Organizer-Kit-5623-WH/305090874

If that extension cable jump isn’t up to the electric code they do make something similar where you can tie it into the hardwire as well. It doesn’t look like you have an outlet in the same stud section though. Which would make that harder.

Any remaining cables horizontally I’d just stuff in something like this above the trim at the bottom. You’d probably want to either source a black one or just paint it to match your walls.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-Flat-Screen-TV-Cord-Cover-A31-KW/304502793

Move the pc next to the shelf.

Move the sub under the tv.

Get surface mount cable runs and go down from the tv to the floor, over to the shelf, and up along the side of the shelf.

Aye, it’s a fucking shit show alright. Hide the cables behind some low wooden shelves under the TV and put all the devices on those shelves (drill holes in the back of the shelves for the cables to go through). Otherwise stick that big black hairy god-awful pimp carpet over the whole lot of it and velcro it to the wall. Also, you need to get a good plasterer. That back wall is a fucking disgrace.

Embrace it.

Add a happy cutout of a rat, to that rat’s nest.

Lots of good ideas here. This is my take:

Get a bunch of Velcro cable ties. Start grouping things together. As you go, you’re going to get better placement ideas. Once everything is organized, you can decide the next step. Personally, I would look at having the PC in the bookshelf, and look for a way to put the cables in the wall.

If you do that, I’d suggest having 2 cable runs with a string looping through so that when you change things up you can easily pull a new cable.

Effort?

For real though, get a roll of Velcro and start there https://amzn.to/3R91Sqd

Like this is very bad, not even trying. Start somewhere, then ask for alternatives.

Wire ties. Literally just zip ties. Keeps them easy to get to but looks cool as fuck if you bundle them like a wiring harness.