GameCube:Booting Homebrew: Difference between revisions

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(Updated links for BDT and gc-loader.com for new HW2 version, HW1 is discontinued. gc-loader.com is not UK based, it is the website of Daniel Kraak/meneerbeer and is based in the Netherlands (they can't even sell to the UK because of Brexit). The UK based )
 
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[[Category:RetroRGB Migration]]
[[Category:GameCube]]
The GameCube can launch homebrew software and original games from flash media, via a few different methods.  I strongly recommend that regardless of launch method, you first boot to [https://github.com/emukidid/swiss-gc the amazing Swiss software], then launch your games from there.
The GameCube can launch homebrew software and original games from flash media, via a few different methods. Regardless of launch method, you should first boot to [https://github.com/emukidid/swiss-gc Swiss], then launch your games from there.


= Methods =
== Boot Disc ==


== Boot Disc (No Mod Required) ==
This method requires no physical modifications to your GC. If you have purchased any later revision Action Replay disc for your GameCube region (whether it's NTSC or PAL), you can use any cheap SD memory card adapter to launch homebrew (or buy the more expensive official 'kits' from Datel). With a boot disc and SD card reader, you can simply add your homebrew to an SD card, ensuring that it's at least 2GB or less, and load it from there. The best recommendation is to place the latest version of Swiss on the root of the card and rename it to "autoexec.dol"; this will result in the GC auto-booting directly into Swiss and letting you go off there.


If you purchase any later revision Action Replay disc for your GameCube region (NTSC or PAL), you can use any cheap SD memory card adapter to launch homebrew (or buy the more expensive official 'kits' from Datel).  With a boot disc and SD reader, you can simply add your homebrew to an SD card that's 2GB or less and boot from there.  My suggestion is to place the latest version of Swiss on the root of the card and rename it to "autoexec.dol" - This will result in the GC auto-booting to Swiss and letting you go from there.
The one disadvantage of using an Action Replay disc to boot is its 2GB SD card limitation. You can easily switch SD cards after booting; however, using the SD2SP2 as a secondary memory card is by far the easiest. Simply format ''any'' microSD card to FAT32, load all your software on it, then, after booting to Swiss, change the directory to the other SD card and boot your games!


The one disadvantage of using an Action Replay to boot, is it's 2GB SD card limitation.  You can easily switch SD cards after booting, however using the SD2SP2 as a secondary memory card is the easiest;  Simply format ''any'' MicroSD card FAT32, load all your software on it, then after booting to Swiss, change the directory to the other SD card and boot your games!
The main advantage of using a boot disc is that there are ''zero'' modifications needed to your GameCube. Just plug and play, and you can still play original discs, with or without the help of Swiss.


The main advantage of using a boot disc is there are ''zero'' modifications needed to your GameCube - Just plug and play...and you can still pay original discs, with or without the help of Swiss.
=== Working Game Discs ===
See the [[GameCube:Boot Disc Information]] page for a complete list of games that have been verified working.


=== <small>SD2SP2 where to buy</small> ===
=== <small>SD2SP2 - where to buy</small> ===
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>
*SD2SP2 (US Seller): [https://castlemaniagames.com/collections/citrus-3000psi/products/gamecube-sd2sp2-assembled?ref=w9_zngec1o_ CastleManiaGames]
*SD2SP2 (US Seller): [https://castlemaniagames.com/collections/citrus-3000psi/products/gamecube-sd2sp2-assembled?ref=w9_zngec1o_ CastleManiaGames]
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== Optical Drive Emulator ==
== Optical Drive Emulator ==


If you're a GameCube power user, you can get an Optical Drive Emulator that replaces the CD drive in your GC. 
If you're a GameCube power user, you can get an Optical Drive Emulator that replaces the DVD drive in your GC. This allows for more advanced features and much faster loading.


This allows for more advanced features and much faster loading:  [https://shop.dansprojects.com/gc-loader.html https://shop.dansprojects.com/gc-loader.html]
 
 
'''GCLoader PNP - where to buy'''
 
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>
 
* GCLoader PNP HW2 (US Seller): [https://www.black-dog.tech/gc-loader-pnp-1.html BlackDogTech/Citrus3000psi]
* GCLoader PNP HW2 (Netherlands Seller): [https://gc-loader.com/product/gc-loader-pnp-hw2/ GC-Loader.com]
* GCLoader PNP HW2 (UK Seller): [https://gamesconnection.co.uk/products/gc-loader-pnp gamesconnection.co.uk]


== Mod Chip ==
== Mod Chip ==


With the other options above, mod chips have become less popular for the GC.  The Swiss software offers almost all the same features as a mod chip, except the ability to boot from a DVDr.  This would allow homebrew to be launched from both disc and flash media, which might make devices like the SD2SP2 (linked above) easier to use:  Simply load your games on the MicroSD, boot to Swiss via the burned disc and launch your games.  More complicated mod chips can even load Swiss without the need for a disc!
With the other options above, modchips have become less popular for the GC. The Swiss software offers almost all the same features as a modchip, except for the ability to boot from a DVD-R. This would allow homebrew to be launched from both disc and flash media, which might make devices like the SD2SP2 (linked above) easier to use. Simply load your games on the MicroSD, boot to Swiss via the burned disc, and launch your games. More complicated modchips can even load Swiss without the need for a disc (i.e., PicoBoot).
'''XenoGC - where to buy'''
'''XenoGC - where to buy'''
 
'''XenoGC - where to buy'''
 
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>


If you're interested in a mod chip, I suggest researching installation, price and availability.  Depending on your situation and modding skills, this could end up being a cost-effective method of launching homebrew.
*XenoGC (US Seller): [https://handheldlegend.com/products/xeno-gc-mod-chip-for-gamecube-xenogc-xen8gc/ HandHeldLegends]
*XenoGC (UK Seller):  [https://www.zedlabz.com/products/replacement-xeno-chip-for-nintendo-gamecube-console-internal-zedlabz?_pos=16&_sid=4f9047b32&_ss=r/ ZedLabz]

Latest revision as of 14:41, 27 October 2023

The GameCube can launch homebrew software and original games from flash media, via a few different methods. Regardless of launch method, you should first boot to Swiss, then launch your games from there.

Boot Disc

This method requires no physical modifications to your GC. If you have purchased any later revision Action Replay disc for your GameCube region (whether it's NTSC or PAL), you can use any cheap SD memory card adapter to launch homebrew (or buy the more expensive official 'kits' from Datel). With a boot disc and SD card reader, you can simply add your homebrew to an SD card, ensuring that it's at least 2GB or less, and load it from there. The best recommendation is to place the latest version of Swiss on the root of the card and rename it to "autoexec.dol"; this will result in the GC auto-booting directly into Swiss and letting you go off there.

The one disadvantage of using an Action Replay disc to boot is its 2GB SD card limitation. You can easily switch SD cards after booting; however, using the SD2SP2 as a secondary memory card is by far the easiest. Simply format any microSD card to FAT32, load all your software on it, then, after booting to Swiss, change the directory to the other SD card and boot your games!

The main advantage of using a boot disc is that there are zero modifications needed to your GameCube. Just plug and play, and you can still play original discs, with or without the help of Swiss.

Working Game Discs

See the GameCube:Boot Disc Information page for a complete list of games that have been verified working.

SD2SP2 - where to buy

Check out the Trusted Sellers List

Optical Drive Emulator

If you're a GameCube power user, you can get an Optical Drive Emulator that replaces the DVD drive in your GC. This allows for more advanced features and much faster loading.


GCLoader PNP - where to buy

Check out the Trusted Sellers List

Mod Chip

With the other options above, modchips have become less popular for the GC. The Swiss software offers almost all the same features as a modchip, except for the ability to boot from a DVD-R. This would allow homebrew to be launched from both disc and flash media, which might make devices like the SD2SP2 (linked above) easier to use. Simply load your games on the MicroSD, boot to Swiss via the burned disc, and launch your games. More complicated modchips can even load Swiss without the need for a disc (i.e., PicoBoot). XenoGC - where to buy XenoGC - where to buy

XenoGC - where to buy

Check out the Trusted Sellers List

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