GameCube:Booting Homebrew: Difference between revisions

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(Category:RetroRGB Migration Sourced from [https://www.retrorgb.com/ RetroRGB.com] with explicit permission from Bob.)
 
(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:GameCube]]
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.


== 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.


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.
=== Working Game Discs ===
See the [[GameCube:Boot Disc Information]] page for a complete list of games that have been verified working.


Here's the different methods available, starting with the easiest:
=== <small>SD2SP2 - where to buy</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 (UK Seller):  [https://retrogamerstuff.com/collections/all-consoles/products/gamecube-sd2sp2?ref=9qd6Y RetroGamerStuff]


**Boot Disc (No Mod Required):**
== Optical Drive Emulator ==


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.
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.  


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 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.


 
'''GCLoader PNP - where to buy'''


**SD2SP2 (US Seller): ** [https://castlemaniagames.com/collections/citrus-3000psi/products/gamecube-sd2sp2-assembled?ref=w9_zngec1o_ https://castlemaniagames.com/collections/citrus-3000psi/products/gamecube-sd2sp2-assembled?ref=w9\_zngec1o\_]
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>


**SD2SP2 (UK Seller):**  [https://retrogamerstuff.com/collections/all-consoles/products/gamecube-sd2sp2?ref=9qd6Y https://retrogamerstuff.com/collections/all-consoles/products/gamecube-sd2sp2?ref=9qd6Y]
* 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 ==


**Optical Drive Emulator:**
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'''


If you're a GameCube power user, you can get an Optical Drive Emulator that replaces the CD drive in your GC.  This allows for more advanced features and much faster loading:  [https://shop.dansprojects.com/gc-loader.html https://shop.dansprojects.com/gc-loader.html]
'''XenoGC - where to buy'''


 
<small>Check out the [[GameCube:Trusted_Sellers_and_Hardware_List|Trusted Sellers List]]</small>


**Mod Chip:**
*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]
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!
 
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.
 
 
 
If you’re done, please click here to go back to the [https://www.retrorgb.com/gamecube.html main GameCube Page].  If you’d like info on mods for other systems, head to the [https://www.retrorgb.com/systems.html Getting RGB From Each System page] or check out [https://www.retrorgb.com/ the main page] for more retro-awesomeness.

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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