GameCube:Booting Homebrew: Difference between revisions

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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.  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.


Here's the different methods available, starting with the easiest:
= Methods =


**Boot Disc (No Mod Required):**
== Boot Disc (No Mod Required) ==


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 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 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 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.
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.


 
=== <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]


**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\_]
== Optical Drive Emulator ==


**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]
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]


**Optical Drive Emulator:**
== Mod Chip ==
 
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]
 
 
 
**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, 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 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.

Revision as of 16:44, 12 June 2022

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 the amazing Swiss software, then launch your games from there.

Methods

Boot Disc (No Mod Required)

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 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.

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 CD drive in your GC. 

This allows for more advanced features and much faster loading:  https://shop.dansprojects.com/gc-loader.html

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!

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.

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