The Best GameCube Mod - PicoBoot

This video showcases the PicoBoot, a fairly recent mod for the Nintendo GameCube utilizing the Raspberry Pi Pico. The main goal it achieves is being an easy option to play games from solid state memory while maintaining disc read functionality. Top tier is the easiest way to describe it if for nothing else other than its accessibility. XenoGC and GCLoader feel like a distant past with the Pico in hand. What do you think about this GameCube mod?
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Affiliate Links (I get a small commission if you buy from these links, thanks for helping me out!):
Core Components:
‣ Raspberry Pi Pico - amzn.to/3Nbc4eS
‣ SD2SP2 adapter - amzn.to/3DCisIZ
‣ SD Gecko (SD2SP2 Alternative) - amzn.to/3FjJMgz
‣ 64GB SD Card - amzn.to/3fdGDEm
Primary Tools/Materials:
‣ Screwdriver Kit - amzn.to/3OWja76
‣ Soldering Iron - amzn.to/3IoqgyQ
‣ Solder Wire - amzn.to/3ayhmT1
‣ Flux Pen - amzn.to/3uE8lym
Secondary Tools/Materials:
‣ Command strip adhesive - amzn.to/3gOwn5X
‣ Kapton Tape - amzn.to/3anWT3f
‣ Shrink Tubing - amzn.to/3Nh1qDK
‣ Plastic Spudgers - amzn.to/3DfHkoz
‣ Solder Wick - amzn.to/3c6rTVK
‣ Tweezers - amzn.to/3c4pURU
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Software & Resources:
SD Card:
‣ FAT32 Formatter - ridgecrop.co.uk/index.htm?guif...
‣ 7zip - www.7-zip.org/
PicoBoot Resources:
‣ Installation Guide - github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/wi...
‣ Swiss - github.com/emukidid/swiss-gc/...
‣ PicoBoot Firmware - github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot/re...
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro and Materials
1:22 - Software Stuff
2:44 - Installing PicoBoot
6:44 - Demo and Final thoughts
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#fantasticquack #quackfix #retrorepair #videogames

[@Slappadabreeh]

Nice timing! I recently learned about this and just got the components, will be doing mine soon

[@FantasticQuack]

Awesome, let me know how it goes!

[@GoodVibeCollecting]

Even though I'll probably never use this mod, it's nice to see projects like this for future proofing. Might as well replace the CR2032 battery while you're in there as well. Most of them are dead at this point. Astro Man's theme is top tier MM8 music.

[@FantasticQuack]

A man of culture on the song taste! I tend to stick with the "if it isn't broken don't fix it" mantra--the battery is old but still working. It's only 4 screws away from changing out later :)

[@ThatBaldGamer]

Looking to buy a pre-modded GC with this and was VERY curious on if it still played actual discs. Thanks for answering the question! A+

[@FantasticQuack]

I was looking for an answer to that same question to no avail before just going ahead and doing it.. so then made sure to provide that answer! Cheers

[@BrianAgosta]

Bookmarking this for later. Thanks!

[@FantasticQuack]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@hootcompute]

Great video, thanks!

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you liked it!

[@ministryofhandsome82]

Hey dude, thanks for the video I really appreciate content like this! Just asking though what would you recommend in terms of soldering equipment, would a soldering air gun do the trick just as well?

[@FantasticQuack]

Nah for this an iron is best. the hot air rework stations are best for IC's or connectors that have multiple pins. Here you're just soldering discrete points for the most part so an iron is the right tool. Check the vid description for some tool options!

[@ministryofhandsome82]

@@FantasticQuack thank you my friend :)

[@souocesar]

I noticed that your video quality is awesome. Are you using component cables or hdmi mod?

[@FantasticQuack]

I use the Carby from Insurrection Industries. Would recommend.

[@VintageCR]

Excellent content! 8:18 well.. you know what they say. Better late then sorry! This mod absolutely is the best because its open source, the firmware is updateable and extra features might come available like you mentioned..(at later stage). with a mod chip like Xeno, all of this 'extra' and open source falls into the water. Don't get me wrong, Xeno is a great mod chip for when you want to set it and forget it + no soldering required. im about to do the Picoboot mod today, can't wait!

[@FantasticQuack]

Thanks! Couldn't agree more and I hope the process is a success for you as well!

[@calebgoodlett9244]

I think we are missing some of the software edit portion. Your voiceover was there but the video jumped to disassembly during the formatting of the SD card

[@FantasticQuack]

Do you have a time stamp where you ran into this? I'm not seeing any problem on my end.

[@calebgoodlett9244]

@@FantasticQuack nevermind. I went back and watched again and it seems it was just on my Chromecasts stream. Everything was fine on the 2nd playthrough!

[@ians.2349]

What size wire did you use for this? Do you think 22 AWG solid core would do fine?

[@FantasticQuack]

I'd use AWG 24 or 26 and recommend stranded wire, not solid.

[@ConQu33ftator]

Hello I seem to be missing the seriel port 2. Do I need a different gamecube or different adapater to move forward? Thanks

[@ConQu33ftator]

Figured it out, this methods the way to go, thanks for the great tutorial

[@FantasticQuack]

Glad you figured it out, cheers!

[@ButWhyMe...]

@@ConQu33ftator Bruh what's the solution?

[@ConQu33ftator]

@@ButWhyMe... You would need a memory port adapter and a different memory card. From what i found this method is far better. Easy to find this model, took a week but got one for a great price

[@MrManlyBeardyMan]

is there a way to do this without soldering

[@FantasticQuack]

I guess you could use conductive epoxy but that would be unorthodox

[@RAMBOSUPERRAMBO_]

Does this mod also make it region free?

[@FantasticQuack]

I don't think so, at least not with discs, but maybe alternate region roms would run. There's a pretty straightforward mod where you can solder a switch across a certain chip on the board to switch between regions.

[@leonardpayne8795]

Is that Isopropyl Alcohol from Target?

[@FantasticQuack]

Probably, I used to get it from whatever store I was at when I needed it. I have random bottles from Amazon, Dollar Tree, etc. haha