Support NeoGAF

[baphomet]

Ive given up trying to find GameCube component cables for ~$100. I'm just going to capture GameCube stuff via Wii with component cables. I was honestly trying to be able to capture everything in the best possible quality, but I'm just going to have to give up trying to find them.

 

[Peagles]

Damnit, I knew I shoulda got you some when Nintendo Australia still had them!

 

[the androgyne]

Was browsing Rakuten and a store was having a closing sale, 50% off a whole load of stuff. Nabbed a Gamecube for 500Y! Along with a 500Y Saturn steering wheel which will save me some packing space (I'm planning a move to Japan one of these days), and they shipped it to my inlaws within a day for just another 500Y! So that'll come in handy some day, and completes a trio of PAL, US and JP Cubes for my collection!

 

[sixteen-bit]

God, I should have gotten some spare GC controllers before all of this.

hey now, weekend is coming up. hit up some yard sales or flea markets this weekend and find some before the word gets out, lmao

 

[Brofield]

So since my Wii died, I had to dig out my old gamecube to continue playing StarFox Adventures. Unfortunately, composite onto an HDTV isn't the prettiest thing.

I always wondered, why were there never any of the GC component cables made by third party companies? It happened enough with the Wii. Would it really require too much time and energy to recreate them and purchase them at a more reasonable price?

 

[sixteen-bit]

So since my Wii died, I had to dig out my old gamecube to continue playing StarFox Adventures. Unfortunately, composite onto an HDTV isn't the prettiest thing.

I always wondered, why were there never any of the GC component cables made by third party companies? It happened enough with the Wii. Would it really require too much time and energy to recreate them and purchase them at a more reasonable price?

Yes, because the cable itself contains a proprietary DAC chip

 

[televator]

Ive given up trying to find GameCube component cables for ~$100. I'm just going to capture GameCube stuff via Wii with component cables. I was honestly trying to be able to capture everything in the best possible quality, but I'm just going to have to give up trying to find them.

I check the cable racks at goodwill hoping to find another set like I did before but... nothing. Id gladly give the same deal I did last time for them if I found them again. I think I sold that other set for like 45 bucks.

 

[Tal Shiar Agent]

So, does this new WiiU GameCube Controller Adapter mean that we will be getting brand new official GameCube controllers? It is getting hard to find good official controllers nowadays.

 

[ec0ec0]

So, does this new WiiU GameCube Controller Adapter mean that we will be getting brand new official GameCube controllers? It is getting hard to find good official controllers nowadays.

They have to, really. I dont have money to pay crazy prices online ;P

 

[Peagles]

They can't just show that badass smash bros logo controller and not make it. That's just cruel.

 

[sixteen-bit]

They'll probably include one Smash-branded controller with the game and the adapter in some sort of LE / premium set.

 

[ec0ec0]

They can't just show that badass smash bros logo controller and not make it. That's just cruel.

.

edit: but i want purple ones :3

 

[IrishNinja]

played some Melee tonight with friends...holy crap my controllers are largely shot, haha

 

[televator]

We're RetroGAF. GifGAF doesn't shine their light here.

 

[Tablo]

The one concern I have is if they release new controllers they'll be of noticeably lesser quality of the current official ones.
I think I read they were just going to get a 3rd party accessory company to make them, doesn't bode well.
I would be ecstatic if they make more of the Wii white ones with their longer cords. I have two of those sealed heh

 

[baphomet]

Damnit, I knew I shoulda got you some when Nintendo Australia still had them!

We really should have. I'm stupid for not having you pick me a set up. Thankfully I believe I've worked out a trade with a board member for a set. Good deal for both of us in my opinion. Looking forward to getting them.

 

[sixteen-bit]

The one concern I have is if they release new controllers they'll be of noticeably lesser quality of the current official ones.
I think I read they were just going to get a 3rd party accessory company to make them, doesn't bode well.
I would be ecstatic if they make more of the Wii white ones with their longer cords. I have two of those sealed heh

I believe that PDP thing is something else. It plug into the Wii remote and does not utilie the adapter accessory.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=822916

 

[Timeless]

I always wondered, why were there never any of the GC component cables made by third party companies? It happened enough with the Wii. Would it really require too much time and energy to recreate them and purchase them at a more reasonable price?

With the cables going for ~$150 used, no, it wouldn't be too much energy to re-create them.

Maybe the target market is really small? A company would have to do some research to determine if it's worth the money to reverse-engineer.

 

[Seik]

I always wondered, why were there never any of the GC component cables made by third party companies? It happened enough with the Wii. Would it really require too much time and energy to recreate them and purchase them at a more reasonable price?

With the cables going for ~$150 used, no, it wouldn't be too much energy to re-create them.

Maybe the target market is really small? A company would have to do some research to determine if it's worth the money to reverse-engineer.

Nope, there's a chip at the base of the connector that does the 'analog-to-digital signal' job.

If it was just a simple cable, we probably would have seen tons of third parties replicating it already. This was probably too complicated to replicate to a point where it just wasn't worth it.

 

[televator]

I've wondered this before... if the signal from the digital port is sendind digital video and perhaps audio, wouldn't it be easier and better to create an HDMI cable that plugs into that port?

Seems like it'd be fewer steps than sourcing chips, creating boards and code, etc...

 

[Astral/H3X]

Thatd be awesome to just have hdmi, but I doubt we can get that.

 

[SeventhSon]

Nintendo put the component encoder in the cable to save base manufacturing costs since most customers wouldn't even have a compatible TV during that time period, eventually removing the port entirely.

 

[BumblebeeCody]

*Don't get your hopes up*
Yo. Does anyone want two free GameCube games? I bought FIFA 2004 and FIFA 2006 (for a £1) from a Carboot Sale this weekend for the reason that the boxes were in perfect condition (Managed to replace my broken Doshin The Giant). However since it's FIFA they have no value at all and it's not even worth putting them on eBay. I want to get rid of them but before throwing them in the bin (later this week/Friday) I'll see if anyone wants them first.
Again free as well.

Don't have cases.
PAL region (UK)
Come with manuals
Comes with front cover
Discs are in good condition

Let me know if anyone is interested.

 

[Drain You]

Got the last Gamecube I think I will be buying for quite a long time the other day. Unboxed the rest of my Cubes to take a picture. Still looking to get the Gundam plus Gameboy Player, Resi 4, and Twin Snakes Cubes.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Wasn't there a white LE Gamecube as well?

 

[Josh7289]

Got the last Gamecube I think I will be buying for quite a long time the other day. Unboxed the rest of my Cubes to take a picture. Still looking to get the Gundam plus Gameboy Player, Resi 4, and Twin Snakes Cubes.

Is that a GameCube with some kind of cartridge slot?

Also that teal one looks gorgeous.

 

[Drain You]

Wasn't there a white LE Gamecube as well?

There was, I believe it was for a Final Fantasy Game. I collect limited edition Gamecubes, but only the ones I am interested in . Wish I could own them all.

Is that a GameCube with some kind of cartridge slot?

Also that teal one looks gorgeous.

Yes it is, they used Hard drives enclosed in cartridges for development purposes early on.

The Tales Cube is probably the most aesthetically pleasing cube and I love it.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Yeah that mint green color is nice. Reminds me of the post color when you get quoted on this forum.

 

[Drain You]

Yeah that mint green color is nice. Reminds me of the post color when you get quoted on this forum.

I had to change my forum theme to realize what you meant, you are spot on though.

Dark theme for life.

 

[wilflare]

this thread is really poisonous

 

[Woffls]

Just added a Wavebird and Paper Mario The Thousand-Year Door to my collection Been wanting to play TTYD for years now, and I figured it would only go up in value... probably... so what the hell.

 

[Jamix012]

Yo, so I'm in my native country of England, and wanted to pick up some Gamecube goodness. So are there any good PAL games that weren't released State-side? I only know of Doshin the Giant. I'd also like to know about some good non-progressive scan games (IE games that don't support 480p), as from tests, PAL versions tend to look marginally better.

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Got the last Gamecube I think I will be buying for quite a long time the other day. Unboxed the rest of my Cubes to take a picture. Still looking to get the Gundam plus Gameboy Player, Resi 4, and Twin Snakes Cubes.

I absolutely love the mint green Tales 'cube, but I hate the art on the lid.

 

[Seik]

I've wondered this before... if the signal from the digital port is sendind digital video and perhaps audio, wouldn't it be easier and better to create an HDMI cable that plugs into that port?

Seems like it'd be fewer steps than sourcing chips, creating boards and code, etc...

I think the digital out itself on the GameCube outputs analog signal, then the chip in the cable does the work to convert it, not 100% sure though.

 

[-KRS-]

I really need to step up my GC-collecting. It's probably the most neglected console in my collection, and for no good reason at all!

 

[DeuceGamer]

I really need to step up my GC-collecting. It's probably the most neglected console in my collection, and for no good reason at all!

May be cause the games are a bit harder to find in the wild compared to the PS2 and Xbox? Atleast in my experience it has been and I noticed my other collections growing much faster. I had to look specificly for GC games to build up my collection and it still has a ways to go before I'm close to satisfied.

 

[n64coder]

I think the digital out itself on the GameCube outputs analog signal, then the chip in the cable does the work to convert it, not 100% sure though.

There are two ports. The digital one which is used by the component cable outputs a digital signal that the chip in the cable converts to r/g/b. The other port is the analog port for composite signal and also the sound.

There are some people on gc-forever & benheck who have been trying to make an hdmi cable for it.

 

[Joqu]

Yo, so I'm in my native country of England, and wanted to pick up some Gamecube goodness. So are there any good PAL games that weren't released State-side? I only know of Doshin the Giant. I'd also like to know about some good non-progressive scan games (IE games that don't support 480p), as from tests, PAL versions tend to look marginally better.

Yeah Doshin is the biggest one. I've never seen it in the wild but copies tend to be quite affordable on the net so I'm not sure if that's any different in England (if you don't have it yet). The game tends to get overlooked but I think it's at least a neat piece of Nintendo memorabilia!

I guess one other game that comes to mind is Speed Challenge: Jacques Villeneuve's Racing Vision? I haven't heard much good things about it to be fair but uh, it seems sort of interesting? Yeah...

...There really isn't much else from what I know.

 

[Jamix012]

Yeah Doshin is the biggest one. I've never seen it in the wild but copies tend to be quite affordable on the net so I'm not sure if that's any different in England (if you don't have it yet). The game tends to get overlooked but I think it's at least a neat piece of Nintendo memorabilia!

I guess one other game that comes to mind is Speed Challenge: Jacques Villeneuve's Racing Vision? I haven't heard much good things about it to be fair but uh, it seems sort of interesting? Yeah...

...There really isn't much else from what I know.

Ooooh! Thanks! I'd heard of the Jacques racing game but completely forgotten about it. Ok, I'll probably pick up both while I'm here. Thanks again!

 

[tesla246]

I think the digital out itself on the GameCube outputs analog signal, then the chip in the cable does the work to convert it, not 100% sure though.

No, the digital port outputs a purely digital video and audio signal. The DAC in the component cable Converts the digital video signal to analog component and is of high quality. Thats why gamecube component is better than the wii component. Sadly the cable does nothing with the digital audio (probably because of the expensive DAC inside and there wasnt enough demand maybe).
Because there is a proprietary DAC inside,made by macronix if memory serves correctly, on special orders of nintendo, 3rd partys just couldnt replicate the component cable (they had to reverse engineer the cable and come up with something of their own).

Surprisingly, the modding community is busy with a N64 HDMI board which needs to be soldered directly to the N64 for board and gives digital HDMI video and digital Audio. Some guy by the name of Marshall is working on it and he intends to make the board compatible with gamecube also. That means pixel-perfect HDMI video and high quality digital audio.
It takes a lot of work with all the different resolutions, ntsc/pal signals, refrsh rate, scandoubler for making it compatible with all games and HDMI, clocks, syncs etc., but the guy is apparently still working on it. There was actually a recent update stating that he would add digital audio, so not dead i believe. But it will be released when its 100% done, the guy has already done some other amazing proffesional work for the modding community.

Here is the topic of the creation of this board:
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=43034
Sure is an interesting read.

And here is a site where you can subscribe to be noticed when it is released and some general information such as pictures etc. Looks extremely professional and cannot wait for it to be released myself:
http://retroactive.be/tech_n64_hdmi.php

If linking to these sites is somehow prohibited I'll remove the links, but thought some of you in this topic talking about the absurdly high prices of component cables (alltough for me it would be still worth it) might be interested in the conclusion of this project as well.

 

[RiggyRob]

Yeah Doshin is the biggest one. I've never seen it in the wild but copies tend to be quite affordable on the net so I'm not sure if that's any different in England (if you don't have it yet). The game tends to get overlooked but I think it's at least a neat piece of Nintendo memorabilia!

I guess one other game that comes to mind is Speed Challenge: Jacques Villeneuve's Racing Vision? I haven't heard much good things about it to be fair but uh, it seems sort of interesting? Yeah...

...There really isn't much else from what I know.

Going by this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_GameCube_games

The only games released in JP and PAL but not NA are Doshin the Giant, International Superstar Soccer 3, and V Rally 3.

For PAL-only games:

2 Games in 1: The Incredibles / Finding Nemo
2 Games in 1: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie / SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom
2 Games in 1: The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie / Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams
Asterix & Obelix XXL 2004 Étranges Libellules
Butt-Ugly Martians: Zoom or Doom
Cocoto Funfair
Cocoto Kart Racer
Cocoto Platform Jumper
Conan
F1 Career Challenge
Franklin: A Birthday Surprise
International Superstar Soccer 2
Knights of the Temple: Infernal Crusade
Largo Winch: Empire Under Threat
MaxPlay Classic Games Volume 1
Mercedes-Benz World Racing
Micro Machines
Neighbours from Hell
Speed Challenge: Jacques Villeneuve's Racing Vision
Taxi 3
UEFA Champions League

 

[Joqu]

Ooooh! Thanks! I'd heard of the Jacques racing game but completely forgotten about it. Ok, I'll probably pick up both while I'm here. Thanks again!

Again, I have no idea if it's actually a good game. I guess you should let me know.

These impressions make it sound okay though so yeah!

I know there are some PAL only sports games too if that's your thing. I don't have too much experience with that.

Going by this list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_GameCube_games

The only games released in JP and PAL but not NA are Doshin the Giant, International Superstar Soccer 3, and V Rally 3.

For PAL-only games:

Oh well that's better. Lots of garbage though. .-.

 

[-KRS-]

May be cause the games are a bit harder to find in the wild compared to the PS2 and Xbox? Atleast in my experience it has been and I noticed my other collections growing much faster. I had to look specificly for GC games to build up my collection and it still has a ways to go before I'm close to satisfied.

Yeah that's true. I almost mentioned that in my post actually, but I mostly buy online. But yes finding GC games in the wild is pretty hard, especially the ones you actually want. Luckily I have some of the more sought-after games in my collection, but I'm missing a lot of the easier/cheaper ones to get.

Since I don't have that many, here's the games I do have right now:

Gun
Ikaruga
LoZ: Collector's Edition
LoZ: The Wind Waker LE
Luigi's Mansion
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Smash Football
Metroid Prime
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
Pikmin
REmake
Resident Evil 4
The Sims: Bustin' Out (lol)
Soul Calibur II
Super Mario Sunshine
SSB: Melee
Tales of Symphonia
Viewtiful Joe

All PAL versions. I bought most of them when the GC was still out. Basically I've only bought Luigi's Mansion and Pikmin since then.
I'm not too knowledgeable about the GC library except for the big ones so please come with suggestions!

Edit: F-Zero is definitely on my to-buy list but haven't found a decent enough deal for it yet.

 

[retrogamer84]

I think I am just going to have to buy a replacement console, since I cannot find mine (it's around somewhere) and I need to test my new component cables. Now I just need to find a console for a reasonable price, which is easier said then done.

 

[televator]

I think the digital out itself on the GameCube outputs analog signal, then the chip in the cable does the work to convert it, not 100% sure though.

As tesla said, the digital port does as its name implies. Component, while high quality, is analogue. So the chip in the cable is a digital to analogue converter. Otherwise if it were analogue to begin with, we wouldn't need a cable with an embeded proprietary chip that people now have to pay stupid high prices for. Heh.

 

[Seik]

No, the digital port outputs a purely digital video and audio signal. The DAC in the component cable Converts the digital video signal to analog component and is of high quality. Thats why gamecube component is better than the wii component. Sadly the cable does nothing with the digital audio (probably because of the expensive DAC inside and there wasnt enough demand maybe).
Because there is a proprietary DAC inside,made by macronix if memory serves correctly, on special orders of nintendo, 3rd partys just couldnt replicate the component cable (they had to reverse engineer the cable and come up with something of their own).

Surprisingly, the modding community is busy with a N64 HDMI board which needs to be soldered directly to the N64 for board and gives digital HDMI video and digital Audio. Some guy by the name of Marshall is working on it and he intends to make the board compatible with gamecube also. That means pixel-perfect HDMI video and high quality digital audio.
It takes a lot of work with all the different resolutions, ntsc/pal signals, refrsh rate, scandoubler for making it compatible with all games and HDMI, clocks, syncs etc., but the guy is apparently still working on it. There was actually a recent update stating that he would add digital audio, so not dead i believe. But it will be released when its 100% done, the guy has already done some other amazing proffesional work for the modding community.

Here is the topic of the creation of this board:
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=43034
Sure is an interesting read.

And here is a site where you can subscribe to be noticed when it is released and some general information such as pictures etc. Looks extremely professional and cannot wait for it to be released myself:
http://retroactive.be/tech_n64_hdmi.php

If linking to these sites is somehow prohibited I'll remove the links, but thought some of you in this topic talking about the absurdly high prices of component cables (alltough for me it would be still worth it) might be interested in the conclusion of this project as well.

Thanks a lot, that was a great read!

As tesla said, the digital port does as its name implies. Component, while high quality, is analogue. So the chip in the cable is a digital to analogue converter. Otherwise if it were analogue to begin with, we wouldn't need a cable with an embeded proprietary chip that people now have to pay stupid high prices for. Heh.

Yep, it all makes sense.

 

[Azure Wolf]

Some great memories here, I had quite the collection of Gamecube games, but gave my Gamecube to a friend when I got a Wii at launch and sold on or traded many games to the extent I only have a few left.

I agree it was the best console of its gen closely tied with the Dreamcast, and the rapid loading times made it a superior pure gaming experience to both the PS2 and Xbox IMO.

One thing that vexes me is that the Panasonic Q might be the best looking console of all time, whereas the purple cube might well be one of the worst, at least in terms of appealing to the 'cool' gamer.

As a long time Nintendo fan I still embraced it, but no question about it, choosing purple as the primary launch colour and main focus of advertising significantly harmed its sales and its perception as a serious gaming machine. It was an idiotic decision and must have been hugely opposed by many within Nintendo. It makes it all the more a bad decision seeing as how great the cube looks in black or platinum.

I wish I'd kept some of the games I had, mainly, Tales of Phantasia, Harvest Moon, Killer 7, etc. Also as a curio the Pal version of Doshin the Giant, a game deemed too strange for a US release.

Looking back it actually had great 3rd party support for a while, I remember really enjoying even lesser known games like Freedom Fighters on it, as well as the obvious Capcom AAA's like RE4 and Remake.

Like many memories of Nintendo consoles they are bittersweet, the GC got so little respect from most aforementioned 'cool' gamers at the time, despite it being arguably superior to the PS2 and Xbox in many ways.

Steam ended any desire I have for games to take up physical space a few years back, so I doubt I'll ever rebuy any games, but I'm still loving some of these collections.

 

[Blues1990]

Off-Topic: Is there a thread that focuses on Wii/Wii U game collecting?

On-Topic: My copy of Luigi's Mansion (which is still sealed) will be coming along any day now. I can't wait!

 

[nintendork666]

This thread makes me feel so grateful I re-bought the majority of my old GCN games and then some, when GameSpot was practically giving them away. Seeing some of the prices now is absolutely crazy.

I'd still like to re-buy an official spice orange controller eventually. I don't need it whatsoever, I just want it, ha

 

[Drain You]

I think I am just going to have to buy a replacement console, since I cannot find mine (it's around somewhere) and I need to test my new component cables. Now I just need to find a console for a reasonable price, which is easier said then done.

Check out some tag sales on a Saturday or Sunday. I see them pretty often for super cheap.