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First Mod Chip For GameCube

Posted by samzenpus on from the it-took-long-enough dept.

Cuber writes "The first modification chip for Nintendo's GameCube console has been announced. It will allow users to boot homebrew applications, loaders and BIOS'. Until now hackers where using an exploit in the game Phantasy Star Online and a broadband adapter to be able to load homebrew software like GC-Linux over a network connection but now they'll be able to run code directly from flash memory. The mod chip will require to solder only 4 wires and while the device comes empty it's not impossible to think 3rd party loaders will come that allow you to boot copied games."

9 of 312 comments (clear)

  1. I think... by laughingcoyote · · Score: 5, Funny

    it's not impossible to think 3rd party loaders will come that allow you to boot copied games."

    I believe that you meant "impossible not to think."

    --
    To fight the war on terror, stop being afraid.
  2. Thanks... by SpiffyMarc · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, we could've just quietly assumed that it would be capable of running copied games, and celebrated it for its ability to run homebrewed software and Linux... but no, we had to go and give it that aire of illegitimacy.

    Thanks, poster!

  3. Re:what took so long? by mschoolbus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    there a shitpile of mod chips for X-Box, PS-2, etc.....

    Because xbox was extremely easy to hack being based on x86. Playstation 2 hacking came quick because of demand (look at sales of PS2 vs. GC)

    I cannot wait until the next gen of consoles to see who gets the homebrew hay-day.

  4. Re:what took so long? by Frogbert · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Because Gamecube uses their own disc format, no one can copy the games because consumer level burners aren't available.

    Therefore if no one can copy the games there is no real market to have them. Having said that shouldn't the price of games be going down due to lack of piracy?

  5. This just goes to show by Punboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    How much more disappointed XBox users were in their console than Gamecube users. Obviously Gamecube owners, until now, were satisfied with they got, whereas XBox users almost immediately started trying to tinker with it and make mods. :-D

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  6. Re:I'd like to know by ptlis · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I do, and alot of people I know do; There are many excellent titles available for the GC and it's classification in certain circles as a console for kiddies is unwarrented and frankly incorrect. The majority of people I know who own Gamecubes are 20somethings, partly because as an agegroup we remember the haydays of Sega and Nintendo and partly because we're not drawn to the perception of having a console for 'mature' gamers with 'mature' games; we realise the marketing as such is infact aimed at 13-16 year old boys primerilly. Violence does not make a mature game, silly amounts of needless gore does not make a mature game...

    --
    There's mischief and malarkies but no queers or yids or darkies within this bastard's carnival, this vicious cabaret.
  7. PSO exploits by tepples · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Phantasy Star Online downloads a piece of executable code from Sega's server every time you run it. The PSOLoad program pretends to be Sega's server. I'll take an educated guess that the bug was that PSO didn't check any sort of digital signature on the code.

  8. Re:what took so long? by the+angry+liberal · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think there is wisdom in your comedy..

    The Xbox, Dreamcast and PS2 have had all their games traded on P2P, usenet, and through other channels. The guys in chinese towns who sell pirated DVDs can't do anything with GC discs, so they aren't able to go to the PC and make copies.

    The Gamecube has not suffered from any of these problems, and since the SPA says piracy costs companies/consumers billions every year, then why has the lack of piracy on the GC not caused them to sell their products for less?

  9. Re:what took so long? by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 5, Informative

    "Yes, you can...
    http://www.megagames.com/dc/dc_backup_faq. shtml#1. 1
    http://www.dvd-supply.com/double-sided-mini-dvd -r. html"

    No, you can't. The Cube discs *aren't* dual-layer DVDs. They are a proprietary optical disc from Matshusta. To my knowledge, there isn't even a GDROM-R, and if there were, you can bet that you wouldn't be able to buy them.

    The "use the broadband adaptor" trick that you linked to changes nothing. The DC also used proprietary discs, and that article says what the grandparent said - you cannot burn Dreamcast games just as you cannot burn Gamecube games.

    Yes, you can use the PSO hack to image and play 'Cube games over the network. Most people won't be doing that, though.