Portable GameCube Mockup Made Real By Console Modder
A Youtuber recently took the old concept art of a portable GameCube and created a stylish and functional version similar to the foldable GameBoy SP.
After years of concept art being passed around on the internet, one talented console modder finally took it upon himself to create a stylish and fully functional Portable Nintendo GameCube. One of Nintendo's most coveted consoles, the GameCube released in 2001, and served as a direct competitor to Sony's PlayStation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox. The GameCube boasted an extensive library of legendary titles like Smash Bros. Melee, the Metroid Prime Trilogy, Zelda: Wind Waker, and many others. A few of the console's most popular titles have seen ports to newer and more portable systems. However, fans are still eagerly awaiting a more accessible way to play some of their favorite GameCube games like the Metroid Prime Trilogy and the fan-favorite Smash Bros Melee.
The company's latest system, the Nintendo Switch, blends portable design with the power of a home console. However, over the years, the company has decided not to support backward compatibility when it comes to its digital purchases. Players can only purchase games Nintendo makes available on its newest digital marketplace. The only way fans can play older Nintendo games is by playing them on older consoles or waiting for the company to make the games available to purchase on the company's newer hardware. Nintendo recently made EarthBound available on the Switch; this is a title fans have waited years to play on newer consoles. Unfortunately, for the most part, classic games like those on the GameCube may never be playable on modern devices, let alone portable ones.
One talented console modder took it upon himself to create a fully functional Nintendo GameCube in the style of the foldable GameBoy Advanced SP. As reported by NintendoLife, the Youtuber known as GingerOfOz is no stranger to creating a portable version of beloved consoles. Over the years, he has created mobile versions of both the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo Wii, but as the modder comments in the video below that this is easily the cleanest portable he's ever made. GingerOfOz set out to recreate a functional version of a piece of concept art titled the Nintendo GameCube Advanced. The original image was shared around the early days of the internet, which had many fans wonder if such a creation really existed. While this console modder made the dream into a reality, creating such a wonder wasn't without a few compromises.
Console modders have been able to create wonderful creations by combining pieces of different hardware to create new systems. Specific limitations with component size prevented this portable GameCube project from having a functional disc drive. While the display plays games in their native 480p, the battery life only keeps the device working around an hour and a half, which is only around half as long as the much more powerful Steam Deck's battery lasts with certain settings. Some fans requested to buy the device in the video's comments, but GingerOfOz responded that he becomes rather attached to the first builds of his projects, and that the Portable GameCube is incredibly fragile.
Thanks to the creative and delicate work done by console modder GingerOfOz, fans now have proof that a portable version of the GameCube is absolutely possible to create. If readers have desire and patience, they may be able to recreate what the talented Youtuber has accomplished and have their very own Portable GameCube device. Unfortunately, that may be the only way to play some of the best GameCube game's on the go unless Nintendo decides to upgrade past titles and make them available on the Switch.
Sources: NintendoLife, GingerOfOz/Youtube