GameCube ate my N64

Portables, case replacements, mods etc, all in here!
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emu_kidid
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GameCube ate my N64

Post by emu_kidid » Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:45 pm

project has been transformed to: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=1163

Background:
So.. I came across a poor N64 with a cracked case in amongst a larger lot of consoles I'd bought, the case was missing plastic in various spots and looked like it had been dragged on cement down the street. Not to mention the controller ports had been totally destroyed too. To my suprise, the N64 still worked fine when I put a copy of Super Mario 64 in, but was in horrible shape. So I decided to scrap the case from the N64 and use one of my many door stop GC cases.

Parts:
The only thing I'm keeping from the N64 is the mainboard. I will use a GameCube regulator, and GameCube controller ports with adapters from here (http://www.raphnet.net/electronique/gc_ ... dex_en.php) that'll let me seamlessly attch GC controllers to the N64. The plan is to make this thing look and feel like a GameCube as much as possible.

Status:
I have trimmed the mainboard, and the next step is to hook up basic power and video to see that it's all OK still. After that is the much dreaded expansion pak soldering, followed by wiring up the cart slot and controller ports.

Pictures:
Looks like a bit of N64 mainboard trimming is in order
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I think it'll be fine though
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After a bit of trimming
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Wait a second, that's not a GameCube mainboard in there! ;)
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KirovAir
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by KirovAir » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:13 pm

Awesome idea! :D
Will follow this project very closely!

Also, I'm wondering how you'll add the cartridge slot in the cube.
Last edited by KirovAir on Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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SouLSLayeR
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by SouLSLayeR » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:14 pm

About that adapter, there's this alternative. http://code.google.com/p/cube64-dx/

Maybe make both and compare them? :P
I've been curious to try Raphael's for some time, but unfortunately I still haven't found any ATmegas lying around here (so no 2nd xeno for me yet :<).

edit: I just remembered that the cube64 has Rumble pak emulation. (and Maxim sends free samples too :P)
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Ashen
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by Ashen » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:29 pm

That looks pretty awesome so far Emu! Make sure you sand the edges of the motherboard to avoid the layers bridging. If you need to rewire the expansion pack, make sure to keep those wires REALLY short. The N64 is super finicky about relocating the jumper/expansion port for some reason. I guess because of memory timing/latency. I've killed a few boards so far trying to get that right.
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by emu_kidid » Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:39 pm

The cube64-DX looks pretty nice, I have most of those parts to build them too - guess I should try one out :)

Also, I've looked at the edges and there isn't any layer bridging thankfully. Is the cart slot as picky about wire lengths as the exp slot? I think I can get away with having the expansion pak not re-wired at all and just removing it from the enclosure and strapping it with a heatsink (fan will bring air through the system anyway so I don't think I'll have any heating issues).
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Ashen
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by Ashen » Fri Jun 01, 2012 2:28 pm

Cool. Thats probably your best bet then. Cart slot is not nearly as pciky about wire length. I've seen people do up to 12" on the wires for the cart slot.
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liquitt
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by liquitt » Fri Jun 01, 2012 5:56 pm

nice project you got there!!
and yeah cube64-dx would've been my suggestion too :)
please search before you ask - a lot has been discussed already!
(or use google with "site:gc-forever.com *term*")
http://is.gd/MDmZcr

we also have a wiki filled with knowledge
http://is.gd/dX58Rm
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wii_HD
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by wii_HD » Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:19 pm

Interested to see the outcome emu_kidid

This project makes my mind flashback to 2004 - http://www.computerandvideogames.com/11 ... -gamecube/

A far cry from todays raw CPU power creating backwards compatability via emulation or reworked code.
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AC_Orange
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by AC_Orange » Fri Jun 01, 2012 11:59 pm

This is so great, especially the use of GC controllers on the N64 :)
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megalomaniac
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by megalomaniac » Sat Jun 02, 2012 8:02 pm

did you plan on how to hit the reset button??
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by emu_kidid » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:38 am

megalomaniac, I'm going to wire it up to the GC reset one, I'm not done with the mainboard yet ;)
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Re: GameCube ate my N64

Post by megalomaniac » Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:44 am

AHHHH right

didnt think about that..
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