Retrocube

Retrocube is a project of using a GameCube case for a retropie project (retro gaming using raspberry pi) This first part describe the hardware of this project.

Project

The aim is to build a retro gaming console using :

• A GameCube case
• A Raspberry Pi (with retropie)
• 2 GameCube gamepad

The console should run :

• Without keyboard
• The original power button from the GameCube should be working
• The original reset button from the GameCube should be working
• The front gamepad connectors (2) should be working
• The GameCube should be powered through the original power supply unit or any other supply unit

Hardware Part

GameCube opening tool

The GameCube uses 4 special screw. We need to build a tool to open it. Such a tool can be made using a simple Bic :

• Remove the ballpoint part
• Carefully, burn the end of the pen with a lighter
• Quickly put the burned end of the pen onto one of the 4 screw and wait for the pen to cool down
• Then you can use this tool to remove the 4 screw

• 

  Game Cube opening tool

GameCube dismantling

Safely dismantle all the parts

• 

  Game Cube top removal

• 

  Game Cube front removal

• 

  Game Cube back removal

• 

  Game Cube fan removal

• 

  Game Cube cd reader removal

• 

  Game Cube cpu removal

• 

  Game Cube main parts

GPIO to gamepad

The gamepad will use the gamecon_gpio_rpi driver which use the following GPIO pins:

• 

  GPIO (rev2 pi)

Carefully identify each pins, i use small paper to identify the interesting wire :

• 3.3V
• 5V
• PAD1
• PAD2
• PAD3
• GROUND

• 

  RaspberryPi GPIO

I found an adapter in an old dvd reader to connect the GPIO to the GameCube front panel. Each ( port 1 and port 2 ) gamecube controller should be connected to

• Pin2 to PAD2 or PAD3
• Pin3 to GROUND
• Pin6 to 3.3V
• Led to 5V
• Reset switch to PAD1

I used a continuity tester and the following connecter pinout to identify the wire :

• 

  GameCube socket pinout

and here is the result :

• 

  GPIO to GameCube gamepad

Links

GameCube opening http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+GameCube+Teardown/1727
gamecon_gpio_rpi driver https://github.com/petrockblog/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/gamecon_gpio_rpi
GameCube gamepad pinout http://www.int03.co.uk/crema/hardware/gamecube/gc-control.html