Editing GameCube

{{Infobox information appliance
| name         = Nintendo GameCube
| logo         = Nintendo_Gamecube_Logo.png
| image        = GameCube-Set.jpg
| caption      = An indigo GameCube console with [[GameCube controller|its controller]] and the 251-block memory card
| aka          = Dolphin <small>(code name)</small>
| developer     = [[Nintendo]]
| manufacturer = {{plainlist|
* Nintendo
* [[Foxconn]]
}}
| family       =
| type         = [[Home video game console]]
| generation   = [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|Sixth generation]]
| lifespan     = 2001–2007
| discontinued = WW: 2007
| media        = {{plainlist|
* [[GameCube Game Disc]]
* Game Pak <small>([[Game Boy Player]] required)</small>
}}
| os           = Dolphin OS
| power        =
| soc          =
| cpu          = [[IBM]] [[PowerPC]] [[Gekko (microprocessor)|Gekko]] @ 486&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]]
| memory       =
| storage      = None
| memory card  = GameCube memory card <small>(16&nbsp;MB max. capacity)</small>
| display      = {{plainlist|
* [[Composite video]]
* [[S-Video]] <small>(NTSC consoles only)</small>
* [[RGBS|RGB]] [[SCART]] <small>(PAL consoles only)</small>
* [[YPbPr|{{YPbPr}}]] [[component video]]/[[d-terminal]] <small>(DOL-001 models only)</small>
}}
| graphics     = [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] Flipper @ 162&nbsp;MHz
| sound        = Analog stereo <small>([[Dolby Pro Logic II]])</small>
| input        =
| controllers  = [[GameCube controller]], [[WaveBird]], [[Game Boy Advance]], various other [[GameCube accessories|input devices]]
| camera       =
| touchpad     =
| connectivity = [[GameCube online functionality]]
| platform     =
| dimensions   = 5.9&nbsp;×&nbsp;6.3&nbsp;×&nbsp;4.3&nbsp;in<br />149&nbsp;×&nbsp;160&nbsp;×&nbsp;112&nbsp;mm<br /><small>(width&nbsp;×&nbsp;depth&nbsp;×&nbsp;height)</small>
| weight       =
| compatibility=
| predecessor  = [[Nintendo 64]]
| successor    = [[Wii]]
| related      = [[Panasonic Q]]
| website      =
| releasedate  = JP: September 14, 2001<br />NA: November 18, 2001>br />EU: May 3, 2002>br />AUS: May 17, 2002
| price        =
|unitssold={{plainlist|
* Worldwide: 21.74 million
* Americas: 12.94 million
* Japan: 4.04 million
* Other regions: 4.77 million
}}
| service      = Limited
| topgame      = ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', 7.09 million <small>(2008-03-10)</small>
}}

= Introduction =

The '''GameCube''', abbreviated '''NGC''' in Japan and '''GCN''' in Europe and North America}} is a <!-- Do not add 128-bit! -->[[home video game console]] released by [[Nintendo]] in Japan and North America in 2001 and Europe and Australia in 2002. The [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth generation console]] is the successor to the [[Nintendo 64]] and competed with [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]]'s [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Microsoft]]'s [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]].

The GameCube is the first Nintendo console to use [[optical disc]]s as its primary storage medium. The discs are in the [[miniDVD]] format and the system was not designed to play full sized [[DVD]]s or [[Compact disc|audio CDs]]. The console supports [[online game|online gaming]] for a small number of games via the [[Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter|broadband or modem adapter]] and connects to the [[Game Boy Advance]] via the [[Nintendo GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable|link cable]], allowing players to access exclusive in-game features using the handheld as a second screen and controller.

Contemporary reception of the GameCube was generally positive. The console was praised for its controller, extensive software library and high-quality games, but was criticized for its exterior design and lack of features. Nintendo sold 21.74&nbsp;million GameCube units worldwide before it was discontinued in 2007. Its successor, the [[Wii]], some models of which have [[backward compatibility]] with most GameCube software, was released in November 2006.

= Specifications =

==Hardware==

Howard Cheng, technical director of Nintendo technology development, said the company's goal was to select a "simple [[RISC]] architecture" to help speed development of games by making it easier on software developers. IGN reported that the system was "designed from the get-go to attract third-party developers by offering more power at a cheaper price. Nintendo's design doc for the console specifies that cost is of utmost importance, followed by space."  Hardware partner ArtX's Vice President Greg Buchner stated that their guiding thought on the console's hardware design was to target the developers rather than the players, and to "look into a crystal ball" and discern "what's going to allow the Miyamoto-sans of the world to develop the best games".

''We thought about the developers as our main customers. In particular for GameCube, we spent three years working with Nintendo of America and with all sorts of developers, trying to understand the challenges, needs, and problems they face. First among these is the rising cost of development. The GameCube can see high performance without too much trouble; it isn't a quirky design, but a very clean one. It was important we didn't require jumping through hoops for high performance to be achieved. On top of that, it is rich in features, and we worked to include a dream group of technical features that developers requested.''

Initiating the GameCube's design in 1998, Nintendo partnered with [[ArtX]] (then acquired by ATI Technologies during development) for the system logic and the GPU, and with [[IBM]] for the CPU. IBM designed a [[PowerPC]]-based processor for the next-generation console, known as [[Gekko (microprocessor)|Gekko]], which runs at 485&nbsp;[[Hertz|MHz]] and features a [[floating point unit]] (FPU) capable of 1.9&nbsp;[[GigaFLOPS|GFLOPS]]. Designed at 0.18 microns and described as "an extension of the IBM Power PC architecture", Gekko features IBM's reportedly then-unique copper-based chip manufacturing technology. Codenamed "[[Nintendo GameCube technical specifications|Flipper]]", the GPU runs at 162&nbsp;MHz and, in addition to graphics, manages other tasks through its audio and [[input/output]] (I/O) processors.

The GameCube introduced a proprietary [[miniDVD]] optical disc format as the storage medium for the console, capable of storing up to 1.5&nbsp;[[Gigabyte|GB]] of data. The technology was designed by [[Panasonic Corporation|Matsushita Electric Industrial]] (now Panasonic Corporation) which utilizes a proprietary copy-protection scheme – different from the [[Content Scramble System]] (CSS) found in standard [[DVD]]s – to prevent unauthorized reproduction. The [[Famicom Data Recorder]], [[Famicom Disk System]], [[SNES-CD]], and [[64DD]] had explored various complementary storage technologies, but the GameCube was Nintendo's first console to move away from cartridge-based media altogether. The GameCube's 1.5&nbsp;GB mini-disc have sufficient room for most games, although a few games require an extra disc, higher video compression, or removal of content present in versions on other consoles. By comparison, the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, also sixth-generation consoles, both use 8.5&nbsp;GB [[DVD-R DL|Dual-Layer DVDs]].

Like its predecessor, the Nintendo 64, GameCube models were produced in several different color motifs. The system launched in "Indigo", the primary color shown in advertising and on the logo, and in "Jet Black". A year later, Nintendo released a "Platinum" limited edition GameCube, which uses a silver color scheme for both the console and controller. A "Spice" orange-colored console was eventually released as well only in Japan, though the color scheme could be found on controllers released in other countries.

Nintendo developed [[stereoscopic 3D]] technology for the GameCube, and one launch game, ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'', supports it. However, the feature was never enabled outside of development. [[3D television]]s were not widespread at the time, and it was deemed that compatible displays and crystals for the add-on accessories would be too cost-prohibitive for the consumer. Another unofficial feature are two audio [[Easter egg (media)|Easter eggs]] that can be invoked when the console is turned on. When the power is activated with the "Z" button on the Player 1 controller held down, a more whimsical startup sound is heard in place of the standard one. With four controllers connected, holding down the "Z" button on all four simultaneously produces a "[[ninja]]-like" tune at startup.

=== Details ===

<!--//HARDWARE SPECS WERE REVISED SHORTLY BEFORE LAUNCH; CF. https://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=985576//-->
[[Nintendo]] originally offered a digital video output on early [[GameCube]] models. However, it was determined that less than one percent of users utilized the feature. The company eventually removed the option starting with model number DOL-101 of May 2004.
The console's technical specifications are as follows.

[[File:GEKKO.jpg|thumb|right|150px|IBM PowerPC "Gekko" processor]]
[[File:IBM Gekko Die Exposed.jpg|thumb|right|150px|IBM PowerPC "Gekko" processor (180 nm) shaven down to show the silicon die.]]
[[File:Ic-photo-ATI--D8926F2011--(Flipper A)--(Gamecube-GPU).jpg|thumb|right|150px|ATi "Flipper" processor]]
[[File:Flipper GPU Exposed.jpg|thumb|right|150px|ATi "Flipper" (180 nm) shaven down to show the silicon die.]]
[[File:Gamecube RAM Exposed.jpg|thumb|right|150px|One of the two 1T-SRAM RAM modules shaven down to expose the die.]]
[[File:Gamecube-disk.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Nintendo GameCube optical storage disc]]

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
! 
! Details
|-
! [[Central processing unit|CPU]]
|
* 485&nbsp;MHz [[IBM]] "[[Gekko (microprocessor)|Gekko]]" [[PowerPC]] CPU based on the [[PowerPC 750CXe|750CXe]] and [[PowerPC 750FX|750FX]]{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}
* [[180 nm]] IBM six layer, copper-wire process, 43{{nbsp}}mm<sup>2</sup> [[Die (integrated circuit)|die]] with 4.9 watts disspiation
** 1.8 [[Volt|V]] for logic and [[I/O]]
** 27×27&nbsp;mm [[Ball grid array|PBGA]] package with 256 contacts
** 18.6 million transistors; of which 6.35 million transistors are for logic
* [[Superscalar]] [[out-of-order execution]]
* Two 4-stage [[Arithmetic logic unit|integer units]]: IU1 and IU2, 32-bit
* 7-stage [[floating point unit]]: 64-bit double precision [[Floating point unit|FPU]], usable as 2×32-bit [[SIMD]] for 1.9 single-precision [[GFLOPS]] performance, often found under the denomination "paired singles"
* Branch Prediction Unit (BPU)
* Load-Store Unit (LSU)
* System Register Unit (SRU)
* Memory Management Unit (MMU)
* Branch Target Instruction Cache (BTIC)
* CPU performance: 1125 [[DMIPS]] (Dhrystone 2.1) 
* SIMD instructions: PowerPC 750 + roughly 50 new [[SIMD]] instructions, geared toward [[3D graphics]]
* On-chip caches:
** 32{{nbsp}}KB 8-way [[CPU cache#Associativity|set-associative]] [[CPU cache|L1 instruction cache]]
** 32{{nbsp}}KB 8-way set-associative [[CPU cache|L1 data cache]]
** 256{{nbsp}}KB 2-way set-associative [[CPU cache#Multi-level caches|L2 cache]]
* [[Front-side bus]]: 64-bit enhanced [[PowerPC 600#60x bus|60x bus]] to Flipper northbridge at 162&nbsp;MHz clock with 1.3 GB/s peak bandwidth (32-bit address, 64-bit data bus) 
|- 
! [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]]
| 
* 162&nbsp;MHz [[ArtX]]-designed [[ATI Technologies|ATI]] "Flipper" [[ASIC]] (9.4&nbsp;[[GigaFLOPS|GFLOPS]])
* 180&nbsp;nm [[NEC]] [[eDRAM]] manufacturing process, 51 million [[transistor]]s (approximately half dedicated to 1T-SRAM), 106&nbsp;mm² die
* Contains GPU, audio DSP, I/O controller and northbridge
* 3&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MB]] of on-chip [[1T-SRAM]] (2&nbsp;MB [[Z-buffering|Z-buffer]]/[[framebuffer]] + 1&nbsp;MB [[texture cache]]) with ~18 GB/s total bandwidth
** Embedded 24-bit Z-buffer/framebuffer RAM: 2&nbsp;MB (4x 512&nbsp;KB)
*** Bus width: 384-bit (4 buses, each 96-bit wide) 
*** Bandwidth: 7.8 GB/s
*** Sustainable latency: Under 5&nbsp;ns
** Embedded [[Texture memory|texture]] [[GPU cache|cache]]: 1&nbsp;MB (32x 256&nbsp;Kb)
*** Bus width: 512-bit (32 buses, each 16-bit wide)
*** Bandwidth: 10.4 GB/s
*** Sustainable latency: Under 5&nbsp;ns
* 24&nbsp;MB (2x 12&nbsp;MB) 1T-SRAM main memory @ 324 MHz, 64-bit bus, 2.6 GB/s bandwidth 
**
* 1 vertex pipeline, 4 [[pixel pipeline]]s with 1 [[texture mapping unit]] (TMU) each and 4 [[render output unit]]s (ROPs)
* Simultaneous textures per pass: 4
* [[Color depth]]: 24-bit [[RGB color model|RGB]], 32-bit [[RGBA color space|RGBA]]
*System [[floating-point]] arithmetic capability: 11 GFLOPS (peak) (MPU, Geometry Engine, Hardware Lighting Total)
* [[Fillrate]]: 648 [[megapixel]]s/sec, with [[Z-buffering]], [[alpha blending]], [[Distance fog|fogging]], [[texture mapping]], [[trilinear filtering]], [[mipmap]]ping and [[S3 Texture Compression]]
*Raw [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygon]] performance: 90 million polygons/sec
**40 million polygons/sec, with fogging, Z-buffering, alpha blending and [[Gouraud shading]]
**33 million polygons/sec, with fogging, Z-buffering, alpha blending and texture mapping
**25 million polygons/sec, with fogging, Z-buffering, alpha blending, texture mapping and lighting
**6-20 million polygons/sec, assuming actual game conditions, with complex models, fully textured, fully lit, etc.
*16-stage TEV fixed-function texture combiner unit (4 inputs, 1 output)[http://amnoid.de/gc/tev.html]
*Image processing functions: [[Volumetric lighting|Volumetric]] fog, [[heat haze]], [[motion blur]], [[Bloom (shader effect)|bloom]], subpixel [[anti-aliasing]], [[per-vertex lighting]], 8 hardware [[Computer graphics lighting|lights]], alpha blending, hardware [[transform and lighting]] (T&L), virtual texture design, multi-texturing, emboss [[bump mapping]], Dot3 bump mapping ([[normal mapping]]), [[lightmap]]ping, [[shadow map]]ping, [[shadow volume]]s, planar projection shadows, [[environment mapping]], mipmapping, [[Level of detail|LOD]], [[depth of field]], perspective-correct texture mapping, [[bilinear filtering]], trilinear filtering, [[anisotropic filtering]], real-time hardware texture decompression (S3TC) (6:1 ratio), 8 simultaneous texture layers, 256 levels of transparency, alpha blending, [[Clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]], [[hidden surface removal]]/culling, Zfreeze, Zcomploc/early-Z reject, [[bounding box]], destination alpha test, alpha test, depth test, render to texture, TEV compare, color combiners, alpha combiners, texture combiners, transparency effects, framebuffer effects, post-processing effects, [[Gouraud shading]], [[cel shading]], [[dither]]ing, can emulate 1-bit [[stencil buffer]] through a Zfreeze function
*Other: Real-time decompression of [[display list]], hardware motion compensation capability, HW 3-line deflickering filter
|-
! System Memory
| 
* 43&nbsp;[[Mebibyte|MB]] total non-unified [[Random-access memory|RAM]]
** 24&nbsp;MB (2x 12&nbsp;MB) [[MoSys, Inc.|MoSys]] [[1T-SRAM]] @ 324 MHz (codenamed "Splash") as main system RAM
** 3&nbsp;MB [[eDRAM|embedded]] 1T-SRAM cache within "Flipper" GPU (2&nbsp;MB [[framebuffer]]/[[Z-buffer]], 1&nbsp;MB [[Texture memory|texture cache]])
** 16&nbsp;MB [[Dynamic random access memory|DRAM]] used as [[Input/output|I/O]] buffer for audio and DVD drive
* [[Memory bus]] width: 64-bit main system RAM, 896-bit internal GPU memory, 8-bit ARAM
* [[Memory bandwidth]]: 1.3&nbsp;[[GB/s]] Gekko to Northbridge, 2.6&nbsp;[[GB/s]] Flipper to main system RAM, 10.4&nbsp;GB/s texture cache, 7.8&nbsp;GB/s framebuffer/Z-buffer, 81 MB/s audio RAM
* [[CAS latency|Latency]]: Under 10&nbsp;[[Nanosecond|ns]] main memory, 5&nbsp;ns texture cache, 5&nbsp;ns [[framebuffer]] memory
|-
! Audio
| 
* Audio processor integrated into Flipper: custom 81&nbsp;MHz [[Macronix]] 16-bit DSP
** Sampling frequency: 48&nbsp;kHz 
** 64 simultaneous channels, [[Pulse-code modulation|ADPCM]] encoding
** Instruction memory: 8&nbsp;KB RAM, 8&nbsp;KB [[Read-only memory|ROM]]
** Data memory: 8&nbsp;KB RAM, 4&nbsp;KB ROM
* External audio RAM: 16&nbsp;MB DRAM @ 81&nbsp;MHz
** Audio RAM bus: 8-bit
** Audio RAM bus bandwidth: 81 MB/s
** CPU can read/write blocks from RAM to ARAM through DMA; ARAM can be used for miscellaneous low-bandwidth purposes[https://blog.lse.epita.fr/articles/38-emulating-the-gamecube-audio-processing-in-dolphin.html]
* Stereo output (may contain 5.1-channel surround via [[Pro Logic|Dolby Pro Logic II]])
|-
! Video Modes
| 
*640&times;480 interlaced ([[480i]]) @ 60&nbsp;Hz
*640&times;480 progressive scan ([[480p]]) @ 60&nbsp;Hz (mostly NTSC games only)
*768&times;576 interlaced ([[576i]]) @ 50&nbsp;Hz (PAL games only)
|-
! Connectivity
| 
* 4 controller ports, 2 memory card slots
* 2 high-speed [[serial port]]s
** Serial Port 1 is reserved for a [[Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter and Modem Adapter|broadband adapter or modem adapter]]
** Serial Port 2 is unused (DOL-001 and DOL-101 models only)
* 1 high-speed [[parallel port]] up to 81&nbsp;MB/s (reserved for the [[Game Boy Player]])
* Analog AV Out
**[[NTSC]] models: [[S-Video]], composite
**[[PAL]] models: RGBS ([[SCART]]), S-Video or composite
**[[Stereophonic sound|Stereophonic]] analog audio output
* Digital AV Out (DOL-001 model only)
** Interlaced or progressive scan [[YCbCr|YC<sub>B</sub>C<sub>R</sub>]] synthesized to [[YPbPr|YP<sub>B</sub>P<sub>R</sub>]] using in-cable custom Macronix [[Digital-to-analog converter|DAC]][http://www.gc-forever.com/wiki/index.php?title=MXB012355]
*** [[RCA connector|RCA]] (NTSC-U), [[D-Terminal]] (NTSC-J)
** Stereophonic [[I²S]] digital audio (not used by any cable)
|-
! Storage 
|
* 8&nbsp;cm [[miniDVD]] optical disc
** 1.5&nbsp;GB capacity
** 16&nbsp;Mbit/s–25&nbsp;Mbit/s transfer rate operating in [[Constant angular velocity|CAV]] mode
** 128&nbsp;ms average [[access time]]
* [[Memory cards in video game consoles|Memory card]]
** Capacities: 512 KB (59 blocks), 2 MB (251 blocks), 8 MB (1019 blocks, incompatible with some games)
** 8&nbsp;KB sectors
|-
! Other
|
* [[Power supply]]
** [[Direct current|DC]] 12&nbsp;volts
** 3.25&nbsp;A
* Dimensions: {{Convert|4.3|in|abbr=on}} (H) &times; {{Convert|5.9|in|abbr=on}} (W) &times; {{Convert|6.3|in|abbr=on}} (D)
|}

===Controller===

Nintendo learned from its experiences – both positive and negative – with the Nintendo 64's three-handled [[game controller|controller]] design and went with a two-handled, "handlebar" design for the GameCube. The shape was made popular by Sony's [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] controller released in 1994 and its follow-up [[DualShock]] series of [[gamepad]]s introduced in 1997. In addition to [[Haptic technology|vibration feedback]], the DualShock series was well known for having two [[analog stick]]s to improve the 3D experience in games. Nintendo and [[Microsoft]] designed similar features in the controllers for their sixth-generation consoles, but instead of having the analog sticks parallel to each other, they chose to stagger them by swapping the positions of the [[d-pad|directional pad]] (d-pad) and left analog stick. The GameCube controller features a total of eight buttons, two analog sticks, a d-pad, and an internal [[Haptic technology#Computer and video games|rumble]] motor. The primary analog stick is on the left with the d-pad located below and closer to the center. On the right are four buttons: a large, green "A" button in the center, a smaller red "B" button to the left, an "X" button to the right, and a "Y" button at the top. Below and to the inside is a yellow "C" analog stick, which often serves a variety of in-game functions, such as controlling the camera angle. The Start/Pause button is located in the middle, and the rumble motor is encased within the center of the controller.

[[File:Gamecube-controller-breakdown.jpg|thumb|left|Indigo GameCube controller]]
On the top of the controller are two "pressure-sensitive" trigger buttons marked "L" and "R". Each essentially provides two functions: one analog and one digital. As the trigger is depressed, it emits an analog signal which increases the more it is pressed in. Once fully depressed, the trigger "clicks" registering a digital signal that can be used for a separate function within a game. There is also a purple, digital button on the right side marked "Z".

Unique to the GameCube is the controller's prominent size and placement of the A button. Having been the primary action button in past Nintendo controller designs, it was given a larger size and more centralized placement for the GameCube. The rubberized analog stick in combination with the controller's overall button orientation was intended to reduce the dreaded "[[Nintendo thumb]]" – a term used to describe pain in any part of the hands, wrists, forearms, and shoulders as a result of long-term play.

In 2002, Nintendo introduced the [[WaveBird Wireless Controller]], the first [[wireless]] gamepad developed by a first-party console manufacturer. The [[Radio frequency|RF]]-based wireless controller is similar in design to the standard controller. It communicates with the GameCube by way of a wireless receiver dongle connected to one of the console's controller ports. Powered by two AA batteries, which are housed in a compartment on the underside of the controller, the WaveBird lacks the vibration functionality of the standard controller. In addition to the standard inputs, the WaveBird features a channel selection dial – also found on the receiver – and an on/off switch. An orange [[Light emitting diode|LED]] on the face of the controller indicates when it is powered on. The controller is available in light grey and platinum color schemes.

===Compatibility===
[[File:GameCube-Silver-Optional-Set.jpg|thumb|A Platinum Nintendo GameCube with a [[WaveBird]] controller and [[Game Boy Player]] attachment]]
The GameCube is unable to play games from other Nintendo home consoles, but with the [[Game Boy Player]] attachment, it is able to play [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], and [[Game Boy Advance]] games. The GameCube's successor, the [[Wii]], supports [[backward compatibility]] with GameCube controllers, memory cards, and games. However, later revisions of the Wii – including the "Family Edition" released in 2011 and the [[Wii Mini]] released in 2012 – dropped support for all GameCube hardware.

===Panasonic Q===

A hybrid version of the Nintendo GameCube with a commercial DVD player, called Q, was developed by [[Panasonic]] as part of the deal struck with Nintendo to develop the optical drive for the original GameCube hardware. Featuring a completely revised case, the Q overcomes the size limitation of the original GameCube's miniDVD tray by adding a commercial DVD-sized tray, among other hardware revisions. Released exclusively to Japan in December 2001, low sales resulted in the Q being discontinued in December 2003.

[[Category:Nintendo consoles]]