GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable

Last updated
GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable
GameCube-GBA-Link-Cable.jpg
Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Gamepad adapter cable
Generation Sixth generation
Release date
Connectivity GameCube controller port, Game Boy Advance

The GameCube Game Boy Advance cable [2] [3] (DOL-011) is a video game accessory manufactured by Nintendo which is used to connect the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld console to the GameCube (GCN) home console. Depending on the games it is used with, the cable may facilitate transferring data between related games, unlocking additional content, or turning the GBA into a controller or second screen. [4]

Contents

Development

The concept of a cable that allowed for the transfer of data and second-screen gameplay was originally conceived for the Nintendo 64 as the "64 GB Cable", [5] which would allow certain Nintendo 64DD games to connect to compatible Game Boy Color cartridges. [6] However, the device was never released—interactivity between Nintendo 64 and Game Boy games was limited to those that supported the Transfer Pak, [4] released in 1998.

Compatibility

Systems

The cable has one end that plugs into a GameCube controller slot and another end that plugs into the GBA's extension port. The cable is compatible with the GameCube and the Wii on the console side; and the Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, Game Boy Player, and e-Reader on the portable side. When used with the Game Boy Player accessory, the Game Boy Advance system can be used to control any Game Boy game played through the GameCube.

Because the Game Boy Micro has a differently-shaped link port, the official cable does not work with it, but enthusiasts have been able to hack together homemade versions which do. [7] It is also incompatible with the Nintendo DS family, as the original Nintendo DS and DS Lite's backwards compatibility for the Game Boy Advance does not extend to its accessories, lacking the necessary extension port.

Games

The following is a list of compatible GameCube games, with the corresponding Game Boy Advance (GBA) game or N/A if no GBA game is required.

GameCube GameGame Boy Advance GameFeatures
All-Star Baseball 2004 All-Star Baseball 2004Transfer trading cards between both versions.
Amazing Island Access a playable card game on the GBA, which players can use to unlock new content.
Animal Crossing N/A ( e-Reader optional)Used as a second screen for the GameCube to design patterns, to access a secret island and/or play a virtual pet style mini-game with the islander, and to play downloadable NES games. With the e-Reader, it allows scanning compatible cards for bonus items, patterns, and town tunes. The e-Reader support is absent in the European version.
Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Batman: Rise of Sin TzuUnlocks special modes on GBA version, but cannot be saved. The GBA link option is absent in both European versions.
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg Used to download and play unlockable minigames based on ChuChu Rocket! , Nights into Dreams , and Puyo Pop .
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo: Dassutsu! Hajike Royale Used to download and play minigames from the GBA Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo games.
Bomberman Land 2 Used to download 10 minigames.
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Enables a secret minigame, called "Crash Blast", to be played on the GBA.
Crash Nitro Kart Crash Nitro KartAlternately unlock three characters (N. Oxide, N. Tropy & Spyro) and all four cheats in the GBA version.
Dakar 2 Used to play the unreleased GBA version of the game.
Disney Sports Football Disney Sports FootballTransfer screenshots from the GBA to the GCN version.
Disney Sports Soccer Disney Sports SoccerTransfer screenshots from the GBA to the GCN version.
Disney's Magical Mirror Starring Mickey Mouse Disney's Magical Quest Starring Mickey and Minnie Unlocks new content, and uploads items from Quest to Mirror.
FIFA Football 2004 FIFA Football 2004Unlocks new content and transfers game progress.
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Required for each player in the multiplayer mode. Allows each player to control their character and access an individual menu, without interrupting gameplay.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade , Fire Emblem , Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones Unlocks extra content in Path of Radiance.
Game Boy Player The GBA can be used as the controller instead of the GameCube controller.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsUnlocks new content for the GBA version.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanUnlocks new content.
Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup Harry Potter: Quidditch World CupAllows the transfer of Quidditch cards between the games, play co-op.
Harvest Moon: A Wonderful Life Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town Unlocks new content.
Harvest Moon: Another Wonderful Life Harvest Moon: More Friends of Mineral Town Unlocks new content.
Hot Wheels: Velocity X Hot Wheels: Velocity XUnlocks new content.
James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing Used to help players for the GCN version.
Korokke! Ban-Ō no Kiki o Sukue Korokke! 3: Guranyū Ōkoku no NazoUnlocks Burger on the GBA game.
Kururin Squash! Used to play unlockable minigames.
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures The GBA can be used as the controller instead of the GameCube controller for single player. Also enables optional multiplayer cooperative play with up to four players, but a separate GBA and cable is required for each player.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Enables optional two-player cooperative play (Tingle Tuner).
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the KingUnlocks Sam Gamgee as a playable character and allows for blue rarity items to drop.
Madden NFL 2003 Madden NFL 2003Used as an interactive scoreboard.
Madden NFL 2004 Madden NFL 2004Allows players to use Madden Cards in the GameCube version. The GBA link option is absent in European GameCube version because the GBA version was not released in Europe.
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour Mario Golf: Advance Tour Allows players to transfer their Advance Tour player characters between games, and unlocks Luigi, Bowser, Waluigi and Wario in Advance Tour.
Mario Kart Double Dash Bonus Disc Fire Emblem Unlocks exclusive items that can only be obtained from the bonus disc. Also unlocks the soundtracks 99 & 100. The GBA link option is absent in the European version of Fire Emblem , since the Bonus Disc was not released in Europe.
Medabots Infinity Medabots seriesUnlocks two secret characters.
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun Medal of Honor: Infiltrator Map of the current level shows on the Game Boy Advance.
Mega Man X: Command Mission Used as a hidden item finder, and unlocks additional figures.
Metroid Prime Metroid Fusion Unlocks content for Prime, including a Fusion Suit costume and an emulation of Metroid on NES.
Mr. Driller: Drill Land Mr. Driller A Allows the player to transfer their Pacteria digital pets into the game.
NASCAR Thunder 2003 Manage data on the player's car and current race standings.
Nintendo GameCube Preview Disc Used to play downloadable demos of WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! & Dr. Mario .
Nintendo Puzzle Collection Used as a controller. Can also be used to download the NES versions of Dr. Mario and Yoshi's Cookie along with a GBA port of Panel de Pon .
Pac-Man Vs. GBA required to play. Three players play as the ghosts hunting down Pac-Man, with normal controllers looking at the TV screen; the fourth player controls Pac-Man on the GBA and can see the whole map. Only when the player is Pac-Man can they score points.
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II seriesUsed to play minigames based on Puyo Puyo and Nights into Dreams . Also includes a special version of the Tiny Chao Garden, which players can use to import a Tails Chao into Sonic Adventure DX or Sonic Adventure 2: Battle .
Pikmin 2 Using special e-Reader cards, players can unlock and play minigames on a Game Boy Advance connected to the GameCube. Only available in Japan.
Pokémon Box: Ruby and Sapphire Pokémon seriesAllows transfer of Pokémon between the games. The Adventure mode is only possible when linked to Pokémon Ruby or Pokémon Sapphire, which makes it possible to play these handheld games on full screen using the GameCube controller (much like the Game Boy Player). If the game is connected by using the Adventure mode and has the "Berry Glitch", it will patch the glitch and display a message on saving.
Pokémon Channel Pokémon series ( e-Reader optional)Using special e-Reader cards, players can receive special line art for coloring. In European and Australian versions of the game, players could also unlock a downloadable Jirachi to put into Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire. This downloadable Jirachi also patched the "Berry Glitch" present in these games.
Pokémon Colosseum (including the Bonus Disc) Pokémon seriesAllows transfer of Pokémon between the games, and battles can be held in Colosseum using the GBA to issue orders. The US Bonus Disc also has a Jirachi, while the Japanese disc has a Celebi. If the players are using the US disc to download the Jirachi, it will also patch the "Berry Glitch" present in these games.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Pokémon seriesAllows transfer of Pokémon between the games, and battles can be held in XD using the GBA to issue orders. Connecting to the GBA will automatically patch the "Berry Glitch".
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Prince of Persia: The Sands of TimeUnlocks new content and transfers game progress.
Rayman 3 N/A (Rayman 3 optional)Allows the use of multiplayer in certain mini games. With GBA version, unlocks extra mini games.
Road Trip: The Arcade Edition Road Trip: Shifting GearsUnlocks new content. Uses the GBA as a controller.
The Sims: Bustin' Out N/A (The Sims Bustin' Out optional)Unlocks new content and transfers game progress.
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle N/A ( Sonic Advance , Sonic Advance 2 or Sonic Pinball Party optional)Transfers Chao to the Tiny Chao Garden (similar to Chao Adventure for VMU). With GBA games, allows user to save the Chao to the GBA's Tiny Chao Garden.
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut N/A (Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2 or Sonic Pinball Party optional)Transfers Chao to the Tiny Chao Garden (similar to Chao Adventure for VMU). With GBA games, allows user to save the Chao to the GBA's Tiny Chao Garden.
SSX 3 SSX 3Transfers cash between GBA and GCN versions.
Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike The GBA screen/controls can be used to issue wingman orders privately on Versus mode.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2004 Unlocks new content.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell N/A (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell optional)GBA can be used as a mini map/radar for GCN version. With GBA version, unlocks extra levels for the GBA.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow N/A (Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow optional)GBA can be used as a mini map/radar for GCN version. With GBA version, unlocks extra levels for the GBA.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory GBA can be used as a mini map/radar.
Wario World Sends demos of WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! to the GBA.
WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Party Game$! The GBA can be used as the controller instead of the GameCube controller.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Advance</span> Handheld game console by Nintendo

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) is a 32-bit handheld game console developed, manufactured and marketed by Nintendo as the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001, in North America on June 11, 2001, in the PAL region on June 22, 2001, and in mainland China as iQue Game Boy Advance on June 8, 2004. The GBA is part of the sixth generation of video game consoles. The original model was followed in 2003 by the Game Boy Advance SP, a redesigned model with a frontlit screen and clamshell form factor. A newer revision of the SP with a backlit screen was released in 2005. A miniaturized redesign, the Game Boy Micro, was released in September 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo e-Reader</span> Add-on for the Game Boy Advance

The Nintendo e-Reader, commonly abbreviated as e-Reader, is an add-on manufactured by Nintendo for its Game Boy Advance handheld video game console. It was released in Japan in December 2001, with a North American release following in September 2002. It has an LED scanner that reads "e-Reader cards", paper cards with specially encoded data printed on them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Boy Player</span> GameCube accessory

The Game Boy Player (DOL-017) is a GameCube peripheral developed by Nintendo which enables it to play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance cartridges, allowing those games to be played on a television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo DS</span> Handheld game console

The Nintendo DS is a foldable handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tandem, a built-in microphone and support for wireless connectivity. Both screens are encompassed within a clamshell design similar to the Game Boy Advance SP. The Nintendo DS also features the ability for multiple DS consoles to directly interact with each other over Wi-Fi within a short range without the need to connect to an existing wireless network. Alternatively, they could interact online using the now-defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Its main competitor was Sony's PlayStation Portable during the seventh generation of video game consoles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rumble Pak</span> Accessory for the Nintendo 64

The Rumble Pak is a removable device from Nintendo which provides force feedback while playing video games. Games that support the Rumble Pak cause it to vibrate in select situations, such as when firing a weapon or receiving damage, to immerse the player in the game. Versions of the Rumble Pak are available for the Nintendo 64, the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo DS Lite. A select few Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance (GBA) games use a similar technology built into the game cartridge. Force feedback vibration has become a built-in standard feature in almost every home video game console controller since.

<i>Animal Crossing</i> (video game) 2001 video game

Animal Crossing, known in Japan as Dōbutsu no Mori+, is a 2001 social simulation game developed and published by Nintendo for the GameCube. It is the first game in the Animal Crossing series, and is also an enhanced version of the Nintendo 64 game Dōbutsu no Mori, which was only released in Japan earlier the same year, and was followed by another edition, Dōbutsu no Mori e+, in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transfer Pak</span> Accessory for the Nintendo 64

The Transfer Pak is a removable accessory for the Nintendo 64 controller that fits into its expansion port. When connected, it allows for the transfer of data between supported Nintendo 64 (N64) games and Game Boy or Game Boy Color (GBC) games. By using the Transfer Pak, players can unlock additional content in compatible games; the Pokémon Stadium games, with which the Transfer Pak was initially bundled for sale, also feature the ability to emulate specific Game Boy Pokémon titles for play on the N64.

Game Boy Advance Video is a format for putting full color, full-motion videos onto Game Boy Advance ROM cartridges. These videos are playable using the Game Boy Advance system's screen and sound hardware. They were all published by Majesco Entertainment, except for the Pokémon Game Boy Advance Video cartridges, which were published by Nintendo. Most cartridges were developed by DC Studios, Inc., except for the few labelled "Movie Pak" which were developed by 4Kids Entertainment's subsidiary 4Kids Technology, Inc. The video cartridges are colored white for easy identification and are sold as Game Boy Advance Video Paks; these offer the same 240×160 resolution as standard Game Boy Advance games, except for the Shrek and Shark Tale pack, which is at 112p.

<i>WarioWare: Twisted!</i> 2004 video game

WarioWare: Twisted! is a video game for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Nintendo SPD with Intelligent Systems and published by Nintendo. It was released on October 14, 2004 in Japan; May 19, 2005 in Australia; and May 23, 2005 in North America. The second game in the WarioWare series and the seventh in the Wario series overall, Twisted! was the last Wario game to be released on a Game Boy family system.

The Virtual Console is a line of downloadable video games for Nintendo's Wii and Wii U home video game consoles and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game Link Cable</span> Accessory for the Game Boy line

The Nintendo Game Link Cable is an accessory for the Game Boy line of handheld video game systems, allowing players to connect Game Boys of all types for multiplayer gaming. Depending on the games, a Game Link Cable can be used to link two games of the same title, like Tetris, or two compatible games like Pokémon Red and Blue. Games can be linked for head-to-head competition, cooperative play, trading items, unlocking hidden features, etc.

This is a list of video game accessories that have been released for the Game Boy handheld console and its successors. Accessories add functionality that the console would otherwise not have.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo video game consoles</span> Overview of the various video game consoles released by Nintendo

The Japanese multinational consumer electronics company Nintendo has developed seven home video game consoles and multiple portable consoles for use with external media, as well as dedicated consoles and other hardware for their consoles. As of September 30, 2021, in addition to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo has sold over 863.07 million hardware units.

Nintendo 64 accessories are first-party Nintendo hardware—and third-party hardware, licensed and unlicensed. Nintendo's first-party accessories are mainly transformative system expansions: the 64DD Internet multimedia platform, with a floppy drive, video capture and editor, game building setup, web browser, and online service; the controller plus its own expansions for storage and rumble feedback; and the RAM-boosting Expansion Pak for big improvements in graphics and gameplay. Third-party accessories include the essential game developer tools built by SGI and SN Systems on Nintendo's behalf, an unlicensed SharkWire online service, and unlicensed cheaper counterparts to first-party items. In the fifth generation of video game consoles, the Nintendo 64 had a market lifespan from 1996 to 2002.

GameCube accessories include first-party releases from Nintendo, and third-party devices, since the GameCube's launch in 2001.

A Wireless game adapter is a device that, once connected to a video game console or handheld, enables internet and\or multiplayer access.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Game backup device</span> Device for backing up ROM information from a video game cartridge

A game backup device, informally called a copier, is a device for backing up ROM data from a video game cartridge to a computer file called a ROM image and playing them back on the official hardware. Recently flash cartridges, especially on the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS platforms, only support the latter function; they cannot be used for backing up ROM data. Game backup devices also make it possible to develop homebrew software on video game systems. Game backup devices differ from modchips in that modchips are used in conjunction with systems that use generally available media such as CDs and DVDs, whereas game backup devices are used with systems that use cartridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo DSi system software</span> Operation system for Nintendos Nintendo DSi handheld game console

The Nintendo DSi system software is a set of updatable firmware versions, and a software frontend on the Nintendo DSi video game console. Updates, which are downloaded via the system's Internet connection, allow Nintendo to add and remove features and software. All updates also include all changes from previous updates.

A Nintendo Game Card is a proprietary flash storage-based format used to physically distribute video games for certain Nintendo systems. The game cards resemble both smaller and thinner versions of Hudson's HuCard, the storage medium for the PC-Engine, and the Game Pak ROM cartridges used for previous portable gaming consoles released by Nintendo, such as the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. The mask ROM chips are manufactured by Macronix and have an access speed of 150 ns.

References

  1. "Nintendo GameCube Accessories". Nintendo.co.jp. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  2. "Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance Manuals". Nintendo Support. Nintendo of America. Archived from the original on 13 March 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  3. Nintendo DS Lite Instruction Booklet (PDF). Nintendo Australia & New Zealand. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 April 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  4. 1 2 IGN Staff (September 14, 2001). "Connecting to the Cube". IGN. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  5. "新ゲーム創世記のHyper Gears". Monthly Nintendo Power (in Japanese). January 1998. p. 19. 64GB ケーブル[64GB Cable]
  6. IGN Staff (August 27, 1999). "What's DT, you ask?". IGN. Archived from the original on December 20, 2004. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  7. dude22072 (5 June 2010). "Make a Game Boy Micro to GameCube Cable". Instructables. Archived from the original on 13 June 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)