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NINTENDO GAMECUBE (GCN) Switch Modification

I modified my Japanese NINTENDO GAMECUBE with a region switch by following the directions at GameSX.

I took some pictures along the way because I haven't seen any high quality shots of the process, and I wanted to use my new close-up lenses for my DC4800. Enjoy these high resolution shots.

Some things to mention before I get to the pictures. Don't try this unless you know what you're doing. This mod is not very difficult, but if you don't have any soldering experience you probably cannot do it.

Also, be VERY careful to put the GCN back together properly. When you put on the top casing, PUT IT ON WITH THE TRAY OPEN, OR ELSE YOU CAN BREAK THE TRAY SENSOR LEVERS.

As for the parts you need, I suggest these:

SPDT Submini Slide Switch from Radio Shack: P/N 275-409A

30 AWG Kynar Wire from Radio Shack: P/N 278-503

15-Watt Soldering Iron; for example, one from Radio Shack: P/N 64-2051

4.5MM GAMEBIT to open GCN case from MCM Electronics: P/N 22-1150

This is the GCN with the top shell and the controller port PCB removed.

This is the PCB with the levers that sense if the disk tray is open. Be careful when reassembling the GCN, this part is fragile.

This is the GCN with the drive assembly removed. I concealed part of the motherboard serial number.

This is where you have to connect the switch leads to. Since one jumper pin is just ground, you can use ground anywhere (GameSX recommends by the capicitor). For the other pin, GameSX recommends scraping the trace attached to it to give yourself more room to work with.

Here's one wire attached.

And the second.

Here's a nice shot of the general area after the wires are installed.

This shows the path I chose for the wires.

This shows where the wires lead to, the switch of course! I choose to attach the switch to the little vents on the rear of the GCN.

In hindsight, I should've epoxied the switch on instead of using a screw. It still works fine, though.