Gamecube tactile guide
About This Page
The Nintendo GameCube is a video game console developed by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on September 14, 2001. It is the successor to the Nintendo 64 and the predecessor to the Wii. The GameCube was Nintendo's first home console to use optical discs as its primary game medium, with memory cards used to store saved game data.
This page describes the physical and tactile features of the Nintendo GameCube console.
Directions assume that you are facing the front of the console unless otherwise specified.
Identifying your GameCube
The GameCube has two hardware revisions, DOL-001 and DOL-101. The easiest ways to distinguish the two revisions by touch are the presence or absence of the Digital AV Out port and Serial Port 2. The jewel also differs between the revisions: DOL-001 consoles have a replaceable jewel, while DOL-101 consoles do not.
| Feature | DOL-001 | DOL-101 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital AV Out port | Yes | No |
| Serial Port 2 | Yes | No |
| Replaceable jewel | Yes | No |
Note: The Digital AV Out port is located on the rear panel, while Serial Port 2 is located on the bottom panel. Read about the Digital AV Out location here. Read about the Serial Port 2 location here.
Front
The front of the GameCube is predominantly matte. The front is bounded by curved edges along all four sides: upper, lower, left, and right. These edges can be felt by touch.
The center of the front contains a rectangular recessed area housing the four controller ports and two memory-card slots. Its top and bottom edges slope slightly inward, while its left and right edges rise one level above the surrounding surface.
The four controller ports are arranged horizontally across the upper portion of this area. From left to right are the Player 1, Player 2, Player 3, and Player 4 controller ports. The ports are circular.
Raised dots above each controller port indicate its player number. Player 1 has one dot, Player 2 has two dots, Player 3 has three dots, and Player 4 has four dots.
Below the Player 1 and Player 2 controller ports is the horizontally oriented Memory Card Slot-A flap. Below the Player 3 and Player 4 controller ports is the horizontally oriented Memory Card Slot-B flap.
The memory-card flaps can be pushed inward. The edges of each flap can be felt by touch.
Below each flap is an etched marking identifying the slot. The left marking reads "Slot-A" and the right marking reads "Slot-B". Both markings can be felt with a fingertip.
Above the controller ports, the surface continues along the inward slope and eventually reaches a curved edge where the front transitions to the top surface.
Below the memory-card slots, the surface continues along the inward slope and eventually reaches the horizontal seam separating the recessed area from the lower portion of the front. The upper and lower outer edges of the front have similar inward-curving profiles.
Below this horizontal seam, portions of two rubber feet can be felt near the lower corners of the front. One is near the lower-right corner and the other is near the lower-left corner. The rubber feet are raised and can be distinguished from the surrounding plastic by touch.
Note: The lower-right corner of the front may contain a sticker reading "Graphics by ATI." This sticker may be missing on used GameCube consoles and should not be relied upon as a primary tactile landmark.
Left side
The left side is bounded by curved edges along all four sides: upper, lower, front, and rear. These edges can be felt by touch.
A horizontal seam extends from the front across the left side toward the rear. Following this seam from right to left, toward the rear, the seam passes below a raised plastic shape with a curved, inward-facing edge, resembling an opening parenthesis, "(".
Above it is a flat ventilation area containing a square grid of 8 × 8 smaller square openings.
Below the horizontal seam, slightly to the right, is the Serial Port 2 cover. It is roughly half-circle-shaped, and its seam is large enough to fit a thumb.
Right side
The right side is bounded by curved edges along all four sides: upper, lower, front, and rear. These edges can be felt by touch.
A horizontal seam extends from the front across the right side toward the rear. Following this seam from left to right, toward the rear, the seam passes below a raised plastic shape with a curved, inward-facing edge, resembling a closing parenthesis, ")".
Above it is a flat ventilation area containing a square grid of 8 × 8 smaller square openings.
Below the horizontal seam are two square port covers, separated by a gap of roughly half a pinky finger's width. The cover on the left is the Serial Port 1 cover. It is located left of center on the side panel and has a thicker edge. The cover on the right is the HI SPEED PORT cover. It is slightly right of center on the side panel and has a thinner edge.
The raised ")" shape is centered above the gap between the two port covers. This provides a useful tactile landmark for distinguishing the two covers.
Rear
The rear is bounded by curved edges along all four sides: upper, lower, left, and right. These edges can be felt by touch. The rear is less uniformly shaped than the front, sides, and bottom, with several changes in level and curved transitions.
At each rear corner, the side transitions into a protruding curved section forming part of the rear panel. Its outline resembles half of a lava lamp. This section can be felt when following either side toward the rear.
The black carrying handle is the most prominent tactile landmark on the rear. It is located toward the upper portion of the rear and gives the GameCube its "lunchbox" shape. The handle forms a half-circle arch attached to the rear panel at its left and right sides. The open space beneath the handle provides a useful tactile landmark when navigating the rear.
The top of the handle has a solid, flat surface. The underside is open, allowing a finger to be inserted beneath the handle. Five thin raised plastic pieces can be felt along the underside.
Below the carrying handle are two similarly sized recessed rectangular areas, one on the left and one on the right. A seam runs between them, connecting the upper-right corner of the left rectangle to the upper-left corner of the right rectangle.
The right rectangle is directly above the "DC 12V IN" marking. Its width extends approximately from the "C" in "DC 12V IN" to the final "N" in the marking. The left rectangle is approximately the same size, but its width does not have a similarly convenient tactile reference point.
Moving downward from the underside of the right side of the handle leads to the recessed area containing the DC power connector. Moving into this area produces a noticeable drop, after which the connector can be felt.
The connector is proprietary and has a rounded rectangular shape with its left end rounded and its right end squared. It is recessed below the surrounding surface.
Above and slightly left of the connector is the etched "DC 12V IN" marking. Below it is the "ANALOG AV OUT" marking, with the "DIGITAL AV OUT" marking to its left. All three markings can be felt by touch.
The Analog AV Out port is below the level of the surrounding surface. Moving into the recessed area produces a noticeable drop; the port can then be felt within the recessed area. Its outer edge is rectangular, and its shape is the same as the AV connector found on the SNES and N64. The port spans horizontally from approximately the second "A" in "ANALOG" to the leftmost portion of the DC power connector above it.
The Digital AV Out port is also below the level of the surrounding surface and produces a separate drop when reached. It spans horizontally from approximately the "D" in "DIGITAL" to the "T" in "OUT".
The Digital AV Out port has a lower section with a rectangular shape and upper sides that angle inward, giving its outer edge an irregular, roughly hexagonal appearance.
The Digital AV Out and Analog AV Out ports are separated by approximately one pinky fingertip of space.
Below the AV ports is a ventilation area containing ten thin vertical rectangular openings arranged in a horizontal row. The ventilation area spans approximately from the leftmost side of the Digital AV Out port to the rightmost side of the Analog AV Out port. The individual openings can be felt by touch.
Following the outer curved edge downward from the ventilation area leads toward the lower edge of the console. The outer contour has additional changes in level that can be felt when following it toward the bottom surface.
Note: On DOL-101 consoles, the Digital AV Out port and its marking are absent. The Analog AV Out port occupies the left position of the AV-port area, while the position to its right is blank.
Safety warning: Rear upper edge
Beneath the carrying handle is a blank rectangular area. Moving upward from this area leads to a pronounced edge marking the boundary of the disc-loading mechanism on the top surface.
This edge should be treated as a stopping point when navigating by touch. Do not move a finger beyond or around it. In particular, avoid placing a finger into the mechanism while the disc-open button is being pressed, as the mechanism can move and may pinch or injure a finger.
Bottom
The bottom is bounded by curved edges along all four sides: front, rear, left, and right. These edges continue the rounded shape of the console and can be felt by touch.
The bottom contains the Serial Port 1, Serial Port 2, and High Speed Port covers, the console information and barcode stickers, three Game Boy Player mounting points, four Gamebit screwdriver holes, and the console's feet.
Ports
The three ports are located beneath their respective covers. Their shapes and orientations can be felt when the covers are removed.
Serial Port 1 is rectangular, wider than Serial Port 2, and horizontally oriented.
Serial Port 2 is rectangular, narrower than Serial Port 1, and vertically oriented.
High Speed Port is rectangular, thicker than both serial ports, and horizontally oriented.
Port covers
Serial Port 1 is located toward the lower-left and center portion of the bottom. Its cover is the widest of the three. It is roughly rectangular, with shaped sections along the left side that can be felt by touch. The raised "SERIAL PORT 1" marking can be felt on the cover.
To remove the Serial Port 1 cover, touch the "1" in "PORT 1" and use two fingers to pinch the notches in the cover. When replacing it, no alignment is required; simply push the cover down until it is secured.
Serial Port 2 is located to the right of Serial Port 1. Its cover is rectangular and has an extended plastic piece protruding from its upper-right side. The raised "SERIAL PORT 2" marking can be felt on the cover.
To remove the Serial Port 2 cover, push it upward with one finger. When replacing it, align the extended plastic piece with its corresponding slot, then push the cover down with one finger until it clicks into place.
High Speed Port is located above Serial Port 1, toward the upper-left portion of the bottom. Its cover is vertically rectangular and has shaped sections along its lower-left edge. Two plastic attachment pieces are located underneath the cover, one near the upper-right corner and one near the lower-left corner.
To remove the High Speed Port cover, push it upward with one finger. When replacing it, align the two attachment pieces with their corresponding slots, then push the cover down with one finger until it clicks into place.
Stickers and mounting points
The GameCube console information sticker is located in a square area on the bottom surface, opposite the High Speed Port area. Its edges can be felt by touch.
From the top-left corner of the sticker area, moving upward leads toward the barcode sticker area.
The barcode sticker is located above the console information sticker. Its surface and edges can be distinguished from the surrounding plastic by touch.
The console sticker area also provides a useful landmark for locating one of the three circular Game Boy Player mounting points on the bottom surface. From the top-right corner of the console information sticker area, moving right across the edge leads to one mounting point.
A second mounting point is located vertically between Serial Port 1 and the High Speed Port.
A third mounting point is located vertically between the lower-right corner of a Gamebit screwdriver hole and the extended plastic piece of the Serial Port 2 area.
Gamebit holes and feet
Four circular Gamebit screwdriver holes are located near the four corners of the bottom surface. Each hole contains a screw. The holes are recessed and have clearly defined edges that can be felt by touch.
The bottom contains two types of feet: rubber feet and plastic feet. The rubber feet are located along the lowest portion of the bottom surface and have a vertical orientation. The plastic feet are located along the topmost portion and have a horizontal orientation. The rubber feet are more pronounced and can also be felt from the front near the lower corners of the console. Their different shapes, orientations, and positions can be used as tactile landmarks when determining the direction of the console while navigating the bottom surface.
Note: Serial Port 2 is absent on DOL-101 consoles. Its cover remains present but lacks the "SERIAL PORT 2" marking.
Top
The most prominent tactile landmark on the top surface is the centered glossy circular area, called the jewel.
The jewel contains the printed "NINTENDO GAMECUBE" marking, but the lettering itself cannot be reliably felt by touch.
Moving downward from the edge of the jewel leads across the surrounding surface to a seam and then to the power indicator.
The power indicator is a small tactile feature that illuminates orange when the console is powered on.
A horizontal seam runs through the area of the power indicator. When moving left or right from the power indicator, follow this seam.
As the seam approaches either control, it curves around the control rather than continuing straight.
Moving left along the seam leads to the etched "R E S E T" marking and then to the reset button.
The reset button is circular and blank. It can be pressed downward and immediately returns to its raised position when released.
From the reset button, moving upward along the vertical seam leads to the rounded portion of the seam around the power-button area. The etched "P O W E R" marking can be felt near this rounded seam and indicates that the power button is nearby.
The power button is circular. It can be pushed downward, where it remains depressed. Pressing it again releases it and returns it to its raised position.
Moving right from the power indicator along the horizontal seam leads to the etched "O P E N" marking and then to the rounded seam around the disc-open button.
The disc-open button is circular with a smaller circular depression in its center. It requires slightly more pressure to activate than the reset button.
Moving upward from the disc-open button and following its seam to its farthest extent provides another tactile route. From there, moving left leads to the etched Nintendo logo enclosed within a pill-shaped border.
The Nintendo logo and its border can be detected by touch.
Safety warning: upper area of the disc-loading mechanism
Moving upward from the jewel eventually reaches a curved edge marking the boundary of the disc-loading mechanism.
Do not place a finger beyond this edge or into the mechanism, particularly while the disc-open button is being pressed. The mechanism can move and may pinch or injure a finger. Treat this edge as a stopping point for tactile navigation.
Accessories
Memory Card
The Nintendo-branded GameCube memory cards share the same general physical shape and tactile layout regardless of capacity. The memory card is approximately three-quarters of a pinky finger in height. Its capacity is identified by the text on the rear of the card rather than by its external shape.
Nintendo released three official GameCube memory-card capacities:
Memory Card 59 - 59 blocks, model DOL-008.
Memory Card 251 - 251 blocks, model DOL-014.
Memory Card 1019 - 1,019 blocks, model DOL-020.
Note: The Memory Card 59 may be marked simply "Memory Card" rather than "Memory Card 59".
Front
The lower center of the front has an etched two-line "NINTENDO GAMECUBE" marking, with "NINTENDO" on the first line and "GAMECUBE" directly below it.
Above this marking is the edge of an empty rounded-square area. This area can be used for a sticker.
At the upper center of the front, just outside the edge of the rounded-square area, is a small triangle pointing upward. This triangle indicates the correct orientation for inserting the memory card into the console.
Sides
Each side has four individual ridges along its lower portion and one ridge along its upper portion.
Rear
The lower center of the rear has a pill-shaped Nintendo logo marking. A small circular feature with a dot in its center is located to the left of the Nintendo logo.
Above the Nintendo logo is a large outlined area containing identifying markings.
In the middle portion of the rear, the model number appears on the left, while an etched "MADE IN JAPAN" marking appears on the right. A GameCube logo is located above the model number.
Near the upper-right portion of the GameCube logo is an etched two-line "NINTENDO GAMECUBE" marking, with "NINTENDO" on the first line and "GAMECUBE" directly below it.
A horizontal line separates the "NINTENDO GAMECUBE" marking from the memory-card identification text below it. The line extends horizontally from the "G" in "GAMECUBE" to the final "E" in "GAMECUBE".
Below this line is the etched memory-card name and, where applicable, its capacity.
Near the far left and far right sides of the outlined area are small recessed screw locations. They are positioned approximately in line with the lower edge of the outline. The screws are small and their exact Y-shaped drive pattern may not be distinguishable by touch.
Some cards have a CE marking in the middle portion of the outlined area, positioned between the two recessed screw locations. Its presence may vary between cards.
At the top-middle portion of the rear, extending beyond the outlined area, is a fixed exposed metal strip. The strip extends horizontally from approximately the left side of the GameCube logo to the right side of the two-line "NINTENDO GAMECUBE" marking, ending near the "O" in "NINTENDO" and the final "E" in "GAMECUBE".
A gap is present above the metal strip. The plastic edges on either side of this gap extend horizontally from approximately the middle of the GameCube logo to the "D" in "NINTENDO" and the "B" in "GAMECUBE".
Top
The top edge has an opening containing the exposed PCB contacts of the memory card.
Bottom
The bottom edge has a very thin rectangular recessed or outlined area. The area is narrow enough that a very thin sticker could be placed there.