| Among the three consoles in the last generation, | | | | games of any console. |
| the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Gamecube, the | | | | Finally you need some good Mini-DVD discs to |
| Gamecube was the one which caused the most | | | | burn the dumped game file to. We recommend |
| trouble for those looking to backup and play their | | | | either Sony (and not just because using Sony |
| games. This was largely due to the fact that the | | | | discs with a Nintendo console is slightly ironic and |
| Gamecube uses a Mini-DVD disc format, and | | | | funny) or Ritek media, as they give the most |
| around the time of its release, there were simply | | | | consistent burns. Before burning your game, it's |
| no blank Mini-DVD discs on the market. This has | | | | important to look at the file size of your dump. |
| since changed though, as Mini-DVD discs are now | | | | Both Gamecube and Wii games have uniform |
| widely available both online and in stores, and | | | | sizes, and if your dump is good, it should conform |
| several programs have been released which even | | | | to these standards, if not you likely have a bad |
| eliminate the need to use Mini-DVD discs entirely | | | | dump. For Gamecube games, your file should be |
| when trying to backup Gamecube games. | | | | exactly 1.35 GB (1,459,978,240 bytes) when |
| Firstly, lets start with the hardware and software | | | | looked at under file properties. |
| you'll need to make backups. While for most | | | | Another important element when trying to |
| consoles, just about any DVD drive will work to | | | | backup Gamecube games is to burn at a slow |
| make decent copies, this is not the case with the | | | | speed. This is generally a good rule of thumb to |
| Nintendo Gamecube (or the Nintendo Wii for that | | | | follow when burning any media, but is especially |
| matter). For some reason, the majority of drives | | | | important with both the Gamecube and the Wii, |
| have all sorts of trouble reading the discs of this | | | | as these systems tend to get far more read disc |
| console. The best DVD drive to pick up if youre | | | | errors with backup games when they've been |
| serious about making Gamecube (and Wii) | | | | burned at high speeds. Keep your burning speed |
| backups is any of a number of LG drives. And no, | | | | to a maximum of 8X, and ideally 4X or 2X if you |
| you don't need a special Mini-DVD drive, a regular | | | | can live with the longer wait. |
| DVD drive will read the Gamecubes Mini-DVD | | | | By picking up the necessary tools in this guide, |
| discs. | | | | including the proper drive, the right media, and the |
| With the drive out of the way, you need some | | | | best game copying software programs, you'll |
| software to help dump and burn the data. For this | | | | have no trouble making perfect backup |
| we recommend a few game copy software | | | | Gamecube games. With Gamecube games |
| programs, game copy wizard, game copy pro, | | | | becoming more and more difficult to find in |
| and copy that game. All three of these programs | | | | stores, backing up your games is now more |
| come with their own little bonuses, but most | | | | important than ever, so don't delay in getting |
| importantly, they're all outstanding for copying | | | | started backing up your favourite games. |