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After Hours

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

By Bill Detwiler December 7, 2006, 4:35 AM PST Bill Detwiler on Twitter billdetwiler

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Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Since unboxing our Nintendo Wii, we’ve put it through it’s paces and cracked open the case. We’ve also taken a look under the GameCube’s plastic shell.

It’s only fitting therefore, that we look at the two systems side-by-side.

By Bill Detwiler

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii Remote (Wiimote) and the GameCube Controller

Wii Remote (Wiimote) and the GameCube Controller

The GameCube Controller’s shape and button layout was nearly identical to it’s console contemporaries (Sony’s PS2 and Microsoft’s Xbox), but the motion-sensitive Wii Remote is a dramatic departure from the PS3 and Xbox 360. Nintendo is betting the Wii’s innovative remote will attract new gamers, who may have been intimidated by previous console controllers.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Audio/Video Cables

Audio/Video Cables

Both the GameCube and Wii shipped with composite AV cables. Using Nintendo’s component cables, GameCube’s manufactured before May 2004 had a digital output that could produce analog component video with a 480p resolution. The Wii can produce video at 480p resolution with the composite cables and EDTV-compatible 480i with Nintendo’s component cables.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

AC Power Adapters

AC Power Adapters

The GameCube uses an AC adapter that puts out DC 12 volts x 3.25 amperes (left). The Wii uses an AC adapter that puts out DC 12 volts 3.7 amperes (right).

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Top/Left

Wii and GameCube - Top/Left

Depending on how you position the Wii, it is slightly taller/wider than the GameCube.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Back

Wii and GameCube - Back

Both console place the power and AV ports in the back. The Wii also has two USB ports and its Sensor Bar connector. The Wii’s air exhaust vent is on the back, while the GameCube’s is on the side.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Bottom/Right

Wii and GameCube - Bottom/Right

The large air vent dominates the GameCube’s side.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube controller ports and memory card slots

Wii and GameCube controller ports and memory card slots

As the Wii is backward-compatible with all GameCube games, it has a full set of four GameCube controller ports and two memory card slots.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Case tops removed (top)

Wii and GameCube - Case tops removed (top)

With the case covers removed on each console, you can see the optical drives and fans. The Wii’s front-loading optical drive, take up far less space than the GameCube’s top-mounted drive.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Case tops removed (front)

Wii and GameCube - Case tops removed (front)

At the front of the GameCube are also the two GameCube Memory Card slots. The Wii’s SD card slot is mounted below the Wii’s optical drive.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Optical drives

Wii and GameCube - Optical drives

The GameCube uses an 8cm game disc similar to a miniDVD. The Wii uses a 12cm proprietary DVD format and 8cm GameCube discs.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Optical drives removed

Wii and GameCube - Optical drives removed

With the optical drives removed, you can clearly see the GameCube’s motherboard and heatsink. A metal shield still hides the Wii’s motherboard.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Motherboards (top)

Wii and GameCube - Motherboards (top)

The Wii’s motherboard (left) is larger than the GameCube’s (right). However, the Wii’s heatsink is significantly smaller.

For a closer look at each consoles’ internal hardware, check out our Cracking open the Nintendo Wii and Cracking open the Nintendo GameCube galleries.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Motherboards (bottom)

Wii and GameCube - Motherboards (bottom)

A high speed data port and serial port are located on the underside of the GameCube motherboard (left). The system battery connector is located on the underside of the Wii motherboard.

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Controller ports

Wii and GameCube - Controller ports

Nintendo Wii and GameCube hardware side-by-side

Wii and GameCube - Fans

Wii and GameCube - Fans

The GameCube’s fan (rear) is much larger than the Wii smaller fan (front).

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By Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show.
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