Everdrive options for disc based systems

[tjstogy]

Hey guys, was wondering if anyone has experience with modding their systems to use hard drives or sd cards for disc based systems, primarily GameCube, ps2 and dreamcast? I don't care about using the original discs (or burned) and ideally I'd like to have the entire library of each console accessible from a solid state format just like using an ever drive on a cartridge system. I've heard of a couple options and wanted some input from the experts here. Thanks as always!

[tevey]

There is the wiikey fusion for the Gamecube. SD slot replaces the disc drive

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[PascalP]

GDEMU for Dreamcast
Phoebe or Rhea for Saturn
And the same guy is working in a PC Engine variant also

[BuckoA51]

On the Wii you can just install homebrew channel and USB Loader and use any USB hard drive to load Gamecube or Wii games, no need for the obsolete Wiikey any more.

PS2 - Use a hard drive connected with the broadband adapter and FreeMCBoot to load Open PS2 Loader.

Getting the consoles entire library on one hard drive might be a bit of a tall order though.

[kamiboy]

I am more interested in solutions for obscure CD based systems like the FM Towns. Since the average desirable game for that system will run you over ¥30,000, and you cannot run games off of a HDD like other Japanese PC systems there is a real need for a convenient way to roll with the old romsies on there.

[ZellSF]

Gamecube: I would recommend just getting a Wii and using softmods. Compatibility is practically perfect, and while the Wii has slightly inferior image quality to a Gamecube, chances are we'll have a gcvideo like mod for it eventually. There are hard mods, but most of them don't deal with audio streaming games. I use USB Loader GX + Nintendont + DIOS MIOS. Nintendont is what you want to be using for loading Gamecube games most of the time, but I've still seen the occasional game run better under DIOS MIOS.

PlayStation 2: Again your best choice here is softmods. Actually it also happens to be your only choice here. Get an old PS2 that still has the HDD bay, mod it and install Open PS2 Loader (best option) and HD Loader (occasionally runs a game OPL does not).

Dreamcast: GDEMU or USB-GDROM. Both excellent devices made more by hardware hackers than business people, so except the buying process to a be a bit complicated. Not quite sure how they compare actually, pretty sure both are more than adequate for playing games.

and ideally I'd like to have the entire library of each console accessible from a solid state format just like using an ever drive on a cartridge system.

That's just stupid. You know what having Aquaman in your game lists adds to your Gamecube experience? It makes it slightly more annoying to browse to the games you actually want to play. That's it. Seriously, why do you feel the need to have Aquaman available? Is there some sort of fictional scenario where you suddenly would need it, but don't have time to download it (despite having the bandwidth to download the entire Gamecube library)?

In addition to being a really pointless waste of time, I'm fairly sure it's impossible for PS2. You'll run into some limit or another way before you have the entire PS2 library (including classics like Ninjabread Man).

When you have classics like Aquaman and Ninjabread Man, it's really time to rethink "is my hobby playing games or collecting shit".

[kamiboy]

When you have classics like Aquaman and Ninjabread Man, it's really time to rethink "is my hobby playing games or collecting shit".

Most people err on the wrong side of that equation. Hoarding and other such OCD derivatives are rather rampant in this here "hobby".

[Shoryukev]

Most people err on the wrong side of that equation. Hoarding and other such OCD derivatives are rather rampant in this here "hobby".

While that is true (I myself am guilty of owning far more cartridges/discs/etc. than I use on a regular basis), he does make a valid point. I built a MAME cabinet a few years ago, and learned pretty quickly that fumbling through catalogs of ROMs is annoying. While it's nice to see a youtube video or have a friend recommend you a new title and have it be there.......95% of the time it's just in my way when I'm searching for the 1981 DK arcade game when I get home from work and are just looking to unwind for a few minutes.

It's not as bad with frontends for PCs like hyperspin since you can filter and create favorite lists, but I'd imagine with the software built into an everdrive or softmod it is more annoying. If you have the disc space and bandwidth to download full sets of CD based games, by all means go for it...but I would keep it somewhere that it's out of your way. I don't own any everdrives (looking to get a turbo/pc-engine one soon), but I'd imagine the software is very basic. It certainly is on the raspberry pi emulator thing my 5 year old son uses LOL

[kamiboy]

Oh, I agree. I would never put up the full set of any system on any flash drive that I own. I very carefully hand pick what gets to go on there. Any system whose library I am intimately familiar with is, after all, mostly composed of dog shit tier rubbish.

[creamygarlicdip]

lol'in at retro game collectors being referred to as hoarders, we're not hoarders we're enthusiasts! haha

[BuckoA51]

I got a 1541 Ultimate for my C64 and foolishly threw on the entire set of disc images/roms I had in my collection.....takes several minutes just to scroll to the game you want. I really should do something about that.

[WelshMegalodon]

Relevant post I made yesterday:

If you have kids (or even parents) who like playing puzzle games, you may not feel comfortable leaving them alone with your unsorted MAME ROM sets...

[Arasoi]

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