While it might not be the most traditional design, there’s no debating that Nintendo created something truly special when they unleashed the GameCube controller on an unsuspecting world back in 2001. Hardcore fans are still using the controller to this day with current-generation Nintendo consoles, and there’s considerable interest in adding modern conveniences like USB support to the nearly 20-year-old design.
One particularly promising project is the BlueCubeMod created by [Nathan Reeves]. He’s developed a small custom PCB that can be installed into an official GameCube controller to turn it into a Bluetooth device. You do have to sacrifice the original cord and force feedback for this mod, but we think many will see the ability to use this iconic controller with their computer or phone as a pretty fair trade.
The PCB holds an ESP32-PICO-D4 which is operating as a standard Bluetooth HID controller for maximum compatibility with modern systems. Control signals are pulled directly from the controller’s original PCB with just two wires, making the installation very simple. Wondering where the power comes from? As the rumble motor isn’t supported anyway, that gets tossed and in its places goes a 700 mAh battery which powers the controller for up to six hours. Overall it’s a very clean modification that [Nathan] believes even beginners will be capable of, and he ultimately plans to turn this design into a commercial kit.
Currently you still need a receiver if you want to use the BlueCubeMod with the Nintendo Switch, but [Nathan] says he’s working on a way to get around that requirement by potentially switching out the ESP32 for a STM32 with a CC256x radio. He says this will give him more direct control over the Bluetooth communications, which should allow him to take into tackle the intricacies of talking to the Switch directly.
Of course, the GameCube did have an official wireless controller back in the day. We’ve seen modifications to get the WaveBird to get it talking to modern systems as well, but there’s something to be said for slimmer form factor of the original edition.
Thanks for the love!
Here’s my code if you want to try it with your own esp32 and controller: https://github.com/NathanReeves/BlueCubeMod
-Nate
Thanks! This is actually a pretty useful general HID example for the ESP.
That is a slick little board, I can appreciate that it doesn’t even require cutting into the case, but it’s not too well supported. I can already guess what part will fail if it ever gets dropped onto it’s front. Maybe add a little 3d printed dome/bumper around the edges that anchors into both sides of what is remaining of the original cord entry?
I’m all for this mod and all, but does it work with the Switch?
Yes it does, it uses an adapter which will be included in the kit
help with HID braille for open source devices for people with disabilities
Hello, I am developing a device for people with disabilities. I need to use the HID braille protocol but I am not getting anything with HID for esp32, could you help me with a sample code of how I can implement the HID braille protocol?
here are references to braille HID
https://usb.org/sites/default/files/hutrr78_-_creation_of_a_braille_display_usage_page_0.pdf
https://github.com/nvaccess/nvda/blob/00cd67b737bc5b23a6f5e31cf28110b64ebf2fee/devDocs/hidBrailleTechnicalNotes.md
my repository is the following
https://github.com/brailletouch/Brailletouch