# webhdx/PicoBoot

Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) based IPL replacement modchip for GameCube

Repository: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/picoboot
Language: C
License: GPL-2.0
License Family: copyleft
Topics: gamecube, modchip
Last push: 2025-11-09T16:16:04+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 57/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-03T02:20:16.233290+00:00)
- activity 51, release rhythm 40, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 1617, "days_push": 297, "days_rel": 472, "gap_med": 0, "n_releases_24m": 2}
- flags: none
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1693, forks 97 (observed 2026-08-28T04:05:23.453189+00:00)

## What it is
PicoBoot is an open-source IPL replacement modchip for the Nintendo GameCube built on a Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) board. It boots homebrew applications and offers a USB-upgradable firmware with a simple five-wire installation.

## Use cases
- replace the GameCube IPL chip to boot homebrew
- launch homebrew apps automatically on GameCube startup
- build a cheap open-source GameCube modchip with a Raspberry Pi Pico
- upgrade GameCube modchip firmware over USB without drivers
- get an ODE-like experience similar to GC Loader on a GameCube

## When to choose
- you want an affordable, open-source IPL replacement for a GameCube
- you prefer soldering only five wires or using a flex cable
- you need USB-based firmware updates without extra drivers
- you want automatic booting of a chosen homebrew application

## When to avoid
- you are not comfortable soldering or opening a GameCube console
- you need a plug-and-play solution with no hardware modification
- you want a commercial off-the-shelf ODE with full disc-image support out of the box

## Facets
- artifact type: application
- maturity: active
- function: embedded, game
- domain: hardware, gaming-tools, embedded-systems
- platform: embedded, cross-platform
- tags: gamecube, modchip, raspberry-pi-pico, rp2040, ipl-replacement, homebrew, retro-gaming, game-development

## Member repositories
- webhdx/PicoBoot (main) score 57

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:23.453189+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T03:38:12.342819+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/webhdx/PicoBoot (fetched 2026-08-28T04:05:23.453189+00:00, sha 3d75272fdd28)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.