why are gamecube component cables still so expensive?

[c0ldb33r]

Why are gamecube component cabless till so expensive?

I've got component cables for my wii. It can play gamecube games. Therefore, I can play gamecube games via component. Whoever has a wii is in the same boat. So then why are gamecube cables in such demand? Wii cables are (relatively) cheap and plentiful. I would think that the wii would have decreased demand for cube component cables.

The only thing the wii component cables can't do that the cube cables can is the gameboy player. With component cables for the cube, you could play GBA games via component, but I don't really know whether that would be worth it, considering how blurry GBA games are on the GB Player.

A quick search on ebay for cube cables shows that they're ~50 bucks. :(

[heybtbm]

Low supply/High Demand. It's the textbook definition of why something usually is "expensive".

Seems pretty cut and dry. Other than the official Nintendo store and online importers, the cables were never officially available in the US. Also, there were never any 3rd party Gamecube component cables produced either (to the best of my knowledge).

Nowdays, I play all my GC games on the Wii (with Wii component cables), so my GC component cables sit in the box in storage. It's funny how it turned out. My original GC had the component jack and after I bought a LCD TV I felt I had to have the GC component cables. I even bought another new GC (again...with the component jack) to keep boxed for when my original GC bit the dust. With the Wii...all these "plans" became pointless. Now I have the cables and 2 GC's sitting in rubbermaid containers in basement. Like most DP'ers...I have no intention of selling all this stuff, but it's funny how unnecessary these purchases ended up being.

[c0ldb33r]

I have no intention of selling all this stuff, but it's funny how unnecessary these purchases ended up being.
yeah, I stumbled across the high price when I was convinced that I had to have the cube component cables. Then I thought to myself, why bother. Since I got my wii, the cube isn't even hooked up! The only good reason for it is my GB Player, which I never used anyway.

[Cornelius]

I don't get it either, but I'm not complaining! I bought my cable from Nintendo, but since have found I think another 5 or so of them. That translates into a lot of gaming goodness for my collection after selling them off! Actually, I've got one I'm putting up on eBay this evening!

Do you think the GC will go down as the least sought-after mainstream system hardware ever? It really seems the only reason to have it is for the GBplayer. Already it is hard to sell them and have it be worth it. CL is flooded with listings for a GC, no games/controllers.

[Ro-J]

Do you think the GC will go down as the least sought-after mainstream system hardware ever?

I'm thinking the original Playstation may end up being the least sought after console. I don't know the exact figures, but I'd guess more people own a PS2 than a Wii.

[Half Japanese]

They were fairly hard to get a hold of even around the time when they were still being manufactured. I think I waited two months as they were on backorder before I was able to snag a pair.

[djbeatmongrel]

C0ldb33r, i have a set that was never used that i'd be willing to get rid of for fairly cheap. they were only used once since i didnt realize my tv did 480i till after the fact :^(. just pm me an offer and we can work something out.

[RCM]

I'd like to pick up a pair not for Gamecube games, but for my GBA player. It's the only reason I still own a 'Cube.

[jupitersj]

Since the Wii blocks Freeloader constantly with firmware updates the only way to play import GCN games in component is GCN component cables or a modded/jpn Wii realistically. *_*

For saving 50 dollars I'm willing to play gekitou taisen games in s-video.

[Tron 2.0]

Since the Wii blocks Freeloader constantly with firmware updates the only way to play import GCN games in component is GCN component cables or a modded/jpn Wii realistically. *_*

For saving 50 dollars I'm willing to play gekitou taisen games in s-video.
That's the reason i have my gc still to use the action replay.The other of coruse is the gb player.Last year i was able to get the gc component cable from a member at neo-geo.com for $37.00+.Sure,it might seem pointless since i have the component cable for my wii as well.Still games on the gb player run through gc component cable look pretty sweet to me.

[kedawa]

Those cables were always expensive because of the DSP chip built into the GC end of the cable. It's an expensive chip that converts digital video into analog YUV, or RGB when modded.

I'd like to get a GBPlayer, but the cost of a silver unit and a NTSC-U boot disc is more than I'm willing to spend on it.

[The 1 2 P]

Do you think the GC will go down as the least sought-after mainstream system hardware ever?


I'm thinking the original Playstation may end up being the least sought after console.

If I judge by my local Goodwill than I'd say you are both right. Theres hardly ever a time where you can't find one of those two systems in there. Ocassionally you find other systems too, but not nearly as often and they don't sit there as long as the GC and PS1 do.

Back on topic, I've found some GC component cables locally but they too were offering them for a very high price so I passed. I personally will always have my GC because of my freeloader. I love my import games.

[c0ldb33r]

I'd like to get a GBPlayer, but the cost of a silver unit and a NTSC-U boot disc is more than I'm willing to spend on it.
I notice that Nintendo still sells the GBP bootdisc in their online store. I was surprised.

[Cornelius]

Since this is still relatively recent, I thought I'd post the results of my auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-GameCube-Component-Cable-Hard-to-Find_W0QQitemZ170295508333QQihZ007QQcategoryZ13996 9QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) that ended yesterday... $71 plus shipping!

Seriously. WTH? That many people want their GB games in 480p? Otherwise, if you are going to spend that much why not just save your money for a couple more weeks and get a Wii? $70 is a quarter of the way there! Still, considering I picked these up for $5 at a thrift, I can't complain.

[heybtbm]

Since this is still relatively recent, I thought I'd post the results of my auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-GameCube-Component-Cable-Hard-to-Find_W0QQitemZ170295508333QQihZ007QQcategoryZ13996 9QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) that ended yesterday... $71 plus shipping!

Seriously. WTH? That many people want their GB games in 480p? Otherwise, if you are going to spend that much why not just save your money for a couple more weeks and get a Wii? $70 is a quarter of the way there! Still, considering I picked these up for $5 at a thrift, I can't complain.

Final prices for Ebay auctions are often hard to explain. My guess is people either don't know that the Wii is fully backwards compatible with the Gamecube, or they don't know that Wii component cables exist.

[darkslime]

I was able to find 3 of these for $4.99 at gamestop a few months ago when the CAG thread came up about it. Now there are none within a hundred miles and it's backordered.

[backguard]

Short answer - Game Boy Player. Nothing like playing GBA games in 480p!

[Tetsu]

Those cables were always expensive because of the DSP chip built into the GC end of the cable. It's an expensive chip that converts digital video into analog YUV, or RGB when modded.



That is correct, sir. Usually anyone who doesn't want to pay for cables can hack together their own using a cheap third party brand and some inexpensive connectors, but that DSP chip isn't something you can order from a part supplier. Until someone comes up with a good alternative chip, buying the official Nintendo cable is the only way to go.

[The 1 2 P]

Seriously. WTH? .

Well, it is ebay we're talking about. It's very difficult to find a bigger group of stupid people than on ebay. But atleast this time worked out in your favor.

[eskobar]

It may sound stupid given all the opinions about the GC component cables ... but i want one !!!!!!

Is there any site where i can buy them cheaper than eBay ? or i just should wait to win it in an auction ?

I have another question: Nintendo released S-Video cables for the SNES or N64 on North America or Japan ?, i have seen quite a few third party cables, but never an official one :S

Thanks !!!

[ubersaurus]

It may sound stupid given all the opinions about the GC component cables ... but i want one !!!!!!

Is there any site where i can buy them cheaper than eBay ? or i just should wait to win it in an auction ?

I have another question: Nintendo released S-Video cables for the SNES or N64 on North America or Japan ?, i have seen quite a few third party cables, but never an official one :S

Thanks !!!

Yes, the SNEs/N64 s-video cable is the same ones you can get for Gamecube. Only works on the SNES-1, though.

[Iron Draggon]

what I don't understand is why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... the ONLY reason to own a GC now is for the GB player, and it seems that's the only reason why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... TOTALLY LAME!

[eskobar]

what I don't understand is why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... the ONLY reason to own a GC now is for the GB player, and it seems that's the only reason why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... TOTALLY LAME!

The decisión to make a GB player for the Cube was just to support sales of the system, the GBA was selling millions and it did help.

The Wii has strong sales, it doesn't need that kind of device ...


Thanks a lot for the info on the cables, in fact i checked the Nintendo Online Store and the have those S-Video for sale ... no luck on the component cable, i think that eBay is the only way

[Neil Koch]

what I don't understand is why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... the ONLY reason to own a GC now is for the GB player, and it seems that's the only reason why they won't make a GB player for the Wii... TOTALLY LAME!

Probably because Nintendo will eventually be doing Virtual Console releases for Game Boy games, either via the Wii or DSi.

[Leo_A]

What good would it do? The handheld has been dead for several years. They released the Game Boy Player since it probably made a small profit and they could expand the Game Boy Advance's reach to people not interested in buying a handheld who would then start buying software for it and give current GBA owners a way to play their games on a television..

If they released it now, its just an accessory cluttering the shelfs. They're not releasing and publishing Game Boy Advance titles now so they can't benefit from game sales on the platform like they could before.

I'm betting on the Virtual Console comment, either with the Wii's Virtual Console or on a successor's Virtual Console.