Q5: Is modifying your game system legal?
A5: That depends on who you ask. Different areas of modifying your system carry different legal and moral questions. What’s legal and what is not legal is probably less important from your perspective than what’s going to possibly get you sued or not, and that depends on the stance of whatever company’s system you’re working on. In general, it would be hard to have a completely modded system without undergoing one or two steps that at least some companies consider illegal. So no, modding is not legal. However, the illegal parts tend to have to do with making and selling the chips, programming and compiling software, and copying games illegally. Though many game companies basically take the stance that they own the inside of your system, regardless of the fact that you paid for it, there are many that argue that opening a system and modifying it to run open-source software such as Linux is perfectly within their right. Personally, I tend to agree with them, but before you embark on any modding adventures be aware that you’re swimming in pretty murky waters. Most courts tend to side with the parent companies on this issue.
Q6: Is it hard to modify my GameCube?
A6: That depends on how familiar you are with computers and electronics. After you get through the outer shell of the casing, most game systems, GameCube included, are basically all technical components. Hardware modding your system will require that you open you GameCube, solder wires to key locations, and use your computer to program the mod you’ve installed. In general, modding is not particularly easy, requiring hours of reading in advance, some technical skill, and a willingness to undergo an operation that could very well leave your system worthless if messed up. Easy? No, not really. But then again, it all depends on your skill level. The GameCube is probably the most difficult system to mod, since it requires almost constant interaction with your PC, and additional hardware and equipment to get going.
Q7: Is it worth it for me to modify my GameCube?
A7: This has to deal with personal preference, but in general I’d say no. Considering the possible legal ramifications of the operation, and the fact that a modded GameCube really doesn’t offer you that much more than you already get from the factory, and I’d say that it’s best left to others. Without the ability to play NES and SuperNES ROMs, there really isn’t much that you’re going to want to be doing with a modded system. Not only is the one thing that it does allow – playing copied games - illegal, shameless, and beneath you, the technical requirements to do it are often really pretty daunting for a limited reward, and the ability to play import games will probably appeal to a very narrow audience. Unlike the Xbox, where a modded system might be used to run nearly-legitimate open-source projects and coding, giving them at least some form of moral footing, a modded GameCube is basically only capable of doing things that are illegal better than a non-modded GameCube, and as such should be avoided.
