Gaming Hardware GameCube + GBI or GBA Consolizer?

[GilFrog]

What's the best solution to play cartridge GBA games on a big screen (1080p monitor)? If input-lag and HDMI compatibility (my main concerns) are not too different i would prefer to opt for a GameCube rather than a consolized GBA, for obvious reasons. In that case i might need help choosing the proper console model and region, cables, HDMI converter, SNES style compatible controllers etc (not an expert on those stuff, that's why i'm asking). I don't plan on playing any GC games except Pokémon Box and a few others so the GC aspect is not that important to me.
As for the GBA Consolizer i know gbaHD and Woozle's kit have the lowest input lag values (around 1.6 to 1.2 milliseconds) so i'm interested mainly in those, unless there's something better around. For the record i don't have an OSSC, Framemeister nor Retrotink, i have no soldering experience and i live in Europe.

I'm open to any suggestion. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Hanafuda]

I was obsessed with the idea of a consolized GBA, several years ago. Then I cooled down. I have a Gameboy Player on my 'Cube, and use the GBI iso's to run it. And it looks good. I also have a controller adapter -- can't remember where I got it right now but it's good stuff -- to use an SNES controller on Gamecube (primarily for GBA of course). It's a great setup. And I never use it.

What I DO use though, a lot, is a custom GBA that I made from a GBA refurb and parts from funnyplaying. Laminated ITA screen kit, new shell that fits that kit, and custom color buttons. I would rather look at this screen while playing GBA, than a TV.

 

[GilFrog]

I was obsessed with the idea of a consolized GBA, several years ago. Then I cooled down. I have a Gameboy Player on my 'Cube, and use the GBI iso's to run it. And it looks good. I also have a controller adapter -- can't remember where I got it right now but it's good stuff -- to use an SNES controller on Gamecube (primarily for GBA of course). It's a great setup. And I never use it.

What I DO use though, a lot, is a custom GBA that I made from a GBA refurb and parts from funnyplaying. Laminated ITA screen kit, new shell that fits that kit, and custom color buttons. I would rather look at this screen while playing GBA, than a TV.

View attachment 521946

Nothing will beat a classic GBA with backlit screen, and yours is gorgeous! That pixel-dense vibe is what i love the most about the console
Honestly the big screen would be used mainly for some fast games, SNES ports and a few others i would like to try (because why not )

If that SNES-GC controller converter works well and you end up remembering any infos about it that might help me decide in favor of the GameCube (since the Hori SNES GC compatible controller sell for pretty insane prices )

 

[Hanafuda]

Nothing will beat a classic GBA with backlit screen, and yours is gorgeous! That pixel-dense vibe is what i love the most about the console
Honestly the big screen would be used mainly for some fast games, SNES ports and a few others i would like to try (because why not )

If that SNES-GC controller converter works well and you end up remembering any infos about it that might help me decide in favor of the GameCube (since the Hori SNES GC compatible controller sell for pretty insane prices )

Raphnet. Sorry it took a while to remember. Looks like they're still in the game.

https://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/snes_to_wii/index.php



Stoneagegamer sells one too. Is it better? I have no idea.

https://stoneagegamer.com/snes2neo-...ontroller-adapter-for-neo-geo-retro-frog.html

 

[Jayro]

The GBA Consolizer is a better method for the sake of latency, but we also have HDMI-out screen kits now... which sort of make a consolizer moot.

 

[GilFrog]

The GBA Consolizer is a better method for the sake of latency, but we also have HDMI-out screen kits now... which sort of make a consolizer moot.

You mean like installing an HDMI out on the GBA console board itself? Seems very interesting, wasn't aware those kind of kits existed. Where can i learn more?

 

[Jayro]

You mean like installing an HDMI out on the GBA console board itself? Seems very interesting, wasn't aware those kind of kits existed. Where can i learn more?

Yep, it taps into the GBA's video output and uses a micro HDMI out right to your TV.

AGB-001 version (Original GBA): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806269089261.html?

AGS-001/101 version (GBA SP): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804934187892.html?

 

[LandonAndEmma]

What's the best solution to play cartridge GBA games on a big screen (1080p monitor)? If input-lag and HDMI compatibility (my main concerns) are not too different i would prefer to opt for a GameCube rather than a consolized GBA, for obvious reasons. In that case i might need help choosing the proper console model and region, cables, HDMI converter, SNES style compatible controllers etc (not an expert on those stuff, that's why i'm asking). I don't plan on playing any GC games except Pokémon Box and a few others so the GC aspect is not that important to me.
As for the GBA Consolizer i know gbaHD and Woozle's kit have the lowest input lag values (around 1.6 to 1.2 milliseconds) so i'm interested mainly in those, unless there's something better around. For the record i don't have an OSSC, Framemeister nor Retrotink, i have no soldering experience and i live in Europe.

I'm open to any suggestion. Thank you in advance for your help!

Probably emulation.

 

[Jayro]

Probably emulation.

I don't recommend emulation, that's it's own latency-inducing nightmare.

 

[GilFrog]

Retroarch always worked well in my experience but yeah, emulation is different from the real thing

That HDMI port might be a solution, although it only outputs 720x480 (according to reviews). If it did 1080p with an option to resize the image to keep it pixel perfect it would be a no brainer! Maybe someone will update the kit in the future, who knows

(And ideally i would add a Bluetooth controller receiver to make the ultimate GBA! But i don't know it that exists )

 

[master801]

Retroarch always worked well in my experience but yeah, emulation is different from the real thing

That HDMI port might be a solution, although it only outputs 720x480 (according to reviews). If it did 1080p with an option to resize the image to keep it pixel perfect it would be a no brainer! Maybe someone will update the kit in the future, who knows

(And ideally i would add a Bluetooth controller receiver to make the ultimate GBA! But i don't know it that exists )

HISPEEDIO makes a USB-C docking kit iirc

Don't remember if it has bluetooth, but I know for sure it had a SNES controller connector.

EDIT: Found it again. It does include bluetooth.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807482607863.html

 

[GilFrog]

HISPEEDIO makes a USB-C docking kit iirc

Don't remember if it has bluetooth, but I know for sure it had a SNES controller connector.

EDIT: Found it again. It does include bluetooth.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807482607863.html

Checked a review of it and while it's useful with its Bluetooth controller capabilities i found out it still requires the HDMI mod to work on a monitor. It also is on the slower side input-lag wise (here's a comparison of the most well known consolized GBA input-lags)

Your suggestion made me discover new stuff so thank you for that! I think at this point i should just wait for an upgraded HDMI kit and see what the GBA modding scene brings

 

[Hanafuda]

Retroarch always worked well in my experience but yeah, emulation is different from the real thing

That HDMI port might be a solution, although it only outputs 720x480 (according to reviews). If it did 1080p with an option to resize the image to keep it pixel perfect it would be a no brainer! Maybe someone will update the kit in the future, who knows

(And ideally i would add a Bluetooth controller receiver to make the ultimate GBA! But i don't know it that exists )

FWIW, if you have a decent TV, that 480p will look fine. I have an HDMI adapter for my Gamecube (Retro-Bit Prism) which outputs a clean 480p to my TV and it looks fantastic. Upscaling will not really improve the original native resolution as much as it does for real world video. Just my opinion of course, but a square is a square, whether it's 2mmx2mm or 8mmx8mm.

 

[GilFrog]

FWIW, if you have a decent TV, that 480p will look fine. I have an HDMI adapter for my Gamecube (Retro-Bit Prism) which outputs a clean 480p to my TV and it looks fantastic. Upscaling will not really improve the original native resolution as much as it does for real world video. Just my opinion of course, but a square is a square, whether it's 2mmx2mm or 8mmx8mm.

That adapter seems cheap too! If i go for the GameCube route i will check it out

 

[Hanafuda]

That adapter seems cheap too! If i go for the GameCube route i will check it out

Just make sure your Gamecube is a DOL-001, i.e. the original version of the console that has the digital video out port. Later Cubes don't have it.