This project was originally started with the goal of fitting a complete Windows 10 PC inside of a GameCube case, with the major requirement of running Wii and GameCube at full FPS and native resolution using Dolphin Emulator. Additional goals were set to retain full functionality of the original buttons, controller ports, cooling system, and more. Based on the specifications of the Mini-STX form factor, I knew one of these motherboards would barely fit inside of a GameCube shell.

Using a Dremel to hollow out the inside of the bottom shell quickly turned into an ugly JB-welded mess, and there was still no good way to firmly mount the motherboard to it.

While pondering the bottom shell issue, work continued on wiring the original front controller ports to a GameCube controller USB adapter. A connector with the correct pitch was spec'd out that allowed an interface to be established with the original controller port board.

The controllers being passed through to the USB adapter was a success, and was able to get the adapter to function in both PC (D-Input) and Wii-U mode in Dolphin. Because of a lack of USB ports on the motherboard, a custom PCB was designed to handle the addition of 4 ports in the memory card slots using a third party low-profile USB hub. There is only one internal USB 2.0 header on the motherboard, so the GameCube controller USB adapter uses one port and the 4-port USB hub uses the other.

A 3D printer was necessary to make the build clean looking. After many tweaks to match the curvature of both the inside and outside of the front panel, some standoffs and USB port covers were produced.

The bottom shell was also designed, and only a few prints were required to get the base very close to the original shape. Motherboard I/O access and a slot for the front controller port panel to rest in were also added.

Standoffs for the original GameCube screw posts were needed to adapt the top half of the case to the PC motherboard's mounting pattern. A cover was also printed that goes above the motherboard rear I/O shield, and has mounting holes for the WiFi and Bluetooth antennas.

Features

• Functional controller ports using GameCube controller to USB adapter
• Added 4 USB ports to front panel
• Accessible front motherboard I/O from outside of case
• WiFi/Bluetooth antennas connected to internal dual wireless card
• Large M.2 heat sink (drive gets quite hot)
• Sturdy structure and assembly

Future fixes

• Top shell LED only comes on when the GameCube controller USB adapter is in a certain mode. As soon as I toggle the switch, it turns off power to that LED, so I need to source power from somewhere else
• Perhaps part of the same problem above, the reset switch actually has power going to it in a certain mode of the GameCube controller USB adapter, which holds the reset pin on the motherboard high and causes the computer to continuously power cycle until I switch modes
• May be more convenient to relocate the switch on the GameCube controller USB adapter to the front panel
• No issues with cooling the CPU yet but may install some small fans using the original intake and exhaust vents
• Design a PCB to mount the original power switch to, and then 3D print a mount for it