Game:

Phantasy Star Online (2000)

Duration: 6:12

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Yep, that's right. This method dates back as far as 2003, and not many people even know about it! Despite the GameCube's unpopularity in the 6th gaming console generation, it still managed to garner a small homebrew community. The most common method being via the hardmod route, using mod chips, like Xeno, Qoob, and Viper; and the less common being the softmod route.

Mod chips on the 'Cube probably wouldn't be possible without the existence of softmod methods, and the one that started it all was probably the PSO + BBA method. Homebrew can expand the GameCube's usability by allowing users to make backups from discs, force video modes on games, implement hacks on games, make backups of memory card save files (yes, even protected saves), bypass regional lockout on software, load games from other media aside from retail discs, and much more.

== Requirements ==
- Copy of Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II (not the Plus version)
- GameCube Broadband Adapter (DOL-015; not the Modem Adapter)
- Memory Card (spare, if available)
- PC
- Specialized uploading tool (PSUL or PSOLoad) - http://bit.ly/1SOilgV
- Disc-ripping homebrew tool (GameCube ISO Ripping Server) - http://bit.ly/1LnQNXC
- DVD-mounting homebrew (GCOS or Swiss) - http://bit.ly/1LnQH2r or http://bit.ly/1PwpsGE
- Disc-burning software (ImgBurn or Nero)
- 8 cm. mini DVDs (experiment with different brands and write speeds up to 4x)
- Durable crossover cable or ethernet cable (at least a Cat. 5)
- Router (optional, if ethernet cables are used instead)

== Optional ==
- BC homebrew-capable Wii (alternate disc ripping method)
- Ohm meter or multi-meter

1. Initial Setup:
- Assign static IP address 192.168.1.100 and 255.255.255.0 for subnet mask to PC (if using the router method and your router allows it, you can assign a permanent IP address for your PC - which is what I'm doing)
- Run Phantasy Star Online and configure network settings -- manually set an IP address (192.168.1.32 for IP address, 255.255.255.0 for subnet mask, and 192.168.1.100 for default gateway and primary DNS) and don't allow auto disconnection -- I advise using a spare memory card for this
- Connect GameCube and PC either directly with a crossover cable or through the router with an ethernet cable

2. Ripping and Burning Backups:
- Rip desired game either through GC ISO Ripping Server or homebrew-enabled Wii (if through GC ISO Ripping Server, you need to choose Online Game in the PSO menu to initiate ripping -- disc swap on prompt -- enable "Run GCM Wipe" toggle in software options)
- Burn backup either using ImgBurn or Nero (I use ImgBurn)

3. Backup Disc Loading:
- Open upload session for either GCOS or Swiss through either PSUL or PSOLoad
- Run Phantasy Star Online and choose Online Game in the main menu
- Choose "boot DVD" on homebrew and replace PSO disc with backup disc then load it

On your succeeding attempts, just follow Step 2 (as needed) and Step 3. Basically, what happens here is that your PC is being identified as a server by PSO, thereby allowing you to send executable files native to GCN to be loaded by the game.

Notes:
- If backup disc won't initialize or it gets a disc read error (DRE) at one point in the game, then a pot tweak may be required -- or try other disc brands and/or write speeds
- When performing a pot tweak, having an Ohm meter or multi-meter around is better to determine the actual value of the variable resistor AKA potentiometer -- the "sweet spot" is said to be somewhere between 180 to 220 Ohms, but sometimes other values work for some people -- otherwise, turn the pot 1/16 to 1/8 counter-clockwise from its original position and do tests from there
- Know that increasing the laser strength through a pot tweak means shortening your laser's lifespan; if done improperly, there is a risk of breaking the laser altogether -- pot tweaking is usually advisable when DREs occur even from using original game copies

As mentioned earlier, this method is the oldest one out there for launching homebrew and has the longest wait time among other soft-modding options. One unique feature the PSO + BBA method has over the others, however, is the ability to stream (yes, stream) ISO/GCM files from the PC to the 'Cube. Of course, that's only a novelty right now and quite impractical for actual use. I suspect using PSO to bridge a connection between PC and GCN is to blame, since Sega placed a 10 Mbps bandwidth limit for online play (even though the BBA supports up to 100 Mbps). Maybe when someone gets around that wall, the feature would be invaluable. With everything already set up, getting homebrew to launch from start-up would take around 5 to 6 minutes using this method.

The music used in this video are "Calling" and "Detonation", taken from the Subarashiki Kono Sekai OST. Hopefully, won't get a Content ID notice from this.

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