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List of GameCube games with alternate display modes

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List of GameCube games with alternate display modes

The following is a list of Nintendo GameCube games that support progressive scan (480p), PAL60, and widescreen (16:9) display modes. The GameCube's 480p signal, which is the highest quality video it can provide, is only natively supported by certain NTSC region games and can only be utilized if specific hardware is provided. For PAL region games, the default video output is normally 576i (50 Hz) while some games provide an option to use PAL60 (480i/60 Hz). Widescreen mode is not supported often across the GameCube's library, but can be used on any hardware setup regardless of region.

To get a 480p signal from a GameCube console, it is first necessary to use a DOL-001 model system, as these are equipped with a digital A/V port. This port was removed with the DOL-101 revision of the GameCube hardware in May 2004. Furthermore, a component video cable and supporting television are required. The only cables that can output a 480p signal from the GameCube are the official Nintendo-brand YPBPR component cables, available in both RCA and D-Terminal variations. These cables are equipped with a unique digital-to-analog converter developed by Nintendo which has not been reproduced by any third party company. Since the cables only carry a video signal, standard A/V cables are still necessary for audio. First generation Wii systems (RVL-001) are also capable of outputting 480p video for compatible GameCube games if component cables are used and the system is set to 480p mode.

In order to enable progressive scan mode, the B button must be held down as a compatible game boots. This will display a prompt giving the player the option to turn progressive scan on or off. The next time a progressive scan compatible game is played, it is not necessary to hold down the B button as the system remembers this setting and will automatically display the prompt. Selecting "no" at this prompt will turn the setting off at the system level, and it will need to be enabled again. This procedure is identical to enabling PAL60 for those games which support it. Games that do not have progressive scan support will not display the prompt, but can still be played with component cables, although in 480i. Progressive scan compatible games played on a Wii console set to 480p mode with component cables will always automatically display the prompt.

Despite all DOL-001 GameCube and RVL-001 Wii systems supporting progressive scan regardless of their region, only around 200 NTSC games will natively support the display mode. All games in PAL regions were intentionally programmed with the mode disabled; however, a select few can output 480p by forcing an NTSC signal with either a modchip (ex. Qoob chip) or a boot disk (ex. Datel's Freeloader). These modchips and boot disks can also be used to bypass regional lockout, allowing NTSC games that support progressive scan to be played on PAL systems. Since Freeloader has been blocked on the Wii with System Update 3.3, Wii Homebrew Applications or a modchip should be used. It should be noted that some modchips can force 480p on any game, although compatibility is not guaranteed, with many games only partially working or crashing completely. Furthermore, the GameCube homebrew application Swiss can be used to force progressive scan with varying results.

References

List of GameCube games with alternate display modes Wikipedia