Review of the Xecuter IcedCube full Nintendo GameCube replacement casing special thanks to Mod-Chip.com 5th of Januari 2007

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Introduction

Here it is, my first review of a hardware mod! I've thought long if I should write this review, and have come to the conclusion I should. People interested in the GameCube scene at this time should be able to get a good impression on what products are out there and how they compare to eachother. Now as this is my first review of a GameCube replacement casing, I can't compare the product to anything but the original casing. To give a good impression of the IcedCube I'll try to cover different aspects of it:

Using it � How easy is it to use, is any after modding needed? As I think this is the most important aspect I'll cover this in the beginning.

General build quality � How thick/sturdy is the plastic, how well does it compare to the original casing (screw holes, things like that), etc..

Installing � How I fare installing it (removing the original casing not included of course).

Features � What features does the IcedCube has and how do they perform.

The review

Using it
And what I'll cover now: �Do I like using it, and is it worth the money?�. I can safely say I like using the IcedCube. My sample was a transparent green one which looks absolutely amazing. Any image you see on the internet (even mine) will not give you an accurate view of the color of the product. Using it is also incredibly easy. Full sized DVD's fit like a glove (if you installed the casing correctly of course) and everything else still goes perfectly.

Because I had already installed the Viper GC Extreme in my GameCube I was somewhat worried that it might not fit inside the IcedCube. Although I had to re-solder the chip to the mainboard of the GameCube (something not related to the IcedCube) the chip fit perfectly as it did in the original casing. I did however (which isn't needed, but something I found more practical and esthetically pleasing) make a hole in the cover for the BBA slot. This to allow the Viper USB flasher to be inserted while the cover was on the slot. Now this isn't needed but if you have the same type of chip I can recommend it. As for other chips (that use a parallel port flasher or a different USB flasher) holes have been pre-made in the casing to allow for the flashers to be inside the casing.

General build quality

To say the least the plastic is very though. To give you an example: Because screw holes had not been fitted with screw thread, you have to use the screws themselves to make new threads. I was unable to insert some screws fully into the casing! For the others it took me quite a lot of effort. It closely matches that of the original. The same goes for the design of the casing, aside from the lid and disc room of course. All of the parts in my original cube fitted perfectly. There isn't much else to say, it simply has a high build quality. Only very small to no sharp edges (on the outside AND inside)! But to be a hair-splitter, the spring in the lid isn't perfect. It opens slowly with small jolts. It is also quite picky about the power switch. Testing the first time round (I wanted to test if I had installed everything correctly so I hadn't screwed everything tight yet) I was unable to turn on the GameCube. When I had fully tightened the screws holding the GameCube internals the problem was gone. This is something the original cube casing didn't mind, but hey who cares really � just screw the thing properly :).

Installing
The process sounds pretty easy, and as long as you have a general idea on what you are doing it isn't very hard. The great guides Mod-Chip.com have also make it much easier! However as I stated before getting screws to fit properly is a pain. I destroyed a few screws and haven't gotten every screw inserted fully. This isn't a problem as long as long as a few the base screws have been inserted fully. Else you'll get the same problem as I had with the power switch. The IcedCube also comes with stickers to cover the holes made for flasher units if you don't use them. Putting those on is also not very hard but you do need to get it right in one go. Once they are on there, they stay there ;). The same goes for the Emblem.

If you have a mod-chip installed previous of the installing of the IcedCube be prepared to re-solder the chip. Installing the casing will without a doubt move the soldering around so much it will let go. So if you didn't install the chip yourself, and you don't want to re-solder let someone else install this baby for you. Then they will have to fix it if things go wrong :D.

Features
What could the features be for a replacement casing other then allowing full sized DVD's? Don't forget that the IcedCube is a full replacement for the original Nintendo made casing. This includes things like the backplate and even the handle on the back of the cube. Mainly the features are:


• Custom �Front Lip�
• Removable rear handle
• USB/Serial sockets (plus covers)
• (Allowing for) Custom jewel
• Fittings for every type cube (only digital AV out, digital and analog, only analog)

The Custom front lip means that the IcedCube has a lowered center front side. This to make it easier to remove the full sized DVDs. Although I can't imagine any replacement casing not including this, it is good that it has been incorporated in the design of the IcedCube. It really makes it very easy to remove the full sized DVDs without being annoying at other times.

The Removable rear handle is in my opinion rather useless. It can only be removed by disassembling the casing and unscrewing it from the top part of the casing. Personally I can't see why anyone would want to remove it though. The power cable and video cable need at least that much space behind the GameCube anyway. But for those who really don't want the handle you can leave it off.

The USB/Serial sockets (plus covers) are made for people with mod-chips made BEFORE the Viper GC Extreme. They allow for proper install of the flashing units of the different mod chip solutions without any extra modifications. The Viper USB flasher however does not have its own hole. This is why I made my own in the BBA slot cover.

Thankfully for those who are not using the flashing units stickers are supplied that fit over the holes giving the IcedCube a very professional look.

Allowing for a custom jewel is perhaps a bit of an over statement. Though the supplied IcedCube jewel is not already glued to the top of the casing,

you can't just print out an image and use that as jewel. If you can make a proper jewel then it is definitely possible to use your own jewel.

As for fitting every type GameCube, this is indeed possible (though I am unsure of the PanasonicQ). The types differ in having analog or both analog and digital AV out signals/connectors. To accommodate for this the IcedCube has a hole that fits all options, which can be covered by a sticker.

There are two stickers supplied, one for analog out only and one for both type signals.



Conclusion

If you want to use full sized DVD's, this is pretty much the only option you have. And personally I find it a very good one. The plastic is sturdy and thick, looks are great, it allows for mod-chip flashing units and as it's only about 40 USD, it's not even that expensive. It will save you lots of money as opposed to using only mini DVD r's! With a very small budget though, you might want to consider just taking the top off from your GameCube (which does come with its own set of risks).

Installing can be a pain due to the fact that screw-threads are not yet in place, but other then that this is plain and simple a great product.

I hope you've liked reading my review and found it useful.

-Simon "Scorpei" van de Berg

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