Cubiboot v0.3 Brings The GameCube’s Startup Sequence Back From The Dead
The Cubiboot project has received a major update. Version 0.3 adds support for SD2SP2 and SD Gecko adapters, brings In-Game Reset to the GameCube, and fixes key compatibility issues for PicoBoot users.
If you are tired of your modded GameCube booting into a wall of text that looks like a DOS prompt from 1993, there is finally a cure.
The GameCube modding scene is currently in a golden age, largely thanks to the Raspberry Pi Pico and the PicoBoot project. However, one aesthetic casualty of this revolution has been the console's iconic startup sequence. For many, the joy of the Indigo cube rolling around the screen has been replaced by the utilitarian, stark white text of Swiss or other file managers. It is functional, certainly, but it lacks soul.
Enter Cubiboot.
Developed by 'makeo' (forking the original work of 'OffBroadway'), this open-source bootloader aims to bridge the gap between modern utility and nostalgic presentation. The newly released v0.3 is a significant update that makes the software viable for a much wider audience.
The solderless PicoLoader modules with replaceable flex cables are available to US customers!https://t.co/EhbeT3tzTD
— makeo (@makeo_dev) October 17, 2025
And as a small treat (or trick), a teaser of something that is coming to PicoLoader and PicoBoot very soon! pic.twitter.com/8g7oU7Ykej
The headline feature here is proper support for SD card adapters. Previous iterations were somewhat fussy, but v0.3 now happily talks to both the SD2SP2 (the clever adapter that slots into the unused serial port) and the SD Gecko memory card slot devices. This means you can keep your optical drive intact, or removed entirely, and still enjoy a seamless boot experience.
Functionally, Cubiboot acts as a masquerade ball for your homebrew. It plays the classic GameCube startup animation (customisable, naturally) before silently handing over control to your preferred dashboard, such as Swiss. It effectively hides the "hack" behind a layer of official-looking polish.
The update also introduces a quality-of-life feature that is essential for couch-bound gamers: In-Game Reset. By holding Z + A + Start, players can now bounce back to the Cubiboot menu without having to physically get up and hit the reset button. For anyone who remembers the tyranny of wired controllers and manual resets, this is a godsend.
There is, however, one technical caveat to keep in mind. The developer notes that file loading speeds on FAT32-formatted cards are currently "very slow" due to a bug. The workaround is simple enough: format your SD card to exFAT. It is a small hurdle for the luxury of a clean boot sequence.
You can download the latest release and view the installation instructions directly on the project's repository.
