2 layers99.7 × 58.8 mm
2 layers26.5 × 34.4 mm
PicoLoaderNSB
makeo/PicoLoader320A cheap and easy to install modchip for the Nintendo GameCube!
- Size
- 26.5 × 34.4 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 45
- Nets
- 62
- Pads
- 206
- Tracks, vias
- 550, 186
- Pours
- 133
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 29 Jun 2025
- Updated
- 4 Apr 2026
Overview
PicoLoaderNSB is an open-source printed circuit board by makeo, from the makeo/PicoLoader repository on GitHub, published under the GPL-2.0 licence. It is a 2-layer board of 26.5 × 34.4 mm with 45 parts on 62 nets, routed with 550 tracks and 186 vias.
It is built around the RP2040, W25Q128JVSIQ and XC6206P332MR, with the 1N5819WS and TS-1187A-B-A-B among its other parts. Its parts include 15 capacitors, 7 resistors, 6 connectors, 3 ICs and 3 diodes. It belongs with the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
5
RP2040
LQFN-56(7x7)12bit 133MHz 30 LQFN-56(7x7) Microcontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC) ROHSRaspberry PiMicrocontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC)
W25Q128JVSIQ
SOIC-8-208mil-40℃~+85℃ 100,000 cycles 120ms@(32KB) 128Mbit 133MHz 1uA 2.7V~3.6V 20 Years 3ms Power-on reset、Hardware write protection、Software write protection、Write enable latch、Absolute write protection SPI SOIC-8-208mil NOR FLASH ROHSWinbondNOR FLASH
XC6206P332MR
SOT-23-40℃~+85℃@(Ta) 1 1uA 200mA 3.3V 6V Fixed Over Current Protection Positive SOT-23-3L Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators ROHSTorex SemiconductorVoltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators
1N5819WS
SOD-3231 Independent 1A 25A 40V 500uA@40V 600mV@1A SOD-323 Schottky Diodes ROHSGuangdong HottechSchottky Diodes
TS-1187A-B-A-B
SMD-4P,5.1x5.1mm-30℃~+85℃ 1.5mm 1.6N 100,000 cycles 12V 5.1mm 5.1mm 50mA Gold No Round Button SPST Surface Mount,Vertical Without Bracket SMD-4P,5.1x5.1mm Tactile Switches ROHSXKB ConnectionTactile Switches
README
README.mdPicoLoader
This is an ODE-based modchip for the Nintendo GameCube to boot homebrew.
Its price and functionality are very similar to PicoBoot but it has multiple advantages.
Join the Discord server to get support and discuss the mod!
How does it work?
This mod works by emulating a disk drive during boot, executing a homebrew app, and afterwards re-enabling the disk drive.
This is achieved using a flex PCB similar to FlippyDrive.
However, it is not a full optical drive emulator and only allows executing small homebrew apps (e.g. swiss) from flash just like PicoBoot.
To access files on an SD card, you need an SDGecko, SD2SP2, or similar adapter, which can be purchased separately.
Features
- Open source
- You can keep the disk drive
- Simple to boot most homebrew apps using an online converter
- No permanent modifications to the GameCube
- 3D printed plug for installs without a disk drive
- Easy to remove
- Running Pico at 200Mhz for better compatibility with clone boards
Soldered Variant
- Cheap and easy to get components (Raspberry Pi Pico/Pico 2 + Flex PCB + Diode)
- Readily available
- No soldering directly to the GameCube
- Easy soldering
- Alternative install options: Panasonic Q, low-profile
Solderless Variant
- No soldering
- Easily replaceable flex PCB
- Pre-programmed with PicoLoader firmware and Swiss
[!TIP] You can buy the solderless and normal variant from store.makstech.io.
Planned Features
cricket sound
Installation & Documentation
[!IMPORTANT] Please follow the installation instructions in the wiki.
When not following the instructions, there is a chance of breaking the flex PCB during installation.
Get started by looking at the 📖Wiki!
Gallery
Special Thanks
- silversteel for his help, especially for making the flex PCBs and mounts
- TeamOffBroadway for the amazing idea to use a flex PCB to intercept the drive signals
- Extrems, emukidid and everyone involved in creating Swiss
- novenary (9ary) for gekkoboot
Acknowledgements
The source of gbi.hdr and gbi_disable_ipl.hdr is licensed under GPL-2.0 and available here
Parts
45| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 100nF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C1, C5, C6, C7, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14 |
| 9 | TestPoint | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm | TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4, TP5, TP6, TP7, TP8, TP9 |
| 4 | 1uF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C8, C9, C15, C16 |
| 3 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R1, R6, R7 |
| 2 | 1N5819WS | Diode_SMD:D_SOD-323 | D1, D2 |
| 2 | 22R | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R4, R5 |
| 2 | 33pF | Capacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005Metric | C2, C3 |
| 2 | 5.1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0402_1005Metric | R2, R3 |
| 1 | + | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm | J4 |
| 1 | 12 Mhz | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm | Y1 |
| 1 | 5025983993 | Molex_Library:CONN_502598-3993_MOL | J1 |
| 1 | C | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm | J6 |
| 1 | D | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm | J5 |
| 1 | G | TestPoint:TestPoint_Pad_D1.0mm | J7 |
| 1 | LED | LED_SMD:LED_0805_2012Metric | D3 |
| 1 | RP2040 | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm | U1 |
| 1 | TS-1187A-B-A-B | Button_Library:TS-1187A-B-A-B | S1 |
| 1 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0 | Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_Palconn_UTC16-G | J3 |
| 1 | W25Q128JVS | Package_SO:SOIC-8_5.3x5.3mm_P1.27mm | U2 |
| 1 | XC6206P332MR | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-23 | U3 |
Questions
How big is the PicoLoaderNSB PCB?
It measures 26.5 × 34.4 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the PicoLoaderNSB use?
45 parts, built around the RP2040, W25Q128JVSIQ, XC6206P332MR and 1N5819WS. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the PicoLoaderNSB KiCad files?
From the makeo/PicoLoader repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is pcb/NSB/Kicad/PicoLoaderNSB.kicad_pcb and its schematic flex/InterposerFlex/Kicad/Flex.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the PicoLoaderNSB design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the GPL-2.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).
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