Have you gone back to your GameCube after playing on the best PS5 games and suddenly realised that it’s an old console?
Older console graphics always seem better in our heads than they actually are; they were ace at the time, but with game visuals continually improving, we sadly forget that our favourite consoles aren’t as impressive.
The GameCube had some of my favourite games of all time. The WindWaker, Twilight Princess, Mario Party 4, Pikmin, Star Fox Advenutures…
I could list the best GameCube games for hours without getting bored, but you didn’t come here for that. You came here to figure out how to make your GameCube look nice on a super-fancy Smart TV, and we have the answer.
NB – These adapters only work with consoles that have a digital output port on them. Check the back of your console before grabbing any of the cables below.
Table of Contents
1. E.O.N GCHD Mk-II
The E.O.N GCHD Mk-II is more of an adapter than a cable, but it’s one of the best solutions (and best looking adapters) to add some spice to your GameCube graphics.
Unsurprisingly, the Mk-II is the updated model of the original GCHD. It’s one of the best options out there as it doesn’t require any internal modding whatsoever. Using the GameCube to do all the hard work, this adapter produces the highest and best quality signal your GC can handle and boasts tonnes of features to improve your gaming experience.
Just writing that makes me want to go out and buy another one!
What improvements are we talking about. Well, it can push PAL consoles up to 576p and NTSC to 420p. The graphics look smoother and everything flows nicely.
This beast plugs into both the digital and AV ports on the back of your console (remember, it needs an early model GameCube rather than a later one), making the most of both signals. Get digital audio or plug straight into the console’s original audio with headphones.
Users can delve deeper with a universal remote and tweak around with settings, but to be honest, it’s not necessary. Anyone looking for something to bring their old games to life with crips visuals should grab one of these immediately!
Plus, it comes in a box that looks like a GameCube!
2. Hyperkin 3-in-1 HDMI Cable
Next up in our list of the best GameCube HDMI adapters is the Hyperkin 3-in-1 HDMI Cable!
Regular readers no doubt already know how epic Hyperkin are. They’re responsible for some of the best retro gaming peripherals. They bring retro gaming to the masses, making affordable technology that anyone can get their hands on.
The best bit about this cable is that it’s a 3-in-1 adapter. It also works on the best N64 games and the best SNES games too. It’s a non-stop-shop for improving graphics on three of Nintendo’s best consoles!
Like Pound, Hyperkin make cables for pretty much every console on the planet. At $29.99 (around £22), this cable isn’t going to leave you eating bread and jam until payday either. It’s capable of producing up to 720p resolution and boosts the audio of your favourite games too.
There’s always a downside in these scenarios, and unfortunately this cable doesn’t work on PAL machines.
If you’re not in a PAL region, however, then you’re laughing!
And, it doesn’t matter whether you have a newer or older GameCube as this cable plugs into the AV port rather than the digital port.
The results might not be as exciting to look at as the E.O.N GCHD Mk-II above, but Hyperkin’s cable costs a heck of a lot less and still provides a great gameplay experience.
3. Kaico Adapter With Remote
This Kaico Adapter With Remote is another no-nonsense upscaling solution with lots of positive reviews online.
This plug-n-play adapter from Kaico uses open-source software to provide an improved gaming experience for a very respectable price.
Made in conjunction with iKorb, this adapter works with early units boasting the digital port and allows users to control scanlines and line doubling settings via the handy remote. The settings are easy to navigate through and everything just works!
And the best bit; it works on consoles from all regions, so long as they have that all-important digital output port on the back.
The unit itself feels nice too, though be careful where you put it as it could be easy to lose if you’re a klutz like me. It’s simple to install and doesn’t take up much space either!
4. Kaico 2x Line Doubler Adapter
We’re doubling down with Kaico for the final entry on our list of the best GameCube HDMI cables.
The simple choice for those looking to get their consoles up and running with modern TVs is the Kaico 2x Line Doubler Adapter, a neat little adapter that gives you HDMI functionality with your GameCube.
But wait… what’s that on the box? Does that have multiple consoles on there?
The eagle-eyed amongst you will already haven noticed that this line doubler (the yellow box on the right for the non-eagle-eyed of you) has SNES (or Super Famicom), N64, and GameCube up on the box.
Simple, however, isn’t always best for every console, as our official review below will reveal. The main benefit to this adapter is that it easily allows you to connect up multiple consoles for one price, without having to shell out for multiple cables. It works great with the N64, but not as well on the GameCube, making images quite ‘contrasty’.
So, it does the job of allowing you to play on modern 4K TVs that only come with HDMI ports, but it’s taking the 4th spot on our list today because it doesn’t provide the best results in terms of graphics.
Check out our review of the cable in action – Kaico Retro Gaming Adapters Review
