Topic: Mario Kart: Double Dash - XLink Kai

[UncleBob]

Anyone want to experiment with me?  You'll need a GameCube, Broadband Internet Connection, Broadband Adapter, Mario Kart: Double Dash, the XLink Kai program and to live in the US, preferably close to me.

[Stratos]

If I find a BB Adapter on the cheap I'll totally try it with you. What are those running for now days?

[Mop it up]

Sadly I couldn't participate in this, as all I have is wireless Internet.

I checked eBay and the adapter isn't overly expensive. Here are the amounts for every completed action for the past two weeks (shipping not included):

Used:
$20.50   
$30.00   

New:
$27.66   
$29.99
$34.99   
$49.93
$51.00

[UncleBob]

99 cents if you're super lucky...
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=22490

[Mop it up]

Ha ha, that's awesome.

"No used products found within 100 miles of this ZIP code."

Aw, bummer.

[UncleBob]

I've found four using the tracker.  Keeping an eye on it on a regular basis and once, putting in the ZIP codes I was traveling through on vacation (also found 4 sets of component cables that way)...

[Mop it up]

If I could use it, I might try to track one down, but I can't use it. There are better things I could find for reselling purposes, as well.

I didn't know their accessories are so cheap, though. I see a store near me has a component cable for $5 and a GBA > GCN Link Cable for $1. I might just make that trip...

Thank you for the tip, UncleBob!

[UncleBob]

lol.  You're welcome.  The $5 Component Cables are a steal - but be careful!  It's not uncommon to get there and find out that they're not actually GameCube Component cables in the package (sometimes Composite Cables, sometimes off-brand "universal cables" that won't work with the GameCube via Component, sometimes Wii Component Cables... I've seen/heard it all).  Sometimes a store may just have it in their virtual inventory but not have the physical stock...

So - if you're going that way anyway, it's worth the trip to check it out.  I don't reccomend calling ahead, as some clerks may take advantage of the situation.

[Stratos]

How could they take advantage of the situation? Take the piece away so you can't buy it?

[UncleBob]

How could they take advantage of the situation? Take the piece away so you can't buy it?

Yup.  Supposedly, people have called ahead and find themselves under the impression that once they let the clerk know what they're looking for, they believe the clerk denies having it so they can buy it and resell it on eBay (Keep in mind, the Component cables still get $50+ on eBay...)

[UncleBob]

May I bump this thread to express my annoyance with the fact that Broadband Adapters got stupid expensive before I got my set of eight.

I just need two more.

[Stratos]

Dare I ask how expensive they are now? I still hope to buy some down the road. Kicking myself for not buying even one of the 4 that were sitting in a Frys years ago. Even when there was one left for $40 I had just gotten 4 complete Wavebirds and thought for sure I could get the broadband adapters later for a reasonable price.

I'm also thankful that I snagged a Gamecube player during the pandemic. It was Japanese, but I realized that I could buy a whole new Japan Gamecube, controller, and full Gameboy player for the cost of the US disc alone.

[UncleBob]

The cheapest one on eBay right now is $125 used.

[Stratos]

Sounds silly to say, but not too bad. I was afraid we would be talking 200-300.

[UncleBob]

I am surprised they're that much, really.  I can't imagine there's many people using them for their intended purpose and the unintended purpose of hacking is much easier through other methods.  Of course, it's Nintendo and it's a semi-rare piece of equipment... but still. I'm just salty. 🤣

[Adrock]

May I bump this thread to express my annoyance with the fact that Broadband Adapters got stupid expensive before I got my set of eight.

I just need two more.

Would you consider aftermarket options like the Eth2GC? It doesn’t work with original discs so you’ll have to run Swiss or some other homebrew option like CubeBoot. I know it isn’t the same. The prices for the Broadband Adapter are ridiculous.

[UncleBob]

I ended up finding two on eBay for under $100 each.

If I was gonna go the Homebrew route, I could just use modded Wii systems, as they can emulate the adapter.

[Stratos]

Damn, I entered this thread and read the old messages from 2010 not realizing they were old and thought that they prices had bottomed out on adapters based off Mop it up's prices.

I've heard the used/retro games market has bottomed out a bit as folks that caught the fever during the pandemic (or trying to make a quick buck) have started cashing out so maybe these could drop a bit in the future?

[stevey]

Sounds silly to say, but not too bad. I was afraid we would be talking 200-300.

It was $200+ a few years ago but then people started importing Japanese adapters for ~$100 and it dropped the prices. I picked one up last year and tested it out with a modded wii + dolphin.