Right now, as you read this, over 3.5 million people are currently playing on a Nintendo Switch 2, according to sales figures released by Nintendo. Some are playing Mario Kart World, the day-one console exclusive, while others are likely jumping into Donkey Kong Bananza, the second launch window game that was released earlier this week.
Meanwhile, this Nintendo fan isn’t playing either game. Instead, he’s working hard to develop a portable GameCube, complete with the hardware’s signature “lunchbox” handle.
Forget All The Major Handhelds Because This Is Way Cooler
Taking to Twitter, creator Redherring32 showcased their latest creation, a fully functional handheld GameCube. The creator, who also launched the OpenTendo project, doubles as a hardware engineer of sorts, helping to take wild concepts like the portable GameCube and turn them into actual working pieces.
I'm making a portable GameCube.
— Redherring32 (@redherring32) July 18, 2025
It's not a Wii.
It'll have a directly driven 480p laminated IPS panel for the crispiest GameCube pixels you've seen.
It'll have USB C PD charging.
Video out over USB C.
Wireless 4 player multiplayer.
Oh, it'll play Gameboy games too. pic.twitter.com/d6GyzTHzYE
They say their main motivation was to see what a “modern” GameCube portable console could look like, with hopes of having it ready by November 8 for a competition they are hoping to submit it to.
In all, the console will boast a 480p screen, with built-in USB-C charging capabilities, the ability to play Game Boy games and wireless multiplayer functionality. Despite how massive the original console is, they state that their handheld is no bigger than a GBA and pretty close in size to an actual GameCube disc.
Speaking of discs, it’ll be able to read GameCube discs via some nifty custom-engineered hardware that makes use of proprietary GameCube stuff. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like it’ll be for sale, so the rest of us will be stuck playing GameCube games via Nintendo Switch Online. Oh, to have the skills of engineering in your back pocket.
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By Johnny Flores Jr. 20 July 2025
