SD Media Launcher VS SD Gecko

Sure there are lots of modchips for GameCube/Wii, but homebrew software (BIOSes to run backups, emulators, homebrew games, mp3 players,...) can be played in a more easy way without the need to be burned in some media. I'm talking about run homebrew stuff through SD cards. You don't need to open your home system, so you do not loose the warranty and risk your pretty system. You don't need to spend time and money in burning a new disc each time you want to change the content, the version of some program, add a new mp3,... you simply move them to a SD card, and play it through SD Gecko or SD Media Launcher method. I see there is some confusion about them, so I compare both SD methods here.

Now SD Media Launcher is being bricked by Nintendo's last firmware.
So the way to do it is getting a SD Gecko and running sdload with either an autoboot disc or an Action Replay backup (you require a modchip to do so). You can find SD Gecko either in ebay or the best price here (if you don't like ebay)

It is pretty pointless now that SD Media Launcher doesn't work, but you can still read the old comparison here:

Sorry, no way for SD Media Launcher users, so get a SD Gecko instead.


SD Gecko adapter

Stuff needed:

SD Gecko + Action Replay (a version that let you add new code, since Datel removed it in latest version) Or SD Gecko + modchip (to launch a SDLoad self booting disc or an Action Replay backup)

Homebrew compatibility:

100% compatibility. Sdload is the old pioneer menu system that allows to run homebrew software from SD cards with the help of an Action Replay disc. The GameCube homebrew stuff have been made and tested to work through sdload, since it was the traditional way for SD cards.

Price:

SD Gecko adapter can be found new in ebay for about 15USD shipping included
Action Replay can be found in some online shops for around 20USD
Total price is around40$

Other comments:

With Action Replay you don't only get a disc to launch sdload. Action Replay is a product that lets you run lots of unofficial cheats for most GameCube games (cheats that will unlock secrets, hidden characters, will help you to success in the game, funny cheats,...). Futhermore Action Replay includes Freeloader that allows to play games from other regions.

Pros:

-You get more for less $ (SD method + best cheat system + freeloader)
-100% homebrew compatibility

Cons:

-More complex (you need to follow this tutorial to get it working)


SD Media Launcher

Stuff needed:

Disc and SD adapter all included in the same SD Media Launcher package

Homebrew compatibility:

Lower compatibility. Datel fastly did a sdload clone after Wii launch, but it misses some stuff and not all the homebrew software works on it since the homebrew software was made to work on sdload firstly.

Price:

SD Media Launcher is 50$ shipping not included

Other comments:

With this package you don't need to buy anything more. You get all the needed stuff to get it working, so it is more simple than SD Gecko + Action Replay. Furthermore, to get sdload running in Action Replay, you need to enter a long code. With SD Media Launcher you get all ready to work.

Other thing homebrew scene lovers should care is the fact that Datel removed in newest version of Action Replay the 'add code' feature (the feature that allowed to play to some amazing new codes such as play with Sandbag or Crazy Hand in SSBM) so people with newest version can't load sdload and needs to buy the SD Media Launcher instead of an additional SD Gecko. To sum up, Datel made a worst version of their Action Replay simply as an attempt to make still more $$$ from the homebrew scene.

Pros:

-More easy (all in the same package ready to work)

Cons:

-You get less for more $ (only sd method)
-Lower homebrew compatibility
-You give more money to a company that only cares about money, not customers

Well, that's all. Hope you enjoyed this comparison, and don't forget to ask if you have some question!

EDIT: sdload tutorial link now works!

Nice topic!

You forgot to comment that if you have a modchip, you still save more $ with SD Gecko, since you don't need to buy Action Replay (you can already run a sdload autoboot disc or an AR backup). You simply need a SD Gecko, so save more than half the price of SD Media Launcher!

However, if you own a chip, you still expend all the money in the whole package of SD Media Launcher, since Datel only sells it as a whole package.

Meh i dont agree with this, i think SD media launcher is better. First off you can not find AR for $20, cheapest i found is 30 and thats not including S&H. Also as stated you have to find a right version of AR for it to work anyhow, SD media has everything all together all ready. Also with SD Media when you load the GCOS you can play Any region games to. I have talked and seen videos SD media launcher is best way to go... My 2 cents

I think you should add a note that these can't be used for save data for GCN games as that seems to be asked a lot.

Originally Posted by 160R

Nice topic!

You forgot to comment that if you have a modchip, you still save more $ with SD Gecko, since you don't need to buy Action Replay (you can already run a sdload autoboot disc or an AR backup). You simply need a SD Gecko, so save more than half the price of SD Media Launcher!

However, if you own a chip, you still expend all the money in the whole package of SD Media Launcher, since Datel only sells it as a whole package.

You still have to pay for the original AR disc to back-up if you want to use an AR back-up to load it .

Now I bought GC controller and GC mem.card (I asked abt gecko sd card but they dont even know it in Singapore and I can't wait to order online as I have to go back to my country). I'm confusing about n64 games that can play on the wii or not and if yes, can you point me out what files need to play ? I also have a SD card but I wonder is that useful to play emulator and old games ?

Thanks in advance and I'm totally novice plz understand me

Originally Posted by mgph

Now I bought GC controller and GC mem.card (I asked abt gecko sd card but they dont even know it in Singapore and I can't wait to order online as I have to go back to my country). I'm confusing about n64 games that can play on the wii or not and if yes, can you point me out what files need to play ? I also have a SD card but I wonder is that useful to play emulator and old games ?

Thanks in advance and I'm totally novice plz understand me

N64 games u can buy in the wii shop or use a (crappy) n64 emulator for gamecube. And ofcourse they won't know it in a shop because it's not exactly sold in legal stores.. Also, gecko and freeloader and sdloader and action replay are blocked in the new firmware not sure if it even works with GCOS.

Originally Posted by mgph

Now I bought GC controller and GC mem.card (I asked abt gecko sd card but they dont even know it in Singapore and I can't wait to order online as I have to go back to my country). I'm confusing about n64 games that can play on the wii or not and if yes, can you point me out what files need to play ? I also have a SD card but I wonder is that useful to play emulator and old games ?

Thanks in advance and I'm totally novice plz understand me

Well, in Virtual Console you can play only few games from NES, SNES, Turbografx16, N64 and Genesis.

With SD Gecko you can play the whole games catalogue for NES, SNES, Master System, Scumm, Genesis, Turbografx16, GameCube homebrew games, Neo Geo Pocket, GameBoy/GameBoy Color, Game Gear,... with even more features than original games (as for example unofficial cheats such as GameGenie or be able to transfer the saves between Wii-PC for some systems). With SD Gecko you can also play games for Game Boy Advance, N64, Neo Geo CD, and Mame, though not all the catalogue for these systems due these emulators not being fully compatible. Don't you think it is worth?

I don't think SD Gecko is aviable in normal stores. You can find SD Gecko at http://stores.ebay.com/wiibuy

PS

And most people here owns a modchip, so you only need to buy the SD Gecko adapter to get them work through the SD card (they doesn't work through the Wii default SD port)

SD Media Launcher doesn't work with new update
However sdload autoboot disc WORKS with new update Other reason to pick up a SD Gecko

Anyways, about Wii firmware updates, you simply must turn off the Wii to avoid those updates.

Or you can also play SD Gekko with an Action Replay backup

However no way for SDML users since its backups doesn't work.

Is curious to see how the old AR+SD Gekko survives while even newer methods die.

The link to the Tutorial won´t work anymore

Have just changed the link to one working

Thanks for notice about it, this means someone read it

Originally Posted by miyawii

EDIT: sdload tutorial link now works!

nope, the link isnt working now