Keychain-size ‘GameCube’ uses genuine Nintendo silicon — system also includes a dock, design shared to GitHub

May 3, 2026 - 18:55

A hardware enthusiast has created what might be the smallest functional GameCube in existence. The project, which has been shared on GitHub, uses genuine Nintendo silicon to run original GameCube games. The entire "console" is roughly the size of a keychain fob, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

But there is a catch. The tiny device does not work on its own. To actually play games, you need to connect it to a separate dock. And that dock is significantly larger than the console itself. The dock handles the connections for power, video output, and controller ports. So while the core unit is impressively small, the full setup still requires a power supply, a controller, and a TV.

The creator designed the system around original Nintendo chips, not emulation. This means it runs games the same way a real GameCube does, without the compatibility issues or input lag that can come with software-based emulators. The design files and schematics have been released on GitHub for anyone who wants to try building one themselves.

Of course, this is not a product you can buy. It is a custom build for hobbyists who have the skills to source the parts and assemble the tiny board. But it shows just how far hardware miniaturization can go when someone is determined to shrink a classic console down to its absolute minimum.