Bringing the GameCube Back to Life: An 8BitDo Retrofit
If you’ve ever felt the faint but persistent tug of gaming nostalgia, then you’re in for a delightful treat. 8BitDo, the acclaimed peripherals company known for reviving classic gaming experiences, has launched a new mod kit that breathes new life into your wired GameCube controller. This mod kit is a dream come true for both retro gaming aficionados and those who never say no to some juicy tech innovation.
Free of soldering hassles, this kit enables you to retrofit your controller with Hall effect joysticks and modern Bluetooth connectivity. So, what’s in the box? Essentially, the kit swaps out your controller’s existing PCB for a modern, drop-in replacement. It’s loaded with Hall effects joysticks, a 300mAh USB-C rechargeable battery, and—here’s the kicker—a trigger pack that offers about six hours of game time per charge.
The mod makes your GameCube controller compatible with the Switch and Android, meaning you can use it for far more than just your treasured GameCube library. However, this innovation comes with a consideration for purists: the need to upgrade your wired controller may raise questions about hardware preservation. The installation process involves steps such as cutting the cable that powers the vibration motor, which might be a deal-breaker if you’re keen on keeping your retro gear intact.
But let’s be real, plenty of GameCube controllers out there have seen better days—broken sticks, gnawed cords, you name it. If your controller’s best years are behind it, this mod might be the perfect opportunity for revival.
The mod kit slots seamlessly into 8BitDo’s commitment to bringing classic gaming hardware into the contemporary era. While this mod isn’t as straightforward as, say, plugging in their GBros. adapter, it offers a fantastic middle ground for those willing to tinker for a nostalgic payoff.
Nick Frosst: AI Visionary and Indie Rock Frontman
From the echoing halls of computer science to the roaring stages of music festivals, Nick Frosst’s journey is an extraordinary testament to balancing passion with profession. As the co-founder of the Canadian AI startup Cohere, valued at a staggering $5.5 billion, Frosst’s primary claim to fame is his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence. But fascinatingly, he’s also the frontman for Good Kid, an indie rock band comprising programmers who share a love for both code and chords.
Good Kid is no casual garage band. They’ve garnered 2.3 million monthly Spotify listeners, played at Lollapalooza, and even snagged a nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year at the Juno Awards.
Frosst and his crew initially formed Good Kid back in 2015 while at the University of Toronto, a project they pursued out of sheer love for music. Their first single, “Nomu,” released at the tail end of 2015, quickly resonated with fans, offering a refreshing indie rock sound reminiscent of Bloc Party and Two Door Cinema Club. The band has since dropped a slew of singles and multiple albums, with their latest effort arriving earlier this year.
For Frosst, balancing the demands of an AI startup and a burgeoning music career might seem daunting, but he maintains that the two endeavors are mutually beneficial. Band practice serves as a sanctuary from the high-stakes world of AI models and venture capital—a domain where Cohere has raised nearly $1 billion from heavy hitters like Salesforce and Nvidia.
Touring doesn’t mean neglecting his AI responsibilities either. The band’s tour schedule is meticulously planned to allow for a full day of remote programming, converting the tour bus into a mobile office. Interestingly, Frosst believes that this arrangement may actually enhance his focus by reducing the constant barrage of meetings that typically populate his calendar when not on tour.
The band’s lyrical content sometimes touches on themes akin to the world of AI. Even before Cohere’s inception, the song “Nomu” included lines like “languages lost, tokens unknown,” hinting at the technological frontier that Frosst would later pioneer.
The Perfect Harmony of Dual Pursuits
One cannot help but marvel at how Frosst’s dual life adds layers of depth to his professional endeavors. Being part of a successful indie band allows him to de-stress and channel his creativity, which in turn rejuvenates his approach to solving complex AI problems.
The symbiotic relationship between his career and his passion underscores the importance of a balanced life, especially in high-pressure fields like technology and music. And he’s not alone. Each member of Good Kid navigates a similar duality—alternating between the logical rigor of coding and the emotive riffs of their musical pursuits.
This dual life encapsulates a modern renaissance of sorts, where technical prowess and artistic expression flourish in unison. Balancing the worlds of cutting-edge AI and indie rock success offers an invaluable lesson: the best innovations often stem from a well-rounded existence.
Whether you’re a gamer, a developer, or even a budding rockstar, sometimes blending your passions can lead to extraordinary outcomes. In wrapping up this intriguing dual story of tech wizardry and musical mastery, let’s take away a bit of inspiration. Maybe you won’t co-found a billion-dollar startup or rock out at Lollapalooza, but integrating your diverse interests might just unlock new dimensions in both your personal and professional lives.