Nintendo Patents Watch

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Knowledge-based discourse

GC Die Shots

A Chinese repair shop decapsulated a Game Card 2 IC and Game Card 1 IC to compare the dies (image 1 below; GC1 on top, GC2 below).

  • GC2’s memory area is larger than GC1’s (image 2)
  • GC2’s controller is smaller but has more contacts (image 3)
Photo of decapsulated Game Card 1 IC on top, and Game Card 2 IC below
Photo of decapsulated Game Card 1 IC on the left, and Game Card 2 IC on the right, showing that the memory area is larger in GC2
Photo of decapsulated Game Card 1 IC on the right, and Game Card 2 IC on the left, showing that GC2’s controller is smaller but has more contacts
  • The dimensions of both ICs are about the same (image 1 below)
  • GC2’s contacts are showing along one edge (image 2)
  • GC2 has one more layer of PCB than GC1 (image 3)
Side view of Game Card 1 IC on top, and Game Card 2 IC below it; showing that the IC heights are about the same (else where in the video it shows that their dimensions are about the same, not just the heights)
Side view of Game Card 1 IC on top, and Game Card 2 IC below it; showing that the contacts of GC2 IC are showing along the edge
Photo of Game Card 2 IC; only a small area is decapsulated, exposing the underlying structure

Note: Both ICs tested are made by Rohm. ICs from other manufacturers may or may not be identical.

[Originally posted on 2025-10-12 Pacific Time]