Something weird I noticed when refurbishing a GameCube...

So I was cleaning up a GameCube I recently bought and I thought I'd take off the badge to give it a clean. When I turned the badge panel over, this is what I saw:


I've never seen Nintendo put anything on the back of their console's panels before, seems a bit pointless since it would never normally be seen. What's also strange are the raised sections on the lid, they're keyed to match the Nintendo logo on the underside of the badge, sorta like the copy protection trick on the Famicom Disk System. Which is again, rather strange, were pirate badges a common problem during the GC's heyday? They can't be there to make sure the badge lines up straight, as obviously the clips and the tab would take care of that. Anyone know the story behind this? I find it rather mysterious!

 

I noticed it too, probably did it to make sure it goes only one way and to make you purchase their badges. However the only replacement badge they released was a mario kart dd one.

 

You've never removed the badge before?

 

There was also a metroid prime badge if I recall correctly.

 

Nope, first time disassembling a GC. Interesting design that console! The badge doesn't seem like it they intended for it to be swappable since doesn't exactly just pop off. Nintendo really sold replacement badges? I don't think I ever saw any in stores, aside from the kind you stick over top of the stock badge.

 

They were not sold like 360 faceplates, they were just part of bundles. One was released in Australia with Metroid Prime.

 

I think there was also one for RE4.

 

And they were full replacement plates, not just a sticker or something?

 

yep, solid plastic.

 

I remember a friend having a Super Smash Bros one
i think he also got it in a pack with his Cube

 

Were these in the US? I don't remember seeing any GC bundles here have those listed on the side.

 

Yes, Pokemon XD. Despite the emblem supposedly not being removable on DOL-101.

I don't know if they used DOL-001 lids for that bundle.

 

Were they pre-installed or something?

 

I think Mario Kart's case it was like a club nintendo gift. I do remember the pokemon one and I believe that one was pre installed.

 

Afaik, they were included as an accessory like the Final Fantasy Xbox 360 that came with a faceplate.

 

I can't seem to find one of those badges on my Panasonic Q

 

There's also a FoxHound badge on the Twin Snakes premium console