Modified Nintendo GameCube Runs PowerPC Windows NT and Doom

Earlier this month, an unexpected development emerged in the world of retro computing. A fresh build of the long-unused Windows NT for the PowerPC architecture has been discovered and optimized specifically for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii systems. This optimization takes advantage of these consoles’ reliance on the PowerPC architecture originally supported by Windows NT. Known as Entii for WorkCubes, this intriguing version is now available on GitHub. Surprisingly, it even has a degree of compatibility with the Wii U, although it doesn’t fully harness the Wii U’s additional PowerPC cores, expanded RAM, or enhanced AMD GPU. Instead, it operates via the Wii’s virtual mode. Early developer boards are still a bit of a question mark, with some potentially supported in theory, but not yet put to the test.

For those interested in the homebrew scene, YouTuber @emukid_id has generously shared a video showcasing the Windows NT installation process on a Nintendo GameCube. This footage includes glimpses of basic functionality and even some extremely low-resolution gameplay of The Ultimate Doom. However, it should be noted that these videos currently lack sound.

Despite the absence of audio, this Windows environment remarkably replicates the old-school Windows 95 experience. Users can engage with nostalgic features like 3D Maze, fiddle around with Notepad, and launch the Internet Explorer home page. Additionally, there’s smart compatibility with various PC-like peripherals for Nintendo systems. For instance, there’s an intriguing setup using a GameCube controller with an integrated full-sized keyboard, transforming the traditional controls into something more akin to a computer interface. Plus, the USB ports present on the Wii and Wii U open up possibilities for using various USB peripherals.

Of course, there are limitations to this endeavor. Even a modern-day user trying to operate a Windows NT PC in 2025 would struggle to find web pages that function appropriately on today’s internet. While the GameCube and Wii’s Ethernet adapters might still connect, their online capabilities seem largely restricted.

Still, this adaptation offers an intriguing throwback to the Windows NT and PowerPC era before Windows NT 3.5 came along. The fact that Doom is playable on a GameCube is impressive in itself. It’s worth noting that the Wii essentially acts as a turbocharged GameCube, thanks to its upgraded CPU and new GPU.

While proper Wii U support could significantly boost performance by leveraging its substantial 1GB of DDR3 RAM and three PowerPC CPU cores, compared to the single-core setup on the Wii and GameCube, we’re not quite there yet. With the GameCube operating on just 24MB of system RAM, augmented by small dedicated allocations for video and I/O, these developments hint at intriguing possibilities for the retro-gaming and software enthusiast communities.