Modified Nintendo GameCube Runs PowerPC Windows NT and Doom

Earlier this month, a fresh build of the older Windows NT for PowerPC made an unexpected appearance. What’s fascinating is that it’s now perfectly tuned for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles, all thanks to their use of the PowerPC architecture which was originally supported by the old Windows NT PowerPC releases. This newly surfaced build, called Entii for WorkCubes and available on GitHub, also hints at supporting the Wii U. However, it doesn’t fully utilize the Wii U’s extra features like its additional PowerPC cores, larger memory, or more advanced AMD GPU—it only operates through the Wii’s virtual mode. Early development boards are largely untested or remain in theory only.

For those homebrew enthusiasts curious to see this version of Windows NT on a Nintendo GameCube in action, YouTuber @emukid_id has captured a fascinating walkthrough. This includes the installation process, some basic functionality tests, and even a blast from the past with extremely low-resolution (320 x 200!) gameplay footage of The Ultimate Doom. Sadly, these videos are currently without sound.

However, notwithstanding the silent demos, Windows 95 seems to function largely as expected. You can enjoy classic Windows NT 3D wallpapers like 3D Maze, take notes with Notepad, and surf a basic Internet Explorer homepage. The system also ingeniously supports a variety of PC-like peripherals for Nintendo consoles. For example, there’s a GameCube controller modified to have a full-sized keyboard built into it, transforming the original controls into two separate handles. Meanwhile, the USB ports on the Wii and Wii U offer extra opportunities for USB peripheral integration.

There are inevitably some limitations at play here. Even for a standard Windows NT PC operating in 2025, locating any usable web pages on today’s Internet would be quite the challenge. Even if you manage to get GameCube or Wii’s Ethernet adapters working, online capabilities are highly restricted.

Nevertheless, this setup provides a unique glimpse into the world of Windows NT and PowerPC from before the days of Windows NT 3.5 support. Playing Doom on a GameCube is truly a feat! In comparison, the Wii serves as a sort of souped-up GameCube, featuring a more advanced GPU while maintaining the same basic architecture.

Enhanced Wii U support with NT 3.5 or beyond could potentially raise the stakes by tapping into its 1GB of DDR3 RAM and its trio of PowerPC CPU cores, unlike the single-core setup on the Wii and GameCube. The GameCube itself operated with a mere 24MB of system RAM, while also incorporating specific smaller RAM allocations for video and I/O components.