Earlier this month, tech enthusiasts got a treat as a fresh build of the long-retired Windows NT for PowerPC made a surprise appearance. Thanks to the PowerPC architecture inherent in both the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles, this forgotten gem has been given new life and is now optimized for use on these classic gaming systems. This particular iteration, dubbed “Entii for WorkCubes” on GitHub, hints at potential Wii U compatibility. However, it doesn’t take full advantage of the Wii U’s two extra PowerPC cores, its substantial RAM, or its more advanced AMD GPU, instead running through its virtualized Wii function. It should be noted that early development boards are yet to be officially supported or tested, despite theoretical compatibility.
For those who fancy homebrew exploration, especially those thrilled at the thought of running old-school Windows NT software on a GameCube, there’s good news. YouTuber @emukid_id has shared footage showcasing the installation process, some basic functionalities, and even a glimpse of The Ultimate Doom in action, albeit at a modest 320 x 200 resolution. Curiously, sound seems to be missing from these recordings.
Nonetheless, this Windows 95 setup seems to meet expectations. Users can engage with classic elements like configuring classic 3D wallpapers such as 3D Maze, tinkering in Notepad, or briefly visiting the basic Internet Explorer home page. Importantly, there’s intelligent support for PC-like peripherals suited to Nintendo consoles. This includes a novel GameCube controller that integrates a full-sized keyboard, transforming the original grips into spaced-out handles. Plus, the USB ports on the Wii and Wii U offer a gateway to explore USB peripheral compatibility.
Admittedly, there are some limitations here. Even regular Windows NT PCs face challenges in seamlessly navigating today’s web. So, despite potential Ethernet adapter support for GameCube or Wii, online capabilities might feel quite limited.
Still, this setup serves as a nostalgic trip back to the early days of PowerPC support with Windows NT, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past. With Doom still playable on the GameCube, it’s a charming feat of retro gaming. Meanwhile, the Wii—with its enhanced CPU and upgraded GPU—showcases its evolution from the GameCube.
Optimizing the Wii U for a later version of Windows, such as NT 3.5 or beyond, could potentially elevate its capabilities, tapping into its significant 1GB of DDR3 RAM and triple PowerPC cores. This is in stark contrast to the Wii and GameCube’s single-core architecture. The GameCube, in particular, operated with just 24MB of system RAM, though it did make use of various smaller dedicated RAM allocations for video and I/O tasks.
