Nintendo GameCube Transformed to Operate PowerPC Windows NT and Play Doom

Earlier this month, a surprising development emerged as a refreshed version of the once obsolete Windows NT for PowerPC found its way into the spotlight. Remarkably, it has been optimized to run on the Nintendo GameCube and Wii systems—platforms you wouldn’t typically associate with such software. This advancement takes advantage of the original Windows NT PowerPC’s compatibility, making it a natural fit for these consoles, which share the PowerPC architecture. Dubbed Entii for WorkCubes, this build is available on GitHub and even offers some functionality for the Wii U. However, this is only through its virtual Wii mode and does not tap into the Wii U’s enhanced features like additional PowerPC cores, increased RAM, or more powerful AMD GPU. Unfortunately, testing on early dev boards is either not done or remains in hypothetical territory.

For those homebrew enthusiasts eager to see this Windows NT build in action on a GameCube, YouTuber @emukid_id has shared videos detailing the installation process, some basic operations, and even a nostalgic run of The Ultimate Doom at an incredibly low resolution of 320 x 200 pixels. One downside is the absence of audio in these clips.

Despite the lack of sound, Windows 95 operations appear to run fairly smoothly. You can indulge in configuring some retro Windows NT 3D wallpapers, like the classic 3D Maze, dabble in Notepad, or browse the old Internet Explorer home page. The system also shows intelligent compatibility with more PC-like peripherals adapted for Nintendo consoles. Imagine a GameCube controller transformed with a full-sized keyboard nestled in the middle—opening a world of input possibilities. Fortunately, the Wii and Wii U’s standard USB ports further expand these capabilities, enabling USB peripheral usage.

Although this setup comes with compromises, including limited online functionality due to outdated internet compatibility—even with the potential use of GameCube or Wii Ethernet adapters—the core experience is still noteworthy. It serves as a time capsule to the era of Windows NT’s PowerPC days, well before Windows NT 3.5. Impressively, Doom remains playable on the GameCube, an admirable feat given the hardware. And remember, the Wii essentially functions as a GameCube with a souped-up CPU and a new GPU.

If the Wii U could harness NT 3.5 or a later release of Windows, it might significantly uplift performance, leveraging its 1GB DDR3 RAM and triple PowerPC cores—compared to the Wii and GameCube’s single-core architecture. The GameCube, on its part, operated with just 24MB of system RAM, complemented by smaller dedicated allocations for video and I/O functions.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates about these fascinating throwbacks in the gaming world!