Modified Nintendo GameCube Runs PowerPC Windows NT and Plays Doom

Earlier this month, an intriguing revival of Windows NT for PowerPC made an unexpected appearance, this time fine-tuned for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles. Surprising, right? These consoles benefit from the PowerPC architecture originally supported by Windows NT’s PowerPC versions. This particular iteration, dubbed “Entii for WorkCubes” on GitHub, even boasts Wii U support. However, it doesn’t quite leverage the Wii U’s additional features like its twin extra PowerPC cores, amplified RAM, or its robust AMD GPU. Instead, it functions primarily through the Wii’s virtual console feature. Early development platforms haven’t been thoroughly tested, leaving their compatibility in the realm of speculation.

For those homebrew aficionados eager to witness this Windows NT marvel running on a GameCube, YouTuber @emukid_id has shared some captivating footage. It showcases the installation process, basic functionality, and even features some incredibly nostalgic, albeit ultra-low-resolution, gameplay of The Ultimate Doom at 320 x 200 pixels! One tiny hiccup—no sound accompanies these visuals.

Aside from the silent operation, Windows 95 seems to carry on without much fuss. Users can customize their experience with classic Windows NT 3D wallpapers, fiddle around with Notepad, or even venture into the basic Internet Explorer homepage. What’s more, there’s intuitive support for peripherals generally more akin to PCs. Picture a GameCube controller outfitted with a built-in full-sized keyboard, transforming it into an ergonomic masterpiece with original controls acting as spaced-out handles. The Wii and Wii U’s standard USB ports also invite expanded peripheral compatibility, opening new user interaction possibilities.

Admittedly, this setup has its limitations. Trying to navigate the modern web using a 2025-era Windows NT PC would be a steep challenge. Even if there’s compatibility with the GameCube or Wii’s Ethernet adapters, exploring online territory remains a lofty ambition.

Yet this venture offers a nostalgic snapshot of the Windows NT and PowerPC days, predating Windows NT 3.5’s PowerPC support era. The fact that Doom is playable on a GameCube? That’s a feat in itself. Given that the Wii is essentially a turbocharged GameCube with updated GPU tech compared to its predecessor, the accomplishment is even more remarkable.

If Windows NT 3.5, or a subsequent version, were to fully support the Wii U, we’d likely see a massive performance boost thanks to its 1GB DDR3 RAM and three PowerPC CPU cores. This would be a major leap from the GameCube’s modest single-core CPU and its minimal 24MB system memory, although it did have additional small RAM allocations for video and I/O tasks.