Earlier this month, something remarkable made its way into the world of retro computing—a newly crafted version of the long-outdated Windows NT designed for PowerPC. It’s been adapted for use on the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles, both of which share the PowerPC architecture once supported by Windows NT. This intriguing build, whimsically titled Entii for WorkCubes, is now up on GitHub. Although it technically extends to the Wii U, it doesn’t take full advantage of the console’s additional PowerPC cores, greater RAM, or enhanced AMD GPU. Instead, it operates via the Wii’s virtual environment. As for early development boards, they fall into a gray area—either unsupported or theoretically compatible but untested.
For those curious about how Windows NT would behave on a Nintendo GameCube, YouTuber @emukid_id has captured footage of the installation process and basic operation, even showcasing some nostalgic gameplay from The Ultimate Doom at a charmingly retro resolution of 320 x 200. There is a catch, though—none of these visuals come with sound.
While the absence of audio is a downside, Windows NT otherwise appears to run smoothly, executing tasks like setting classic wallpapers and using Notepad. It also handles basic web navigation with Internet Explorer. The ability to connect PC-like peripherals is an exciting addition; envision a GameCube controller merging with a full-size keyboard. This setup turns the original controls into a pair of external handles. The Wii and Wii U’s USB ports further expand the compatibility horizon for USB peripherals.
Unfortunately, enjoying a full browsing experience on the modern Internet with this setup in 2025 seems unlikely. Even if you manage to connect with GameCube or Wii’s Ethernet adapters, the scope of online activity would be very limited.
However, this adaptation offers a unique view back in time, encapsulating the days of Windows NT’s PowerPC support. It’s an era where even running Doom on a GameCube becomes an impressive technical feat. Considering the Wii as a turbocharged GameCube with an upgraded GPU, it’s a fascinating crossover of tech generations.
Imagine what full Wii U support could bring. Tapping into its 1GB of DDR3 RAM and triple PowerPC CPU cores would significantly boost capability compared to the single-core architecture of the GameCube and Wii. The GameCube was a lean machine, working with just 24MB of system RAM and some additional dedicated RAM for video and I/O tasks.
This project, albeit more of a modern technological curiosity than a practical venture, provides an insightful glimpse into the past and shows us the creative projects that dedicated tech enthusiasts continue to pursue.
