Earlier this month, a surprising development emerged with the release of a newly optimized version of the long-outdated Windows NT for PowerPC. This build, now tailored for the Nintendo GameCube and Wii consoles, takes advantage of the PowerPC architecture originally supported by Windows NT PowerPC releases. Interestingly enough, it’s dubbed Entii for WorkCubes on GitHub and even includes some level of support for the Wii U. However, it doesn’t leverage the Wii U’s additional PowerPC cores, expanded RAM, or more robust AMD GPU; it only functions through the Wii’s virtualization feature. Testing on early development boards is either not conducted or remains theoretical.
For fans of homebrew software eager to see Windows NT operating on a Nintendo GameCube, YouTuber @emukid_id has shared video footage capturing the Windows NT installation process, its basic functionality, and even some gameplay of The Ultimate Doom running at a very modest 320 x 200 resolution. It’s worth noting that these video demonstrations lack sound.
Despite the absence of audio, Windows NT appears to function mostly as one might expect. Users can configure classic Windows NT 3D wallpapers, operate Notepad, and visit the basic Internet Explorer homepage. Additionally, there’s clever support for various peripherals akin to those found on PCs, such as a GameCube controller integrated with a full-sized keyboard, converting its original controls into a pair of extended handles. This innovation offers some handy input options for users using original hardware. The standard USB ports on the Wii and Wii U also expand compatibility with USB peripherals.
Nevertheless, there are undeniable limitations. Even those using a standard Windows NT PC in 2025 would find it challenging to access contemporary web pages due to lack of compatibility. While functionality with GameCube or Wii’s Ethernet adapters remains, online activities are quite restricted.
Despite these constraints, the setup serves as a nostalgic glimpse into the era of Windows NT during its pre-NT 3.5 PowerPC support days. Playing Doom on a GameCube, though surprising, showcases an impressive accomplishment. In essence, the Wii serves as a souped-up GameCube with enhanced CPU and GPU capabilities compared to its predecessor.
Enhancing Windows NT 3.5 or later for proper Wii U support could significantly elevate functionality by tapping into its substantial 1GB of DDR3 RAM and trio of PowerPC CPU cores, in contrast to the single-core designs of the Wii and GameCube. The GameCube, for comparison, operated with as little as 24MB of system RAM, alongside additional small dedicated RAM allocations for various components like video and I/O.
