Modified Nintendo GameCube Runs PowerPC Windows NT and Plays Doom

Earlier this month, something intriguing emerged in the gaming world: an updated version of the long-retired Windows NT for PowerPC has been crafted to run smoothly on Nintendo’s GameCube and Wii consoles. This development leverages the PowerPC architecture that these consoles share with the original Windows NT PowerPC versions. This project, now dubbed Entii for WorkCubes and available on GitHub, supports the Wii U, but only in a limited fashion—utilizing the Wii’s virtual mode, without tapping into the advanced capabilities of its additional PowerPC cores, increased RAM, or robust AMD GPU. Early development boards either aren’t supported or have untested theoretical compatibility.

For homebrew fans eager to see Windows NT in action on a GameCube, YouTuber @emukid_id has shared video footage showcasing the installation process, basic operations, and even some low-resolution (320 x 200) gameplay of The Ultimate Doom. Sadly, these clips come without any sound.

Apart from the missing audio, Windows 95 appears to be functioning quite reliably. This includes setting up iconic Windows NT 3D wallpapers like 3D Maze, using Notepad, and opening the basic Internet Explorer home page. Impressively, there’s intelligent support for various PC-like peripherals on Nintendo consoles. For example, a GameCube controller with a full-sized keyboard wedged in the middle turns the standard controls into distant handles, offering users more practical input solutions on genuine hardware. Plus, the USB ports on the Wii and Wii U open up possibilities for adding USB peripherals.

Despite these advancements, compromises are evident. In 2025, even on a standard Windows NT PC, it’s unlikely you’d find compatible web pages to browse today’s Internet. While the GameCube and Wii remain compatible with Ethernet adapters, online functionality is quite restricted.

Yet, this system provides an intriguing glimpse into the older Windows NT and PowerPC era, before Windows NT 3.5 was even a thing. It’s impressive to have Doom running on a GameCube, considering that the Wii essentially offers a CPU-overclocked version of the GameCube, with a new GPU for good measure.

If the capacity of the Wii U could be fully harnessed—its 1GB DDR3 RAM and triple PowerPC CPU cores—versus the single-core setup of its predecessors, it’d be a game-changer. The GameCube originally managed with just 24MB of system RAM, though it had other small dedicated RAM allocations for video and I/O functionalities.