Enthusiasts Get Windows NT Running on the Nintendo GameCube

A growing modding project has set out to bring Windows NT 4.0 — an operating system originally released in 1995/1996 — to the Nintendo GameCube. The effort is built on the GitHub project "Entii for Workcubes" and recently gained wider visibility through a video from YouTube channel Jiga Tech detailing the installation process.

How it started

The project traces back to last year, when a new build of Windows NT for PowerPC architecture surfaced online. Because both the Nintendo Wii and GameCube share similar PowerPC-based hardware, modders were able to get the "Entii for Workcubes" build running, bringing the 1990s operating system to the GameCube-era hardware.

The software side of the process was first demonstrated in February 2025 by YouTube creator emu_kidid. More recently, in 2026, both Jiga Tech and Michael MJD released videos focused on the hardware installation steps — including removing the disc drive, fitting a replacement drive in its place, and using an SD card routed through a GameCube memory card housing.

Both creators successfully got the system running: Michael MJD demonstrated a round of "Solitaire," while Jiga Tech additionally got the GameCube keyboard controller working, along with partial functionality for the DK Bongo controller.

Why older consoles

Observers note that this level of compatibility is possible largely because the Wii relies on much of the same underlying hardware as the GameCube, including its PowerPC architecture. The project also reflects a broader trend of modders gravitating toward older Nintendo hardware, as the company has taken an aggressive legal stance against modification of its newer consoles. This continues to fuel wider conversations around hardware ownership rights and preserving access to older technology.