The Nintendo GameCube is known for playing the best version of Smash Bros. and its vaguely rectangular aesthetic. It’s not particularly known for running a workstation OS from the mid-1990s. However, with a little work, your diminutive purple console could also boot up Windows NT if you really wanted it to.
If you’re interested in seeing what this looks like, there’s a great video from [Jiga Tech] on YouTube that outlines the install process. Just note that the GameCube never really came with a proper keyboard. If you want textual input, you’ll have to fuss with a range of controller-entry methods, or get one of the rare GameCube controllers that had an entire keyboard in the middle. We’re not even kidding, they did exist.
If you’re still obsessed with this generation of consoles, consider trying to order pizza from your Sega Dreamcast. Video after the break.
Retroactively catching up with Dreamcast which had “Compatible with Microsoft Windows CE” embossed on the front of the console itself.
In turn, the Tandy VIS ran a custom Windows 3.1 and predated the Dreamcast. :)
It was never meant to work or be useful in any way. The whole “console-computer” thing was done only for tax reasons in countries which imposed lower taxes on computers compared to game consoles. Same deal with PS2 Linux and others.
The topic is quite interesting, IMHO!
Interestingly, China had built home computers based on Famicom/NES technology.
That was quite an conveniant solution, apparently.
Game consoles were not so socially well accepted,
so instead kids got educational computers they could use to play Famicom games on, too.
And secondly, it made use of the existing high production run of Famiclone chips (Dendy and co were made in China).
There even were keyboard-based Famiclones with 3,5″ floppy drives, mouse, a GUI and an DOS-style operating system (see Subor, Batong products etc).
Something similar existed with Sega MD/Genesis clones, too, but to a lesser extent.