Nintendo 3DS Runs Windows 95 Using DOSBox—Though It Takes Hours to Start

A tech enthusiast took on an interesting challenge by attempting to run Windows 95 on a homebrew Nintendo 3DS using a DOSBox port. Armed with the upgraded “New” 3DS, which offers more RAM and processing power, TechTuber MetraByte managed to install DOSBox and then successfully load Windows 95 onto it. However, the experience was far from seamless, with extended load times, particularly during the initial boot-up. MetraByte even left the device overnight for the process to complete. Despite this, the actual installation of the operating system was relatively quick, taking only around five minutes. Navigating the OS proved tricky, though, as proper touch-based mouse support via DOSBox didn’t fully activate until after Windows 95 was up and running on the console.

Here’s a quick look at MetraByte’s journey:

The intriguing part? Windows 95 can indeed run on the New Nintendo 3DS. Given that Windows 95 was originally designed for machines equipped with as little as 4MB of RAM, the New 3DS’s 256MB seems lavish in comparison. Of course, this is more than adequate for the operating system, which was built for x86 architecture rather than ARM-based systems like the 3DS. The biggest obstacle MetraByte faced was the performance hit due to DOSBox having to emulate x86 on ARM hardware, which slowed things down considerably.

While it’s possible to get Windows 95 up and running on a New Nintendo 3DS, it’s not exactly practical. The process is laborious and once the OS is operational, functionality is severely limited. MetraByte’s experience highlighted these challenges, as attempts to play simple MIDI sound files or use music software led to crashes, including a dreaded blue screen. The most basic features of the OS might work, but anything beyond that seems a stretch.

If you’re using DOSBox on a New Nintendo 3DS, it’s better to stick to playing old DOS games. These classics are more likely to run smoothly given the hardware capabilities, and it avoids the unnecessary hassle of trying to operate an outdated OS like Windows 95 on the device.

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