Nintendo 3DS Emulates Windows 95 with DOSBox, Despite Lengthy Boot Time

A tech enthusiast, eager to push boundaries, embarked on an adventurous project to run Windows 95 on a Nintendo 3DS using a homebrew port of DOSBox. The ambitious endeavor took place on the upgraded “New” 3DS, a version that boasts extra RAM and better processing capabilities. With an enthusiasm only a dedicated gamer could muster, TechTuber MetraByte successfully installed the DOSBox port and layered the Windows 95 OS on top. The initial load times were notably drawn out, at one point even requiring the device to be left running overnight for the first boot. Interestingly, the entire OS installation took merely five minutes; however, achieving proper mouse input via the 3DS’s touch screen was a challenge, only starting to function correctly after the OS was up and running.

To catch a glimpse of this unique tech adventure, you might want to check out MetraByte’s YouTube video titled “Installing Windows 95 on a 3ds and Trying to Make Music with it.” It’s a fascinating watch.

Now, here’s the scoop: Windows 95 does indeed operate on the New Nintendo 3DS. This feat isn’t entirely surprising, given that Windows 95 was originally designed to run on systems with as little as 4MB of RAM. Although back then, those systems were predominantly x86 machines, not emulated environments. The New 3DS, furnished with 256MB of RAM, might be modest by today’s standards, but it’s quite generous for running software from the pre-Gigabyte RAM era. Nevertheless, the need for DOSBox to handle x86 emulation on the Arm-based hardware of the New 3DS is what severely hampers performance.

So, while it’s technically feasible to have Windows 95 operational on a New 3DS, it’s far from practical. The installation process is time-consuming, and once you’re in the operating system, usability is minimal. During MetraByte’s trials, even basic MIDI audio file playback was a no-go, and his attempts to use preferred music studio software resulted in a blue screen crash. Still, the OS did function to some extent, suggesting that extremely lightweight software might just manage to run.

Truth be told, if you’re venturing into DOSBox on a New Nintendo 3DS, bypass the notion of installing Windows. Instead, delve into older DOS games that are much more likely to perform well in this setup. Given the actual prowess of the New 3DS, you can enjoy these classics without the stress of wrestling with Windows 95’s overheads on emulation.