Nintendo 3DS Boots Windows 95 Using DOSBox, but the Process is Extremely Slow

A tech enthusiast decided to push the boundaries of what a Nintendo 3DS can do by attempting to run Windows 95 on a homebrew port of DOSBox. Opting for the enhanced version, the “New” 3DS, known for its extra RAM and more robust processing capabilities, TechTuber MetraByte set the stage for this ambitious experiment. After working through the challenges of installing DOSBox, MetraByte managed to get Windows 95 up and running. However, patience was a necessity as the initial boot took so long that he let it run overnight. On the other hand, the installation process itself wrapped up in about five minutes. In an interesting twist, getting the mouse support via the touchscreen didn’t kick in until after Windows 95 was fully launched on the device.

In an interesting development, Windows 95 does indeed function on a New Nintendo 3DS. Given the memory requirements for Windows 95, which needed as little as 4MB of RAM, it’s logical why this setup works. Even though we’re dealing with non-x86 architecture, the New Nintendo 3DS offers 256MB of RAM—tiny in today’s terms but ample for programs born in an era before gigabytes became commonplace. However, the real challenge lies in how DOSBox not only needs to tap into system memory but also has to handle x86 emulation on the device’s Arm-based hardware, which significantly hampers performance.

In conclusion, while you can technically boot up Windows 95 on a New Nintendo 3DS, it’s an exercise in futility. The installation process is long and draining, and the usability of the operating system is minimal at best. During MetraByte’s exploration, even the basics like MIDI audio playback failed, and his music studio software crashed the system entirely, resulting in a blue screen. Though the OS itself barely managed to stay operational, there remains a slim chance that some lightweight programs might function.

In reality, if you’re delving into DOSBox on the New Nintendo 3DS, skip the Windows installation. Your best bet is to indulge in classic DOS games that are more likely to shine under these conditions, given how potent the New Nintendo 3DS can be without the overhead of Windows 95 dragging it down.