In the wake of the Nintendo 3DS store’s closure and the end of online support for the beloved handheld console, a wave of renewed interest has emerged among tech enthusiasts eager to explore its potential. One particularly intriguing project comes from YouTuber MetraByte, who has taken on the challenge of running Windows 95 on the 3DS, showcasing the endeavor in a video aptly titled “Installing Windows 95 on a 3DS and Trying to Make Music with it.”
The Experiment
MetraByte describes their channel as a space dedicated to “putting stupid things on stupid devices,” a fitting introduction to this ambitious hack. Utilizing a version of DOSBox tailored for the 3DS, the creator guides viewers through the painstaking setup process, which involves extensive command line input using only the handheld’s stylus and touchscreen keyboard. The journey is anything but smooth, featuring a series of false starts, reboots, and even a blue screen of death.
Despite the myriad challenges, MetraByte perseveres, eventually reaching the setup wizard. However, the limitations of the 3DS become glaringly apparent, particularly its modest memory specifications. With only 16 MB of RAM allocated to the Windows 95 installation, even simple tasks like opening MS Paint prove to be a Herculean effort. The New Nintendo 3DS, which boasted a more generous 256 MB of RAM compared to its predecessor’s 128 MB, still struggles under the weight of this retro operating system.
Technical Hurdles
As MetraByte attempts to allocate more memory to the Windows 95 installation, they encounter further obstacles, with the system refusing to accept anything beyond 32 MB without crashing. The flickering display and occasional digital glitches add to the chaotic charm of this setup, culminating in an attempt to run music software, Ableton. Unsurprisingly, the results are less than stellar.
For those yearning for the nostalgia of Windows 95 in a portable format, there are certainly more practical alternatives available today. Devices like the Ayaneo Flip DS handheld computer are designed with such creative endeavors in mind, offering a more user-friendly experience. Yet, MetraByte’s exploration is a testament to the enduring allure of retro technology and the lengths to which enthusiasts will go to revive it, ensuring that this quirky hack is unlikely to be the last of its kind.
