In a creative twist, a tech enthusiast decided to challenge the homebrew Nintendo 3DS port of DOSBox by attempting to run Windows 95 on it. Relying on the enhanced “New” 3DS model, which boasts additional RAM and processing power, TechTuber MetraByte managed to install the DOSBox port and subsequently get Windows 95 up and running on it. However, patience was required as initial load times were notably long; MetraByte let it run overnight just for the first boot. On the bright side, installing the OS itself was relatively quick, taking only about five minutes. Despite this, issues persisted, as proper mouse input via the touchscreen didn’t function correctly until well after everything was installed.
In an intriguing test, Windows 95 did successfully boot up on the New Nintendo 3DS. This somewhat makes sense given that Windows 95 was designed to run on systems with as little as 4MB of RAM, even though the New 3DS’s 256MB of RAM seems minimal by modern standards. The challenge arises from using DOSBox, which is tasked with emulating x86 architecture on the ARM-based hardware of the New 3DS. This emulation layer places a significant strain on performance.
So, can you run Windows 95 on a New Nintendo 3DS? Yes, but it isn’t practical. The setup process is cumbersome and drawn out; even booting up results in a largely unusable interface. MetraByte’s attempts to play basic MIDI files or run music studio software ended in failure, often resulting in a dreaded blue screen. While the system did manage to exhibit some basic functions, running anything beyond the simplest of software seemed out of reach.
Therefore, if you’re keen to experiment with DOSBox on the New Nintendo 3DS, it’s advisable to steer clear of Windows. Instead, take advantage of the device’s capabilities to enjoy classic DOS games. These titles align well with the hardware’s strengths without the burdensome overhead of an entire operating system like Windows 95, allowing for a more seamless retro gaming experience.
