The YouTube channel Digital Foundry managed to emulate Windows 98 on the Xbox Series X and S. It doesn’t really help, but passing this technical challenge is still pretty damn cool.
Computer hackers often set themselves the goal of running an operating system or software on a machine that was not originally intended for that. A running gag settled around Doom first of the name, which can work on all imaginable electronic devices, as long as they are equipped with a screen.
This time it’s Windows 98 and the Xbox Series X|S that are targeted by YouTube channel Digital Foundry and Alex Battaglia. They managed to get this old operating system to work and play video games, not without some issues.
Difficult manipulations with RetroArch
The latest generations of Xbox are moddable and manipulable enough to install an emulator, like RetroArch which is one of the best known. The latter allows you to play the first PlayStation consoles, the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube, among others. To do this, you must activate the developer mode of the console, which costs 14 euros, or else go through a more complex process (which can however result in the banishment of your Xbox Live account).
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Once the emulator was installed and configured, Digital Foundry added a plug-in called DOSBox Pure and provided itself with a copy of Windows 98. To play games, the images must then be transferred to the Xbox.
Play Windows 98 Games on the Latest Xbox
In the video explaining the process, failures and successes, Digital Foundry performs some demonstrations. We see several games played there such as Turok, RollerCoaster Tycoon et Command & Conquer : Tiberian Sun. But that’s not all: it’s Windows 98, which means that pre-installed software also works, such as Microsoft Paint or Word 97.
Tracks that seem to run better on the Series X that on the Series S, the latter being less powerful. However, the biggest problem encountered concerns the accessories. If the keyboard is well detected and functional, this is not at all the case for the controller. In his experiments, Alex Battaglia was forced to resort to joystick therefore Xbox handcuffs.
If you want to emulate Windows 98, we therefore advise you to go through a computer, whether it is a machine under Windows or under macOS. The operating system will be easier to use and the mouse will be functional. Moreover, several games are reissued in HD versions for the most nostalgic.
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