Donkey Kong 64 unofficial PC port launches with no generative AI used, team confirms
A native PC port of the 1999 Nintendo 64 platformer Donkey Kong 64 is now playable, and the team behind it has made a point of stating that no generative artificial intelligence tools were used during its development. The project, called DK64 Rekongpiled (also referred to as Donkey Kong 64: Recompiled), is a recompilation that translates the original game's code into a form that runs natively on modern hardware, rather than through emulation.
To play the port, users need an original Donkey Kong 64 ROM, as the release does not include any of the game's assets. The current version supports only the US ROM. The port is built on the N64: Recompiled tool, which converts Nintendo 64 game code into C code that can then be compiled to run on multiple platforms. This approach allows the game to run much faster than traditional emulators that rely on interpretation or dynamic recompilation.
The port supports unlocked frame rates, meaning players can run the game well above 60 frames per second if their hardware is capable. It also includes support for widescreen resolutions and native 4K output. The cut-scenes have been updated to work with widescreen displays. The project aims to offer the best possible controls, with mini-games updated to scale with lagless gameplay and very low input delay. Mouse controls are also available. Mod support is included, with DK64: Randomizer expected to arrive at a later date.
No generative AI used
In a post on Bluesky and in the project's trailer, contributor 2dos stated that "no generative AI [was] used at any point in the process." The port arrives just two months after a group of programmers decided to take on the project, following their observation of another group heavily using AI "vibe code" in a similar effort. At the time, 2dos wrote in the N64 Recomp Discord server that the competing project's reliance on AI would "make it progressively harder to manage as time goes on."
"Our DK64 recompilation project is backed by folks who have worked on and tinkered with the backend of the DK64 code for well over a decade, and do not rely on vibe coding to make code changes," they wrote. The use of generative AI programming tools like Claude has become common in emulation and hacking communities in recent years, as they allow programmers to assemble ports in a fraction of the time. However, experienced programmers on the DK64 Rekongpiled team see significant problems with the bugs and other issues that such AI-generated code can create.
Trailer and team background
The release trailer for DK64 Rekongpiled features a comedic scene where the villain King K. Rool, voiced by 2dos, realises his plan to prevent people from playing the classic game on PC has been thwarted by programmers. His henchman, also voiced by 2dos, expresses disbelief that the game runs at 4K resolution and 200 frames per second, and abandons his boss to play it himself.
Some of the same people who worked on this port previously contributed to the DK64 Randomizer, indicating a long history of tinkering with the game's code. The port retains all the original content, including its fuzzy 3D graphics, bouncy soundtrack, and the other elements that made Donkey Kong 64 an innovative and occasionally frustrating experience. Everything runs at high resolutions and high frame rates like any other modern PC game.
The release of this unofficial PC port follows a trend of similar projects for other classic console games. Other unofficial PC ports have been made available for titles such as Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Crash Team Racing, Duke Nukem: Zero Hour, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Perfect Dark, Jak & Daxter, Mario Party 4, Sonic Unleashed, GoldenEye 007, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Silent Hill, Super Smash Bros 64, Gears of War 2, Syphon Filter, Diddy Kong Racing, Ace Combat 6, Blue Dragon, Tekken 3, Mario Kart Wii, and Pokemon Crystal.