In a significant development for retro gaming enthusiasts, the beloved Nintendo 64 title, Banjo-Kazooie, has reached a milestone in its decompilation journey. As highlighted by the X user BringBackBanjoK, a dedicated fan project has successfully achieved 100% completion in decompiling the game. This process involves reverse-engineering the original code of the game and transforming it into C code, which can then be compiled into a playable version for PC.
Unlocking New Possibilities
The implications of this decompilation are exciting for modders and players alike. With the decompiled code, developers can introduce a range of enhancements to the game, including:
- Improved frame rates
- Ultra-wide screen support
- 4K resolution capabilities
- Ray tracing for enhanced graphics
However, to enjoy these enhancements, players will need to provide their own legally-sourced Nintendo 64 ROM of Banjo-Kazooie. The decompilation software extracts essential assets from the ROM—such as character models, audio, and textures—and merges them with the newly created C code to produce a native PC version. This approach is believed to offer some protection against potential legal issues, as the developers refrain from using any copyrighted materials or leaked content.
Decompilation means PC ports of N64 games can be created with new features like ultra-wide support.
Earlier this year, a tool named N64: Recompiled was introduced, streamlining the process of converting N64 binaries into C code. While this tool significantly reduces the time required for decompilation, its creator, Nerrel, cautions that the automated process may not be flawless. Manual adjustments are often necessary to accommodate the faster speeds of modern hardware, making user-led decompilations typically more accurate.
This recent success follows in the footsteps of other notable decompilation projects that have resulted in PC ports for iconic titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask. As the community continues to explore the potential of these classic games, the excitement surrounding Banjo-Kazooie’s decompilation marks another chapter in the ongoing revival of retro gaming on modern platforms.
