What is Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled?

Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled is an open-source recompilation of Chameleon Twist 2. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on N64.

Do I need the original game files to run Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy. The original game is required to build or run this project.

Where is the savefile stored?

Windows: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\ChameleonTwistRecompiled\saves`; Linux: `~/.config/ChameleonTwistRecompiled/saves`.

How do I choose a different ROM?

You cannot choose a different ROM; the project only accepts the JP version of the N64 release, and it is not an emulator for arbitrary ROMs.

Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled

RecompilationHaltedPlayableWindowsLinux

The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port.

Based on Chameleon Twist 2

Image of the original game, Chameleon Twist 2. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Chameleon Twist 2 (original game, not this project) — Image of the original game, Chameleon Twist 2. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Links, repository & details

About

Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled uses the N64: Recompiled static recompilation tool to turn the Nintendo 64 game Chameleon Twist 2 into a native port, rendered through the RT64 engine. It reproduces the original's graphical effects while adding enhancements such as configurable high framerate, widescreen/ultrawide support, low input lag, instant load times, and Linux/Steam Deck support. It requires the original Chameleon Twist 2 game data to build or run, since the repository and its releases contain no game assets.

How it differs from the original

Unlike ports based on a decompilation, this project uses static recompilation, which doesn't require decompiled source code — though it does borrow headers and some function definitions from an existing Chameleon Twist decompilation project. It only accepts the original Japanese N64 ROM of Chameleon Twist 2 (auto-converting other formats to .z64) and is explicitly not a general-purpose N64 emulator. Framerate can also be changed from the original without affecting gameplay, and widescreen/ultrawide support is added on top of the original presentation.

Getting started

Prebuilt binaries are available in the project's Releases, so building from source isn't required to play. On first launch, flickering can be fixed by pressing F1 and setting Presentation to "Console" in the enhancement configuration menu. On Steam Deck, the extracted Linux build can be added to Steam from desktop mode via the executable's right-click "Add to Steam" option.

Known issues & limitations

platform: Intel GPUs on Linux may not currently work.
platform: The prebuilt Linux binary may not work correctly on some distributions of Linux.
compatibility: Overlays such as MSI Afterburner and other software such as Wallpaper Engine can cause performance issues and prevent the game from rendering correctly.
graphics: Some animation quirks can be seen at the edges of the screen in certain cutscenes when using very wide aspect ratios.
Very wide aspect ratios can show animation quirks at the edges of the screen in some cutscenes.
Intel GPUs on Linux may not work.
The prebuilt Linux binary may not work correctly on some Linux distributions.
Overlays such as MSI Afterburner and software such as Wallpaper Engine can cause performance problems and prevent correct rendering.
Overlay software such as MSI Afterburner or Wallpaper Engine can cause rendering/performance problems and disabling them is recommended.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game (N64 version). The original game is required to build or run this project.

The original game is required to run the project.
A GPU supporting Direct3D 12.0 (Shader Model 6) or Vulkan 1.2 is required.
A CPU supporting AVX is required.

Features

The in-game menu lets you configure gameplay, graphics, input mappings, and audio using a mouse, controller, or keyboard.
You can play at your monitor's refresh rate or choose the original framerate; changing framerate does not affect gameplay.
Any aspect ratio is supported, and the HUD can be positioned at 16:9 on ultrawide displays.
You can adjust stick deadzone and invert the X and Y axes for aiming and the optional dual analog camera.
A Linux binary is available, including for Steam Deck.

How to install

On Steam Deck, extract the Linux build, then in desktop mode add the Zelda64Recompiled executable to Steam; return to Gaming mode and configure the controls.

Controls

The menus can be operated with a mouse, controller, or keyboard.
You can customize stick deadzone and invert the axes for aiming and the optional dual analog camera.

Summarised from the project's README.

FAQ

What is Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled?: Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled is an open-source recompilation of Chameleon Twist 2. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on N64.
Do I need the original game files to run Chameleon Twist 2: Recompiled?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy. The original game is required to build or run this project.
Where is the savefile stored?: Windows: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\ChameleonTwistRecompiled\saves`; Linux: `~/.config/ChameleonTwistRecompiled/saves`.
How do I choose a different ROM?: You cannot choose a different ROM; the project only accepts the JP version of the N64 release, and it is not an emulator for arbitrary ROMs.