Donkey Kong Country Recompilation
The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port.
Original game imageAbout
A static recompilation of Donkey Kong Country (SNES, USA v1.0) into a native desktop application, built on the project's pinned snesrecomp fork. The README describes its status as a playable bring-up, with all game code statically generated, playable Windows and macOS hosts, continuous audio and an opt-in widescreen mode. It needs a verified headerless USA v1.0 ROM supplied by the user; no ROM, extracted assets or generated game code are committed.
How it differs from the original
Adds an opt-in 342x224 widescreen presentation, plus graphics, CRT, aspect-ratio, remapping and music controls in the Windows menu. Optional mods include a Dixie Kong Country variant and a Baby Kong mod that swaps in Kiddy Kong gameplay frames taken from a DKC3 ROM.
Getting started
Generate the recompiled sources from your own verified ROM with the included Python script, then build with a Visual Studio developer environment on Windows or with the macOS build script, and launch the result with the ROM path. The macOS app opens a ROM picker when started without arguments. Windows releases are also offered as downloads, and an iPhone/iPad frontend is available as a sideload build that must be re-signed.
Known issues & limitations
- The project is in playable bring-up status.
- The Mac download accompanying the release is v0.0.9 and does not include Dixie or the v0.0.12 save fix.
- Aquatic widescreen fixes are experimental, off by default, and require restarting; whole-game entrance coverage is incomplete.
- The iPhone/iPad sideload IPA requires re-signing for the recipient's device.
What you need to run it
Features
- Windows releases include graphics, CRT/reconstruction, aspect-ratio, remapping, Assist, music, and mod controls.
- Windows v0.0.13 offers an optional Dixie Kong Country variant.
- The native iPhone/iPad frontend offers landscape play, touch controls, controller support, ROM import, and saves.
- On Mac, the host supports optional external MSU-1 replacement music.
How to install
- The signed iPhone/iPad sideload IPA must be re-signed for the recipient's device.
Controls
- Mac keyboard controls match Windows: arrows, Z/X/S/A, Q/W, Return, and Right Shift.
Summarised from the project's README.
Licensing & legal
- Project-authored host and tooling code is MIT licensed, while the pinned snesrecomp framework uses a PolyForm Noncommercial license.
Additional notes
- Saves
- From Windows v0.0.12, in-game saves persist across launches.
- Music
- The macOS host can play external MSU-1 replacement music packs.
FAQ
- What is Donkey Kong Country Recompilation?
- Donkey Kong Country Recompilation is an open-source recompilation of Donkey Kong Country. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on SNES.
- Do I need the original game files to run Donkey Kong Country Recompilation?
- Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.
- How is Donkey Kong Country Recompilation licensed?
- project: MIT (project-authored host and tooling code); project: PolyForm Noncommercial (pinned snesrecomp framework); Yoshifanatic1 DKC1 disassembly: GPL-3 (DKC structural metadata). The repository itself is the authoritative source.
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Original game image