MarioKart 64 Recompilation

About

MarioKart 64: Recompiled uses N64: Recompiled to statically recompile MarioKart 64 into a native port with new features and enhancements, using RT64 as its rendering engine. Static recompilation is described as automatically translating an application from one platform to another. A Linux binary and a Flatpak are available, including for the Steam Deck.

How it differs from the original

Compared with the N64 original it adds high framerate support, widescreen and ultrawide support, mod and texture pack support, and options for stick deadzone and axis inversion. It also advertises low input lag. Model replacements, ray tracing and multi-language support are listed as planned features.

Getting started

Download the latest release and provide your copy of the North American version of the game in the main menu; assets are loaded from it automatically with no separate extraction. Only the US N64 ROM is accepted, and ROMs in formats other than .z64 are converted automatically. Mods can be installed by dragging them onto the game window, and a portable.txt file next to the executable enables portable mode.

Known issues & limitations

• Some animation quirks may appear at screen edges in certain cutscenes with very wide aspect ratios.
• Intel GPUs on Linux may not currently work.
• The prebuilt Linux binary may not work correctly on some Linux distributions.
• MSI Afterburner overlays and software such as Wallpaper Engine can cause performance problems that prevent correct rendering.
• External framerate limiters may cause problems or stuttering.

What you need to run it

Features

• The game supports any framerate; by default it runs at your monitor's refresh rate, and changing the framerate does not affect gameplay.
• Any aspect ratio is supported, with most effects adapted for widescreen; the HUD can be positioned at 16:9 in ultrawide.
• You can install, toggle, and configure community mods and texture packs through the mod menu.
• In-game menus let you configure gameplay, graphics, input mappings, and audio settings.
• The menus can be used with a mouse, controller, or keyboard.
• The project preserves original N64 graphical effects, with modifications for enhancements such as widescreen support.

How to install

1. Download a prebuilt release, then provide your North American game copy in the main menu to start playing; no separate asset extraction is needed.
2. On Steam Deck, extract the Linux build, add its executable to Steam from desktop mode, then return to Gaming mode and configure the controls.
3. Prebuilt binaries are available in the Releases section.

Controls

• The in-game menus support mouse, controller, and keyboard.
• Input mappings can be configured in the in-game config menu.

Additional notes

Decomp relation

The port is not based on the decompilation's source code, but uses headers and some functions from the MarioKart 64 decompilation for its patches and enhancements.

FAQ

What is MarioKart 64 Recompilation?

MarioKart 64 Recompilation is an open-source recompilation of Mario Kart 64. 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 MarioKart 64 Recompilation?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

Where is the savefile stored?

Windows: `%LOCALAPPDATA%\MarioKart64Recompiled\saves`; Linux: `~/.config/MarioKart64Recompiled/saves`; macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/MarioKart64Recompiled/saves`.

How do I choose a different ROM?

You cannot choose another ROM; the project only accepts the US version of the N64 release. Other formats are automatically converted if they contain the correct ROM, and it cannot run arbitrary ROMs.