What is Plants vs Zombies Decompilation?

Plants vs Zombies Decompilation is an open-source decompilation of Plants vs. Zombies. Source code reconstructed from the original game's compiled binary, so the game can be understood, rebuilt and ported.

Do I need the original game files to run Plants vs Zombies Decompilation?

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

Plants vs Zombies Decompilation

DecompilationSporadic

Source code reconstructed from the original game's compiled binary, so the game can be understood, rebuilt and ported.

Based on Plants vs. Zombies

compare all 4 clones

Image of the original game, Plants vs. Zombies. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Plants vs. Zombies (original game, not this project) — Image of the original game, Plants vs. Zombies. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Links, repository & details

About

A fork of a Plants vs. It uses an SDL and OpenGL renderer with SDL Mixer X audio. Windows and Linux are listed as working, Nintendo Switch works on real hardware and Citron, Haiku partially works without music, the 3DS port is in development, and a Wii U port is planned but not started. Game data from PvZ GOTY is required.

How it differs from the original

Replaces the original renderer with SDL and OpenGL and Windows-only code with cross-platform code, and supports main.pak. This fork adds Unicode wide characters, webp images, opus audio and zstd compression of pak contents.

Getting started

Copy main.pak and the properties folder from your PvZ GOTY copy to the path next to the built executable, or to the platform's data path on console ports such as sdmc:/switch/PlantsvsZombies on Switch. Extracted data from a pak extractor can be used instead of main.pak.

Known issues & limitations

Kenji-NX crashes on boot.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game.

Features

The Nintendo Switch port works on real hardware and Citron.

How to install

Copy main.pak and the properties folder to the executable's folder, or to the listed data path for a console port.
Alternatively, use extracted game data instead of main.pak.

Summarised from the project's README.

Additional notes

Linux: On Linux there is a small issue on first start-up where the game is stretched fullscreen, making buttons hard to click.

FAQ

What is Plants vs Zombies Decompilation?: Plants vs Zombies Decompilation is an open-source decompilation of Plants vs. Zombies. Source code reconstructed from the original game's compiled binary, so the game can be understood, rebuilt and ported.
Do I need the original game files to run Plants vs Zombies Decompilation?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.