Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 Recompilation

About

A static recompilation of the Japanese Nintendo 64 release of Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 into a native PC port, using N64Recomp, N64ModernRuntime and RT64 as the renderer. Status is beta: the game boots, renders at high resolution, plays music and sound, takes keyboard and gamepad input, rumbles, and saves persist automatically. The README states it is not an emulator and not a decompilation.

How it differs from the original

The port adds widescreen support through an Aspect Ratio setting, with the 3D scene widened while 2D interface elements keep their original proportions. Its virtual pak provides Controller Pak saves and gamepad rumble together, which the README says needs a physical pak swap on real hardware.

Getting started

Provide your copy of the Japanese N64 ROM, which the port loads directly with no separate extraction step; it accepts only one specific ROM (SHA1 F9E9FA2ED819C3A39DB5CB6AFECA186F021DB5ED). A Windows build is provided and needs a GPU supporting Direct3D 12.0 or Vulkan 1.2. Esc opens the config menu.

Known issues & limitations

• Frame interpolation is disabled and the framerate is locked to Original; high-framerate support is planned.
• Overlays such as MSI Afterburner and software such as Wallpaper Engine can cause performance problems that prevent correct rendering.
• The title screen reports that a Rumble Pak is inserted, even though saves still work and persist.
• The game and menus are in Japanese; patched ROMs are not currently accepted, and translation support is planned.

What you need to run it

Features

• The game renders at high resolution with its original visual effects intact.
• With Aspect Ratio set to Expand, the 3D scene fits the window while 2D interface elements keep their proportions.
• An in-game menu offers general, graphics, input, and audio settings, usable with mouse, keyboard, or controller.
• The project loads assets directly from the ROM; no separate extraction step is needed.
• The virtual pak saves automatically across sessions while also enabling gamepad rumble during matches.
• The game boots, renders at high resolution, plays music and sound effects, and accepts keyboard and gamepad input in menus and matches.

How to install

1. Get a release; building is not required to play.
2. Provide your Japanese game copy and start playing; the project loads assets from the ROM directly.
3. The launcher validates the ROM and stores its own copy, so you can move or delete the original file afterward.

Controls

• Move with the left stick or d-pad; taunt with the right stick. Grapple is A, attack X, run B, climb/turnbuckle Y, and switch focus with the bumpers.
• On keyboard, WASD moves, IJKL taunts, and Space/Shift/Q/E/R correspond to the face buttons.
• Press Esc or the gamepad's Back/Select button during play to open the config menu.

Media

Status & roadmap

• Planned features are frame interpolation, Linux support and mod support.

Additional notes

Language

The game is rendered as it shipped, with Japanese menus and wrestler names; English translation patched ROMs are not accepted yet.

FAQ

What is Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 Recompilation?

Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 Recompilation is an open-source recompilation of Virtual Pro Wrestling 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 and Windows.

Do I need the original game files to run Virtual Pro Wrestling 64 Recompilation?

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

Where is the savefile stored?

On Windows, saves are stored in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Vpw64Recompiled\saves\.

How do I choose a different ROM?

You can't; the project only accepts the Japanese N64 release of the game.

Is the game in Japanese?

Yes. The game menus and wrestler names are in Japanese, while the project's config menus are in English.