Diddy Kong Racing N64 Decompilation Project Nears Completion, Paving Way for Enhanced PC Ports

Diddy Kong Racing, one of the most celebrated kart racers developed by Rare for the Nintendo 64, is making headlines again as its ambitious decompilation project nears completion.

With advancements in decompilation—a process that differs from traditional emulation—the gaming community is one step closer to enjoying a native PC version of this classic, boasting enhancements modern players have come to expect. Launched in 1997, Diddy Kong Racing holds a unique place in the racing genre.

The game not only showcased Rare’s creative prowess, but also became known for its innovative adventure mode, memorable soundtrack, and engaging mechanics.

While emulation is commonplace, recent years have seen a surge in decompilation projects that convert original game code into readable C or C++ source code.

This enables the community to rebuild classic titles for modern platforms, typically improving performance and adding new features not possible on original hardware. Following the success of similar projects for titles like Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Star Fox, attention has turned to Diddy Kong Racing.

The project's development team recently announced that they have achieved approximately 80% completion.

Once finalized, this will pave the way for native ports, opening the door to enhancements such as 4K resolution, widescreen support, and higher frame rates—bringing the N64 classic to life like never before on contemporary PC hardware. The significance of Diddy Kong Racing extends beyond technical achievements.

Former Rare designer Kev Bayliss reflected on the project’s impact, sharing in 2023 that developing the title was "the most enjoyable experience" of his career.

He remarked that after working on darker titles like Killer Instinct, Diddy Kong Racing represented a "breath of fresh air and happiness," underscoring the joy and creativity at the heart of Rare’s iconic portfolio. Diddy Kong Racing remains a beloved fixture in Rare’s catalog, having sold over 4.8 million copies since release, and is frequently cited alongside Nintendo’s own Mario Kart 64 as a standout title on the platform.

The ongoing decompilation effort not only preserves this piece of gaming history but also ensures that it can be experienced by new generations with significant improvements.

As the decompilation project nears completion, retro gaming fans and preservationists alike have much to celebrate—and even more to look forward to as Diddy Kong Racing takes to the modern stage in unprecedented form.

Nintendo Rare PC Nintendo 64 Diddy Kong N64