Donkey Kong 64 is finally getting a PC version, but this is not a new release from Nintendo. A fan project called DK64 Recompiled is bringing Rare’s Nintendo 64 collectathon to Windows, macOS, and Linux with modern features like widescreen support, higher frame rates, and mods. Players will still need their own ROM, so this is not something that will appear on Steam or the Nintendo Store.
The project is planned for summer 2026, though a final release date has not been confirmed yet. That makes it exciting for fans who want a better way to play the game on modern hardware, but it also means expectations should stay clear.
Nintendo’s official modern option is still Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. DK64 Recompiled is for players who want a native PC build with extra flexibility, better performance, and community tools.
DK64 Recompiled is being made by members of the Donkey Kong 64 randomizer and modding community. The goal is to make the game run natively on PC instead of asking players to rely only on emulation.
This update is expected to bring several improvements that will make the game better for players. The project is expected to support higher resolutions, smoother frame rates, widescreen play, and lower input delay, which could make the old platformer feel much better today.
Players should remember that this information has not been officially confirmed. Players will need to provide their own copy of the game’s ROM, and the project is not being sold as a replacement for Nintendo’s version.
The most useful feature so far is Tag Anywhere. This mod lets players switch between Kongs without running back to a tag barrel every time they need a different character.
That is a big deal because Donkey Kong 64 is famous for making players backtrack. Each Kong has different moves and collectibles, so changing characters is part of the whole game.
Tag Anywhere does not remove the game’s huge collectible structure, but it could make it much easier to replay. For many fans, that one change may be the reason to try the PC version.
DK64 Recompiled is also being built with mod support in mind. That is because old platformers can get a second life when the community has strong tools to change and improve them.
The Donkey Kong 64 randomizer is expected to work with the project later. That should help players who already know the game well find new routes, new goals, and new ways to replay it.
A good PC port can become more than a clean version of an old console game. If the tools are stable, players may keep adding fixes, custom ideas, and challenge runs long after release.
The developers have also made a point of saying DK64 Recompiled is not using AI-generated code. That detail has become more important as retro PC port projects grow and some teams try to rush builds with AI help.
For players, the biggest benefit is that the game should offer a better overall experience with higher quality. A carefully made project should be easier to fix, easier to update, and better for modders who want to build on it later.
This approach makes sense for a game like Donkey Kong 64. The original has many strange systems, character checks, and old design quirks, so a messy PC base could create more problems than it solves.
Players who want the official modern version can already play Donkey Kong 64 through Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. That version is the safer option for anyone who wants the original game without setting up a PC project.
DK64 Recompiled is designed for players who are looking for a different kind of experience. It is for fans who want the game to run better, support mods, and fix some of the old friction that made the Nintendo 64 version harder to revisit.
If DK64 Recompiled launches smoothly this summer, Donkey Kong 64 could get the PC version fans have wanted for years, even if Nintendo is not the one making it.
