A native port of Donkey Kong 64 is finally playable on PC thanks to a team of programmers who boast that 'no generative AI [was] used at any point in the process'

A native PC port of Nintendo's 1999 platformer Donkey Kong 64 has arrived, and the team behind it proudly declares that no generative AI tools were employed during its creation. DK64 Rekongpiled, a recompilation of the game's code for contemporary hardware, was released today. All players need is an original Donkey Kong 64 ROM to run it.

In a Bluesky post and trailer, contributor 2dos confirmed that no generative AI was used throughout the process. The original game's elements, including its distinctive 3D graphics, lively soundtrack, and unique challenges, remain intact. The port now runs at high resolutions and framerates typical of modern PC games, and allows for mouse controls.

This port surfaced just two months after another group faced criticism for using AI in their version, which complicated the development process. The DK64 Rekongpiled project was initiated by a team of programmers with extensive experience working with DK64's backend code over the past decade, who chose to avoid AI tools for more straightforward, clean code modifications.

The developers' success is evident in the port's impressive performance, with the villain King K. Rool—voiced by 2dos—voicing his frustration in the release trailer as he watches his plan to restrict PC access to the game fail.