DKR-R (Diddy Kong Racing PC port)

Diddy Kong Racing, Rare’s kart racer for the Nintendo 64, came out in 1997. ThatGuyMcd created the DKR-R repository on 5 August 2026 and published Version 1.0.0 on 10 August. Updates have come quickly since then, with a long run of 1.0.5 betas in September and both 1.0.7 and 1.0.8 on 20 October 2026. The repository had about 230 GitHub stars on 21 October. We didn’t find press coverage that names DKR-R itself; the August 2026 DSOGaming article on a Diddy Kong Racing PC port is about a different project.

This site is not affiliated with ThatGuyMcd, the DKR-R contributors, Rare or Nintendo.

What it is

• A static recompilation of the N64 game: the game’s code is turned into a native program for your system rather than run in an emulator.
• Two presentation modes: Accurate keeps the original look, while Modern adds widescreen, interpolated frame rates and optional graphics settings such as enhanced water and lava effects.
• A launcher with built-in extras: a Mod Store for tracks, characters, code mods and texture packs, a save manager with backups, and an overlay you open with Escape, F1 or the controller’s Back/View button.

It works like the other N64 recompilations in our recompiled games list.

Current status

Features listed in the README and guides:

• DKR-R Online: host a lobby, share a five-character code or use Quick Join, with 2 to 4 racers in races and minigames and two players in Adventure;
• custom tracks, custom trophy cups you can build and share, and Custom Magic Codes, which are code mods you review and approve before they run;
• a Mod Store in the launcher, with optional Discord sign-in for reviews and mod requests;
• a Modding SDK, a Dev Menu for track and mod makers, and a ModernCamera++ camera mod;
• one personal save with three slots, plus Controller Pak backup and import.

Known problems and limits: the 1.0.8 notes say 1.0.7 could fail to start on Windows, which 1.0.8 fixes. The platform notes say the Linux AppImages need glibc 2.38 or newer, Android performance and driver behaviour vary by device, and a build that compiles is not the same as one tested on real hardware. The README says the macOS and iOS ports exist in source form and no new Mac or iOS binaries were part of this release pass, although the 1.0.8 release page still lists macOS and iOS files, so we couldn’t confirm how well those work. Online play needs everyone on the same release and ROM revision. We didn’t play the game through ourselves.

What you need

• Your own clean US v1.0 or US Rev A (v1.1) ROM of Diddy Kong Racing. We don’t explain how to obtain or copy game data.
• Windows x64, or Linux with glibc 2.38+ and a working Vulkan driver, or a Steam Deck.
• For mobile, an ARM64 Android phone on Android 9 or newer with compatible Vulkan support.
• For online play, friends with the same DKR-R version and ROM revision.

How to install

From the official README, at a high level: download the package for your system from the GitHub Releases page. On Windows, extract the whole folder and run DKR-R.exe, keeping the assets and libexec folders with it. On Linux or Steam Deck, make the AppImage executable and launch it. On Android, install the APK, and back up your saves before updating. Then add your ROM under Play, choose your settings and start. The README asks you to back up your user data before updating and to use matching builds for online play.

Other Diddy Kong Racing projects

• Golden Balloon by akratch: a separate native Windows port of Diddy Kong Racing with Pure, Restored and Remastered presentation modes, reported by DSOGaming in August 2026. It asks for a US or European v1.1 ROM. DKR-R credits it for informing its HUD work.
• The Diddy Kong Racing decompilation: Time Extension reported in April 2025 that a decompilation of the game was about 80% complete. A decompilation on its own is not a playable PC port.

Is it legal and safe?

• DKR-R is an unofficial fan project, not affiliated with or endorsed by Rare or Nintendo. The README says no ROM or extracted game assets are included.
• Use only a ROM from a copy you own.
• Get it only from the official GitHub repository. Sites offering it bundled with the game are not the project.
• Custom Magic Codes run code from mod makers; the README advises enabling them only from creators you trust.

More kart racers and Rare games on PC: Mario Kart 64, Crash Team Racing, Conker’s Bad Fur Day, GoldenEye 007, and the full recompiled games list.

Unofficial. This page is written by an independent directory. It is not made by, endorsed by or affiliated with Nintendo (developed by Rare) or ThatGuyMcd (DKR-R (Diddy Kong Racing PC port)'s author). We do not host any files, and we never link to game files, ROMs or ISOs.